well... it has begun

Romeo has started to get too big for his boots and has started picking fights with other males, even ones that pose no threat to him and willingly submit... i think our days at the dog park are numbered my friends. He's turning into a man... a man who doesnt like other men it would seem. i find it odd, he's never had a problem with other dogs before... but it has started to show up more and more.
looks like only lonely and organised play dates for us now

Sorry I can't give any advice on that but I do sympathise. Bella is around the same age and has recently been behaving the same way.

yeah, with dogs he knows he's a dream, but tonight when we went he charged a lab and pinned it to the ground and started growling like a psycho, i had to pull him off and leave straight away, it was really embaressing

Aww I hope it's a phase, I know how embarrassing it is bulley's been like it since the day I got him 3 1/2 years with no socialisation with other dogs, means I get one grumpy aggressive dog. Hope Romeo snaps out of it soon

me too, or it would be kinda sad because he used to have so much fun running and playing with the others, i'd hate it to be ruined because he's a bossy sod

so how old? just about one year?

is this common? is it a male thing (although Caroline said Bella too)? Callie loves other dogs, I wonder if that will change...

I guess as some dogs get older, they can end up that way. I hope it's just a phase or something that can be worked on though silly Romeo, stop ruining your own fun!

Hello Taryn, Our Solly is very intolerant of other unneutered males, and acts just like your boy, so we keep out of other dogs ways. What helps with Solly is keeping his mind focussed such as playing with his ball and frisbee, as long as he is occupied he does not worry about dogs nearby. Maybe that may help Romeo. Does he go for bitches and neutered males as well? if he does that can pose more of a problem. I'm sorry I cannot help further other than to say just keep him focussed on you when you are in the park. You are bound to get people saying that you should have him neutered, but it is doubtful whether the 'op' will help. It is a shame because it is nice for us humans to socialise in the park too with other dog owners. Just remember that this is what some male dogs do, its in their nature, and we have to do our best and keep our dogs under control, not so easy with a young and fit SBT.
All the Best Anne

It's an unfortunate fact that some staffords just don't get on with others ! It is unusual although not unheard of! I'd just keep introducing him to different dogs, on lead at first and see if that helps!

Bailey is the same age as Romeo if I'm not mistaken? Touch wood I've not had any problems from him with other dogs.

Have you tried keeping him on a long lead around dogs he doesn't know? Keep a close eye on him and if things look like they are going bad seperate him and have him sit and be calm before trying again.

It may just be a phase, we have not had this issue thankfully Harvey is almost 2 now and loves dogs more then ever.

Have you got any males dog friends you could go for walks with?

Sadly it's one of those things many, if not most, Staffy owners find when their dog reaches a certain age Just about the only thing I'd change in this breed

StuW wrote:It's an unfortunate fact that some staffords just don't get on with others ! It is unusual although not unheard of! I'd just keep introducing him to different dogs, on lead at first and see if that helps!

Bailey is the same age as Romeo if I'm not mistaken? Touch wood I've not had any problems from him with other dogs.

Spoke to soon ! Baileys just had a wee handbag fight with a Hungarian Vizsla

If he is becoming da (and it might just be a phase or an 'off' day!), then it's something you just have to adapt to. And you do get used to it.

If they're like that, they really don't seem to miss canine company at all! Bandit was a really happy boy, always more than happy to be with us - he became da at about 7 or 8 months old, and stayed that way till he died at getting on 14 years old!

yeah, its a pity i'm the only one i know with a male dog besides romeo's brothers. all my friends have bitches. he is fine with bitches, doesnt even bat an eyelash, he will some times try to mount them but nothing serious. i havent really had any trouble with him before with unnutered males, but this poor lab, romeo went straight for him and pinned him, as far as i could see no foul on the labs behalf. normally, even with other males in the park when romeo comes in he gets a bit nervous and will stand still and let everyone sniff him and once its done he goes on his merry way. if any one tries to start something with him romeo doesnt put up with anyones bossing him, but this was just like... bam.
we wiull be seeing all his brothers this wednesday so lets see.
its a small lose if he doesnt like other guys since all my friends dont have dogs at all or they have only females, the lose is in the not being able to go to the park.

Hi Taryn, Of course you can still go to the park, why deny him that, he still needs to socialise, you just have to be more vigilant when there are unneutered dogs around. Unless Solly is focussed on playing frisbee or ball when he sees another dog (unneutered) his recall goes out the window. Which is a big pain.

Anne

yeah, i might have to get a long lead for romeo