My Boy - Aggression to other dogs

Hi,

I have a male staff, the most beautiful boy in the world with people and children etc.... however he has an issue with other dogs, male or female... long story short, we had a female staff and he a friend from being a 8 week old pup but we sadly lost his friend due to old age. Although he didn't really mix with other dogs whilst they were together because despite socialisation classes/puppy parties our female would NOT accept other dogs from a very early age our little man was always quite amicable with other dogs, ignoring them in them main going about his own business whilst out walking etc.... however now when out walking he is less than amicable when meeting another dog on the lead and if he meets another dog that is not on the lead that comes into his space he shows real signs of aggression which makes me very nervous!

I'm not sure if the aggression is more signs of fear rather than actual aggression because he is now on is own and how I try to overcome this? He is actually quite a timid dog, scared of his own shadow and I think the other dog made him feel more secure? We can't have another dog because he has a throat problem and the excitement would be too much for him - so the vets advise.

Any suggestions ??

Thanks

It definitely sounds like worry on his part, not aggression. One of the ways a worried dog will try to keep something he's not sure of out of his space is by making himself big and scary sounding, which sounds like what you've got here.

This book is great and gives you what to do and why much better than I could:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feisty-Fido-Help-Leash-Reactive-Dog/dp/1891767070/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

In essence, though, you work with treats to keep your dog's focus with you while at the same time building up positive associations when he sees another dog. It also gives you ideas for what to do when other dogs start to get too close, i.e. the off lead ones.

If it makes you feel better, though, this is such a common problem and one not confined to staffies. It's also one that is fixable if you work consistently and work through training without a rush.

Hi Liz,

Thank you for your quick reply, I'll have a look at the book sounds like a good start, I sometimes think the problem is enlarged by myself because knowing that he will react to to the other dog puts me at alert and at unease when i see one which I'm sure he also picks up on my senses too? I'll try the treats and see if i can differ his attention

Dogs do sense our mood i used to tense as well with my dog without realising great posts

Hi Mia,

Its so hard, as soon as i see a dog approaching albeit a lovely dog (arent they all regardless of breed) I feel myself tensing because I know he is going to growl and snarl, I don't know but actually go for it and if they are off the lead its ten times worse, i have been known to actually pick him up to get him to out of the way which doesnt help I know but with his added throat problem its a real worry

Im exactly the same when i spot a big dog or the neighbours staff thats never on the lead

The absolutely do pick up on mood and tension, especially if you find yourself taking up the slack on the lead, just in case... We've all been there!

I have to confess I get funny looks when training with Chaos (he's had some lead aggression issues but we're almost there). We do 'this way!!!' with lots of fun and play, and people see this 50 something woman prancing around with her dog wondering what on earth has got into me. But at the same time they see a dog having fun playing with his tuggy rope and all is well with the world.

Awesome - lol !! is there a book out there for "Stressed Neurotic dog mums" out there or maybe i should write one with lots of feed back !

We could all club together on that one!

You not alone there . Your dog will pick up on your feelings. Like humans, we dont like some people, and weird as sounds, we dont always like strangers, and will cross the road to avoid them, dogs are very much the same, except they dont have the choice to cross the road, they are trapped by the lead held by us, and made to walk pass the dog they want to avoid, and so doggy talk is growling etc to let the dog/us know. I know Pixee dosent like some dogs, and if possible, I will cross the road, walk out the way, do what I can to make it nice and calm.

Are you positive the body language in indicting aggression? Here is a link that may help

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

They do sense our moods and with the loss your boy may feel an increased sense of attachment to you which could help explain the behaviour. Do you have a friend with an older well socialized dog you could wal him with?

90% of dog tension comes from the owner. training yourself is key. one small but significate action is a back foot and lean away from an approching dog letting the lead go initialy slack. if he lunges move away but ignore and dont chastise at all, ignore it totaly! just move away and do something else like its the most normal thing in the world. takes time but will get results. as a suppliment go for a walk in the park alone and pet the dogs you see, you will get to know them and the body language and then which you think your dog can approach

Ah yes they do pick up on your mood for sure. I had an experience this afternoon whilst walking my Flo with the Wife. Flo doesn't like being bothered and will tell the other dog off, I'm used to it but the wife gets nervous. Today a springer showed interest and the wife got all nervous until I pointed out that Flo was bowing in a chase me way... They had soooo much fun running together.

Having said that, she also had an experience with a GSD that must have looked at her the wrong way because she warned it off, not in real aggression but just a keep clear. Now what both experiences did was to let my wife see the difference between telling another dog off and wanting to play.

The wife is a work in progress, however, Flo enjoys a good run with others. Body language is key and you will learn what to avoid and what is going to be fun

Ian is spot on.
(Ian, your wife a work in progress made me laugh) Do you think she is like that because of Flo being deaf?