Owner in need of training!

My beautiful and very playful Staffy, Buster, was attacked badly by a pitbull a year ago. He had some serious injuries and it was horrific to witness. He has also had 2 Jack Russells go for him and it has changed all my enjoyment of walking him. He does not like small yappy dogs at all and will snap at them now. Bigger dogs he is generally ok with unless they try jumping on him while playing. Then he starts growling and just wants to get away. He will happily ignore other dogs in the field, on and off the lead, he just wants me to throw his ball for him!
I am always nervous when other dogs come up to greet him because I am not sure how he will react to them. He has never shown any serious aggression (unless it is a JR) and will wag his tail but I am sure I am not helping things by my panic. I need to trust him and other dogs more but the experience with the pitbull has ruined everything.
I now look for places to take him where and when no other dogs are likely to be. Not an easy task!! The other day he ran around the field with a Lab quite happily for a couple of minutes but then just ran back to me and his ball so I need to get a grip on my fears I reckon!!! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks x

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sorry to hear what has happened, it must have been terrifying.
you are right, dogs do pick up on fear and it can make them aggitated aswell.
you could try finding certain times of the day where there is less likely to be as many dogs about

Hiya and welcome.

It just sounds like you need to build up your confidence again.

Mine is a very placid dog but when she feals threatened she will have a growl to mean go away.

Maybe you could try a long lead so that you know you still have control when other dogs are around. Build up trust for you as it doesn't appear yours is the problem!!

Hiand welcome from us and Suki. I would recommend finding a few dogs that are well socialized and only letting him interact with them if that is possible

Hi & welcome.

What a traumatic time you've both had, it must have been awful for you.

I wonder if there are any dog training classes near you? If so it will improve your and your dog's confidence around other dogs at close proximity. Worth a try.

Hi and welcome

It sounds to me as if you are the one with the problem, not your dog. I don't mean that in an offensive way, I mean that it sounds like your dog doesn't have a problem (except with small yappies and so do I, really can't blame him for that ) anyway what I'm trying to say is, the problem is yours, not his, it sounds like he has pretty much gotten over it, and you need to as well now. Hope that makes sense, it didn't come out right!!

I think you'll find if you relax, and let him play with well behaved dogs without panicking, he in turn will also be calm, and you can both enjoy your walks. You don't need to keep him away from all dogs, that will just make him nervous or frustrated. When you're out and about, if you see a dog, explain your situtation to the owner and ask if their dog is friendly and is it ok if it plays with yours.

Good luck, I hope things get better for you both. RELAX

Hi all and thank you for the lovely welcome and advice! I agree that it is my problem not Buster's!! I am the nervous one. My sons take him out and tell me he is fine with other dogs...I just freeze when one runs over to him and I know it is because of what happened rather than my darling boy but I am also worried I transfer my worry over to him. not good!!
I will try to relax more and hopefully things will get better. Like I said, it is me in need of the training not buster!!! Thanks again xx

Do consider going to a training club, though - it'll do wonders for both you & your dog, confidence wise, and you'll probably both really enjoy it!

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

A long training lead may well help as mentioned above, we use one with Rocky. He was attacked about 6 months ago by a GSD and was very nervous when one approached him for a while. He is getting better now though as he has met a couple that are very friendly.

If you tense up when other dogs approach you your dog will pick up on this and refelct your behaviour.Try to relax when out with him. Does anyone else go for walks with you?

I am sympathetic to your problem. I wouldnt avoid other dogs altogether as this in the long run wont get him realising that other dogs can be nice. Allow him to walk on lead past other non small yappy dogs and praise n reward when he doesnt growl. And as kathy says your dog will pick up on your behaviour and attitude. If you wrap his lead round your hand and tighten your grip when other dogs approach it could make him think the other dogs is danger.