Strange aggression problem

I'm looking after a young staffy female (about 2 years) for a few days for someone who has warned me that she can be very dog aggressive.

So, on walkies, she had to wear a muzzle today, as loath as I am to use one.

Now, what I saw was odd - as she came near to other dogs, her body language looked positive - waggy tail, walking normally from the looks of it. She didn't seem aggressive but I waited for her to kick off.

What I actually saw was a whole load of dogs at differing points in the park react aggressively to her approaching. In every case, they were aggressive first, which of course kicked her off with the growling and teeth bearing and snapping (inside the muzzle).

So, far from her starting trouble, she was receiving trouble instead - from virtually every dog.

So, what I'm wondering is what signals is she giving off that are too subtle for me to see - it doesn't seem to be visual. Is this possibly a pheromone-type problem?

It's really bewildering.

And what's worrying me is that if she is somehow displaying a sign which reads "start on me first", ie is drawing trouble her way whether she realises it or not, then her having a muzzle on will mean she can't defend herself.

That is odd indeed. It might be something subtle that you haven't noticed yet?

Could it be the muzzle that's making other dogs nervous?

Is she on any medication?

Do you know if she is about to come into season, she could be giving off a scent ???? It does sound odd, there must be something there that other dogs are reading wrong. Does she have an intact tail ??

Caryll wrote:Could it be the muzzle that's making other dogs nervous?

Is she on any medication?

She's like it without a muzzle according to my friend.
But no-one seems to have noticed in the past that she's drawing out this reaction from other dogs and is not the first to be showing teeth, etc.

No medication - seems quite healthy.

kathytake2 wrote:Do you know if she is about to come into season, she could be giving off a scent ???? It does sound odd, there must be something there that other dogs are reading wrong. Does she have an intact tail ??

Yes, intact tail.

Virtually every dog she saw tonight has wanted a pop at her - male and female.

No idea about the season apart from can't see anything here - no spotting or anything.

Absolutely lovely dog though - commands are poor but I'm drilling them into her.

She's one of those staffies that "talks" constantly - geebeeweeurumphwurghrummmmm - you know what I mean.

Does she stare at the dogs? Maybe they're sensing a threat?

Working dog wrote:

She's one of those staffies that "talks" constantly - geebeeweeurumphwurghrummmmm - you know what I mean.

Oh yes I know exactly what you mean, I've thought about employing a translator

jstaff wrote:That is odd indeed. It might be something subtle that you haven't noticed yet?

It doesn't seem to be posture or stance. I'm wondering if it's hormones or something vocal/aural she's giving off.

Caryll wrote:Does she stare at the dogs? Maybe they're sensing a threat?

That was my first thought this evening but I saw several times when she was sniffing along minding her own business other dogs go from nice family pets to growling animals with her - with no eye contact.

Really really mystified.

How strange! Don't suppose you can somehow get a video of it?

I think I'll try to video it - I have a snazzy camera that can play back at 100th the speed - that might show something.

Lol, Caryll. Dual typing....

Working dog wrote:Lol, Caryll. Dual typing....

You know what they say about great minds......