My family has a dog (male Golden/lab, 3 1/2 years old) named Buddy who is calm, gentle, and mild-mannered. About a week ago, we acquired a new dog: a female American Staffordshire Terrior, about 7months old. She (Bella) is extremely playful and at times it gets out of hand.

Although she is smaller, Bella constantly pounces on Buddy and nips at him. Buddy, who never barks or growls, gets annoyed/angry and almost ferocious. Both dogs show their teeth to one another. At times, Bella suddenly gets wild bursts of energy and runs around like a maniac and then jumps at Buddy AND/OR me. I cannot tell if she is playing or being aggressive. She had bitten my hands and ankles/legs a number of times, to the point of pain. Buddy used to nip at me when he was a puppy, but Bella is scarier than Buddy ever was. She seems to be more ferocious.

However, when Bella is calm, she is the sweetest, cutest little puppy. She is cuddly and fun.

I don't know if this is normal behavior, and I am afraid that one day Bella will become seriously dangerous, since I have read that pitbulls get more assertive once they reach maturity (1-3 years old). I do NOT want to put Buddy in danger because I know one day Bella would win in a fight. I also don't want to be afraid of my own dog, or get bitten.

My concern now is whether or not to keep Bella and get her trained, or to just give her away to a family who might not have another pet. I have become attached to Bella but I don't want to upset the household. Is there hope for her? Can the two dogs live peacefully together? They are also at home alone from about 9am until 6pm...how should that be handled?

Thank you for any advice.
Stefanie from Westboro, MA

Welcome to the forum Stefanie :-)

Hi Stefanie,
Where has your puppy been for most of her life? 7 months is rather unusual to get her from the breeder. Do you know anything about her socialization or training history? What did her previous owners say about her?

I'm not a bull terrier fancier, Mr. Murphy should be along soon to help you out. They're his favorites and specialty :)
But you're describing some stuff which is quite common for a terrier, especially a puppy of any type.

The one thing that does disturb me and probably others on here, is that your puppy is left alone (retriever doesn't count) from 9-6 daily. It is not good for her to be without human companionship that long in the day. If you don't crate her, eventually you'll likely return home to destructive chewing or another manefestation of boredom. And crating her for that long would be cruel and hard on her bladder.

Apparently your retriever is happy with this arrangement of your work hours :) Yes, 2 dogs can live quite happily together, even with different personalities. But the length of time on her own, plus that you already have a fear of her adult self, does not bode well.

Comparing her behavior/temperament to your retriever is not realistic. They are two different breeds originating out of separate purposes. The fact that she is biting you to the "point of pain" and running the household might just be too much for you to handle in the limited time of evenings and weekends.

American Staffordshire Club USA might be able to help you out by giving you some suggestions or references for a trainer.
hth.
good luck,
toodles

Can't help sorry, it would seem that the first problem you have is that you are finding her scarry, you must be confident with her. Ja:)kie

That's a tricky one: we have only had Bella for one week, and she was left by a family who was moving and couldn't take her with them. Unfortunately, the family left her at a pet store and we have no idea who they are, so we know nothing about her past.

We hate leaving the dogs alone all day. Part of the reason we wanted another dog was so that they could keep each other company.

Awayss,

Don't know enough about this breed to comment, but I just want to point out to you that an am staff is a different breed from a pit bull, you seem to be confusing the two in your first post.

Mick (mr. murphy) will be able to help :)

Theresa

If i was you I would get some advise and quick, as she does seem bit of a handful! most dogs of her age will act a little mad, after all she's still a toddler! and i think we all know how mad they can be at times! leaving a young dog at home while your out to work all day is not going to help her temperament much, but it must be hard for you as most of us cant afford to work part-time. If you do decide to re- home make sure she goes to an experienced home, why not also think about rehomeing an older dog, that's used to staying home during the day, i expect that would make the other dog a lot happier (and you as well)

take care

Hello Stephanie

Not being able to watch a dog of this age makes it hard to say what type of handling this dog requires as we dont know anything about and are unable to see the dog at first hand. At 7 months old Bella is still trainable. First of you cant be afraid of these type of dogs. If you cant overcome the fear you should rehome Bella. The problem with bull terriers at the 6 month onward stage is that they are pups and dont realise their own strength and ferocity. I have a 9 month old ISBT male who does'nt realise he is 40lbs and cant run through the house like a whirlwind. The mad turns are a feature of bull terriers.(Normal behaviour) You have to teach them to stop when you say stop. It sounds to me like you are needing to gain authority over this dog as she does'nt seem to see you as the pack leader, Buddy wont be accepted as the leader as the bitch will be the dominant dog. At the risk of starting a riot again. to gain initial control and dominance, I would personally scruff the dog. If you dont know what this term means it is quite simply get a hold of the dog by the scruff on the back of her neck the next time she misbehaves or ignores you, (dont be too gentle) and push her to the floor. Roll her onto her side or back and snarl out "BAD" or "NO". whatever word you want her to listen too. Hold her down with your arm over her chest and keep eye contact until she averts her eyes from you. Do not let her up until she submits.(Do it right the first time you should'nt have to do it again) Then put her in her bed/corner/cage(recomended), for time out. Five/ten minutes or so is enough. I have never had to scruff a dog more than once to gain control. At 7 month you should not be seeing her as scary. She is only playing. All bull terriers are very vocal when playing lots of nasty noises etc. I take it you have never seen two or more bull terriers at play. This can be scary yet they all walk away unscathed. Nipping hands has to be met with a loud "BAD". You also have to get used to the aggressive sounds that she makes, she is not being aggressive. Most Bull terriers go very quiet before fighting. Yours does'nt realise she is hurting you. Because she is an older pup she will need a lot of input to teach her what her role/place is in your house. Remember scruffing is only to gain initial control of the dog. To show her you are the boss. That you mean what you say and, that you will not accept anything other than your command. Do not use this method regular or she will not respond to it.
The biggest problem you have is being absent all day. This is time when the dog needs education. When you come home from work you will be tired and the dogs a pest. This can be overcome if you put the effort in when you are home. I take my dogs from room to room with me and talk away to them all the time. They are my best mates, my gang, and Im the leader. (NO GARRY GLITTER COMMENTS NEEDED FROM YOU LOT) Get books on the AM staff and the APBT as both breeds are closely linked and behave similar. A training class(preferably by someone with some experience of the breed) would be good for both of you. You would learn how to handle the dog and be assertive with her, she would become more sociable through the meeting of other dogs and people by learning what is acceptable behaviour. Lastly dont let her away with anything she wont be allowed to do in the future. No matter how small. At 7 months she is ready for training, you could have a very good dog. Get a cage for when you are out. If you dont come home to a wrecked house it will be less stressfull for both you and the dog.
I was going to post last night but could'nt get access to the board for long enough.

Best of luck Mick.

Bull Terrier breeds are no more dangerous than any other breed. Unless they bite.

Hi Stephanie

Mick has given some sensible advice but ONLY if you are confident enough to carry it out - if you don't feel strong enough to put Bella to the floor and keep her there until she stops struggling, then don't even attempt it as the situation could rapidly worsen.

If you cannot get home during the day is there anyone you trust enough who could let her out to give her a break?

Christine

Mick,
Who's Gary Glitter?

Hello Christine
Yes the dog has to be kept in submissive mode until she knows she is not the boss. If you cant do this then I would say the dog needs an experienced owner.
Regards Mick.

hello Sara

Who's Garry Glitter!. I dont beleive there is anybody does'nt know who Garry Glitter is.
Dya wanna be in my gang my gang my gang. Dya wanna be in my gang, Oh yeh.

Mick.

Um, Stefanie and I being Yanks, I think I'd be safe to say that neither of us have ever heard of him ;) :D
Anything like Liberace? :P

Liberace's double. Im sure he toured the U.S. at some point though. I was'nt a fan, (honest) I just seen him on TV once (honest again).

Mick

Hello Sara

stop it Mick :D Gary glitter was nothing like Librace !!!!!!more like an early Julian clarey---mind you -then again you are probably right -he was like Liberace in bacofoil -without the piano !!!!!
Liz ;)

Any chance of joining your gang Mick?

He's an ageing paedophile with scary hair and big shoes!

Hello Lra

Were you a fan?.

Mick

No :D

LOl Lara, :D

Mick, wasn't there another song about 'leader of the pack' motorbikes revving springs to mind ;)

Julie - yup - by "The Shangrilas" a truly fabby song - The leader of the pack - and now he's go-one - the leader of the pack - and now he's go-one - vrooom vrooom - crash bang wallop!!

Pammy:D

Would never admit to the shangrilas Pammy. Gary Glitters bad enough.
Mick

aah but theres a fan club :D ^^^^
Liz ;)

Thats the one Pammy :D thats the one we sing in our house!!
oh dear, I think we truly are cracking up!!! :D

My personal opinion is that the APBT is no more harfull than a bunny rabit when it comes to humans, But as for other dogs/animals very few pitbulls can get along with when they feel at all threated. My bitch gets along wonderfully with my male but you put her around another dog and she's a completly different dog. My suggestion is this, if you ever plan on getting another apbt "the younger the better" by 7 months old they have started to ajust to there surroundings and changing that can interfear with there temperment. but as for her being a little to rough when she plays, you have to show her who is boss, pits are very very hardheaded but once they know not to jump and bite they won't(my male knows i don't play rough so he is just as gentle as can be with me, but he tackles my husband bites him(playfully) and is just rough) you just have to lay down the law.

Who mentioned Pit Bull, thought this was an Amstaff. Or is it one and the same, don't think so. Ja:)kie

Jackie AMPT is American Pit Bull Terrier AMSTAFF is the usual abrieviation for an American Staffordshire Terrier. I think the difference in the breeds is similar to the situation with the Jack russel terriers (unrecognised by KC) and the Parson Russel Terrier (recognised as a breed by KC).