In need of advise on my Am-staffs growling

History:
I have a almost 3 year old American Staffordshire. I got him last year from a friend of a friend. Their training technics were nothing I ever heard of and they claimed it was from reading the book of the "Dog whisper". One training thing they did was lay on him when he would get hyper, or did something wrong. Another would be grabbing his side as a disciplinary action. Kinda like making a claw and digging it in his side. They taught him to tolerate kids putting their hands in his food bowl. So his great behavior was the selling point into us taking him in.

Present:
I was on the fence of owning such a breed. But as time went on I grew to love the knuckle head a lot. He has been really good up until 6 months ago when my wife started to give him these bones with marrow filled in them. I went to grab the bone and he growled at me. I told him no and he continued. So I took it away pertinently. Later I gave him the bone back. Now he does this with even his toys. He only growls at me when I get near him chewing a nylon bone or if he got into the garbage and discipline him by telling him bad boy. He does not do this with my wife and kid. He knows when I am upset with him and I have had the vet tell me hes not aggressive but intimid. The vet also told me that hes challenging me.

Now I am not sure how to correct this. I have been trying some basic training. I dont want to get rid of him. He still plays with me and is my buddy. But when it comes to the safety of my family I have to think of them first. I am not gonna give up unless I have to. We have a trainer coming to the house to evaluate him and me. I also recently found out his previous owners husband used to pick him up and slam him to the ground when he was hyper. I kinda had a feeling something like this must have happened. Any training or advise would be great.

 

I personally wouldn't tolerate that behavior from any dog of mine. With you having kids especially, unfortunately imo he needs a dirt nap. Only say that because of you having kids, single and it's a different story. Good luck

 

you dont want my advice

 

Always put the savety of your family first... Allthough you can have a strong bond with him, he still is an animal. As you said he is dominant(challenging). Be wise, as you don't want to end up in the newspapers with your dog...

 

But isn't there a way to correct this? He's playful with me other wise andthe growling is just with me. He has stage 4 heart murmur so I was advised not to get him neutured. Should I try neuturing and hope he comes out alive? He's also on beta blockers. Would it be better to re-home him? But your right I don't wanna be one of those on the news regreting my decision.

 

U should have showed him who the boss is the first time, put him in his place...now just give him a dirt nap bfr he hurts sumbody...my gyp growled at me twice when she was chewing on a bone i grabbed her by the collar made her surrender to me n gave her firm NO.it happened twice she got luky it never happened again.

 

If it was a dog in my house, it'd be a cull.

 

Put him on a chain and starve him for 2 days. Then only you bring him food and give him command to lay down. If he complies give it to him. Otherwise keep starving him til he complies.

Don't have him the house again or near family unsupervised. Had the same problem with my best dog. If you get them after a few have had them they lose trust in folks. Hunger will subdue any animal or human.

FYI SOB will turn tricks for scraps but still hates strangers.

 

PS .. .... Never play with him again. You are his master or better still a drill Sargent. Fooling around is for his peers not his betters!

 

A dog can go without food for 7days.

Water can be witheld for no more than 3 days with suitable shade in hot climates.