"Anti social" Staffy

Hello,

We have a fantastic rescue staffy girl now around 7ish.(Ours for a year) She is brilliant with people in all situations; children, toddlers, visitors, strangers, postmen, binmen, etc, BUT I think long ago she decided 2 legs good, 4 legs BAD!!!!! She is RUBBISH with other dogs (& cats but this is less of a concern)  

I have tried the watch command - brilliant at home - completely ignored once the red mist descends as another dog appears. Basic clicker training  - again really enjoys it and performs well.... until another a dog appears. I've also been taking her to our local dog training classes (even typing that makes me laugh as she definitely gets an F - it's like playing tug of war for an hour & she hasn't yet been able to actually join in with the class!

She's not our first fab staffy experience; my husband had his staffy girl from a pup but she was never that good with other dogs. She's fine with completely quiet, non- threatening dogs (SOMETIMES!)  We also moved house April and the dog nxt door hates her and barks, goes mad at the fence, even sprays her etc which has definitely made her worse  

D'you think I have ANY chance, should I persevere or is this common and should we just "go with it". (She's a great dog in every other aspect & we're always responsible with her & so she never gets the chance to cause any "bother")

Thanks in advance

It is a fact that some dogs will just not get along with other dogs ( my Tommy is hit and miss and Tilly can sometimes surprise me by taking a lunge ) . All you can do is persevere . Do you know anyone to walk with that has a calm dog , this can often help

Unfortunately some staffs just will not tolerate other dogs. Of course keep socializing and trying to desensitize her to other dogs, is there anything she obsesses with a certain toy/treat ? You can use these as a distraction or reward for her ignoring another dog

You are doing the right thing by taking her to the training classes, even if she doesn't get to join in yet she is getting used to other dog's presence in a safe environment, the other dogs are under control and can't harass her. She may not ever be able to mix nicely with strange dogs, like 2 of ours but should learn to tolerate them being around her as long as she has her own space.

I would speak to your next door neighbour and try to see if you can make a rota to let your dogs out at different times, this will definitely be affecting her socialisation as she will be feeling tense and frustrated and even when she sees a completely different dog will act up and maybe lash out.

When at the training class can she sit for any amount of time and watch you without keeping her eye on the other dogs? Can she ever stand with her back to them? I think your trainer needs to incorporate you into the class, even if it is getting all the other dogs and owners to sit right back and for you to do some walking up and down the hall. When staffords are still it is easier for them to fixate on things, if she is moving and walking to heel then it is harder for her to get into a state.

Lots of praise and treats when she does the right thing. She might never be good with other dogs but will eventually learn they are not out to get her.

Thanks for the advice, will keep persevering and keep you posted. No Nosipho unfortunately she can't sit at all in the dog training class or even stand with her back to them, it's open air I a large enclosed field and at the mo we keep a good distance trying to move our actions nearer as she gets more comfortable (hopefully!!!) no progress yet.

It will come, just keep at it and let me know if I can do anything to help!