hi all,
have a real problem with my daughters dog. He is a 7 month old staffxenglish bull terrier which she bought at 6 weeks old. He is more staff than bull terrier as his mum was bull terrier x english bull terrier and his dad was staff.
He is only just 7 months old and massive. He was fine with my bitch staff and my shitzu (sp) jack russellx at first but has always been very greedy and possesive over food. He started off just being growly if anyone came near his bowl so daughter has been feeding him separatley (sp) . The real probs started a couple of weeks ago where he would come in and have a sniff at other dogs bowls (he is supposed to live in the annexe with my daughter but spends more time in with us). If there was a morsel left he would eat it but if little dog even walks past he would attack him and have to be pulled off. I have told everyone not to leave bowls on the floor and not to feed treats when all dogs are together but yesterday my daughter gave a treat to Banks(staff x) and one to Butch(jr x). They ate their treats and were ok but Butch sniffed at the carpet about 10 mins later where his treat had been and Banks attacked him. Daughter pulled him off and put him outside. I had a look at Butch who was crying and shaking and found he had bitten through his ear. He has all ready bitten through his other ear last week when Butch growled at him last week after he bumped into him. When we brought Banks back in he attacked Butch again and after this Butch ran upstairs and is terrified to come in if Banks is in. We have brought him (banks) into the house a couple of times when Butch is in and Banks has growled and to be honest I am now too scared to let him go in case he attacks him again. Butch is 14 in January and too old for this to keep happening to him. I have told daughter she will have to keep Banks in the annexe as dont want him in the house with Butch anymore. She works full time and leaves him in a crate so I have suggested that she rehomes him as its not fair but she is not keen. She is away for a week next week and I was going to be looking after Banks but now have said it will be impossible and I cant leave him crated for 24 /7. I have suggested kennels but she says she cant afford it so it looks like I will have to foot the bill as I dont know what else to do. Banks has also attacked Kizzy today over something he was sniffing in the garden and she had a sniff as well. She was fighting back so he was harder to get off. Do you think he will get worse as he gets older or maybe calm down. Sorry to be so long winded but I am so worried about my little old man and fear it might end up with him spending his last few years in fear or even worse being killed.  

I would get a good behaviourist in immediately, you cannot go on like this.  It's not fair to you or to Banks - being confined will be stressing him out, as will feeling the need to guard anything remotely food-like.

Get in touch with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.co.uk), they should be able to point you in the direction of their nearest behaviourist.  Whatever you do, don't go for any behaviourist who a) uses harsh methods (violence begets violence, especially in already aggressive dogs) or b) suggests taking whatever Banks has and correcting him for growling.  That'll only exacerbate the situation.
Having said all this, I have a feeling you may have to rehome Banks anyway - if he's attacking Butch just for bumping into him, there are serious issues there.  Especially as Banks is only 7 months old.

JMHO.  Let us know what happens.

It must be a big worry for you and I would guess re homing would be the answer but in the meantime the situation could possibly be managed.  Is there a room in the annex where the problem dog could be left with his own treats or stuffed kongs and could you not walk him a few times a day to keep him from being bored and destructive/aggressive.  I would agree with you that he is your daughters responsibility but if she is not behaving responsibly then what hope does the poor dog have.  I have to be honest though the rescues are full of such mixes as this and he may not have a happy ending.

In the interim, while you are looking for a home for him, do not let anyone give them treats together or feed them together, in fact feed or treat him in the annex.  You're right it is no life being in a crate all day but you can make a difference to that with exercise.  I would then suggest your daughter has a look at your local rescue and gets the real picture about problem dogs it make may her a bit more responsible.

I agree with you that the dogs belonging to you do need to be put first, as it's not fair to expect them to cope with this problem - esp. as one is elderly.
Have you or your daughter tried any particular training methods or anything with him, or has he become like this of his own volition, as it were?

The situation won't improve, because this dog is, apart from anything else, practising his problem behaviour. I do feel that in this instance you need to contact a reputable experienced behaviourist who can assess the problem, and also give an honest prognosis as to the work required to turn this situation around, and also whether it can be safe/sensible to have these dogs together.

If you would like to mention roughly whereabouts you are (ie county) it may be possible to recommend a good behaviourist. In the meantime, try www.apbc.org.uk

Hth a bit,
Lindsay
x

Thanks for your replies. Have been speaking to daughter last night and she does not want to rehome him. I have told her that she cant leave him crated for so long as it is cruel. Try to disscuss this with her calmly but she just flies off the handle. I said its not fair on myself having to listen to him barking and crying and knowing hes locked in the crate. She does not want him in kennels next week as she cant afford it. I have told her that her shoes and all other possesions will have to be locked away so he can be loose in the annexe but she will not agree to that. I think I might do that myself today because I am so stressed knowing he is locked away. I might try and bring him in for a bit
today and see if things are any better but with Butch being so frightened now it may not work.  As to training I am not really sure how to deal with food aggression, also toy aggresion either as he has attacked over a toy even when he didnt want it and had walked away. He is a problem on the lead alaso although buying a halti has stopped most of the pulling but he is still pulling but is more managable.

Have been speaking to daughter last night and she does not want to rehome him. I have told her that she cant leave him crated for so long as it is cruel. Try to disscuss this with her calmly but she just flies off the handle.

I am afaid your daughter is being unfair to the dog, though. He needs help and can't just be left crated, you are quite correct.

As to training I am not really sure how to deal with food aggression, also toy aggresion either as he has attacked over a toy even when he didnt want it and had walked away.

This is where a reputable behaviourist comes in - with their help, you may even be able to keep him and he may be able to interact with the others - but these things do tend to get much worse, never better, unless professional help is sought :) At this time you may have a chance to turn him around - 8 months down the line and it may be impossible. If he gets worse there may be no option for rehoming because no-one would want him. It does need to be worked on now...

For the sake of the dogs, do try a reputable behaviourist from the sites mentioned....

Lindsay
x

lindsay I am in essex clactono on sea if you know of a behavourist near to there I would be grateful. How much roughly would this cost?

Have PMd you :)

Lindsay
x

hi all after a lot of thought and with Banks attacking Butch again this time with no provocation or food involved at all we have decided to rehome him. I have been in touch with a local volunteer for poplar farm kennels and he has been placed on their website www.poplarfarmkennels.org.uk. You can see a piccy of him on dogs needing home section. Daughter is furious and would prefer to rehome him herself with someone she knows but am dubious as to what sort of home it will be. I will have to let her try but then if she cant find someone suitable I think rescue is the best way forward.

Hi - if the dog is still with you until he is rehomed it could be worth while trying training.  I have just got one of my books out and am reading on this topic for you if its of any use...

Maxine

thanks any info would be helpful