How do we protect our staffies?

I'm not usually overly bothered by the whole "OMG, staffies viscious dogs blah blah blah" thing because its such a cliche and most people I meet don't seem to go by that stereotype but recently seen in the magazine "Take a Break" two digusting slanderous articles. The first was about pitbulls, and I was close to writing a complaint, but when I saw the next article I realised how you get treated for trying to stick up for your breed, you're made into a laughing stock or a monster. The next article was about dog attacks, mainly pitbulls staffies and others like akitas (and the "dulux dog" too). I was shaking with upset - apparantly I'm a criminal and an insult to dead kids by owning this breed. When there was a huge thing about staffies in the news a while back and threats of laws being put on them, I was scared but it died down but now I'm upset and worried again - those magazine articles are the reason some people (mainly the elderly or mums with kids) treat me as if I'm scum.

I don't want to set up any kind of debate about pitbulls, but they are a breed close to my heart - because I researched them many years ago they led me to the staffy because of their history. My constant fear is that BSL will get our breed, with magazines releasing statements like that and with people being so paranoid because of the media. I honestly have no idea how to protect Lottie. I am a responsible dog owner but is that all I really need to do? The only people they chose to represent staffies/pitbulls in the articles were people who allowed or encouraged the dogs to be aggressive or admitted they had behavioural problems. There wasn't a single person who stood for balanced dogs

Jess im also from somerset whereabouts do u live?

Im completley with u on this one but realisticlly apart from doing are best as responsible owners by insuring are dogs are well socialised well mannered well trained etc i really dont no what else to say.....
Our poor breed is being battered at the moment by bad press chavs and over breeding!
ITs a joke x

I know what you mean. I've had staffords, GSD's & now a bull terrier. I've had so many people criticize me for having dangerous dogs, when their own dogs have been snapping & snarling at mine, and mine have been standing lookung quite startled & wagging their tails!

Sure, staffs were bred for fighting. But that was a century or more ago. They still have a liking for a fight, but woth socialisation they can be controlled, and they are superb with humans(especially kids).

All we can do is train our own dogs to be model citizens & try to pass on the word that it's the owners, not the dogs that need controlling.

Thanks guys. I gotta say, I'm so mad at the people who let their dogs be aggressive or cause damage to people and other animals. I don't want to talk about it but Lottie has dog issues. I'm here to concentrate on the good stafford and not to focus on the problems but I've worked REALLY hard for nearly a year on Lotties behaviour but she still needs to wear a muzzle offlead. Her behaviour is so much better now and her social skills have drastically improved. But because of her appearance...of course. She can't improve socially unless she is with other dogs but if people don't want their dogs around her - its a cycle. She does NOT simply go for the attack or growl or anything. She comes off normal for 90% of the time. If she was perfect there would be no need to worry. So when I think of people who allow or encourage aggression or think its cool or think that it gives them status - its such an insult to us who are actually responsible

Ah i see well i was gonna see if u wanted to meet up for a dog walk lol as we are in the same area but i take it that would be a bad idea? x

blaze666 wrote:Ah i see well i was gonna see if u wanted to meet up for a dog walk lol as we are in the same area but i take it that would be a bad idea? x

blaze i dont think gone for a walk would be such a bad idea becouse jess says lottie is normal 90% of the time and the socialisation can only be a good thing
and i dont think any staffy owner can say there dog is perfect 100% of the time

And if she's wearing a muzzle, no harm can come of it. Could be a good idea!

i deff think it could be good thing
and blaze you would be the perfect person for doing this as you know alot about dogs

These magazine articles are a joke its an insult to people like us who are responsible dog owners i actually was walking kaiser the other day and a lad came up to us that had a pitbull which he had rescued from someone who was breeding her very young she was only a year old and already had a litter she was the most lovely dog u cud meet her and kaiser got on great i just ignore this but it is such a shame for our breed as this is what is causing all the problems with staffys ending up in rescue centres because people believe what they read in stupid magazines like this

There's been a lot of press here as well, everytime a dog attack is announced on the news they make sure to say it's a staffy or a staffy x9if it's not they don't mention the breed). i even wrote a letter to the paper saying how great staffies are and it's all how they get treated by their owners and they don't attack unless provoked- the newspaper even interviewed me and sent a photographer out but guess what it wasn't published(the letter was but not the article)as Harley kept kissing me during the photos, guess they were hoping he'd be snarling etc. I will defend both my dogs to the end.

My dogs dog washer hated(she was like everyone else-thinking they were vicious) staffies until she met Nitro then she fell in love with him and the breed and has since taken on more staffies including Harley to wash and she has neve had any problems with them, Harley loves his bathy bath so much he falls asleep it's so funny.

HazelJ wrote: Harley loves his bathy bath so much he falls asleep it's so funny.

Oh, that's sweet!

I am in Yeovil I always accept invitations for dog walks - Lottie definately needs as much interactions with other dogs as possible. Basically if she makes mistake and tries to bite a dog, even if I correct her and she clearly understands, she doesn't get to reconcile with the other dog because people are scared and walk off. When I go on dog walks with regulars it gives me the chance to ensure she learns to be okay with those individual dogs. She needs practice, practice, practice! Usually if she with a fair few dogs for a while and especially if I drain some energy off her first, there's very little problem. I had to learn it was me getting nervous that was making things worse!

Yes, it's best to socialise her at first with people who know & understand staffords.

Many times I'll be walking Dempsey & someone with a staff will walk past & the dog starts snapping & snarling at Dempsey. The owners always look so embarrassed, but I just laugh & say "Don't worry, I know what they're like!" & we stop & have a chat. Generally the dog'll calm down after a while.

I usually do that, if its somebody I see regularly - I don't let 'em get away The dogs nearly always calm down once we've been talking a while and my guys have pretty good onlead manners (JD has the occasional upset at dogs that bark at him because he's been attacked a few times but he gets over it pretty quick). Also seems to help in the long run as the dogs will recognise us next time and don't get as mad. Lottie walks pretty good on the lead and is good at just ignoring angry dogs.

My staffy tigger is a very well bahaved dog and minds his own business when i take him for walks, he has never shown any sign of aggression towards humans, but he tends to get very jelouse and protective around other dogs that come up to me. When i walk him i keep him on a lead at all times unless the park or the beach is clear of any other dogs. Tigger has never bitten or attacked another dog but will not let them come near me and other dog owners get the wrong idea and think he is an agressive dog

I honestly don't believe BSL will get a hold of staffords...

When out and about, if we see people or peope with dogs who we have never met before, I always call my dogs back, pop them back on lead and when the people pass I always make them sit.

I always get comments on how well behaved they are etc and most people in my area know my dogs and Rocco & Deano will have a good play with them - Dixie meets these dogs, but is always on lead.

x

I hate the thought of getting this breed banned and how they have banned other breed in some countries it really strange because small terriers and those fluffy things people call dogs attack more people each year than gladiator breeds put together but the way the gladiator breed is built so they do more damage and it gets heard. walking my two this old woman walking her fluffy thing gave me a stinking look she picked her dog to get it away from mine (empowering it even more) up and it was clawing and biting her to get to my dogs while mine where just looking at it as if to say wtf. the next day she didn't dare look at me.