PLEASE HELP Maybe a lab/pitbull x

[pipflower]

Hi There

I recently posted about the new 1 yr old lab x I have adopted a few days ago being aggressive to other dogs, well today my dad bought his dog down to meet him in our front garden and our dog wouldve killed my dads dog if he hadnt been held back.

Then followed a worrying comment my brother made, he had friends who used to have a pitbulls (a long time ago), and he said the noise my dog made with his throat sounded very much like a pitbull (my brother knows a lot about dogs so I find this really worrying and upsetting).

I am now soooo frightened the aggression towards other dogs worried me (although my husband has him out with his brother and his dog and I just got a text its all good) so I thought with a lot of hard work, patience and training it would go away, but one thing didnt worry me was my children (age coming 3 and coming 6), he has been nothing but lovable, friendly and a big pup when it came to my children and us, and his manners and behaviour in the house is excellent, but now with the possbility of pitbull in him (explains the aggression towards other dogs) I am worried sick.

We have all fallen for this dog but am I over reacting about the pitbull element? or should I get him out of my home as my dad suggested?

Please advise, I was assured by the previous owners who had children that he is fantastic with kids and people(although they dont know what he is crossed with) and I have had no cause to worry until this comment was made, obviously my childrens safety comes first.

Thanks in advance, Im really worried.

[caththecrazy]

If I was at all concerned the dog would be gone.

My children come before anything. No good crying afterwards and how many people have said the dog is really good with children and never done anything like this before.

[lankeela]

Difficult situation. I have never heard of a pit bull noise like you say he makes, basically if a dog is intent on being aggressive it will growl whatever the breed.

My main worry would be if the children were around when he went for another dog. Dogs do not stop to consider humans when they are in fighting mode. I have been bitten when trying to intervene with two fighting dogs, they just don't realise what they are biting and if a small child was to try to stop them fighting or even just get in the way they could be seriously injured.

I was at a Staffordshire Bull Terrier show last week, and two dogs lunged at one another in the ring. One got a good hold of the other by the head and it took several experienced dog owners about five minutes to separate them, and two people went to hospital for bites to their hands. This was very experienced dog people with show dogs, not the sort of inexperienced scumbags who organise and encourage dog fighting.

I would definitely try the training class route first and see if with proper help and training he can be taught to be ok with other dogs.

One other thing, most pitbulls and crosses do not show out and out aggression, they are calm and only go into fight mode either when another male gives them 'the eye' or goes for them first. This makes me think your dog is just inexperienced around others. Staffies especially are brilliant with children in the majority of cases (they are nicknamed the nanny dog). Try to keep him away from other dogs when the children are around, until you are confident that he is safe with other dogs.

[Schutzengel]

There might be some Staffie crossed with your Lab, and both breeds are great with people and children, but not keen on other dogs. I would go with Lankeela's advice, because your dog is still very young, and training might solve the problem. I hope so, as he is so lovable otherwise.

[pipflower]

Thank you all for your advice. It is really appreciated. My dad and a few others commented that he looks like a pure lab, just a small one.

The good news is I was out walking him around a lake today and let him off, several dogs approached him and he played with them and lolloped around with them, infact 3 of the other dogs went for him and he run with his tail between his legs. But when I put him on the lead he tried to get over to another dog and cried and then started growling, so think I need to socialise him with other dogs while off the lead and deal with the aggression on the lead. What do you think?

[happy_face]

I have to apologise in advance for what I'm about to say, but I get so incredibly angry when I hear people condemming a dog for its breed.
"Punish the deed not the breed"
But I have also learned that most of the time it's due to pure ignorance on breeds so I try to educate instead of berate now a days.
Please please please remember 99% of dogs are the product of their owners. They are not born aggressive and only get aggressive through lack of socialising, lack of leadership and lack of confidence.
Yes Pits, Staffys and Rottweilers have been in the news but people tend to forget that these dogs are bundles of energy and need a firm hand and lots of socialising or they can turn into unpredictable dogs.
All dogs can and will bite if pushed and you should never think a dog is 100% safe regardless of its breed. But please do not think that Pits are worse dogs than any other breeds, it's the owners.
It sounds to me like there is an issue with confidence in yourself when dealing with your dog and also your dogs confidence. Most dogs on the lead feel restricted and if they're in a situation they will react as they have no means of running away from the situation. The fact that your husband manages to walk the dog with another dog with no problems tells me that he's got more confidence in dealing with your dog. Your insecurity may well travel down the lead to make your dog insecure.

Definitely get the dog more socialised and take it to classes so you can form a bond with it.

[pipflower]

Happy_face

I totally agree about the condemning the breed and I have no excuse other than the worry for my children, it would be different if I had known the dog from a pup, I took the word of the previous owners and saw for myself that it was good with children and I had no doubt about the safety of my children until my family put it in my head.

As for my confidence, I am actually more confident than my husband, and I have established myself as the pack leader, the dog just has not learned to walk on a lead yet, and I am starting to think that his aggression with other dogs is down to previous lack of exercise, socialising and his youth. Between my husband and I we have started taking the dog out 3 times a day, on very long runs round the forest and lakes, and the more he is exercised the less aggressive he becomes.

I did totally panic and react to the mention of Pitbull, but it was more not knowing my dog and the fact it had showed aggression and the mention of the pitbull that concerned me, not the breed Pitbull itself.

But yes, I do understand what you are saying. Thank you for your post, it actually has (prob unintentionally LOL) reassured me a bit.

[tamborine]

Adopting a mature dog around very young children is not good. Your dog is territorial and naturally it would attack another dogs invasion.

I suggest you move this dog to more capable owners and get a pup for your young family's safety.

[madmaggot]

PIp, it's not by accident that your dog seems less aggressive the more exercise he gets. In my opinion the majority of problems could be ameliorated just by the dog getting sufficient exercise.
I think your problem has come about because the strange dog was introduced to yours on his territory. The best way to introduce a new dog is to both walk in the same direction with the owners between the dogs keeping the dog's attention away from the other dog; gradually decrease the distance between the dogs.
I believe that the reason your husband didn't have a problem was because they were away from home territory.
Carry on giving the dog enough exercise for his needs and be confident around your dog so that he has trust in you as his leader.
Don't be nervous when around other dogs as this will make your dog nervous and more likely to react in an aggressive way. This can become a cycle of behaviour leading to the 'walks at dawn' syndrome, where the owner only ventures out at a time that other dogs are unlikely to be around.
However, do exercise common sense with your children, don't leave the dog alone with them. Has he got a crate? Your children should be taught that when he goes into his crate they are to leave him alone and let him have his space. You will find that he will sleep a lot of the time now that he is getting enough exercise.
Good luck, I hope you have many happy years with your dog.

[danchip]

i've had extensive dealings with many breeds of dogs and have to agree with previous posts, any dog no matter what breed can be calm and placid and not aggressive and any breed can be trained to fight its all to do with how they are trained and looked after

the thing that stood out the most is you got the dog when it was 1 year old,

why did these people get rid of the dog at this age,