Hi, i've got a staffy and she's a beautiful dog, really mild tempered with people and other dogs. I'm just a bit worried because i have three nephews, and my sister is always talking about all this news about dogs biting children, she's not likely to have a viscious streak in her temperament that's in her subconscious is she? i dont want to rehome her, but i dont want to risk my nephews either.
2006-10-12 07:21:30 · 34 answers · asked by sausagejockey 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You should never leave any dog unsupervised with children because they tend to excite each other and both can misunderstand one another. If your dog is well socialised and you trust her interactions with other dogs and your nephews then there should be no problem. Make sure your nephews know the dos and don'ts when around dogs - dont pull their tail, share food, smack, grab, run etc and you should be set for a happy dog/nephew relationship!
The main problem with bull terriers of any type and rotties etc is that they come from lines of dog specifically chosen for their powerful jaws and strong prey drive. Any badly handled dog can be dangerous but a badly handled staff etc will be particularly dangerous because of their strong jaws. It sounds as if your dog is very well handled and it is unlikely you will have a problem.
2006-10-13 01:41:29 · answer #1 · answered by PetLover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't let all the news affect the way you feel about your dog! You know her best and you believe she's got a really good temperament, so just use some common sense. You didn't say how old your 3 nephews are, but it would be a good idea not to leave them alone with your dog unless and until you know for sure that they know how to treat a dog with respect, that they know what to do and not to do with her. You'll be able to see right away if she enjoys playing with kids or not.
Your dog does not have a subconscious vicious streak - if she had one, you'd know it, but any dog of any breed can bite if provoked. Unfortunately, it seems that with any breed that gets really popular, bad temperaments are the first thing that crops up because of all the back yard breeders who breed anything with no regard whatsoever to temperaments.
2006-10-12 07:37:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you know your own dog. She won't just attack with no reason and no warning for goodness sakes. If you are worried then don't every leave her alone with the children. Half the time if a dog bites a child it is because the child has done something to hurt the dog. I'm afraid people like you make me really angry. You listen to crap and consider getting rid of your pet because you don't feel that you know her enough to trust her. Perhaps you should think about placing her with a proper staffie rescue to ease your mind. Don't offer her free or cheap in case some other twit comes along and wants to use her to breed or to fight. Get her spayed, then hand her over to a rescue who understands and loves the breed and who will be very careful who they rehome her to, preferably someone with some brains.
I had a giant schnauzer which is similar in temperament to a rottie. I would 100% trust her with children because I trained her and I knew her inside out.I know every single one of my dogs, know what bugs them, what makes them scared, makes them annoyed, what would make them bark.I am just amazed that someone can have a dog and not know that dog enough so that they would actually ask strangers for an opinion on her. Not only that but that you would even consider getting rid of something which is supposed to be your best friend and which loves you with all her heart. My dogs come first. Even before my own mother who hated dogs. She refused to visit unless I shut the dogs outside.I told her this was their home and if she didn't like it she could stay away and I would visit her at her place when I had time. You can be bloody sure that I would not get rid of my dogs because my brother started telling me crap. I would tell him that if he was worried, I would not have my nephews here any more regretfully.No way would I even consider getting rid of my dogs. The fact that you are considering it shows that you are simply not attached to the dog and have no sense of commitment to it. Why didn't you think about all these issues before you made the decision to go out and buy her as a puppy?
2006-10-12 10:11:55 · answer #3 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your staffy is sweet tempered with other dogs, then she has a great temperament.
The thing to remember that it isn't just a mean streak that causes a dog to growl, snap or bite; if she is hurt then she may snap - just as you would shout out if I suddenly poked you in the eye! You may even slap my hand, and get angry.
Thats why we don't leave dogs and kids alone together; and we also explain this to the kids.
Most normal kids love dogs and want to walk, stroke, groom and feed them. If you do all these activities with the kids under close supervision they all stand a much better chance of growing up together happily.
Kids need to learn when the dog has had enough attention, and the golden rule is once the dog puts herself away in her bed, or hides behind you or the furniture; sh has had enough and MUST be left undisturbed.
If you have any doubts, have a room with a bed in it thats out of bounds to the kids so she can have a break when she needs one, or you can put her in there. The kids must learn to respect the rules in your home!
I'm sure with a little common sense you;ll be able to explain to these kids how to behave around your dog; you've made a great job of raising her to be sweet natured!
2006-10-13 00:56:57 · answer #4 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your sister is worrying too much. I have owned dogs all my life and any breed of dog will never bite unless it is constantly provoked. A child should be told to leave a dog alone in situations such as eating or sleeping and only ever touch a dog under constant supervision. Don't rehome your dog just because of nasty stories. Remember this - stories that are heard on the news or read about in newpapers are always exaggerated to make the story sound good!! So if someone gets bitten by a dog they have usually been "SAVAGED"!!
2006-10-12 09:51:33 · answer #5 · answered by pussycat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
staffs are also known as the nanny dog need i say more!!!
a dogs temperament all depends on the breeding and raising of the dog!
if it has come from a long line of vicious dogs or police training then i would be wary.
and as for raising if you treat it well then all will be OK dogs are only really vicious when brought up that way, i know there are dogs that bit people or kids but there is ALWAYS a reason (your not going to tell someone you where pulling the dogs tail or something like that before it bit you , if you think you can get compensation for it or a kid will think it will get into trouble) why a dog will bit you.
2006-10-15 04:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by mwashington_22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no bad dogs, only bad owners. You come over as a good owner, so don't worry. No dog should be left alone with children it doesn't live with until it has been established that the dog AND the children can behave responsibly towards each other and not provoke each other. Staffys are called the 'nanny dogs' because of their gentleness and protectiveness toward children. The problem is your sisters attitude towards dogs
Good luck and hang on to the staffy
2006-10-12 07:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't seen any traits of a mean streak before now, she probably doesn't have one. Also if your nephews have been taught how to behave around a dog (not pulling ears/tails, etc) will factor in. If they've been around the dog before and never had any problems, you probably have no reason to worry.
The media has a bad habit of only talking about the dog bites that are so-called "bully breeds", like pits or rotts. They never talk about the viscious chihuahuas out there you know?
2006-10-12 07:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by joey_chan27 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog is only as good as it`s owner , it`s just like children , you teach then right from wrong and give them values in life . Same way you train your dog , the dog will learn from you so don`t get uptight when kids are around , you will know your dog and if you feel there is any chance that the dog may bite , then make sure you remove the dog from the situation and seek help . I`m sure you have nothing to worry about , gl .
2006-10-15 21:49:47 · answer #9 · answered by Shazzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RE: Staffordshires
Go watch the original Walt Disney version of the Long Journey Home - the one with REAL animals. The one dog was a Staff - and a movie star. So was the dog in the Our Gang movies.
The problem isn't the dog - it is the owners (and I have been showing and teaching obedience for 43 years.) Some people don't have the personaltiy to handle strong willed breeds, some do. Some can't handle a breed that turns to mush if spoken to harshly, some can.
2006-10-12 07:50:58 · answer #10 · answered by ann a 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋