[Xfxhbcxp]

i have a 2yr old staffordshire, red nose mix. he has never been abused in any way, he runs from rabbits even lol
for the past month he has growled, lunged, snapped at me, my mother, and her husband. this behavior has never occured before and i am not sure what to do or anything im not sure if its a brain tumor or if its a seizure or what the case is
two days ago he was busted for digging through the trash and my mother tried to spank him just to let him that its a no, and he snapped and lunged at her snarling
tonight my mom and stepdad went to lay down in the bed my step dad pulling the covers back he locked down and growled and lunged for both of them
almost a month ago he was looking at me gave me his paw and shook like he always does when he comes in the house then 5 mins later he lunged for my face while laying on the couch with me.. there are other occurances where this has happened, but during or directly after this happens his whole body trembles vigorously for 5-10 mins and he has a look in his eyes that he wants to ball his eyes out for what he just did

please i am so confused and i do not want to have to uthinize him

[Alexeryy]

First off, take the dog to a vet to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with him that could explain a sudden change in behaviour.

Then, start practicing NILIF. Without having seen the dog's behaviour and only going based on what you wrote, it sounds like the dog is running the show and telling yall when to back off - it was HIS garbage, HIS bed, HIS couch, etc. in his mind. The dog shouldn't be allowed on any furniture, needs to wait for his food, etc. Basically, anything he doesn't work for he doesn't get. How much exercise is he getting? Is he neutered?

(P.S. - there are no such things as "staffordshire" or "red nose" as far as breeds)

[FoetAgerhot46]

You seriously need to ask? PTS.

[Alice_Medichi34]

I would take him to the vet and have his health looked at. Sometimes thyroid problems can contribute to aggression.

After that, another option is a behaviourist. The fact that he's shaking makes me think it might be fear-based rather than aggression.

I really have no experience in this and I'm going on what I've read in the past here on this board, but hopefully someone with more experience will come here to help you.

If he's beyond help then you may have to look at euthanizing him, but if it were my dog my first trip would be to the vet.

---------- Post added at 08:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 PM ----------

Oops... there were no posts when I started typing. Told ya people would be here to help!

[Xfxhbcxp]

i have been overseas for 3 years and currently disabled, so my mother got him just to keep her company, he is not neutered
to me trembling would be a fear issue but he hasnt been abused in any way, we also have a great dane who is 4 and she has absolutely no problems with half the behavorial issues, i personally do not beleive any animal should be on any furniture but this is her house i am just here until my pregnant wife who is also in the services gets restationed to virginia lol
i called our personal vet and he said just to stop by in the morning at his facility
as far as breed goes i never stated that was his breed, i said "my pit" which is a "staffordshire, red nose mix"
he only does this at completely random times but it seems like he is getting worse and worse. im not too much of a pit person i have an argentenian mastiff, which is similar but anyways
his behavior isnt horrible but i have stated to my mother that she is too giving with him she lets him beg, lets him take free roam of the house wherever he wants to go, and now she is scared to death of him because lets face it a 97lb pit vs a 50yr old 102lb frail woman isnt a good mix if there was an accident... its just scary that this is happening out of nowhere im not sure is ppl have beat him trying to break into the house or??? i just dont know

[FoetAgerhot46]

What I don't like is the fact the OP says that the dog has never been abused and then states that his mom spanks the dog. Hmm...

[Xfxhbcxp]

ok like a said a tiny frail woman who cant even get a half gallon of milk out of the refridgerator by herself with a bone disorder cant exactly hit anything hard enough to make an effect not to mention she is in a eletric wheelchair because her bones are too weak to push a manuel one
his excersize is decent and his diet is blue buffalo, he has 82 acres to run in dozens of toys and other animals he plays with

[Alexeryy]

to me trembling would be a fear issue but he hasnt been abused in any way,

i said "my pit" which is a "staffordshire, red nose mix"

97lb pit

Fear doesn't have to be learned. A genetically unstable dog can be fearful without ever having been abused.

There are no such things as "types" of "pits" like "staffordshire" and "red nose"

And lastly, if your dog is 97 pounds you don't have a "pit" you have some giant bully breed mix thing, because that is 2-3x the accepted standard size for an adult male APBT.

[Xfxhbcxp]

and i do see where the statement of not being actual breeds, like i said im not a pit person, thats why i came to yall for help

[Alice_Medichi34]

From what I've learned, fear in dogs can be like anxiety in humans -- just part of the wiring.

I'm glad you got an appointment to the vet so quickly. Let us know how you make out!

[FoetAgerhot46]

If you are not a pit person, then why do you have one? or a mix.

I think there is more to this story then you are letting on and the best thing you can do for that dog is have it put down. You clearly do not know what you have gotten yourself into and need more education before even trying to own a 'Pit Bull'. A Real one. Not some 97 pound mix.

[Xfxhbcxp]

teal thank you so much for being more informative rather then just finding things to pick and and talk about what you know nothing about
im not a fountain of info on pits (bullys)or dogs for that matter, i just dont want my mother being afraid
he is pretty massive but never been like this from what my parents or family ahve said, he doesnt jump up on people, house trained, very intelligent form what i have seen but i just am lost without good advice and the vet appt tomorrow

---------- Post added at 11:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 PM ----------

if you read my post sir/maam, IT IS NOT MY DOG. my mother got the dog whle i was overseas i own an argentenian mastiff, my mother got the dog to not feel as lonely because her husband workd 16 hours a day. I DO NOT OWN THIS DOG, JUST LIVE WITH IT AND AM TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FOR MY MOTHER FROM RELIABLE SOURCES. i have only been around this dog since march2011

[FoetAgerhot46]

Then YOUR MOTHER snouldn't have gotten a dog that she COULDN'T PROPERLY care for. From the sound of it the vet wont find a thing. I bet she has been abusing the dog and you know nothing of it BECAUSE as said by you, you have been away. The dog just needs to be PTS before it actually does damage and your MOTHER needs to get a dog she can better handle like a Yipper or something.

Bull Dogs are not for everyone. You have to be able to care for them mentally and physically. If you cannot offer the right type of stimulation to these dogs, you do not need to own one. End of that. There are plenty of other Breeds out there. She DID NOT have to choose a Pit Bull.

---------- Post added at 11:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------

I apologize for saying your mother abuses the dog. Kinda got carried away. But this sounds like something that the dog has learned rather then something that has just come up.

[Xfxhbcxp]

well its honestly a shame to have to do that to the dog, thats why i came here for help, to be completely honest im not sure why she decided on a whatever mix or breed he is.
he is extremely intelligent and a loving dog towards me he has only done it towards me once, which was my fault. i had my face to close to his and wasnt familiar with the breed, i would still like the vet to check him out with my mother peresent because if it does come back and you are correct that there is and was nothing ever medically wrong with him then it may sound harsh but she needs to see what she has done, basically took someones chances at owning a potentially wonderful dog, and ruined his chances at life
i do apologize if i appear snippy, ignorant, one sided, its jsut i ahve no knowledge of this breed(s)
i dont think she could abuse an animal but i guess we will find out here in a few hours, thank you lovepup, teal, and fishbulb ill post on here what i hear back tomorrow

[FoetAgerhot46]

The reason why I am so adamant on PTS is because a TRUE American Pit Bull terrier and Most of its mixes are not known for human aggression and should never be. A dog showing any type of human aggression should be culled (Neutered) and properly attended to with caution or PTS. There are so many other wonderful dogs out there looking for a home that would treat you with respect.

[OWDavid]

I've got nothing to add here. I think Teal is spot-on. Talk to your vet about the possibility of the dog having a medical condition. Talk to a certified breed behaviorist about whether the dog is being aggressive or fearful and what should be done about it. Know that you might not like the answer you're given. Keep in mind that your mother is fearful of this dog. If the dog's issues are fixable, would your mother get over her fear of the dog? It might end up being a better situation for the dog to live elsewhere, except it's nearly impossible to place a bull breed dog with behavioral issues like this if it is a behavioral problem. Keep an open mind. And don't take the rude responses personally. Some people just don't have tact. Please let us know what happens.

[FLOMOUSLY]

his behavior isnt horrible but i have stated to my mother that she is too giving with him she lets him beg, lets him take free roam of the house wherever he wants to go...

It sounds to me like a behavioral issue. No discipline and lack of mental/physical stimulation makes for a bored dog that believes he is the pack leader, not you or your mother. If he checks out with the vet as physically fit, then he either needs immediate intervention with a trainer who can come to the home and size things up, or he needs to be put down. Those are the options. Any delay in taking action could be traumatic to your mother or really any of you.

[irresseni]

I hope your kidding me..

Wait your probably not, MOST DOGS go through this faze, if you read the thread Lovepup you would see the age on the OPs dog is such that he is most probably maturing, Which means he is contesting for Alpha.

Check with a vet to make sure its not medical,

If it's not (most likely case) YOU/YOUR MOTHER/FATHER?
Need to show the pup the pecking order in your pack, Make sure he knows that humans are the leaders and that he is below you, My dog challenged me a week ago, i yelled at him and now he knows his place once more.

PTS. jesus your worse then bloody peta.

[FoetAgerhot46]

Wow! Jay! I know how old this dog is and it is Past the 'fear' stage in life. IF you had done your homework you would have known that. I had a dog around that age starting to do that to my family and I had it PTS. Not only because of that but he attacked his sister too (Snow). I have little tolerance for this type of behavior and I do Cull the dogs for it. It is unwanted and can cause someone else to get hurt.

Also the Domesticated dog CANNOT be put into a pack order like a Wolf. You cannot simply assert your dominance and expect the dog to fall in line. This will Definatly cause issues with the dogs mental development. I bet you learned that little bit from watching Ceaser Millean (SP). WHICH is the WORST person you can get any type of dog training tips from. His tactics WILL get someone hurt.

I'm Sorry, But I still stand at PTS. There are plenty of dogs out there waiting a good home and WONT put your life at danger.

[Viafdrear]

I'm Sorry, But I still stand at PTS. There are plenty of dogs out there waiting a good home and WONT put your life at danger.

You have made your point clear Lovepup, now its up to the owner(s) to decide what to do. I lived with a dog for years that went after me a few times and got me good a few times too but I wouldnt change what I did. I can live with getting bit I would not have been able to live with the "what ifs" they would have haunted me. So we gave it are all well keeping everyone safe (besides ourselfs) sometimes people need to try working it out instead of just jumping to PTS. As far as I can tell from the post this Family has not even had a trainer come in yet. So instead of pushing the idea of Putting the dog down try giving advice on rescouses this family can use...... Just saying.