I think we've made a mistake and Debo got into a fight.

My OH's friend has a Staffy male 11mnths. So we arranged meeting so the dogs can play. Debo at the moment is very hormonal. When we approach them,both dogs on leads, Debo growl. My OH pull him back to call down. We started walking with the dogs on the lead so they could get use to eachother. Everything was fine. We let them go to run after the ball,all went well until the younger Staffy tried to take it off Debo. Debo growled , the other growled and they had a go at each other. Both with marks under the eye. Back on the lead . And this is where we've made a mistake. At that point we should kept the dogs on the leads for the rest of the walk or finish it. We didn't. We let them off. Debo minded his business, the yonger dog approached few times with calming signals- licking Debo's ears, mouth, head low,tail low. Debo stoped what he was doing, let the dog lick him. Didn't look in his eyes, he wasn't standing in front the younger dog,just trying to stand side way,if you know what I mean. All went really well. I thought that the youngest dog gave up but suddenly apart from all the calming sights he gave to Debo, he started to hump Debo. And we had another fight. I feel like we fail Debo from the start. Or maybe they will be fine but we have to walk them on the lead for a while. My OH's friend said that they're dogs and sometimes there will be fight but I don't agree with that. Debo has many male dogs that he play with and have no issues what so ever. Even my dad's dos who annoyes Debo so much,growles at him,try to pick a fight, won't be told off by Debo. Debo reacted ones when my dad's dog bite him,but that was it.

More like your oh friend doesnt know how to control her own dog.

I'm not saying that Debo was perfect. I think he didn't like that dog from the start. The second fight was very intense,when my OH pull Debo away he said that Debo was in such a state that my OH wasn't sure if Debo won't bite him. I think if Debo was DA he would run straight after that dog as soon as he was let off the lead.

I agree with Hayley, you know debo and it sounds like your OH friend hasn't a clue hope debo is ok xx

He's fine. I've met a girl. She ownes amstaff male, 8yr old, very calm dog . She said he's great with other dogs. Will try to arrange meeting with her. She said that so many dogs changed thanks to interaction with the calm ane secure dog. So will try this.

I dont know if this helps, but I have found with Pixee, she gets on well with older dogs, or her age, there are some she doesnt like. However with younger ones, puppies, she is not to be trusted, its like she wants to take control and will snap at them. So from this, I wont let her play with puppies till they are older enough to stick up for themselves. As one puppy has now grown up, Pixee is fine with it and will play ok now. It could just be a case of some dogs just wont get on with others.

It might be something in that or maybe because it was a younger male staffy who tried to dominate Debo. I think the other owner didn't look for the body signals.

I don't think Debo was at fault here at all, its a shame but the other owner should really have been watching her dog, to let him hump Debo is only asking for trouble. I know these things happen quickly but you can't blame him for reacting to that. Hope he's okay! Don't worry too much about it though

These things happen, don't beat yourself up about it, you'll be more careful next time

Does seem perhaps he just didn't like him, like us we don't like everybody, but maybe an on lead walk with them for a while. 

Thanks guys,we did so much with Debo so he could play or be fine with other dogs. I 'm not trying to make him to like every dog but he was doing fine.

Bacchus is a couple of months younger than Debo and has been heavily socialised from day 1. However, I now have to be very careful with him around strange dogs ( he's ok with bitches). He still plays well with the dogs he knows but, even with them, I have to take his favourite throw toy from him if we meet up because if they try to take it he will go for them. Luckily, so far, there have been no injuries to either dog as a result of these spats but he does sound like he is very serious. I'm hoping this is an adolescent stage he is going through but in the meantime I am being very vigilant.

I hope Debo is ok - sounds like you've done everything right with him, so don't beat yourself up about it

reuben wrote:Bacchus is a couple of months younger than Debo and has been heavily socialised from day 1.  However, I now have to be very careful with him around strange dogs ( he's ok with bitches). He still plays well with the dogs he knows but, even with them, I have to take his favourite throw toy from him if we meet up because if they try to take it he will go for them. Luckily, so far, there have been no injuries to either dog as a result of these spats but he does sound like he is very serious.  I'm hoping this is an adolescent stage he is going through but in the meantime I am being very vigilant.

Tommy is now coming up to 12 months and was socialised heavily, like Bacchus. However he won't entertain dogs now (again, like Bacchus, he's great with bitches). He even has a go at dogs that he's played with since he was 12 weeks old.
My view as a responsible owner is to put him on the lead whenever another dog approaches. His recall is good so I'm happy to do this. It might be an adolescent thing but we're talking male SBT's here and like it or not it's in the breed > There will be exceptions to the rule but we shouldn't beat ourselves up if our dog isn't best play mates with everyone else's dog.

Bloomooner wrote:

reuben wrote:Bacchus is a couple of months younger than Debo and has been heavily socialised from day 1.  However, I now have to be very careful with him around strange dogs ( he's ok with bitches). He still plays well with the dogs he knows but, even with them, I have to take his favourite throw toy from him if we meet up because if they try to take it he will go for them. Luckily, so far, there have been no injuries to either dog as a result of these spats but he does sound like he is very serious.  I'm hoping this is an adolescent stage he is going through but in the meantime I am being very vigilant.

Tommy is now coming up to 12 months and was socialised heavily, like Bacchus. However he won't entertain dogs now (again, like Bacchus, he's great with bitches). He even has a go at dogs that he's played with since he was 12 weeks old.
My view as a responsible owner is to put him on the lead whenever another dog approaches. His recall is good so I'm happy to do this. It might be an adolescent thing but we're talking male SBT's here and like it or not it's in the breed > There will be exceptions to the rule but we shouldn't beat ourselves up if our dog isn't best play mates with everyone else's dog.

Agree. We can only do all the right things when they are pups and hope for the best. On the plus side he is the sweetest nature ever with people which is the main thing. But it does make walking a bit more stressful having to be vigilant all the time.

Oh and I'm trying as hard as I can. And Debo is a people dog and with dogs he has his likes and dislikes.

I hope Debo is okay, doesn't sound like you were at fault here at all, don't stress too much xx