tips please

I rescued a staffy in November, he got into a chaps car and wouldn't get out.
Timid and afraid the vet says he has signs of being used as bait dog, the poor fellah. I took him in and he's safe and happy now.
I walk him down a bog road outside my house, but although he is very well behaved, if anyone approaches us you can see the fear in them, even though he does nothing to be afraid of.
Maybe it's the powerful physique and the bad rep staffies get.
My wife doesn't like him at all and won't let him in the house, and the mirror seems to have daily reports of dog attacks in the UK which she constantly tells me of.
I take great care with him when out and in, and keep close eye on him while out with our terrier X, who is a more mouthy dog when she gets annoyed and shadow just looks at her dumbly wondering, what are you barking at?
Any tips about Staffie behaviour much appreciated

I think he needs to be in the house and socialising to help him relax. There are more dog attacks with other breeds than Staffies it's just the media wanting to demonise them. People cross the road when I'm out with my girls but I ignore them. Staffies are very people orientated dogs   

I'm sorry but I'm a little confused by your message. Are you saying that you rescued an abused ex bait dog, but because your wife is scared of him you're making him live outdoors? And that he's nervous so you'd like some advice on making him more confident?

When you say not allowed in the house, where does he sleep/shelter does he have a shed/garage/conservatory or a kennel etc? Where does your other dog stay is she in the house?

Is it just the reputation that your wife is focusing on? Or has he done something so worry her? What is he fed and how long does he get walked? These can both massively effect how 'hyper' he could be, Staffys love human attention so if left alone outside for ages will be massively excited when mom & dad come out

I can only echo the questions above, that are all relevant to give you the help you need

Please come say hi :- https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

may be let your wife have a look at the forum and see all the brilliant dogs on here that are not the devil dogs that some people think they are,let her see the pictures in the gallery section and see how soft they are,hopefully it may change the way she thinks   

Thanks for reply,
He sleeps in a large shed and I walk him 2 miles 3 times daily on the bog road and out into the fields where I let him off his lead and he scampers about quite happily.
I feed him a complete dry mix he is quite content,
During the day I have him in and out of the house while I'm doing the housework etc. He has mellowed a lot, when he first arrived he was very excited and up but has relaxed around us. :-D

You should probably concentrate on working on his relationship with your wife, if she spends time with him maybe she will see that Staffies are nothing like the papers portray them. I think its important for him to be part of the whole family and not put out at night when the rest of your are inside. Staffies are very human orientated so being separated from you will feel a bit like punishment to him. They crave attention and all they want is to be loved

They need human contact as much as possible. I echo all the advice above and yes perhaps try and involve him more with your wife ie perhaps let her feed him and maybe walk him a little. I do also agree though he needs to be inside as part of the family to build his socialisation with everyday life   

Staffords live for Human contact. I am sure if your Wife spent time with him it would calm her fears.

Maybe show her some of the many Articles on the origins of the breed and how, although bred for fighting, the living conditions of the time meant that absolutely NO Human aggression was tolerated and was bred out.

Also search Google for the most Dog bites by breed. The Stafford does not appear in the top 50 in any of the various lists compiled. The Kennel Club recommend only the Stafford and one other dog as best for young families.

The dog should be and would thrive sharing the family space, it is what they were bred for!

I'm a newbie here but would also like to add to the conversation. No dog is worth your marriage. Have a heart to heart with your wife and see if she's open to changing her opinion. If not, then perhaps you should look for a better situation for the dog.

did you not dicuss adopting a staffy with your wife before you got one? i was a bit concerned when my partner wanted to adopt a staffy. but i researched them and feel in love with the breed! start taking your dog to as many situations and different places u can ( my 1st adopted staffy was rescued by rspca) and had never even seen a tree before when i bought her home she was petrified of everything so i started taking her for short walks then upped it to going to places out of her comfort zone (ie dog training) she now nearly 4 years and still has her little quirks but i let her off her lead and watching her run over the fields is amazing! can you go on walks with your wife or get her do dinner time chester my staffyx has to sit and wait until i tell him to eat! any dog can bite or be aggressive ive been bitten twice by yorkshire terriers! get your wife involved my staffies are my babies but i also remember they are an animal with insticts and respect that!

also do you think its your body language that puts fear into people that pass you by? ive only ever had one person be negative to my staffies usually i get lots of comments on what lovely dogs i have even from postmen! training classes a good idea.