Hard Decision

[Kevah]

I have a almost 1yr old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and he extremely hyper. I kept telling myself that he would get better, but it seems things are only getting worse. Hes now knocking over my little cousins, my aunt, my grandmother, and even myself sometimes, hes also recently destroyed some furniture. Any information on helping to improve his behavior or anything about this breed that justifies that hes going to get better would be great. Otherwise i fear i might have to give him up or put him down if no1 wants him...

 

[Saje]

That's not a good reason to put a dog down at all.

He's young.

How much exercise does he get (mental AND physical)?

What kind of training has he had?

Where did you get him and how long have you had him?

 

[sparks19]

well he's only a year old. Still a lot of puppyhood left. How much exercise do you give him and what kind of exercise is it?

You wouldn't actually consider putting him down because he acts like a puppy should would you?

 

[shepluvr]

EXCERCISE, EXCERSISE, EXCERCISE....Get him in obedience class to teach manners.

 

[bubbatd]

He could be a completely different dog in 6 months with more age and training.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Please spend ALOT of time looking for a new home for this dog if you should choose to part with him.
Please dont let another dog get put to sleep because he acts like a puppy.

Elissa

 

[LeoAussie :)]

Don't put the poor thing down! As the others have said, he is still in puppyhood. Give him some time and he will mature, for now give him lots and lots of exercise.

 

[casablanca1]

I have a almost 1yr old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and he extremely hyper. I kept telling myself that he would get better, but it seems things are only getting worse. Hes now knocking over my little cousins, my aunt, my grandmother, and even myself sometimes, hes also recently destroyed some furniture. Any information on helping to improve his behavior or anything about this breed that justifies that hes going to get better would be great. Otherwise i fear i might have to give him up or put him down if no1 wants him...

While dogs of this age are basically deranged teenagers who behave wildly and crazily, I don't believe that it's entirely correct to call a nearly 1-year-old canine a puppy, and I certainly don't think that a dog of any age has any justification for knocking over adults - that takes a lot of attitude, not just exuberance. You sound like you may be in over your head with your dog; the best idea might be to consult with a good trainer or behaviorist to get a better idea of your dog's personality, whether you should keep him, and what you can do to change his bad behaviors if you do keep him.

 

[Barb04]

Is this your first dog? Dogs destroying furniture is something I have experienced with each of mine. They are going through their childhood. I agree with getting some training and also making sure the dog gets plenty of exercise. I have a staffy mix that is very energenic.

Please don't put the dog down.

 

[B33CPE]

I would give him some time , maybe take him to obediance school if you can. It depends on the dog but sometimes it can take the 2 years or longer to grow out of their puppy stage. My heeler (i knew these dogs could be destructive when we got him, but he has turned out to be the best dog i have ever owned) is just about to turn two and he just got out of his "destroy the house mode" a few months ago, he used to dig the satellite cables out of the ground, chew up clothes, one time he was outside and tried to chew himself into the house by ripping the siding off of the house by the back door, and to this day i cant leave him alone in the house. This is not a reason to put a dog down though, dogs should only be put down when they are aggressive or have bitten someone. As for the hyperness, my sister had a staffie and he turned out to be the best dog she ever owned, he was hyper and destructive at first but he grew out of it. Good luck with your dog, hope everything works out.

One other thing, Staffies are a type of pit bull (some people say that they arent, I have heard many arguments about this), and all pit bulls tend to be bullheaded, so make sure that you stay consistant when disciplining him. They need to know that you are the one in charge.

 

[sparks19]

While dogs of this age are basically deranged teenagers who behave wildly and crazily, I don't believe that it's entirely correct to call a nearly 1-year-old canine a puppy, and I certainly don't think that a dog of any age has any justification for knocking over adults - that takes a lot of attitude, not just exuberance. You sound like you may be in over your head with your dog; the best idea might be to consult with a good trainer or behaviorist to get a better idea of your dog's personality, whether you should keep him, and what you can do to change his bad behaviors if you do keep him.

While that may be true it is her job to teach him that knocking people over is not appropriate. They don't come pre programmed to just KNOW the rules. And techinically YES he is still a puppy. Teddy is nearly 1 1/2 yet he is still considered a puppy until he reaches maturity at about 2 years of age.

 

[mojozen]

Your dog is not a computer. It doesn't come with all the software already installed. You have to be the one to be the leader for your dog. You have to teach it manners, and give it appropriate ways to expel energy. This is still a very young dog. It's basically a teenager as staffies do not mature out until 2 - 3 years of age.

Take your dog to obediecne school which is more to teach you how to teach your dog than anything else. Get some good breed books on Staffordshire Terriers... also get some good training books to read.

Some Suggestions:
The Power of Positive Training
The Other End of the Leash

Raising a dog of the bull terrier group is not an easy task. I own a pit mix myself, and I am returning us to classes to work on his socialization and certain aspects of his training I am unsure of how to tackle. I also need to figure out how to train my boyfriend how to train my dog so the dog obeys him better.

Its an ongoing process.
Good Luck

 

[Doberluv]

Owner inability or the fact that a puppy is a puppy is no reason to put a perfectly nice animal to death. I can't believe what I'm reading. Your dog does these things because you have not learned how to teach him and partly because he is young. Please get help or find him a home with someone who can train him and give him a good home.

 

[smkie]

i fhe is doing all of this it is because u are not doing your job as a good dog daddy..i have a hyper dog too..the first year i had to drive him to the park for an hour hard run before we could even start our day. Strict obedience..even if it means to umbilical (keep the dog attached to leash and the leash attached to you) until the bad habits are corrected.

 

[Fran27]

Dogs need to be trained as soon as they are puppies. Good behavior is not something that comes automatically... Did you research anything before getting a dog? How can you even consider putting him down when it's your own fault if he's behaving that way?

 

[smkie]

All dogs in my mind are puppies until they turn two..by one year they should be able to be consistant in all commands.if they aren't you havent done your job and it is time to put the peddle to the metal..go to a training class if you are unable to do this by yourself..by two they mature and begin to settle down..by five they are confident and wise..by seven they are in their prime of intelligence then then the time will slip thru your fingers and you will wish you could turn the clock back. EVen if it meant starting all over. It is frustrating to have a young dog in his most active stage, but nothing good comes easy. Raising a dog is very much like raising a child. The more effort you put in, the better person/canine grows up.

 

[mojozen]

well said smkie

 

[Fran27]

I think it was a troll

 

[Pomp]

Putting a dog to sleep because he is hyper?? Why did you get a dog to begin with? Dogs are like children. They need to be trained and you need to have patience.

I can't seriously believe that you are thinking of euthanizing a dog because he gets excited.

 

[neko12_48767]

I will agree with everybody. Neko ( my dog) is a lab/chow he is a very hyper dog, he had to stay up in my room all the time because he could not calm down downstairs. Then I ran everyday after work (and i'm lazy. When the remote is on the floor. i'm to lazy to get up and get it. Thats how lazy I am.), and trained him everyday. He started to get better. It is very hard.

Just start small. When people come over put a leash on him, then make him sit (don't know sit. Started training. Treats are good.) Don't let anyone pet him till he sitting. If he sit tell the people they can pet him. when people start petting and he gets up. Tell them to stop, and take him away. Then when he calm down a little. DO it all over again. Its very hard work. I know.

I go to school. School started at 8:00 and ends at 3:00. I get home at 3:30. I feed him and run around a block. Then I'm back Home at 3:40. Then go to work at 4:00 till 9:00. Then When I get home from work I run around town. Then I get home at 9:30. Then take a shower. Then go to bed.

Its very hard but you can do it.

If you don't have a crate. buy one. ( if you have the money.)

They not yelling at you. they are just upset because you are thinking about putting the dog down just because its hyper. If we put down every child in the world because there hyper. Well there will be no children let.

If you have question just e-mail me I answer all my e-mail. GOOD LUCK