HELP!! Staffy Puppy - startle bites on waking

[DeletedUser]

My 12 week old staffy puppy was woken up suddenly by my 2.5 year old son. She growled & jumped up and bit him on the face. The same thing happened yesterday except she bit him on the hand. I’m so worried about what I should do.  I watch them together but sometimes he’s too quick for me. 

Edited September 26, 2022 by belinda74
More info

[Rebanne]

This is actually quite common in Greyhounds. I'd suggest a crate or blocking off a corner and that is the puppy's sleep spot and your son must not ever go there and disturb your dog. It's not a reflection of the dogs nature. You'd jump up too if you were in a sound sleep and got rudely woken up. It's called sleep startle and there is a lot of info on the internet.

[DeletedUser]

Thanks so much for the advice Rebanne.
 

I realised that on both occasions this has happened has been after we’ve taken her on a walk. She’s obviously super tired after that so maybe I’ll crate her after we get back for a while to give her a chance to rest.

 

She’s got a beautiful nature & is very friendly so I know it’s not a reflection on her temperament. I just don’t want my poor son to get bitten. 

[jemappelle]

Also, 12 weeks might bit young to be walking a puppy due to the damage it could cause their growth plates.  Here's a link with some info that might help:  https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Puppy-Exercise-Needs-How-Much-is-Too-Much

[DeletedUser]

8 hours ago, jemappelle said:

Also, 12 weeks might bit young to be walking a puppy due to the damage it could cause their growth plates.  Here's a link with some info that might help:  https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Puppy-Exercise-Needs-How-Much-is-Too-Much.

Thanks for the tip. I actually didn’t know that. 
 

We only walk her for about 15 minutes- just around the block - to get her used to being out & about. It obviously tires her out though! 

Edited September 27, 2022 by belinda74
Incorrect

[jemappelle]

Brain games and training are a great way to tire a puppy out.  Heaps of info on the internet with videos.  And we need photos!  

[ellz]

On 27/9/2022 at 8:35 PM, belinda74 said:

Thanks for the tip. I actually didn’t know that. 
 

We only walk her for about 15 minutes- just around the block - to get her used to being out & about. It obviously tires her out though! 

15 minutes is way too long!  It’s like asking a 2 year old human to run a mini marathon!

 

Your child is old enough to learn some basic but important dog ownership rules….

1) Never disturb a dog while it is eating except for an emergency

 

2) Be polite and never try to take a toy or bone from a dog unless you’re physically training it to release.  Google resource guarding…..you don’t want this to start

 

3) Let sleeping dogs lie. Puppies need sleep to grow and develop.  They may be cute while sleeping but like all of us, can be grumpy if woken suddenly.

 

As mentioned, a safe space such as a pen, a crate or even a mat which can be declared “dogs only” is safest.  

[Amazetl]

The general rule is usually 5 minutes of walking per how many months old they are so three months is 15 minutes. But some do suggest going even easier than that for large breeds. It also can depend on what surfaces they are walking on. Forced exercise on sand is one of the worst for growing joints.

 

I know it’s hard to not want to snuggle a sleeping dog because they look so peaceful but it’s really important to respect their space. Some dogs do have the startle reflex too and this can happen without warning with the nicest temperament of dogs.

[Dogsfevr]

On 27/09/2022 at 10:08 AM, belinda74 said:

 

 

She’s got a beautiful nature & is very friendly so I know it’s not a reflection on her temperament. I just don’t want my poor son to get bitten. 

And no one wants the dog punished aka rehomed or worse because the humans arent managing correctly this works both ways .
You cant watch every minute & if your child is unable to not touch then you need to set up a safe zone for the dog & this will likely be required in the years to come as your child gets older .
The walk part  isnt a factor sleeping anything disturb gets annoyed,Humans will often tell someone with colourful language to bugger off & dogs react with there mouth .

If your little one slapped your face whilst asleep you would not be happy so puppy needs the same consideration .

Your better to manage this now with a safe zone than set the dog up to feel it needs to react 
 

[sandgrubber]

On 27/09/2022 at 3:28 PM, jemappelle said:

Also, 12 weeks might bit young to be walking a puppy due to the damage it could cause their growth plates.  Here's a link with some info that might help:  https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Puppy-Exercise-Needs-How-Much-is-Too-Much

Note, the article refers to INJURIES.   Jumping onto hard surfaces is very bad.  There's some evidence that free exercise on soft surfaces is good. 

[DeletedUser]

Thank you everyone for the tips. 
 

We’ve started taking her to the dog park to socialise her early & let her have a bit of a sniff around.

 

We do have a crate for her & she does seem to enjoy going in there for her naps. When she’s very tired I put her in there & let her sleep. 

[persephone]

6 hours ago, belinda74 said:

We’ve started taking her to the dog park to socialise her early & let her have a bit of a sniff around.

While she may enjoy it, it's possibly not an ideal scenario - Dog Parks are full of "traps" 
have a read of these links for more information
CLICK HERE 
CLICK HERE 

[ellz]

On 10/10/2022 at 12:16 AM, belinda74 said:

Thank you everyone for the tips. 
 

We’ve started taking her to the dog park to socialise her early & let her have a bit of a sniff around.

 

Dog parks in general are ok, but if they’re off leash free-for-all scenarios as most seem to be, you might want to think again.

 

Whilst it is very important for all puppies to have early socialisation, Stafford puppies can on occasion be quite problematic.  They’re not always a breed that plays nicely with other dogs despite early socialisation and quite often, they’ll play nicely with others until the day that they don’t.  And you probably won’t get a lot of warning that the mind set is changing.  Staffords adore people and will walk through fire for children, but they don’t always extend the paw of friendship to other canines.  They are supposed to be “a gentleman unless set upon” and to a large extent, this is accurate. The problem is that often it doesn’t take much more than a side eye or a muffled growl to start a rumble. And while they may not be the instigators, most Staffords would do anything to ensure that they’re still standing at the end.

 

On leash is much safer and a properly controlled situation is the best one to be in