Lola the Rascal

Lola is being naugthty she attacked a pooor innocent dog when I had her off leash. He popped out of the bushes anbd Lola just went for his bitch, she also went crazy for a cat today who lives in my street( said cat has cost me 64 quid as he bit my Georges' face and it got infected just had him at vets today), Have I got a sociopath? She is great in house apart from chasing our 4 cats x

I see you have no replies so far to your post and you are understandably anxious, therefore I am sticking my neck out here as a recent Staffy owner (although I have had Dobermanns in the past) - more experienced owners of Staffies will probably be able to help you more.

Lola is just 6 months - a puppy still - and she "went for" a dog who popped out of the bushes. Well, anything that "pops out of the bushes" will be a surprise and a big excitement to a 6 month puppy. Did Lola really attack him aggressively (growling, teeth etc) or after the first surprise, just want to play with this dog (which play can be 'vigorous' with puppies, especially hyper-active Staffs) ? BTW, can't understand the "went for his bitch" bit - did the popping out dog have a bitch with him?

Ref cats - dogs will chase cats, known fact. Goes back to prehistoric times when cats and dogs competed for the same food source, both species being carnivores. I know that many people have managed to cope with both dogs and cats in the same house, I would imagine that it would involve careful management of the puppy being introduced to a houseful of cats, but I have no experience of this - maybe other members can help here? However, most cats will run like hell from a dog, thus triggering their chase instincts.

Who is George that the cat bit the face of?

Lola doesn't seem to like little female dogs hence his bitch. Goerge is my own cat who was attacked by a naughty cat that lives in my street, the one Lola went for. She is okay with my cats its just ones she sees when we are out. Lola has attacked a couple of times now and is aggression not play. She is so sweet with people.

I hope that some other Staffy people can come in here to advise you.

I am no expert on aggressive bitches, my dobermanns were bitches but showed no aggression EXCEPT that one Dobie bitch used to do "strafing runs" past other dogs (male or female) which got me into lots of trouble - not physical attacks, just lots of noise. The strafing runs were due to fear - attack is the first form of defence - do you think that this may be Lola's problem? This bitch I got at 3 months old, last of the litter.

Is Lola still only 6 months old? That's very young to show aggression, most pups just want to play. Has she had any other experiences (apart from the cats thing) that would hard-wire an aggression response to other dogs?

My entire male Staffy is 9 months old now, and I don't allow him off the leash until I am pretty sure there are no other dogs or people around - not because of aggression (he has NO aggression as yet thank God) - but because he will want to play with the other dog or people to the extent that no amount of recall, even with liver which he will sell his soul for, will get him back.

Cats, including George - I've no experience with cats except as to repeat that dogs will chase cats as from the dawn of time, especially if they run. Good that Lola tolerates your own cats, but I wouldn't like to go as far as to think that Lola would attack the naughty cat that hurt your George just to avenge "her own" - I can't believe that dogs' reasoning can stretch that far. The naughty cat in your street is just another cat to Lola.

I really hope that you can resolve your worry, and that other more experienced Staffy owners (especially of bitches) can help here. Meanwhile, I would advise not letting Lola off the leash until she learns some manners.

Wishing you the best of luck - other Staffy bitch owners, please chime in with your help?