We got a pup from a rescue kennels at 10 weeks old, we were told it was staffy x. but we have found out it came from merseyside and the police had it for a while, as it has grown it is obvious there is no staffie in it, it looks more like pitbull x. we have been training it from day 1 but it has always been a bit snappy and we thought it was just a puppy phase have bought it things to chew on, but it has been getting worse. when we tell it to do something it doesnt want to do it turns nasty snarling and snapping trying to bite. we have done everything from the beggining to show we are the boss, we eat before him then he is made to sit for his meal, he is not allowed on the beds, we make him wait till we go through the door, he only gets treats when he earns them. What are we doing wrong and can anyone give us any advice on how to stop it. i currently put him in his crate for 10 mins until he calms down but he comes out and does it again. i have a 10 year old son who is starting to get scared of him and i am worried incase he does bite.

It is impossible to tel from just your Post if the pups has real issues or this is just normal puppy over excitement and misunderstanding in communication.

I would expect the rescue to have a behaviourist on staff and suggest you seek their advise as the pup will still belong to the rescue centre.

Hi

This sounds an awful situation to be in - how long have you had the puppy?  I agree that the rescue centre should be contacted and hopefully will put you in touch with a behaviourist.

I would just say one thing - there is no shame if you feel that you have done all that you can and your child is at risk in asking the rescue centre to take the pup back....

Best wishes

Maxine

I have to agree with the other posts, it sounds like you are doing all you can and it would  be terrible if you became frightened of this pup (?) Try the shelter and see if they can help out with a behaviourist but do not be ashamed if you find you cannot cope and are fearful for your 10 yr old's safety. Better to be safe than sorry and it is just not worth taking the risk. Much that it is a wonderful thing to take on a rescue and give it a better chance in life, we do not know what has passed in this pups short life and as we all know the first 3 months are crucial to building a calm well adjusted dog, if it has experienced bad things they will subconsiously stay with him for life, most pups will overcome these things but a handful never will.
Well done for trying so hard hope this has a happy outcome.
Aileen.

I fully agree with what Brainless said -but also wanted to add that the old theory about being the pack leader, eating first etc isn't true, we now know it doesn't work like this.

my staffy was like this as a pup and was a total nightmare but with persistence we got through it.  she would at times be hanging off people's ears and was a total horror just like you describe. 

She is also quite large for a staffy but definitely a staff although when I see tv progs about pitbulls she does have a lot of similarities to them.  I think it is quite difficult to state that it's obviously not a staffy as they are also really hyper as pups.  If it was myself I would stick with it but I don't have a 10 year old child.  Your heart will tell you what to do.

Animals pick up on fear and other emotions and if you have backed off when he snarls at you then that will let him see that if he wants his own way that is what he has to do.  Can't really offer any contstructive advice to you but best wishes whatever you decide to do. 

Of course this may simply be OTT puppy behaviour, we cannot tell, and without being rude many people think pups are showing aggression as they simply do not understand the pup or pup them as few people have reared many pups, so may have forgotten or simply not be aware of what to expect.

This is a website http://www.mmilani.com/dog-articles.html that has lots of interesting articles etc, may help put some things in perspective, but I would be looking at the rescue putting you in touch with a reputable behaviourist who seeing the pup interact with you will hopefully be able to reassure you the pup is not the hound from hell.  there is nothing worse for your relationship with the pup if you have doubts about his temperament and your abilities to deal with him.

thanks to everyone for the advice have been in touch with the rescue centre and am waiting for the trainer to contact me. My friend brought her 2 dogs round today they are usually ok together, both 2 year old, but the pup kept trying to have a bite at the male dog which  warned him a few times, he still wouldnt behave so he ended up getting bit across the nose, it brought blood but the pup stopped biting straight away and started licking instead, he has been quiet allnight, feeling sorry for himself but there has been no snapping or trying to bite,  im hoping it was just a way of him trying to dominate and he might have learnt his lesson. will keep everyone informed how things go.