i think I'll have a rant also

Good friends came over with their cockapoo. Their dog was instantly aggressive to Callie, growled, snapped, charged her; Callie trotted away and then finally growled back over her shoulder, but didn't snap. I picked her up to separate them. Repeat x 1. Cockapoo never pulled back or reprimanded by friends.

Me: I don't think they should play, this isn't a good interaction for Callie.

Friend: let them play, he's always like this, he's just a little dominant, they need to work it out

Me: you know, Staffies are sort of pit bulls, I am trying very hard to make sure she doesn't learn any dog-aggressive behavior.

Friend's face fell: She's a pit bull? I had no idea...and Cockapoo was returned home (growling at Cal from the front seat of the car) by friend's husband.

Callie: lick-lick-nudge-nudge friend's hand trying to get a pet and a cuddle

Friend: she is so sweet...and she's a pit bull?

Sigh.

I get what your saying, but staffies aren't the same as pitts, just can be classed as a type, well here anyway Xx

You can't win, can you?

Perhaps you shouldn't have mentioned PittBull, that can put peoples backs up a little.

OK, (sheepish smile) true, I probably shouldn't have said kinda pit bull (although in the US, and in Maryland where I live, Staffies are often grouped in with the far more common pit bulls in breed bans, did you know that?)

I meant, please don't tell me to blow this off, I have good reason not to let your dog provoke my dog, both because I don't want to put Callie in a bad situation and also because I don't want her to hurt your dog. People don't think you need to discipline your ill-behaved dog if he is little and fluffy.

She is a dear friend but I feel like she just didn't get that it wasn't OK.

micheled wrote:People don't think you need to discipline your ill-behaved dog if he is little and fluffy.

major problem right there. so many times some little, fluffy, yippy dog - albeit VERY cute - has made me take a step back because i thought i would lose a hand? that Victoria dog trainer lady on It's Me or the Dog has even had to come in and handle mini-yorkies, etc., for this very reason. They are cute and they are dogs just like any other in the sense that they are what their owners make them. But people just don't have the pre-conceived mindset about them the way they do about pits, etc (i know what you mean Michele, I'm American from PA originally, live in London now).

hope it goes better in the future with your friend's dog!

I like Victoria Stilwell, positive training

Some people just really don't understand dogs.

Well, kinda normal I'm afraid. At least the dog was seperated from Callie...

Lori-where in PA? We lived in Philly for 9 years before coming here.

Jealous that u live in London! Permanently? Lucky you...