STAFFY OWNERS HELP PLEASE urgent

candygirl

If I was you i'd never risk having the dog off lead in a public place again.My 2 staffs are excellent with people but aren't keen on other dogs, especially off lead ones running up to them.This really annoys me, as other owners think their dogs are being playful, but mine hate it, and if also off lead would go for them, as they feel threatened by bigger dogs:(
I previously had labs and springers, and would never let them run up to other dogs, as I had no way of knowing if they were ok or not.
If you keep your dog on lead in all public places and check it's behaviour if it barks/snarls at other dogs you should be ok:D

roguebrogue

I think PTS is jumping the gun slightly. If it was showing aggression to humans then yes, maybe that was an option. But it should always be the last option in every case, especially if the problem is a behavioural one.

The main thing I think you should do is just keep your dog on the lead at all times, especially if you know it can show aggression to other dogs.
Also if you can afford it look for a trainer/behaviourist that can help you deal with the dog aggression.

Just wanted to add my thoughts

suki1964

tbain wrote: »

I think the way you go on is ridiculous. You always have to be right and ram your opinion down peoples throats. I may not be Barabara Woodhouse, but I am certainly not uneducated. I have a BA in History and as I have said in the past my husband used to own a Staffie and I have known people who have owned the breed. At the end of the day it is an expression Staffies , English Bulls etc have a tendency to lock their jaws onto other dogs. You are just a nitpicker, it was obvious that Viktory was using a Cocker Spaniel as an example of a dog that could be hurt , but you had to take it out of context. Just like you did when I said once that Staffies could cause a great deal of harm to a person and you posted a picture of a bite mark off a Shih Tzu! ( The type of dog I own. ) At the end of the day grow up , not everybody will share the same views as you, theres no need to be childish and go on about biting people!

And once again - who rattled your cage?

\You obviously have a problem with me - fine - but do the rest of the board a favour and take it to PM.

Once again I just posted to prove to back up the argument that Staffies DONT lock jaws - something Im sure you are well aware of now. And I dont care if its an "expression" its giving the wrong impression to those who know nothing about the breed

And the incident of the shih tzu - was to show that its not just big dogs that cause horrendous injuries as you were arguing in that thread. And I think Im right in saying I werent the only person to post that smaller breeds (like yours) were more likely to bite then the likes of staffies. So for you to bring that up here on this thread is just plain ridiculous

Now as I said before, you dont like me - your problem - just stick me on block and get on with your life.

cheepskate_2

I think the op has had lots of good advice here.
I personally would not destroy a dog on dog on dog aggression , and the dog has the same chance of attacking humans as any other dog.
What i would say to the OP is the dog needs to be on a lead EVERY time NO exeptions.
Better a dog leaded that hates it than a dead dog./ or owner if you cross the wrong person.

Just got to comment on the lock jaw, this is a term used by the media to incite responses.
The bull terrier breeds do not lock their jaws but the poundage per inch is huge this is why it is seen as difficult by some to get the dog off. In fact it is simple to get them off by putting a finger into their mouth up to the back of the gums and pushing it into the space right at the back. Also if it is a serious fight and not just a snarling then you should lift the dogs legs off the ground ,holding the hips between your legs, stops them having force/strength, only works when both dogs are held..

When a bull terrier gets into a fight with another dog what you usually find is it latches onto one place ( obviously owner being nearby to grab dog) while the other breeds seem to bite indescriminately when confronted by this. This " lock jaw" makes it easier for all concerned as you dont need to watch out for flying teeth.

If the op is still looking for advice this link hopefully will help.
www.endangereddogs.com

It rescues only the bull type dogs and i think would rather give you advice than see another bull type dog in rescue.

Hope you get something sorted.

louisdog

We sometime have to muzzle our dog; the baskerville basket muzzles are ok, they get used to them, I'd do that to be on the safe side if poss. It's not your dog's fault, he may be aggressive through fear, but you must ensure no-one (including dogs) gets hurt.

My friend rescued a rottie and it attacked a yorkie while off lead, shaking it like a rat, was awful. Best avoid that situation.

sad_dog_lady

update: wow, we have had an excelent trainer visit and within 1 hour my staffy was amazing, i must stress this is a longterm new training senario, my staffy is not off lead but does not require the muzzel possibly, he has a cannie collar (its like a halti, but wider ) anyway the long and short of it is that on the extender lead he is not dog aggresive, more frightened, and we have confirmed that the woofing and aggression, was probably due to him being hurt as a pup so he's getting his retaliation in first, so to speak, anyway he is quite funny now he knows the woofing is no longer acceptable, yesterday i sat on a bench halfway through our walk, along came a westie pup, and instead of woofing he jumped onto my lap!! like a scared kitty, unfortunetly he weighs more.
so its fear bassed as many suspected but by using water squirter we seemed to of at last explained to him that the woofing and agressive postireing is not allowed. thanks all.

Sammy_Girl

Hi Sad Dog Lady,

I've just read the thread and didn't want to leave without saying something. I am not a Staffie expert and have never owned one. I do however have a rather daft 2 year old Pointer cross who has needed alot of training, but my goodness it has been worth it. I could not have wished for a more loyal and friendly companion.

Your posts show that you are a very patient, considerate dog loving person who has invested time, energy and money into ensuring your dogs are socialised well. Too many people just give up and put their dogs into rescue homes if they cannot cope and i admire you greatly for your perseverance.

There are always going to be 2 schools of thought on Staffies and my dog and I have never had any problems with them. In fact, before we moved house last year one of my dog's best play buddies at the local park was a Staffie crossed with a Pit Bull!!

I wish you well with your training and for what it's worth I think you are doing a sterling job in recognising your dog issues and facing up to them.

S x

candygirl

Well done hun on getting some help and advice.PTS was/is far too drastic an action for dogs that can be helped like this.
ps get his pic in the pets photo thread, my 2 staffy babes are there:D

suki1964

Im so pleased things are progressing so well for you both

The PTS was a scenario too far imo

My lads aggression is fear as well. Hes such a gobby bold fella its hard to believe it but there you go - scared of his own shadow if it turned around and went boo to him

I hope you have continued success and you feel much more able to cope with him.

candygirl

suki1964 wrote: »

Im so pleased things are progressing so well for you both

The PTS was a scenario too far imo

My lads aggression is fear as well. Hes such a gobby bold fella its hard to believe it but there you go - scared of his own shadow if it turned around and went boo to him

I hope you have continued success and you feel much more able to cope with him.

My boy's the same, gobs off when he sees other dogs:rolleyes: , but runs and hides when I put the ironing board up:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: [STRIKE]mind you I can so relate to that[/STRIKE];)