Getting puppy into good habits (with other dogs)

Hi,

Just had the first week or so with my ten week old puppy Peggy. She's my first Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but I'm an experienced dog owner and also have a six year old dog.

She's confident and boisterous - as expected! - but already seems like a fast learner. Loves to bite everything but I've been redirecting when she's been nibbling things she shouldn't, and withdrawing my attention when she's nipped at me. Also encouraging quiet time when she gets a bit overstimulated and giddy.

She's been playing with my dog and also spending a bit of time with my mum's dog - they've all been getting on pretty well, they've told her off when necessary and I've separated them for time out when she's been too nippy.

However, after reading some advice on a general puppy & dog forum, I've come across a lot of people saying that Staffys will never get on with other dogs and will have aggression issues with them. This has really worried me! I've known quite a few Staffys who seem to get on well with others, but are they an exception to the rule?

Long story short, I'd like your opinion on this and also if you have any tips for encouraging good behaviour with other dogs at an early age?

Cheers

I think it’s just about bad experiences. When you’re walking your “dangerous looking staffy” other dog owners might feel stressed or anxious which their dogs can tell, then the other dog ends up growling at ur staffy etc and soon it begins to see that other dogs aren’t fun at all... if you’re anxious or scared when you’re walking your dog it will fell it and feel the same!

Luna isn’t even a year old yet, she’s only 9 months so I don’t have a ton of experience with her. But any time she gets to see any dog she loves them and gives them kisses and tries to play! We brought her to local dog shows just to socialise and she played with tiny chihuahuas and huge Irish wolfhounds I try to let her socialize with other dogs as much as possible,when we walk past a dog or encounter one on a walk I let her sniff them and say hello but then just praise her a lot and walk away. I want her to know other dogs are nice and fun but she shouldn’t obsess over them. Many dogs that lack socialisation tend to obsess about other dogs, they see them-they want them, start jumping at them to play which may scare the other dog. Your dog just needs to know how to be calm around other dogs.

Her behaviour shifts a lot when we encounter a person that doesn’t like the breed. I can see them cross the road and being anxious looking at us, their dog looks anxious too and Luna isn’t cheerful towards them like with others, she turns cautious too. Not aggressive but just not happy. I think this goes for a lot of dogs, they won’t be aggressive towards other dogs unless they are given a reason. My friends staffy was super friendly, but it got bit hard by a smaller dog that was afraid and now he hates other dogs, he’s afraid it will happen again.
Just make sure your baby never gets hurt by other dogs and that all her encounters with other dogs are as positive as possible!

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Hello and welcome.

As Luna has described, stereotypes are difficult to shake.
Staffies are very rough-and-tumble when they play so that can put other owners (and some dogs) off.
A small dog who is scared can yap and everyone finds that normal.
A nervous staffy is given a wide berth ...

I’d say to continue what you are doing as it sounds all good.

What breed is your other dog ?

Thanks for the replies. I know what you mean about stereotypes, I used to have a big white boxer, often mistaken for an American bulldog. He was lovely but people would cross over the road as soon as they saw him!

My other dog is a Boston Terrier, a tough chunky little guy. He's always held his own with bigger dogs and seemed to prefer them.

Great to hear Luna is getting along so well with lots of other dogs! I'm looking forward to socialising Peggy more once she's ready to go outside.

Hi from me & Katy she's not good with other dogs (scared not aggressive) she was taken from her litter at 5wks so doesn't know how to behave near them & she had dogs go for her as a pup!
Sounds like you are doing a great job with your girl, we love pics here so would love to see her

Hey! Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like everything your doing is just right, you know yourself as an experienced dog owner it takes patience and persistence to train a dog, just continue what your doing Staffys aren't an exception to the "getting well with other dogs" rule, you will always have people cross the road and look scared etc, all you can do is encourage dog socialisation when you can take her out!

We love piks and videos, cant wait to see her!