Help for Bruno

Afternoon all,

Bit of a problem with Bruno and would like some help/feedback from you all. Apologies for the length of this!

Bruno went for a dog last night when walking with my wife. Thankfully he didn't lock on and the other owner scooped up his dog before anything serious. Bruno nipped the owner's finger.
We were lucky that the owner was reasonably ok about it and was ok with a sorry but it's a concern.

Bit of history about Bruno. He was shipped around kennels for the first 18 month of his life and I think was giving a good kicking a fair few times.
When we got him he was really high energy and mega pully on lead which you would expect if you have been kennelled for so long. He has always been quite nervous aggressive with other dogs. He has never done anything serious but it is always something on our minds. We certainly wouldn't let him off the lead if we were unsure of another dog.

If the proper introduction is done with him then he is fine. He also lived with another 3 dogs at one time and no problem.

Two months ago we got a dog walker to help socialise him and Bella as the majority of walking I do with them are outwith times that we will come across other dogs. The dog walker says he is fine, sometimes a bit off but generally he gets on with all dogs in the pack and one's that he comes across. He is also fine when out with me and my wife and is fine with other dogs (last night apart).

The dog walker is currently on holiday and has been for just under a week. Whilst the concern is not the lack of exercise he gets as im out for an hour and a half in the morning and then he gets a half hour at night. I'm wondering if after only a few days of no socialising that he has taken some steps back.

Or is it just a one off?

My concern longer term is that we are moving rural in a couple of months which will be great for the B's but there is no dog walker and they are going to be left in the house for 6 hours a day. Still getting a good walk either side of that and a nice big garden to run about when we are home.

I'm just wondering whether I should consider rehoming them. They have a good life with us. Good walks, nice house etc. Is it fair for me to leave them in the house for 6 hours a day?

I'm so worried about putting him back into "the system" and it just all going wrong for him but at the same time there could be someone out there that can maybe do more for him than we can.

Bruno is my boy and such a sensitive soul but we cant have him going for dogs and if it's all down to socialising then maybe he should be somewhere else?

Also, a wee side note. I find that Bruno at the moment is right into playing with a ball so when I walk him he always has a ball in his mouth which seems to help keep his attention on something other than other dogs and last night my wife didnt take a ball. Could that have been it?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Really dont know what's best for him anymore and it would be good to get thoughts from folk not directly involved.

Thanks

Sometimes you can't pinpoint why a dog reacts, it could be they get bad vibes off the other dog. 6 hours is a long time to be alone it is recommended you only leave them for 4 hours. However I think if they are loved and get exercised they are better being alone for 6 hours than being rehomed  

Echo Claires advice, sometimes dogs to pick up a negative vibe from other dogs, like us really we all don't like everyone.
Good idea to always make sure you take the ball especially if it holds his attention.  

6 hours at home is better than 23 and a half hours alone in a kennel a day, or at worst pts! Please don't put them back into shelters. Build it up slowly in the mean time and with eachothers company (if it's possible to leave them together) or even without eachothers company I'm sure they'll be fine, they're clearly very well loved and looked after. Staffies can be selective with other dogs, it's just something that you have to expect with the breed, it's unnerving, trust me I know, but try not to panic, go back to basics and do as you already are with them. You're doing a fantastic job!

Thanks all,
When we first got Bruno he was on his own for 1 day a week. As life has moved on we are working a bit more and that's another reason a walker was good for them.
I agree that 6 hours is a bit much but also think that to try rehome them would be worse for them. Especially when we are just about to get a nice house with a big garden and lots of good walks and a log fire to rest after!
Bella would be fine as she is a pup with no issues but Bruno would struggle and that's why I think that in the long run yes it's not ideal but i'm sure he would rather 6 hours than be kennelled again.

They get an hour and a half forrest walk in the morning and half an hour ball games after work. They are both left together and seem happy to cuddle up and listen to the radio.
Although there isn't a local dog walker I am hopeful that long term there will be someone that can pop in to spend some time and let them out as it's a wee village so plenty of dog owners.

As it wasn't me last nite walking I dont know the full in's and out's but I agree that it's prob just a case of the the other dog giving off a bad vibe. Also the lack of tennis ball to distract him.

I really appreciate all the feedback. I suppose I just wanted some reassurance that although being left in for that time isn't ideal that it's a better life than what they could probably have.

My wee girl absolutely adores Bruno and he "checks her room for spiders and monsters" every night and stays in her room til she goes to sleep. She would be distraught if he was to go.

The joys of owning a staffie. An emotional rollercoaster but always worth it when you get home and see that face.

Life chops and changes, nothing is ever guaranteed and we all know we'd like to offer that perfect home where we can be at home more often, or give them more exercise but unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way. I have to leave my girl a lot, and the guilt that I feel for it is tremendous, but it was my house or dead and I was the only shot in life she was going to get, so I gave it to her and do the best that I can. I'm sure most dogs would love a big garden and a log fire to snuggle by after a long walk! Everybody needs reassurance sometimes, and I'd like to say it sounds like a wonderful home!

Thanks Rachel,
I will always do my best for them. I feel bad that they are left in for a bit too long but I do think we make up for it when we are in the house or out for walks.
And as you say, when it's that or something a lot worse then we just need to remind ourself that they could have it worse.

If only they could speak i'm sure they would say they are fine!! ha