Advice on Rehoming my Pooch

Hello Everyone, I desparately need some advice. I bought Cooper from a man a couple of months back because I felt sorry for him as he was living in a shed. I thought he was wasnt very well socialised - I had no idea he had never left the back yard. He is dog agressive, but not beyond help. The thing is, I dont think I have the experiance to help him. He is currently on a lead and muzzle but I am sure in the right hands someone could work it out of him as 1% of the dogs he meets he plays with. I have had dogs all my life, recues - but non of them have been DA. I also have another SBT from pup that my mum keeps now and she is fine but only becuase I know how to socialise dogs but I am really struggerling with Cooper. I would like advice on whether you all think rehoming is an option. Please, be gentle though, this isnt easy for me. I have already had an ex ask me why I like dogs if I cannot cope with them....

Have you tried a behaviourist ? You can get numbers from your vet. We used one with my sisters dog and it only cost £40 for initial 2 hour visit and 3 follow up phone calls. She gave lots of great advice and if needed would have come back and seen her again.

Cooper, i dont know what to advise as i have no experience in that field, but i just had to post to tell you that you are very brave and deserve a lot of respect because you are asking for help which means you really care.

well done and i hope someone comes along to give you the help you need.

Ems
xx

Cooper
only you will know whether you can cope or not- it is easy for us as experienced owners to say what to do but you will know what is right for you and Cooper.
Have you looked into a behaviourist at all for help in dealing with his dog aggression ? Does he wear a muzzle ?
I would normally suggest contacting Breed rescue if you are looking to rehome but as he is half irish this may not be an option unfortunately. Although it may be useful to contact them for advice.
If you do decide to rehome please please make sure you tell the new owner everything about him warts and all- it will do no one any good if you gloss over his faults
Also being the breed he is you will need to be very selective about any new home that he goes to- he will require an experienced and knowledgeable owner

I wish you and Cooper the very best of luck- its not an easy decision to come to

I think every animal should always be given a chance and I think its good that you recognise perhaps you are not the best person to help him deal with his situation, you did what you thought was best at the time taking him out of that environment and it takes a big person to stand up and admit they cant help or dont have enough experience to help.

If you are 100% certain that he would be better off with somebody else or that you cannot provide the time or means to get adequate help (as Wiggle suggested start with a behaviourist) then I think you are doing the right thing trying to place him with a rescue, call as many as you can and only go with the one you feel is 100% suitable for him.

www.endangereddogs.com I know they deal quite a bit with bull breeds of all types if you go to www.staffords.co.uk I think there is also a list of addresses and numbers for Stafford Rescues.

Whatever you decide I hope it all works out well in the end for you & him.

Laura

Good Luck Cooper what ever your decisionis.

Hi lel,

Arent Stafford rescues rescues for ALL Staffords if they would refuse a Staff on the basis of its breeding I would be sorely disappointed.

I am not havnig a go at you here but I am genuinley confused as to why they will only take certain "types" of Stafford afterall an Irish Stafford is still a Stafford through and through it just looks a little different from the mainstream stuff. I am really disappointed at hearing this

Laura

Thanks for your advice,
Wiggle - regarding the behavourist - I have looked into this - I wanted a behavourist that would be able to provide a service where they monitored Cooper with other well trained dogs in a controlled environment, but all of them are offering to come over, assess him at home (we have no problems with him in the house) and then give us a programme of what to do when he aproaches other dogs - but not many people are willing to let cooper meet their dog. I dont understand how they assess him without seeying his behavour with a wide range of dogs (i.e males, females, young, old, breeds) as his body language is difficult to judge...

Hello Lel - yes he wears a muzzle and we keep him on an extension lead. I know the importants of telling the next owner everything - his previous owner told us he was good with dogs = the truth was - he has never met another dog!!!!

you are brave and being honest as well,at least you saved him from the life he had maybe you aren't the right person for him and it takes alot to admit and see that for your sake and his.
it is hard but you are trying to do the best for him which is the only thing you can do.
i hope things work out for you both.

Hi Cooper,

Do you take him to training classes? There are so many people on here now I can't remember if you said you take him to Dog training or not

There is a dog in Jas' class who when he first arrived was very dog and people aggressive but with constant training and help he is now a very well behaved and the only dog he has a problem with now is my staffy Jas

You could see a remarkable difference in him after just 2 weeks