Other dogs aggressive towards my pup
 

I have a 5 month old staffy bull terrier and have been socializing her with other dogs since I've got her. However, I just realized this weekend that a lot of dogs are aggressive towards my puppy. She does her usual sniff around and would want to play, but other dogs will try and attack her or generally be aggressive. Like this weekend a full sized boxer (owners says shes always friendly) almost chomped my dogs head off..

I am afraid that this type of negative socialization will affect my dog's natural aggressiveness towards other dogs in the near future. I know most are teaching her how to say a proper Hello. She is a very stubborn and dominate dog mind you, so it seems like these warnings growls do nothing..and she keeps pushing it. Anyways, anyone shed some light?

Older dogs dont like to play with puppies dont worry.

thats what happen when other dogs correct a wrong dominate behaviour.

You should continue socialization, your dog is still a pup and other stable dogs won't kill him, just correct. If you avoid socialization now you may find you have a very dominate adult dog that instigate too many fight and some that it may not win.

Espeically if you have a little dog, I have seen so many time during doggy play time a small toy dog that clearly had no rules set out by owner try to mount bigger also more dominate dogs. Small dog gets injure and its the big dog's fault.

Yes dont get confused, I always let my 7 month old dog play with other dogs I want him to learn when to back off so I never pull him off.

I see I was a bit hesitant as a few dog owners thought my dog was too dominating and had pull their dogs back...but seeing that me holding her back may actually cause further issues, I think I'll sign her up for some puppy classes and even some doggy day care for her to play around in.

Thanks.

American or English? Any pictures?

She's an English staff.

Here is her at 12 weeks
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/...275c6e2856.jpg

And here at 18 weeks, 20lbs
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/...50b65a2034.jpg

She'll prob top out at 32-35lbs seeing that mommy was only 28(underweight) and daddy is 42.

Nice, mine has always been on the large size as well. Normally the males are are in the mid to high 30's and the females 25-35. Mine is up near 44 pounds but he's out of shape and 7 years old.

As far as aggression goes I socialized mine through training and what not and it was all good for years. A few years ago the two of us were attacked by a couple offleash dogs and ever since he's been far more aggressive. I don't like when other dogs come around mine anymore not because I'm worried what they'll do to him but he's a bit unpredictable now. I always keep him leashed and give other dogs a wide birth. I would put her in some training classes and get her around other dogs as much as possible.

Where did you get her from?

Edit: BTW you're going to love this dog. I've owned all kinds of dogs, Shepard, Collie, Husky, Samoyed, Poodle, Keeshounds and none have come even close to my staffie, best dog I've ever had.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sione/lok2.jpg

I got her from a breeder in Maple Ridge...prob not the best breeder since I was suppose to get papers, but its been 3 months now and it still has not yet arrived. I have been looking for awhile as purebreds are pretty rare.

Regarding agression, this is what I meant by negative socialization in my first post. It's really hard to find a gentle older dog who is willing to teach a young pup the necessary behavior rules. But I think I finally found a trainer who have plenty of experience with Pit type dogs. Where is Daddy when U need him!

Anyways would you be able to elaborate why this is the best breed you've owned? Just wanted to see your side. I love my pup, shes always so excited to see me and follows me all night long LOL

He has all the traits I like in a dog. He doesn't really bark unless provoked, he's good in all situations as far as living. We originally had a townhouse when we got him but have since moved to a house, he was awesome in the townhouse. You can roughhouse with him without worrying about hurting him but he's not really big enough to hurt you except for maybe his bite.

The best thing is he's awesome around kids. He's been there from before the birth of my child until now and he's never been rough with him. My son can pull his ears or tail, stand on him, put him in a headlock and it doesn't matter he won't do a damm thing. The worst thing he might do is walk away annoyed.

For the first 4 years I took him to work almost everyday so he was with me all the time. When I come home now he won't leave my side, if I go have a shower he's waiting outside the bathroom. If I go downstairs and watch TV in the media room he comes and sits beside me. Where I go he goes, they say a dog is mans best friend and in my case it's totally true. I just like all the traits my dog has he's been a lot of fun and hopefully he'll be around for a long while more.

I found a great local daycare that does monthly small-dog "play dates" in a doggie-daycare center, thought www.meetups.com - try there to see if there are any for puppies in your area.

My dog (3.5lb, 5.5mo. old) has no problem with big dogs, largely because he has no fear of them. When another person or animal is afraid, a dog will sense it an act accordingly. Big dogs are getting aggressive toward your pup because they can tell he's afraid. Best thing to do, as has been mentioned, is to keep socializing him, but start with smaller dogs, especially other puppies, so he can learn to interact without being afraid.

Those traits all describe the samoyed to a T so unless you had a unknown mix.

Those traits describe a lot of dogs. My Samoyed and Husky spent 95% of the time outside so it was a different relationship then with my Staffie.

That is a buff looking dog you got there. How much do you excercise him a day? One of the reason why I got this dog was for it's 'nanny dog' feature as I do plan on having kids in a couple of years, so hearing that just confirms the trait. Unfortunately I have to leave mine at home as work doesnt allow dogs, but I recently purchased a 10x5 dog run so hopefully that will give her a bit more space to play while I am at work until her teenager year passes.

Thanks I will check it out. My dog is definitely not small, so we'll see how that goes. My vet also offers free puppy socialization classes twice a month, so I will be attending that.

Well obviously, you want a meetup suitable to your dog's age, size, and/or breed. There are lots for specific breeds.

Again, the main idea is just for your dog to spend time with other dogs in a "safe" environment, so he can get used to having other dogs around that he can relax and play with without them getting aggressive... that way he learns he doesn't have to be afraid of other dogs, and they in turn won't feel the need to be aggressive.

i bring my pitbull X Rotty to a dog park here in Chilliwack almost everyday. lots of citys have one, i heard langley has a great one where they can swim and stuff.

my pup absoloutely loves it and he is learning who he can jump on and play with and who he cant where as before he would just go nuts on everydog. at a dog park he has achance to off leash meet a good 10 different dogs a day. We have been there a good 100 times so far and sometime there r lil dog fights but never nething serious.

lots of other owners in town bring their pitbulls,its pretty cute as the pitbulls seem to play with eachother while the other dogs go do there thing.

The best thing for a puppy is to interact with all types, ages, and sizes. I always make sure that my pups are around grumpy old dogs who growl and snap, playful puppies, rough adolescents and so forth. I do however monitor the play and only let them play for a couple of minutes then get the pups attention then let them go again. This ensures no one gets too excited as the play continues. An encounter with an aggressive dog will not cause your dog to be aggressive. Your reaction is going to be what shapes the dogs reaction to this. if you just end the play that is getting too rough and move on with your dog getting him to do something else (and praising) he will forget about it in a second.

Dam I hate agreeing with Lil Bastrd, but again good advise is given.

I have seen 3 very well balanced dogs go after the same puppy (about 6 months old) as that puppy had very bad issues (the issue was a bad owner that set no rules). Two years latter that 'puppy' still has other dogs going after it.

If I was the OP I would seek out a good trainer to show you the correct way to handle your dog. And do not let anyone tell you it is 'The Breed'

All great advice..thanks. She went to her first socialization class the other day and played like mad..mostly playing/nipping at a lab all night long. Got into a bit of a scruffle with another smaller dog, but after pulling them apart things were good to go again.

Just enrolled her in an obedience class with someone who is familar with the breed, so Im optimistic.

lol I'm in the same situation, whenever I bring this guy to the park (6 month pitbull)
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2448545_n.jpg

All the other dogs bully him,
and sometimes he'll just lie down on the ground with his paws over his head if he spots another dog. They all bark/bite at him, gotta teach him to be a tougher dog LOL he's really good with people though and always friendly.

^
cute picture!

If your pit ever needs a playmate let me know!

If you'r looking for a good trainer Terry Blaine is the best Iv'e seen and he dose most of his training in Langley www.dogranch.net

Most of that reaction is coming from your reaction to the other dogs. You would be amazed at the difference in your dogs reaction to those same dogs he's acting out at. Best thing to keep both your minds off of it is to start teaching him some tricks and things to do when around other dogs. This will help you relax and will relax your dog.