Did I do the right thing?..

Hello,

I've just joined to ask your opinion on something that happened to my baby today. Please read before yelling at me...

Basically I rescued a 'long-legged' staffy a few months ago from some stupid chav kid (sadly, now an inlaw) who was treating him terribly (hardly feeding him, acting VERY aggressive towards him over minor things, no walkies or playtime, no vet visits). He basically had him just to look "hard" and really didn't care about him. An example: once I had to visit the house for some reason and we were all in the living room talking. The kid decided to show me the dogs new trick which was to give paw. He gave the dog the command and the dog didn't respond. So he gave it again and the dog barked at him defiantly (or playfully?). The kid then leapt up and slammed the dog down to the ground by his neck so hard that the television fell from the stand, and held him there whilst screaming at him. He then smacked him in the head quite hard. I cant be sure but I think the dogs' mouth was bleeding. After this I decided that I had to get this dog away from there and so I took him in, even though there were multiple issues with my landlord and finances etc.

Things went well for us for a while. I got a better paid job & moved into a house with a dog-friendly landlord, took him to the vet for all his issues (he had a fungal skin infection and ear mites, and was crawling with fleas), we played everyday and walked 4 miles through the countryside each evening. He put on a healthy amount of weight and his coat started to shine again. I spent a small fortune on him at Pets At Home. He stopped being so fearful and became VERY obedient. We even took part in some agility with good results! Then the problems began.

There were 3 serious incidents:
1. Whilst we were in the garden playing our favourite game (catch with the tennis ball), he became excited and started running towards me, ignoring the ball. He then started growling aggressively, barking and snapping at me and attempted to bite my hand (snapping around it). He was completely deaf to my commands for him to come or stop and lunged at me repeatedly. He didn't actually bite me at this stage, but his actions were definitely aimed at that and he was NOT playing. I ended up grabbing the garden hose nearby and spraying him, which startled him into stopping. I then quickly grabbed his collar and led him inside where he calmed down a bit. This continued to happen every time we would go outside
2. My neighbours children were playing football next door when their ball fell into my garden - they asked me to throw it back. My dog jumped the fence (!!! it was a very high fence, I cannot think how he managed this!) and began lunging at the neighbours child in their own garden. He then bit the little boy's arm and it was almost impossible for me to get him off. He was shaking his head from side to side and growling, and the little boy was screaming. I even (in my blind panic) hit my dog to try to get him off (something I would never usually do) - and this didnt work or even phase him. Finally I managed to pull the little boy out of his jacket and rush him inside. There was a lot of blood and he needed stitches. I was up until nearly 2am with the father begging him not to call the police. He finally agreed not to, which no doubt saved my boys life.
3. Whilst out walking I decided to let him off the lead. This was before the above incidents - he has excellent recall off the lead usually and plays well with other dogs whilst on the lead. We were in a remote field and I couldn't see any other animals or people. We played fetch a few times then walked for a while. We bumped into a guy walking his Labrador and I stopped for a chat. The dogs were playing nicely. Suddenly the labrador bolted (after a rabbit I think) and the man started calling her loudly. This must have spooked my staffie because he immediately tried to bite him in the leg. I caught him by the harness in the nick of time, but it was extremely close.

These major issues really worried me. I worked with a dog trainer to correct them - the methods he taught us worked as long as there was food in my hand OR we were on a leash. Eventually they only worked if we were on a leash. The behavior became more and more unpredictable and I began having to physically restrain him rather than him listening to me. I have a medical condition which I'd like not to discuss, but basically I am extremely underweight (105lbs) and he easily overpowered me. I eventually came to the conclusion that he was going to attack me as he would constantly growl and bark at me and bite my arm (jacket sleeve). I had to muzzle him constantly except at feeding time and bed time and we couldnt play anymore because he would begin his attack routine.

I looked at rehoming him but a lot of the centres said they were inundated with staffies. Those that didn't said he would be put to sleep due to his behaviour. Finally a friend put me in contact with a man who was interested. I spoke to the man for hours and explained all his behaviour and that he was likely to attack. I asked if the man had any children and he didnt. I then invited the man to come and see him in the house - he witnessed all the lunging, growling and barking and decided that he was willing to work with this with the dog. He seemed very firm and the dog instantly obeyed him. He mentioned that he had owned an aggressive rottweiler in the past. I tried numerous times to talk him out of it but he had his heart set on him and eventually took him. I gave him my phone number and begged him to return him if he couldn't keep him.

So I ask you - was I right to rehome my baby? Should I have had him euthanised? Should I have kept him? I loved him very much and miss him terribly even though this all happened only a few hours ago. My heart is breaking and I cant stop crying. I will miss our long walks, being woken up with sloppy kisses at 6am and his constantly wagging tail and silly staffy grin. Aside from the aggression he was the ideal dog - but the aggression just became too much. What do you think? was this the right course of action?

thanks for reading my essay..

I think you done the right thing, No offence meant by this Staffies are extremely strong minded dogs he had obviousely lost his trust in humans long before you got him, and it would take a seriousely powerful person to pull him back and show him who is boss (not with a punch though like the first guy) Its a real shame you had to give him up, you loved him but he was too far gone for a "minor" if you get what i mean, Hopefully this guy can turn him around I hate to say it though i just hope he's not a dog fighter but i'm sure you looked into that, If the guy keeps you updated you might even be able to visit your boy, if this guy is as decent as you say you done the best thing for him. Hopefully this guy can creat balance and stability and your boy can finally be at peace and relax around humans and realise we're not all scum like his first owner is.
If you hear anything else on him please let us know, I'd love to be kept upto date.

Things to note for the future.
Having taken on troubled pups/young dogs before all I would say is have patience and more patience.It takes a long time to break an old habit but it can be done.

As the poster above said you need to show him who is boss.Think little things like always going through doors and gates first.Lead the way don't allow him to be in front on a walk.If he pulls stop and call him to your heal and get him to sit till he calms down.Roll him over smoothly and hold him on his back to he submits if he was being a bit agro to you or any other person.

Try to teach your dog the leave it command.Make it a fun game that the dog will love.

One more thing I can think of is getting one of those long nylon training leads.I have one and it was great till the trust built up and I learned how my pup was with recall.

Hope that this may be of some help to you.

I would never re-home a dog.You've failed the dog I'm afraid although you had good intentions which I admire.Sorry to be harsh.Hopefully the dog will be happy in his new home.

Firstly, welcome to the forum and I hope you'll stick around.

I would have to disagree with Staffy, because I think you did the right thing. You rescued the poor thing from an abusive owner and you tried hard to mend the dog's broken spirit.

Unfortunately, through lack of experience you couldn't cope with him, and I think had you kept him then you would have failed him.

An aggressive stafford (for whatever reason) is dangerous if you cannot control him, and by the sound of it you had lost your trust in him?

I hope that the guy he went to turns him around, and that he keeps in touch so that you can see how he's getting on.

As I said before, please stick around & enjoy the forum & if you do hear from him, let us know!

Caryll lets agree to disagree.

Hi and welcome. I think you have done the right thing, if you can't cope then there is know point prolonging the agony on both you and him. I hope this man can turn things around unfortunatly, and don't yell at me I do worry things may have gone too far. Keep us updated if you can, and hopefully with training and a very strong hand he may turn him around.

Don't be too hard on yourself though. You tried and got him out of the worst situation he could have been in. Heres hoping x

Hi guys, thank you all for your responses. I've just read the thread on dog fighting on Gumtree which has set my mind racing - I really hope that's not what this guy was up to!! Although he didn't 'seem' the type..

@Staffy: 's the poster above said you need to show him who is boss.Think little things like always going through doors and gates first.Lead the way don't allow him to be in front on a walk.If he pulls stop and call him to your heal and get him to sit till he calms down.Roll him over smoothly and hold him on his back to he submits if he was being a bit agro to you or any other person.' -

I did all this as per the dog trainer. I did the walk through doors first and he never pulled on the lead so that wasn't an issue. I also did some other things he recommended like not allowing him on the bed, and if he does go on the bed to put my hand/arm on top of him (has anyone heard of this - I thought it was odd). He would roll over onto his back no problem. He was a perfect angel until he was outside. Very well behaved - all commands listened to first time. Then we'd go out side and he would just turn. If he 'went for me' he would have killed me because of my medical condition, I know it..

I'm just sitting in an empty house looking at his kong and basket and it's so hard..

Oops, I forgot to state his age in the OP - he was 2 years old, so not a puppy. Thought that was important...

For me you only had 2 choices re-home or put to sleep
Ive said this on many a post all dogs, people living things have to be managed so they are safe you definatly are not that person for this particular dog but out there is a dog suitable for you so move on make contact with a stafford rescue near yourself they will find you a pet that is suitable for you and you can even foster that pet and decide its right for you before you commit to full adoption. But dont be sad there is no reason why you should not have a loving pet you took this dog out of a horrible situation so for that you are his saviour. Personally as he was bent down pinning the dog to the floor Id av probably picked up the nearest chair and socked the bloody ar**hole with it and you have that as a reletive lucky you he would never get another if it were up to me.
I personally would have taken contact details from the person who has taken the dog I hope he keeps in contact with you for your peice of mind try not worry just anytime or anyone asking about rehoming a staffy please try a staffy rescue first they are saviors for the breed

Caryll wrote:Firstly, welcome to the forum and I hope you'll stick around.

I would have to disagree with Staffy, because I think you did the right thing. You rescued the poor thing from an abusive owner and you tried hard to mend the dog's broken spirit.

Unfortunately, through lack of experience you couldn't cope with him, and I think had you kept him then you would have failed him.

An aggressive stafford (for whatever reason) is dangerous if you cannot control him, and by the sound of it you had lost your trust in him?

I hope that the guy he went to turns him around, and that he keeps in touch so that you can see how he's getting on.

As I said before, please stick around & enjoy the forum & if you do hear from him, let us know!

i totally agree you started with good intentions plus i dont really go for the through doors and gates first tosh as that not really got much to do with dominance
well done for even trying but as you say with your health you tryed your best

gem wrote:...Personally as he was bent down pinning the dog to the floor Id av probably picked up the nearest chair and socked the bloody ar**hole with it and you have that as a reletive lucky you he would never get another if it were up to me...

I felt like doing that believe me!! I asked him later what the heck he was playing at and he said that it's good for them to hold them down to establish dominance! the cheek of it. I know you're meant to hold them over on their back but surely not by their neck with such force! The poor dog couldnt breathe, I could see it. I hope someone does the same to him one day

Actually, you don't have to hold them on their back - just get them to lie on their side & be relaxed when you are above them. Pinning a dog down on its back when it's done something wrong doesn't teach it anything other than fear & resentment. By all eans push them on to their side, but if you have to hold them down, then you're on a hiding to nothing, he'll just struggle & make sure he skips away before you can get him next time!

some people just should never have animals should they...

you tried to do the right thing and give the dog a decent home.. no wonder he acted like he did though.. cruelty is NOT the way !

are you going to try to contact the new owner down the track to see how he is going?? hope it has a really happy ending for you.. and the dog !

Caryll wrote:Actually, you don't have to hold them on their back - just get them to lie on their side & be relaxed when you are above them. Pinning a dog down on its back when it's done something wrong doesn't teach it anything other than fear & resentment. By all eans push them on to their side, but if you have to hold them down, then you're on a hiding to nothing, he'll just struggle & make sure he skips away before you can get him next time!

Agreed if you have to forcefully hold them down then they are not ready for the correction. If you have to keep them there then they are only going to fear you because you done it in an unatural and unstable way, Like Caryll said having them lay down and turned onto the side relaxes them and puts them into a stable frame of mind calmness they react by pretty much thanking you for relaxing them when they were in an unstable state of mind like aggression/fear and then they learn something from that.

Wow.
Let's hope this new 'daddy' handles all the issues correctly and little furball learns to behave.You totally did the right thing.Kudos to you. xx

Thanks Skylas-mom. I can't believe how upset I am over losing this dog that was only with me for a few months. I'm a total wreck! I broke up with my much loved (ex)husband of 7 years and I was not nearly as upset as this!!

I was in touch with the guy again today and re-iterated that if he couldn't keep him at any point in future to just call me, and he said that that wouldn't be an issue and my boy seems happy. So..

Of course you're upset.This guy seems genuine and will look after your doggy.Have faith.xx

I'd just like to say well done to you for taking the dog away from that awful guy.. It's only a shame things didn't work out.
I think you did the right thing in trying to find someone who would take him in and work with him rather than the alternative. I know you are broken hearted just now, but as someone else said there are plenty of other staffies in rehoming centres in need of a caring and loving owner like yourself. Good luck and welcome to the forum xx

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I think I'll get another staffy in future but a) from a rescue centre that temperament tests their dogs and b) when I own my own place.

Something I've just thought to ask: During serious incident number 2, my hand got bitten. I didnt think at the time he broke the skin. Looking at it now there are 3 pretty big purple round marks on my palm and one of them has indeed broken the skin. Do I need a tetanus shot???? My doggie was up to date on all his vaccinations etc...I will try and post a picture but I'm not good with technology so it's a bit unlikely...

If i was you i'd go get a tetanus jab, just to be on the safe side.

I agree that you did the right thing you did good things by this dog taking him away from that evil boy and you obviously grew a bond but sounds like he had a hard start in life and this affected him this man might be able to help him and turn him into a very well behaved dog.