Hi

I have a 7 year old Staffordshire bullterrier called Bryn. He has always been the boss of our family and we have had advice about how to handle him but its now getting to the point he will hurt my husband. For some reason which I cannot understand he keeps trying to attack his feet, bottom of his trousers and then takes it too far where you can see him really meaning it, I stop it immediately but he has managed to pinch bite my husband's feet and legs and has marked him quite badly. On several occasions I have took Bryn to the vets and they have told me he may have to be destroyed.

He his well looked after, exercised 3 times a day he has a kennel outside which he loves, he has all the toys he could ever want, all the love off the whole family except my husband his very nervous of Bryn now, when he does this behavior he his put in time out in the hall suggested by a behavour specialist, he seems to accept what he's done and when allowed back into the room he doesn't do it again until a few days later.

What do I do? I am worried now that my husband will not cope much longer has its really a worry when we are just sitting watching TV and Bryn decides he his going to attack!!!!

What have I done wrong?

Get a behaviourist to help you. How much training has he had?

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how long you had him nd how long has he been displaying this kind of behaviour?

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Ok, dog to human aggression cannot and should not be advised about online.

The dog and your family need to be seen in real life by a qualified, experienced behaviour counsellor who will then be able to make a thorough assessment and advise you accordingly, normally supporting you through a specially prescribed behaviour adjustment programme based on scientifically proved knowledge using no aversive therapies or shock treatment etc. If you have pet insurance, this may be covered on that. Ask your vet to refer you to either a member of the UKRCB or the APBC.

If however you choose to take online advice that is at your own risk and you have to remember that as the person giving it may not be qualified and that in any case, they have not seen you and the dog interacting, then their advice may be wildy inaccurate or even dangerous.

The choice is yours. I wish you all the best whatever you decide.

Hi

I have had Bryn from 8 weeks old he has always showed us his alpha male side and keeps all of us in line. According to the last behavior specialist he saw me top then Bryn then my daughter Lauren who is the youngest then Amy the eldest daughter followed by my husband last. Bryn has had training on and off over the years but nothing has seemed to help. Bryn is worse when I am about he seems to be very protective of me. The last specialist said that the other family members should feed him and exercise him which they do except the husband who has lost all faith in Bryn. When I am not about he loves my husband and does not attack when I am not present.

Have I done something?

The behavior starts when Bryn seems to be bored he watches my husband's feet then tries to grab his trousers has if he his playing tug but when my husband pulls his legs away Bryn gets worse and really does try to get hold of him.

You've answered your own question....

" He keeps us all in line" " He is the boss"

You have allowed a dog to become dominant over the family and he is challenging your husband, as the alpha male.

When the balance shifts the problem will resolve.

I would consult a behaviourist as human aggression is not on. In my opinion the feet nipping is dominance. My sister's bulldog does it when he gets excited and is trying to control a situation.

You are right to address it, but hopefully you will see the error of your ways in giving the dog everything he wants and allowing him to become leader.



For everybody else reading this. Whether you believe in dominance or not. If a dog is allowed to "keep the humans in line" and does not have rules and boundries then this can be the end result!

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Do you own a DINOS (dogs in need of space). To find out more and to find a walking buddy follow the link!


www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk

You need to distance yourself from your dog so that he does not see you as "his possession". By all means walk him, but limit the fuss. Only give it when YOU decide, not when he comes over to you.

Your husband needs to get his confidence back, he should spend time training him, feeding and walking and most importantly be aloof with the dog. Ignoring a dog and not pondering to it sends a very clear message to the dog as to who is the boss.

Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

I discovered this the other day, and I think it explains very well the reason why does need to respect their leader.

You will get other people who will disagree with this and say that clicker training and treats are the way to go. Make up your own mind.

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Do you own a DINOS (dogs in need of space). To find out more and to find a walking buddy follow the link!


www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk

Just reiterating this that I said earlier. Please give it serious consideration as you and your family really do need one to one help with this, preferably ongoing help from a member of the above organisations rather than someone out of the paper etc. You CAN overcome these problems with him but there are things about your lifestyle with him that needs to change and that needs an expert eye to appraise in real life.

Keep us informed and good luck!

Couldn't agree more.

If your dog is aggressive towards your husband now - what about if he decides he's going to be aggressive towards a stranger? Or a small child?

You really need to get help on this as soon as possible.

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