staffy pup doesn't like toddlers

Hi my puppy is nearly 5 months old and is petrified of little kids and tries to run away also not keen on people either but its the little people im more bothered about I've had him from 8 weeks so cant put it down to been mistreated. Is any one else's pup like this?

Hi and welcome to the forum, it's unusual for them to be scared of little people, however, the more they socialise with kids the better they will get. Also, as he gets older he will be bolder and this will probably pass

When you get a min, pop along to the link below and say hi:-
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

The more often the pup is around people the more comfortable he will become

The best i can say is introduce the pup to people of all ages and also other dogs big and small . Also cars motorbikes tractors trailers and livestock (on the correct side of the fence)
Do this early as possible in their lives and there will be less chance of them feeling anxious and scared.

Thank you i have 3 kids myslef, youngest isnt really a baby tho hes 12.
I have he just seems to have a disliking for them or rather hes scared hes due to start puppy classes so hoping he might learn that no one is going to hurt him..His mother seemed a bit weary of people but didnt think he would end up the same.

Just get him socialised as much as possible, I think he'll be fine. We have the opposite problem with Baxter, we have to keep him on his lead if there are kids about as he goes mental trying to play

Ahh bless wish mine was like that.

Is his reaction always to run away? You want to socialize him, but not over-face him. Socializing style needs to be tailored to personality - with the toddlers that he has met, have they been quiet/calm and sitting or running around/in his face/loud? Some dogs just prefer to approach, and don't like people in their faces. Our way of interactions is very ape like - all hands, kisses, picking up. Dogs are more wolf like, so our style of greeting can be odd and overwhelming to a young dog. That's not to say that we should greet as a dog does (inappropriate?!) but learn ways that they prefer for us to interact; I.E lots of dogs prefer to be stroked under the chin as opposed to on top of the head - I've lost count of the times I've seen a young child 'pat' a dog on the head, and the dog has flinched!

They havent touched him outside he backs away in the house he growls and barks

What were they doing in the house? Some dogs are wary - a chihuahua I walk is always uncomfortable with young children, despite socialisation - he's just shy, would always run away rather than show aggression, though don't know what he would do if cornered.

Did he meet children before 3 months of age? This is the most sensitive period for socialising and learning.

Do you have children visiting often?

The babies were with my daughters dad picking up my daughter. No children dont vist often.yes he sees children all of the time when out on walks. I've had him since 8 weeks and he's been nervous since I've had him. After his 2nd injections hes been out on walks and seen loads of people reaction is still the same.

At the vets he cuddled up to me from day one. He didnt like my partner at the time, didnt realize it would become a problem.he sleeps with me at night he cuddles up to me in the daytime he is ALWAYS with me.

I feed him,I walk him,play with him I do everything with him,I take him to the vet,I train him etc... Anyone think that may be part of the problem?

Did you meet both parents? What were their temperaments like? Did your breeder socialize them before they left mum? It's common for pups to be wary of men (usually taller/bigger built/deeper voices etc)but it should improve with gentle exposure to the fearful thing.

You sound like a very good owner - it may help for the people that he's fearful of to be involved in positive things like walking/feeding but I wouldn't say that you doing that would cause the problem, no.

I met the mom not the dad I did ask he wasn't there. When I seen him I could tell he wasn't in great shape so took him straight to the vets which he was riddled with worms so after lots of care and meds hes now fit and healthy,thought I was goin to lose him.His mom wasn't the friendliest but not aggressive just sat in the corner all the other pups looked fit and healthy when I asked to see them and their was no way I was going to leave him there to die.

Thank you I do get him involved with everything, maybe its just going to take more time with him its through me a bit tho cause thought staffies loved kids.

Sounds like that may be the cause for his fearful behaviour unfortunately can't stand back yard breeders, at least he has a responsible owner now though. However, if the breeder couldn't even be bothered to worm the poor boy I doubt that they spent time carefully handling him/exposing him gentle to new things, which is very important in building a confident adult. Could you afford to work with a trainer? Think a positively trained professional could help - it's best to work with this sort of thing when young.

I will never get a dog from anything like that again but I couldn't leave him.she told me they had been wormed it was clear he hadn't his stomach was huge and his face looked so sad. Told her if she cant look after them she shouldn't breed them. Yes I will do anything to make him better. Thankyou for your replies.

And your completely right they was all stuck in a dark room and to be truthful I'm not even sure if my pup was with the rest of his litter mates as she was quick to throw him into my arms before I even had a look and she still wasn't going to let me look at the rest till I told her in no uncertain terms I wanted to see them.

Sounds like his early life was not what it should have been lucky for him you seem to be fixing that.

Keep in mind small kids toddlers ect approach dogs differently than us they walk straight at them arms out bend over them grab their ears and all the wrong things.

Try getting some older kids or toddlers that can sit still and get the pup to approach them make the kid ignore the pup but have something it will be interested in like a toy or treat.

Cheers

Totally understandable, I wouldn't be able to leave him either. And once those puppies are born they need to go somewhere, it's just luck that they go to somebody that can help them through their issues. It's no different that rescuing, expect sadly the greedy breeders pockets are lined with dosh! What area are you in? Will see if I can find an affordable trainer for you

Exactly Rachel -For example they say dont buy off a puppy farm but what happens to the pups that arent brought??
Im in the solihull area not sure if trainers would work with puppies tho would they? my little one starts classes next week.