Is He Stupid Or What?

[twodoggies2001]

I have a friend whose son adopted a dog through the RSPCA a couple of years ago. The dog is part American Staffy and who knows what else and of course very strong. Before anyone starts flaming I am not trying to degrade the American Staffy part. This dog has randomly lunged at and bitten several people whilst being taken for a walk for no known reason. One 'victim' reported this to council and the ranger told the owner that the dog had to be walked in public wearing a muzzle. This is being adhered to but the son and his wife are now expecting their first baby and the son is not seeking anymore professional advice regarding said dog and the new arrival. He seems to think the baby and dog will be OK. I hope and pray he's right in his thinking but fear not. I suggested to my friend that the son take the dog to a specialist in animal behavior.

[mixeduppup]

A behaviourist is a good idea as they can tell whether the dog is being reactive due to fear, frustration, prey drive etc. If it's prey drive I would be very wary about having it around a small child. But I'm wary with any dogs around newborns and never ever ever leave dogs alone with children of any age. He needs a behaviourist. If he doesn't and the dog behaves aggressively toward the baby you have every right to call DOCS and inform them that you feel the baby is in danger with the dog.

[Christina]

The first part of the title.

Yes he is stupid.

[Amax-1]

I have a friend whose son adopted a dog through the RSPCA a couple of years ago. The dog is part American Staffy and who knows what else and of course very strong. Before anyone starts flaming I am not trying to degrade the American Staffy part. This dog has randomly lunged at and bitten several people whilst being taken for a walk for no known reason. One 'victim' reported this to council and the ranger told the owner that the dog had to be walked in public wearing a muzzle. This is being adhered to but the son and his wife are now expecting their first baby and the son is not seeking anymore professional advice regarding said dog and the new arrival. He seems to think the baby and dog will be OK. I hope and pray he's right in his thinking but fear not. I suggested to my friend that the son take the dog to a specialist in animal behavior.

The biggest concern I see is why the dog lunged and bit "several" people. After the first one, I would expect that the owner handled the dog appropriately to prevent any more bites being inflicted on others.......that's a worry with a new born around if the owner isn't proactive in control of the dog.

[skip]

Yes

[twodoggies2001]

I have a friend whose son adopted a dog through the RSPCA a couple of years ago. The dog is part American Staffy and who knows what else and of course very strong. Before anyone starts flaming I am not trying to degrade the American Staffy part. This dog has randomly lunged at and bitten several people whilst being taken for a walk for no known reason. One 'victim' reported this to council and the ranger told the owner that the dog had to be walked in public wearing a muzzle. This is being adhered to but the son and his wife are now expecting their first baby and the son is not seeking anymore professional advice regarding said dog and the new arrival. He seems to think the baby and dog will be OK. I hope and pray he's right in his thinking but fear not. I suggested to my friend that the son take the dog to a specialist in animal behavior.

The biggest concern I see is why the dog lunged and bit "several" people. After the first one, I would expect that the owner handled the dog appropriately to prevent any more bites being inflicted on others.......that's a worry with a new born around if the owner isn't proactive in control of the dog.

That's what scares me too. He is just an irresponsible ass. He thinks by putting a muzzle on the dog when out in public is enough and he's doing the the right thing. I am trying to convince my friend to make his son have professional help or have the dog put down for the sake of the new baby.

[Alison03]

This could be the beginning of another tragic story on the news. I dare say this young man will say how shocked he is when the inevitable happens. Stupidity isn't against the law unfortunately.

[Rosetta]

Considering the stringent temperament tests the RSPCA put their dogs through I am surprised this one made it through to adoption. Yes it is a potential disaster by the sound of it - what is the wife's attitude? Perhaps a word to her?

[gillbear]

maybe let him know that if the dog is declared a menace and consequently bites someone the fines are up to $77000. That might get his attention.

[Poodle wrangler]

If nothing's done. make a report to Child Protection/ DOCS.

Child doesn't need to be born, yet, FAIK.

You can't rehome a biting dog- Too many healthy, temperamentally "nice" dogs are PTS because they cannot find homes.

Behaviourist asap or PTS.

Even with a behaviourist, family has to be committed- not just $, but time and effort- for dog rehab to work.

No matter what, baby comes before dog.

[twodoggies2001]

Thank you all for your replies. My problem is that I don't personally have contact with the young couple and only hear about the situation through my friend. I stressed to him yesterday that the dog needs a professional assessment ASAP. When the dog was initially adopted, of course he was very boisterous and apparently he was not stopped with his behaviour. The son started to take him to obedience but of course, it's much easier not to have to get up early on Sunday mornings for classes and that was put on the back burner. The son is not, I must stress a yobbo. He is actually a very nice person, but ignorant when it comes to dogs.

[Simply Grand]

Considering the stringent temperament tests the RSPCA put their dogs through I am surprised this one made it through to adoption. Yes it is a potential disaster by the sound of it - what is the wife's attitude? Perhaps a word to her?

The trouble is though temp testing can only assess the dog's behaviour in the current situation, they can behave very differently once settled in a home environment, and of course continue to be influenced by their circumstances (training, management, treatment, owner expectations etc) as time goes on.

It is possible that the dog only displays those behaviours towards strangers and/or when out and about so the owners feel they can trust the dog at home and with their own child... Certainly not a risk I'd take with a child though, at least not without an expert assessment and a rigorous training and management program

[Loving my Oldies]

He is actually a very nice person, but ignorant when it comes to dogs.

As are a lot of people - which is said without criticism, just a fact.

If the dog is already biting, I rather feel that there might be tragedy waiting in the wings for this family.