phantomreptiles

Hi all, haven't posted for a long time but there has been some tragedy in my dog life:( But moving forward I just want reassurance, that my dog is ok. I leave her home alone 3-4 times a week up to 13hrs:(. (Generally the 13hrs is only twice a week) I however always walk her 5km (with a weight vest to intensify the walk) before I leave, and supply her with chew toys and things to rip up, such as egg cartons with a treat inside or plastic bottles with a couple of cat biscuits inside. On days I have more time, we go for longer walks, (walked every day without fail) flirt pole training and spring pole training. She is locked in the house as she would be stolen if left outside. Low social economic area and she is a pure pit. She has been by herself for nearly three months since the tragedy and seems fine with it. I feel she is better off than most dogs, but a few people have made me feel guilty. She is fit and healthy and doesn't seem to have any separation issues. She has the run of the house (with two cats) and can sunbathe in the sunroom or watch things going on outside. Any tips of chew toys would be great, she has a kong, Kong wobbler, rawhide chews (I know not great but they last longer), frozen carrots, plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls with treats and a box of other toys.

And no, she definitely has NOT shown signs previously. We walk very late or very early to avoid the heat.

It's only this week she has slowed down. I say struggling, but rather I mean she has stopped once or twice on her walk. I certainly don't force her, and have slowed to her pace if she asks. But I think perhaps cutting her walk down to two kms and dropping her home before continuing, may be best then. Oh god I would feel terrible if she kept going the distance just to please me!!!!!!!

Hi, as the title suggest. My 12yr staffy x has been walking on average 5kms a day. But in the last week has been struggling with 4km. Although based in Brisbane we have had some cool days. Do I simply need to face facts, that she is getting older It just seems weird that it happened acutely. Otherwise fine.

Hi, she is ok...we have done a lot of work. Some of you may disagree with my methods, but we are getting results. We now walk a minimum of six kms a day, she has extreme negatives and positives. This is working for us.

Ok can someone enlighten me. Are Amstaffs and English staffies, different breeds? Or just different lines?

I appreciate everyone who gave me suggestions. I will now ask for this thread to be deleted. To those who think I've not sought help, she has seen two dog trainers and a dog behaviouralist, who did nothing but suggest fluoxetine. At $800/consult to be told something I know...hence my reaching out.

Again thank you to thistle the dog! I've no idea who you are, but I'm incredibly grateful to you for calming down the thread and your sage advice. Gruf - perhaps you or a close relative has had a bad experience with an aggressive dog. So yes I understand your concern, but please take note, that I'm trying to seek help and also I have two walking devices on her, so if one did fail, I have a back up. (Corvus - she recovers very quickly from reactive periods, usually within one minute, but this can happen up to 10 times during a walk, I do a lot to redirect from known trigger points, I cross the road from other dogs - my walks are very zig-zag! Kavik- thank you for the links:) I will start a new thread re scent training. I'm doing my damnedest in trying to keep her and the public safe. One thing I'm grateful for is the lack of dog behaviour knowledge I have..I've learnt so much. It will benefit so many people, what I've learnt. I always thought since I've worked in the veterinary industry for 16 years and never been bitten by a dog (cats yes) I am good with cues and signals. This unfortunately does not translate much to "on the street" . As an added note, she and her sister (12yr staffy X) were approached by an aggressive neighbourhood dog, (gets out 2-3times a week) whilst piper (the dog in question) reacted, she only tried keeping him at bay. She didn't attack, she only air snapped to protect myself and her sister. She could of seriously hurt him, as he was in her face, trying to get to me. So this shows me, she's is not truly aggressive.

Wow, thank you so much for your tips "Thistle the dog", I'm not asking everyone to spend that much time on me. As you obviously did! But it's very much appreciated and I've already implemented many of the things you have suggested. She is walked in correctly fitted halti (with a pinch collar for back up) I'm doing my upmost with the knowledge I have, hence reaching out for further tips. I do not disagree with a basket muzzle and have one on order. I believe mental stimulation would be great for her, hence my asking for tips. Again I will say the dog is managed appropriately, and everyone and everything is safe.

Oh go away, she is appropriately managed. Far more than most reactive pets.

Wow ok! First off I said thank you, in both of my responses!! Second of all, I've now just asked for scent training tips.

Will get you some on my next walk...

Sending you kisses. Love the comments typical from some

I'm quite disappointed in the responses. A lot of negatives, I've said euthanasia is not an option, unless she harms someone or something. My walking route hasn't changed, but I've changed sides of roads with a great improvement. I've a new postie, who I spoke to yesterday, yes she tried to get him, BUT he finds this with all dogs on his route. I've put my bins either side of the mail box and placed a fence to reduce her visual excitement. And thank goodness he has owned this breed before and knows they can be slightly property protective. I've not got a muzzle yet, but find she really only reacts to darker skinned people. Of course I will still get a muzzle, but to be frank, sometimes in this area it's not a bad thing to have a dog that may lunge. Don't tell me I'm being irresponsible, you don't live here, you don't know what I can be subjected too! Probably shouldn't of bothered saying anything more... But comments on how to start out with scent training would be very gratefully accepted.

Thanks, I try to keep walking, eg ignore, keep going. I definitely think more mental stimulation is the way. Given I'm lucky enough to have a very large yard, and her incredible sense of smell, scent training is perfect for her. Can I perhaps get some tips in starting this? (I won't discuss euthanasia, if however she injured a person, cat or dog, then decision made)