Sorry this is such a long winded story. I hope I also make sense in what my dilemma is.

I took on my friends male staff cross in September to re-home him with the dogs trust. I already owe the said dogs sister [tinki] they are both going to be 5 yrs in March and my bull terrier [snoop] who will be 10 next week. A bit of back ground on the situation- I started a job and have been working there for 1 month. I had up til November been working only 20 hours a week over 3 days summer job and had loads of time with my dogs- so when I took on Starsky had the time to care for them properly. Well as I had trouble with the job seekers and didn't receive any benefit thought just get any job as right on Christmas. This job is 37 hours a week, only trouble being that some weeks I have now found out after- you work 43 hours only get 1 weekend off a month and that week you work 23 hours but in the month it does average out as being the said 37.

The reason I ended up keeping Starsky is due to nearly having to have my old BT put to sleep he had a serious neck/ back injury so with the emotions of all that nearly going on- on a Thursday back in October on the following Sunday the dogs trust called to say they were ready to take Starsky in- well I just became all emotional and talked to my son and as I thought my old boy might not be with me for much longer and then packing Starsky off- would be just left with my little girl Tinki so I decided to keep him.

All as been well until this last month with me working so much. Sadly my cats got poisoned and had to have one put to sleep so only have one left and Starsky has started going for him and now my cat is frightened to eat without me around or come into the house without me being around too- the cat seems to realise that Starsky will not go for him when I am about- my Tinki will actually attack Starsky when he goes for the cat bless her. Well that is not too bad just annoying as Starsky has always been good with cats before this. The other problem is how he has become with my 15 year old son- now I have told my son off for this- but he will give full on cuddles and snog there faces which of course my other 2 dogs have gotten used to but starsky has become frightened of this and has growled and snapped at him twice when my son has been a bit full on with his loving. He was fine before- this has happened since I have not been around.

My son assures me he will never do that OTT cuddling again to Starsky as I have told him he is frightened and that's why he is going for you. I have noticed that he has become top man in my house but Snoop my old boy is not bothered so his rank has gone up just thought he maybe trying it on with everyone cat & son included. He has lived here for 5 months and is a very obedient dog listens 100%. The only misdemeanors have been taking tubs of margarine off the side- 5 up til now! and getting at my kitchen bin only twice and the odd poo & wee indoors. Nothing that is major to re home him in my mind.
I do not know whether to give up work and get my old summer job back they take people on at the end of February or call back the dogs trust and let Starsky have owners who are there for him? I am feeling so guilty leaving my son to care for them since I've been working these long hours!!  

Personally, I would get the summer job back and spend more time with your dogs, (and also your son) It is not just Starsky, you have the other two dogs too.

Your son must be out from at least 8.30am - 4pm with travelling to and from school, so who looks after the dogs during that time? If your working 37 hours there isn't much time here for the dogs.

It was pretty obvious that Starsky would become top dog, being a young male your Snoop is past his day as top dog now, luckily he has conceeded without a fuss, that was my initial worry when you first took him on, so pleased that issue has not arised.

Your cat needs protection from him though, is there a way for your cat to get in and out of the house without needed to pass where Starsky is, can you put in a cat door, so that he can go straight upstairs, most cats IME prefer to be upstairs on our beds, well at least mine have always prefered being up there. :-)

You've sorted out your son, hopefully he will listen to you and be respectful of Starsky detesting his in the face hugging, make him aware that any dog will give out warnings and if he doesn't listen the dog may indeed push the message to a nip or worse.

If you can manage in cutting down your hours and taking the summer job it would be the prefered solution for all your dogs benefit, the fact that you are even thinking of re-homing Starsky though makes me believe you don't really want that option as you wouldn't hve it in your mind, it is a shame for him as he has settled in well with you but I have a feeling it is not just the little things he is doing is it that the other two have been used to being left for long hours and just settle nicely for the day, but Starsky is finding that hard?

To me, it is obvious you need to cut down your hours, but I think you need to be honest with yourself, if you feel you have made a mistake, (you seem to be finding reasons to pass him on) then be honest with yourself and let him go, I always say if you make a mistake, don't live with it, sort it, no point in dragging things out. ;-)