Just seen that you are in Sheffield, South Yorks.
Here is a list of local APDT behaviourists:

Source: Local Dog Trainers in Yorkshire - South UK

Hope that helps

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Where's your source for that other than their website?!

A halti harness is cheaper and much more suitable for the face shape of the OP's dog, although it doesn't appear that they're lunging so no need!

lemmsy - I mentioned Julie Pett as I know she deals with aggression, a lot of behaviurosts don't seem to want to work with aggression which is helpful!! Val Strong on that list I know of and is also VERY good!

hi, thanks for the fast responses. I now have a basket muzzle for her so going to try this. i have a full body harness for her that i use, i do have a halti aswell though.

in terms of lunging she doesnt tend to show that much interest in other dogs unless they come into her space, however my male dog is very dominant and although would not bite another dog he likes to dominate and does show a lot of interest. he has been there on both times that molly has attacked so wondering if it is anything to do with pack orientation as my male dog is the leader of the 3 of them so not sure if she see's it as following his lead.

all stuff i can suggest to the trainer though i guess.

think i will try walking her on her own with the muzzle see how she reacts then.

thanks

Hi Ash

WElcome to the forum, I'm sorry to hear you are having problems.

As everybody has said, you are best to see a behaviourist, as this behaviour is quite extreme. If it was just a nip, it wouldn't be so bad.

What ever you do don't stop the walks. That way her energy levels will increase and you will get more problems, because she will be frustrated.

A lot of dogs behave worse on a lead, this is because if they feel threatened, then they cannot run away. Therefore sometimes they fight.

A muzzle is a good idea, because it will increase your confidence, which I imagine is quite low at the moment. But please bare in mind that initially it is very difficult for a dog to wear a muzzle. Therefore you need to "train" them into accepting it. For help, either google it or start another thread.

If at all possible, I would also walk this dog seperate to your other dogs, so you can spend time with it. Also if you have any friends with calm, friendly dogs, then you could walk them together. This will get your dog used to other dogs, but you can feel comfortable because your dog will be muzzled.

You will get through this. I can only imagine how tough it is after having your baby. But stick with it! If your dog always has to be walked with a muzzle on, then so be it. But don't assume that the dog will try to attack your baby. However, as with all dogs, give your dog space with the baby. It is also possible that this spate of recent attacks is connected to you giving birth.

Very best of luck and keep us informed x

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Lilly, Max, Henry and Sammy. The joys of my life!

www.rescueremedies.co.uk
www.staffierescue.co.uk

Good post.
I especially agree with the advise about walking the dog separately to your other dogs.

This way you will be able to focus more on rewarding for focussing on you rather than getting agitated about other dogs

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Hi

All the advice is good, you need to deal with this now, in the meantime make sure your dogs is muzzled when out and about. A basket muzzle is good although do get your dog used to it by using treats and getting positive associations with it first!

I wouldn't allow this dog access to your baby, even when you are there, god forbid anything happened, would you be able to stop it?

Of the people on the list, I would suggest, Val Strong, I have worked with her before through work, she is straight talking will tell you what you need to know and she has a lot of experience, regularly speaking at conferences. Katie Patmore is also good, but try Val first.

Best of luck. I hope it works out for you.

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

I think the issue regarding the dog and the baby being together (supervised) is a hard one.

However I would be inclined to say that not allowing said dog and baby to be in the same room, supervised is unnecessary. Naturally I would never leave any dog and child together unsupervised.
Remember this dog has not shown any aggressive behaviour to any humans, only other dogs and dog to human aggression is normally unrelated to dog to dog aggression.

I agree though that the OP needs to contact a decent behaviourist and get their advise and be extra vigilant in supervising the dogs and the baby.
Best of luck to the OP and please do keep us all updated

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Hallilujah!!!!!!!!!!! Feel like doing a jig - at last common sense advice over behavioural issues I dont see how anyone can give advice without observing the dog in question so to point to a good behaviourist (especially onw who you seem to know personally and can fully recommend) is just brilliant.

Good luck with your dog - hope you manage to get some help

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Jo, Nelly, Bhu and Molly
Some people talk alot.................and say nowt

You cant really blame an inquisitive dog for getting bitten. You should get a muzzle on her until the problem is sorted, there are many friendly dogs out there that this type of thing can afftect drastically not least end their lives.
Recall on any pet is never 100% so putting blame on someone else because their pet didnt come back to them is not solving the problem.
One thing that will - and dont take this the wrong way... if she persists in attacking and reports are made of her she could be taken off you, classed as dangerous and for destruction. A simple muzzle will help you at least get time to sort her out.

I think this is scare mongering and really not appropriate at this stage. A muzzle is a necessity to prevent your dog injuring another and therefore it causing you money in vets fees ( I hope you have at least 3rd Party Liability). However, the law is not so clear cut as this, so don't worry about your dog being taken off you!!!

Dogs that are classed as 'dangerous' would normally be directed at people not other dogs and your dog out and about is not attacking people - unless there is something you haven't told us!

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, states specifically 'person' and not dog

For the purposes of this Act a dog shall be regarded as dangerously out of control on any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person, whether or not it actually does so, but references to a dog injuring a person or there being grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will do so do not include references to any case in which the dog is being used for a lawful purpose by a constable or a person in the service of the Crown

However this doesn't make it any easier for you, it is no fun having a dog that is going around trying to get in there first, so find that behaviourist, but don't worry just yet about your dog being taken away! (honestly, some people!).

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me