Socialising help and advice needed for older dogs.

Ok here's the story so far.... Alfie is a 4 year old pedigree male staffy and I have been his proud owner since he was 8 weeks old. He is a complete angel, very well behaved and loves people/kids and lives with a cat. I made a point of socialising him with other dogs and animals since he was a puppy and although he was always a bit rough in play and loved to chase and be chased by other dogs he was never aggressive. Then one day when he was about 18 months old he had a bit of a scrap with a male dog that was previously his friend over a stick and basically he was never quite the same again. He will play happily with female dogs but he will go for male dogs if they approach him. He has NEVER bitten another dog but will growl and lung towards them, it really consists of a lots of noise than any actual attacking. However being a staffy I feel I have to be wary of allowing him to be off lead near other dogs just in case there is an incident and other peoples ignorance or prejudices causes my dog to be accused of being aggressive.
I have paid fortunes to a dog trainer who told me that Alfie is NOT an aggressive case but is actually Nervous Dominant Aggressive which basically means he feels the need to assert himself to other male dogs as he is actually nervous of them.
I really want to help Alfie overcome this so I would like to know if anyone knows of anyone that organises "Socialisation Walks" in the South London or Surrey area, if not I'm thinking of starting my own group where basically people can meet on say a Sunday morning with their dogs and walk together so that the dogs can get used to being in situations where they previously may have had difficulties or been nervous. I would see these as just being walks on lead for a few sessions gradually building up to being able to let them off lead to play and enjoy the pack like dogs should even if this means wearing a soft muzzle to ensure the dogs safety etc.

If anyone has any advice or knows of something like this being run in Sth London/Surrey or would like to join a group like this can you please reply as I'm desperate to address this issue for Alfie so that by the Summer we can once again enjoy our walks together and I don't have to constantly be looking over my shoulder when Alfie is off lead!

Thanks, Laura

alot staffy just dont like other dogs, you should always stop things before they happen becasue things like this is hard to fix, what i would do is find someone to go on a lead walk with you. make sure he dont keep trying to attack the other dog saying no when he does if he go crazy make him sit down till he calms down and then carry on with the walk.

Not heard if anything but would love to take Mia along if you do arrange anything?

She loves dogs but no one wants to play with her because she's a "dangerous" staffy, also never managed to find a puppy class that wanted to take her on, conveniently they were all full :-(

Steve wrote:alot staffy just dont like other dogs, you should always stop things before they happen becasue things like this is hard to fix, what i would do is find someone to go on a lead walk with you. make sure he dont keep trying to attack the other dog saying no when he does if he go crazy make him sit down till he calms down and then carry on with the walk.

Thanks Steve, i have been doing this with a friend and their english bull terrier but i want him to get used to being around lots of different dogs too. Thanks for the advice.

*Karen* wrote:Not heard if anything but would love to take Mia along if you do arrange anything?

She loves dogs but no one wants to play with her because she's a "dangerous" staffy, also never managed to find a puppy class that wanted to take her on, conveniently they were all full :-(

Hi Karen,

Alfie would love to play with Mia i'm hoping to start these walks on Wimbledon Common, don't know how close that is to you though?

If you want to venture further west ie Richmond park or bushy park, I'll join you for some long walks. my girl is as good as gold but full of beans

Wrighty42 wrote:

*Karen* wrote:Not heard if anything but would love to take Mia along if you do arrange anything?

She loves dogs but no one wants to play with her because she's a "dangerous" staffy, also never managed to find a puppy class that wanted to take her on, conveniently they were all full :-(

Hi Karen,

Alfie would love to play with Mia i'm hoping to start these walks on Wimbledon Common, don't know how close that is to you though?

I drive the hour or so (sodding london traffic) every few weeks to meet with a mate and her staffies for walks over there. we either walk the Harlequins rugby training ground near the asda or the bit of the common next to that. Im sure youd be more than welcome next time we go. the pack consists of 2 staffy girls and 2 male staffy cross husky pups (nearly 6 months old) it a very livley lot. very soon to join will be my ex and her staffy cross mastiff so its a mixed bunch. there mostly off lead as they enjoy the running about, the girls stick together while the boys just look like they are ripping chunks out of each other (brotherly love ). if your intrested let me know and I'll give you a heads up next time were over there.

Brilliant idea laura. I am a firm believer in group walks.

I drive the hour or so (sodding london traffic) every few weeks to meet with a mate and her staffies for walks over there. we either walk the Harlequins rugby training ground near the asda or the bit of the common next to that. Im sure youd be more than welcome next time we go. the pack consists of 2 staffy girls and 2 male staffy cross husky pups (nearly 6 months old) it a very livley lot. very soon to join will be my ex and her staffy cross mastiff so its a mixed bunch. there mostly off lead as they enjoy the running about, the girls stick together while the boys just look like they are ripping chunks out of each other (brotherly love ). if your intrested let me know and I'll give you a heads up next time were over there.[/quote]

Thats sounds like just what we need! i know alot of this is due to me as i get very anxoius when Alf meets new dogs especially males and that has an effect i know. So i would love to meet up next time your over there. If you email me to let me know when your next about i'll get it straight away on the Blackberry and i'll arrange where to meet. Thanks again.

CMR wrote:If you want to venture further west ie Richmond park or bushy park, I'll join you for some long walks. my girl is as good as gold but full of beans

I know Richmond Park but not sure where Bushey Park is?

axam102 wrote:

Wrighty42 wrote:

*Karen* wrote:Not heard if anything but would love to take Mia along if you do arrange anything?

She loves dogs but no one wants to play with her because she's a "dangerous" staffy, also never managed to find a puppy class that wanted to take her on, conveniently they were all full :-(

Hi Karen,

Alfie would love to play with Mia i'm hoping to start these walks on Wimbledon Common, don't know how close that is to you though?

I drive the hour or so (sodding london traffic) every few weeks to meet with a mate and her staffies for walks over there. we either walk the Harlequins rugby training ground near the asda or the bit of the common next to that. Im sure youd be more than welcome next time we go. the pack consists of 2 staffy girls and 2 male staffy cross husky pups (nearly 6 months old) it a very livley lot. very soon to join will be my ex and her staffy cross mastiff so its a mixed bunch. there mostly off lead as they enjoy the running about, the girls stick together while the boys just look like they are ripping chunks out of each other (brotherly love ). if your intrested let me know and I'll give you a heads up next time were over there.

Would help if i added my email address!!! wrights22@aol.com

Wrighty42 wrote:

CMR wrote:If you want to venture further west ie Richmond park or bushy park, I'll join you for some long walks. my girl is as good as gold but full of beans

I know Richmond Park but not sure where Bushey Park is?

it's west of RC on the other side of the river. I'll join you on Wimbledon Common also as just realised its not too far from mine

CMR wrote:

Wrighty42 wrote:

CMR wrote:If you want to venture further west ie Richmond park or bushy park, I'll join you for some long walks. my girl is as good as gold but full of beans

I know Richmond Park but not sure where Bushey Park is?

it's west of RC on the other side of the river. I'll join you on Wimbledon Common also as just realised its not too far from mine

Ok great i'll sort out a date and post it on here, the more the merrier so hopefully a few more might joins us! Staffies will be taking over the common lol

*Karen* wrote:Not heard if anything but would love to take Mia along if you do arrange anything?

She loves dogs but no one wants to play with her because she's a "dangerous" staffy, also never managed to find a puppy class that wanted to take her on, conveniently they were all full :-(

Do you want to join us Karen?