9 month old male staff doesn’t like other pups

Hi everyone,

I have a 9 month old male staff who is extremely aggressive towards other pups that he doesn’t know. If they come over to him and invade his space he just goes for them.

He’s generally fine with older dogs but this morning one came over sniffing him while he was laying down.

He got up and did the usual tense body language, leaning forward with ears up and head turned to side.

Can anyone recommend what health checks the vets can do to eliminate to possibility of an underlying health issue causing the behaviour?

He has been chemically castrated and it hasn’t really helped the issue.

He goes for both male and female pups.

He has been fine around children of all ages and he loves people. He lives with an older female Labrador and although he is dominant they are good friends.

We are getting him assessed privately and by the Dogs Trust next week. From what I’ve read online, it seems dog on dog aggression is not uncommon but aggression towards humans is. I have had him since he was a pup.

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

I would explain to the vet about his reactiveness with pups - if the vet is experienced he/she should know what health checks should be carried out. You'll usually need a health check if you're going to a behaviourist, so it's a good start.

Did you manage to socialise him at all as a pup?  At what age did you get him? I take it he's fine with people?

It isn't unusual for a Stafford to be dog aggressive, but it's a little unusual for one to be puppy aggressive. Has he had any bad experiences with pups?

I don't know what sort of qualifications the Dog's Trust people have, but hopefully they'll be able to help.