Hi, i really hope someone can help with this problem as my husband is just wanting to get rid of our dog.

We have a 3 year old (we think) staffie dog named Tyler , we rescued him and know that his previous owner was an alcoholic but dont know any more than that, i dont think he was abused in any way as he is on the whole a very loving dog and quite obedient, he was also a nice size when we got him and looked quite healthy, the reason for him having to leave his last owner was that the owner died. We have had him for 8 months now and not long after we got him we had him neutered, to start with he got away with alot, he was our first proper family pet and he was allowed on sofas, on our laps and slept on a blanket in my bedroom, we soon stopped this as he was becoming ignorant and dominant if we had to move him off the sofa, for instance, my husband told him to get down a few times, was ignored so went to grab his collar and got growled at!

We managed to stop this behavior and had a really good dog for a while but have since found that he seems to detest my 4 year old daughter, we have had a few problems with her pulling him about, shouting at him and sometimes being downright nasty, like kicking him, we managed to get this calmed down and to get her to treat the dog nicely, she know seems to be quite loving with him and will always give him a kiss before she goes to bed as she does us lol! The thing is, in the last week or so, when she goes to gie him a cuddle he will growl at her, i make her come away then point my finger to him and say no, this results in him growling at me too but the biggest thing happened today.

My husband has been letting my daughter give Tyler his dinner to try and make him realise that she is part of this family and is dominant over her, to let him know when it comes to pecking order he is at the bottom. Usually he will wait at the kitchen door while his food is put out, it gets put to the floor and he then comes in, sits and we ask for his paw and then instruct him to go ahead and eat his dinner, this has never had any problems til today, as my daughter was doing it he went to eat his food without being given permission, my husband told him no so he sat back where he was, then did the same thing again, my husband again told him no and got my daughter to stand firm with him, point her finger at him and say no, at this point he started growling at her which is something he would never normally do in front of my husband, he is the pack leader, after being told off for this he started to growl again so his food was taken away and he was sent to his bed, he was allowed to come back for his dinner 10 minutes later in which my husband just put it out for him and left my daughter out of it, this time, no problems, no growling, we are both concerned about why our dog is acting this way towards her, i know the way she has treated him hasnt helped her but surely he cant hold a grudge forever, we have a 10 year old son and Tyler dotes on him, my husband wants to get rid of him through fear of how far it could go, he is worried he could end up attacking my daughter, although i would never want this happen and my childrens safety come first i would first like to know other peoples thoughts or advice, to know if theres something we could be doing that we're not aware of to solve this problem.
Any suggestions welcome.
Sorry for long winded post but i thought i had better explain in detail so you had a clearer picture and even better, great advice!
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Kerri.

Hi, I think mayb the best idea for now would be to create more boundaries with your daughter and Tyler.

My son is 3, My dog is 1 and he knows how to respect her. I would Never stand and let him be rough with her (even though she has a really good temperament) the minute he steps over the line, ie being in her face too much or whatever, he is warned. If he continues to do so (he is at that stage where he thinks I don't know what he is doing just because I am not directly looking at him) then he gets sent to the naughty corner.
On occasion he has been shouted at and sent to his room.

Round where I live it is too common to see kids being disrespectful towards dogs, as there are strays and these kids are encouraged to chase them off. My son is allowed to interact with the dog but only when we say.

Your dog needs to know he is very bottom of the pack, everyone eats before he does, make him wait before going through doors, etc. And walking together is also a great pack activity, the dog should be behind everyone else.

As for him growling when pointed at and told off.. I have found that with dominant dogs they hate being stared and pointed at. How about removing him from the room/house when he growls? That may make him more likely to believe it is unnaceptable.


Of course, if you are in any doubt about your daughters safety, do not hesitate to remove the dog from the situation, a good rescue (staffy rescue) would be able to rehome him where there are no young children.
But it might be an idea to see if you can deal with the dominant behaviour.

Sorry if this is a bit muddled.. I'm quite tired! Hopefully someone else will be along shortly.

x

__________________

Hi, now I am not an expert but this is my opinion, first thing first get the dog checked over by a vet. to see if there is anything physically wrong with him, a tooth ache anything could make him grumpy.
Secondly get a trainer/behaviourist in .
and first and formost dont let the child and dog be alone together until seen by a behaviourist.

staffies are normally wonderful with children so this seems quite unusual.

sorry I cant be more help but this is the best course of action that I can think of.

hugs
Rachel and the girlies

__________________
One sibe bitch Jessie two years
One standard poodle Lucy nine years
One weireramer Dane fifteen months
One sibe dog tal three months

I would second getting a dog trainer or behaviourist in. I have a 2 yr old child and a 1 yr old Jack Russell Terrier. My son is learning he can't treat the dog like a toy and he does understand mostly. I find making sure my dog has a safe quiet place he can retreat to if my son is too overbearing helps. This way they have time apart from each other.
Also I find with younger children they tend to spend more time sitting and playing on the floor then older ones and I wonder if the dog feels that the younger child is at his level as he is on the floor too.

Hi,
What an awful situation to be in.
Some good advice has been given,although I would contact your vet and ask for a recommendation of a behaviourist who can help you work through the problems.Training classes may help too.

Staffords don't normally growl at people or kids,they are a very people orientated breed but it does sound like he is pushing the boundries or hasn't been taught what is acceptable and what isn't.

You need to be consistant with him,don't give him an inch because he will take advantage.

Never leave your daughter unsupervised with him at any time.

Keep us updated.

Something seems to have gone very wrong in your household, your dog doesn't sound overly aggressive but confused as too his place within the household.
I agree, a behaviourist is your best option and keeping child and dog away from each other until then

Im sorry but if your child has been kicking him and being nasty then im not surprised the dog doesnt like her!! its the child thats needs better educating around the dog imo.

__________________
(formally clare7577)

I would agree with others - keep the dog and your daughter separated at all times and get a behaviourist in ASAP - if you can't see any significant improvment very soon I would say rehome the dog, it's just not worth the risk to your daughter.

If you decide to get another dog, you need to be very strict with your daughter from the beginning. Our 3 yr old is not allowed near our Rocky unless under strict supervision at certain times cause they are just so rough at that age, they don't know when to stop.

I hope it works out tho as I having had a dog rehomed before I know it's heart breaking!!

__________________
Proud owner of Rocky the Yorkie, born July 2008, who came to live with us at 8 weeks old