Help with a staffy please

bailey59 · 6 November 2009 at 4:42PM

Hello everyone.

I have just been wandering the boards and have come across this one, I'm not sure if anyone can offer me any advice but maybe someone can possibly point me in the right direction. I have a 6 year old male staffy. Up until about age 3 he was great with other dogs but now he can be dog aggresive. I say can be as I never know which dog he will take a liking to or which one he wont. I will give you a bit of background about him and me. He was attacked by 2 Akita's when he was younger, he wasnt hurt badly, but he received 2 fang punctures and scratches, he then had a tussle with another dog, neither dog bit each other they just squared up to each other. That was a big hairy lurcher type dog. I walk him on the lead and only let him off when no-one is around as I dont want to risk him getting injured or another dog being hurt. I hate big dogs. That I think is quite important as it seems my dog also has a problem with big dogs. He seems to like most little dogs so I'm guessing somewhere along the line my fear has rubbed off on him. He then got attacked at a park in August by a Labrador, he was just walking at the side of my OH and the other dog who was off the lead ran over and bit my dog. So that was another 2 fang punctures on his back. The other day a man on a bike let his staffy who was off lead run up to my dog. The other owners dog was muzzled and he charged right at my dog, thank god the other dog was muzzled. What are some owners thinking??

Now when I walk my dog if I see another dog especially one off the lead I am nervous. I try and relax the lead and walk tall and be assertive but most times when a dog gets near he growls and pulls the lead. I must stress that my dog has never bit another dog and I hope he never does. I want to change my ways now so that this never happens. To be fair to my dog I think he may also be protecting me if thats possible. I dont think he sees me as top dog so maybe he thinks I need protecting as he knows dogs attack and he is saving me. Or is that complete tosh? I am trying to be more assertive with him at home so that when we go out he doesnt feel that he has to be scared and that I can look after us both. Hopefully this will help. I know that its down to the owner and if the dog is not trained properly then there will be problems, I hold my hands up to that, but I really want to help him now.

So can anyone offer me any advice about how to overcome my dogs fear as I think thats what it is with him. He used to go to puppy class but since I think the blame lies with me as I havent socialized him enough with other dogs. I think he has forgotten how to comunicate with them and now he is masking his fear with aggression. I cant really afford a dog class or trainer but if this is the only suggestion I will find the money from somewhere. I want my dog to be happy and enjoy his walks and meet other dogs and play with them if at all possible, if not play at least sniff and then carry on.

bailey59 · 6 November 2009 at 4:44PM

Ooopps, very sorry I have just read the forum rules. Im not supposed to ask about this am I. Sorry. Understand if this thread is removed

charlies_mum · 6 November 2009 at 5:10PM

Bailey, you have a private message, check your box

Fire_Fox · 6 November 2009 at 5:13PM

You can't ask about health stuff but you can ask about behavioural issues, and we have some really knowledgeable folks on such matters. Has your dog been castrated?

foreign_correspondent · 6 November 2009 at 5:14PM

why not - it is not a health issue? I think it is fine to ask - but without seeing your dog and how he reacts, it's hard to know what is going on - however, the fact he has been injured by other dogs but has never injured another dog, more than once, makes me thing he is not really aggressive, just a bit confused and scared, which is understandable...

You could look for a decent behaviouralist or trainer in your area to assess him and give you some ideas - http://www.apdt.co.uk/

What makes you think he is aggressive? Does he bark a lot at other dogs? How does he react when he sees another dog?

cheepskate_2 · 6 November 2009 at 6:15PM

Even tho he is older and trained , have you considered taking him to local dog training classes.
It would in a controlled envioroment learn him to behave(if he is becomming aggressive) and not "get in their first" before another dog bites him.

I had this with my so sweet Weimmy girl that after getting attacked so many times she started to initiate this behaviour.

It would also let you see him round other dogs and learn you to relax and build your confidence back up in him.

I am sure he is feeling your vibes and that could be what is starting him

Hope you get it sorted

Errata · 6 November 2009 at 6:33PM

I second the suggestion of a training class. He'll learn good behaviour and importantly, so will you.

Raksha · 6 November 2009 at 6:44PM

A *good* training class could well help. Ask if you can go along first to watch a class in action. Some trainers also run 'naughty but nice' classes specifically for dogs like him. APDT website, as posted by foreign correspondent would be a good place to start.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted · 6 November 2009 at 7:18PM

I think it's less his fear, more your fear that is the problem. I would suggest with the dog classes that you discuss your feelings with the organizer and even learn to handle big dogs yourself.

I must admit that I was wary of small dogs - a Newfoundland or a 7 foot longhaired GSD were no problem for me, even as an 8 stone 16 year old, but a 1lb Yorkie was treated with suspicion, as the only animals that had ever shown any aggression towards me were little pampered babies that could do no wrong in their owners' eyes.

An ex MIL knew what she was doing with small dogs, and got me to look after her Yorkies and Jack Russells, etc, so I got over it. I am sure you would be more confident if you were around large dogs as well.

Joyful · 6 November 2009 at 8:14PM

I have a friend who could have written what you have 6 months ago. After one to one training they were taught how to make the dog lie down and roll over on command. They used this whenever they were walking in the park and another dog came towards them. Her Husband has done a lot of intensive training with him in the parks and my friend is gradually overcoming her fear. Her dog looks like a Collie/Staffy cross and looks ferocious but is really quite lovable now.

tandraig · 6 November 2009 at 8:27PM

actually - i agree with Jojo - I think your dog is picking up on your fear and is actually warning the other dogs away to defend YOU. dog training class is a brilliant idea - for you. but only one where you are actually getting trained with your dog. (I just do not get how a dog can be trained if owner not there! plus dont like the idea of dog responding to what is essentially a strangers commands). my (now departed) staffy !!!!! was VERY protective of me and the kids - but never turned a hair if my OH was in charge of lead.
also it sounds as if your dog hasnt harmed other dogs and it is reasonable to expect them to defend you and himself if other dogs behaving aggressively. you wouldnt want him to let a dog attack you would you?
saying that i understand your concern - the answer is to have control of your dog at all times and training will help here - it will give you confidence for a start and you can be sure you will meet other big dogs and perhaps become less nervous around them.

Help with a staffy please

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