BigDaz

Are you looking to donate or just starting the conversation out of interest, do you currently donate to charities? Which ones? Personally I prefer to support smaller charities, but one requirement is that they are registered so I can claim a tax deduction.

What is driving you to breed, to make money or to enhance the status of the breed?

The felt interrogated because the answers they were giving were not in line with the rescues expectations? Now they have a pup the kids can play with when they feel like it otherwise it is left outside 24 hours a day? What I am saying is that your response is too short on detail to be able to judge the situation objectively, maybe there is a reason they found the process difficult. Mybe they were poor potential owners and with rescue puppies less common than older dogs there may have been much better families out there. Good friends of mine, good jobs, well educated asked me about a rescue dog. I asked them why they wanted a dog, the answer was because their son wanted one. I asked if the dog would be allowed inside at all, the answer was no. The end result would be a dog left outside alone for 23.5 hours a day when the kid finds world of war craft more exciting. People have differing opinions on inside\outside dogs, but personally I would not want to see a dog living under these conditions.

They both look very cute, are you planning on getting them de-sexed or breeding from them? Having two young ones is a challenge, but is doable if you commit the time.

Your timeline is probably a best case scenario, people cannot help but to exaggerate in their favour. In no way do I think you area bad dog owner but I dont think you are as great as you are trying to put across. "This dog has really stolen my heart" - If this was me I would have the dog inside all of the time. "On the weekends - an hour walk with me on the Saturday, then the girls hang with him on and off sporadically till dinner time but he still comes inside for my chemo nap." - So he is alone outside most of the day until the girls get off their iPhones. "Sunday's - we take him to the beach for a couple of hours or to a labrador meet and greet. He's outside again until dinner." - So this and the above, he is outside by himself most of the weekend. Sure there is some quality time, but again, we are probably getting best case scenario with weekend time being prime time for an outside dog. I am someone who believes that all dogs should be inside with their pack, which may not be the common belief in this forum. Just don't kid yourself that you are the perfect dog owner when you are not, your dog is often outside or inside in a crate. You are a hell of a lot better than a lot of dog owners out there, but you are seeking justification in a forum for agreement that your trainer is wrong and you are a great owner, which is not the case. I don't know the Lab breed, I would not want you to own a Stafford though, having any Stafford as an outside dog is about as cruel as it gets. No offense intended, I have subtlety issues! In no way do I think you should re-home this dog, but you need to be realistic in regards to how perfect a dog owner you are.

I was a Barko advocate until I moved to Black Hawk, which they only get in the morning, I feed RAW at night. I thought my dogs like Barko, they would usually eat it, sometimes leave it, sometimes share one bowl and leave the other one. I moved to Black Hawk and breakfast is now eaten right away, one dog literally jumps up and down on the spot while I am getting it. I haven't used Barko for some time, but I never noticed a strange smell.

Do the dogs know they are being punished for something they did a few nights ago?

I agree that the brother should be held accountable to an extent and encouraged to change his habits for the sake of the dog. But, assuming the issue is then resolved would be a mistake as the dog may find something else it finds to consume. If there are additional training techniques that could be utilized to help in the situation it would be good feedback rather than just saying make the brother pay.

Leaving socks lying around is not an unusual thing to do. I have always taken off my shoes and put my socks in them or on top of them. Plus, this time it is socks, next time it mat be something even more dangerous, as such I think people concentrating on your brother is the wrong approach.Hopefully someone can offer some useful advice in regards to what you can do with the Lab.

Have you heard of many BYB's that hip and elbow score their animals? Then let the dogs go at 6 weeks.

There is also the Doggy Bag which Dognitive Therapy sell, http://www.dognitivetherapy.com/#!product/prd3/2051428885/the-doggie-bag I like the look of it but haven't convinced myself my two Staffords are smart enough to work out how to get in and out.

I would call one Jackson.

Your best bet is to find the right Rescue, a good organization that understands Staffords will find a loving home for this dog. What was mentioned earlier about a dogs situation dictating its aggressiveness and anxiety is a possibility. I have seen anxious or dog aggressive dogs thrive in a new situation where they are happy and not carrying the weight of the family on their shoulders....Staffy's do this. Keep working at it.

I am not even in the industry and I know this happens, breeders want to have more litters than is allowed seem to do this often. Assuming a registered breeder is ethical is a bit of a joke. If a regulated industry is in a mess, what hope if there of wiping out backyard breeders.

That is animal abuse. How can they be allowed to take this dog, I don't understand, unless he was missing for some time and they only just got him back. Edited to remove some emotion!