Growling at Another Staff

Loki met a Staff today when my mum took him out. I wasn't there, so I didn't see his body language or anything, but apparently the other Staff (5 months old) was calm and just sniffing, and Loki was the hyperactive fool. Anyway, apparently he started growling at the other Staff. My mum pulled him back just in case. My first thought was that he was just growling out of frustration or playfulness, but it's worrying because he's never growled at another dog in a playful manner. Even when he's frustrated, he'll whine or let out a high-pitched bark, but not growl. I guess I don't have any reason to be worried, and to just keep an eye on him in the future, but I'm not used to it from him.

Also, is Loki the most hyperactive, rude 6 month old dog in the world? It's like every time we meet other dogs, I feel like I'm training him completely wrong for him to be so overly-excited and playful, while the other dog is just standing there nice and laidback without a care in the world. Makes me feel bad I know all dogs are different, but you can't help but wonder if there's something you're doing wrong when dogs younger than yours are behaving brilliantly while yours is...well, a psycho

Sorry for making quite a few topics in one go, but you never get advice unless you ask for it.

Well,only can say- I'm so happy that I'm not alone.

It could have been frustration, it could have been because it's another stafford. I know a lot of people don't agree with this, but I've known a lot of staffords be fine with other dogs apart from other staffords!

my tash is 5 months old and goes mad when she sees other dogs, she wont leave them alone, the other dog owners on the whole are great with her. She does tend to go for the other dogs ears but they dont run away. The only dog she's growled at is her littermate which she met when she was about 16 weeks old. Its very scary.

Im wondering if its when they meet other puppies of a similar age and they're trying to be boss!

Good point, maybe he knew it was a puppy and wanted to be the boss. It's annoying, the younger puppy as good as gold and my little maniac still as wild as ever I thought Staffs were all meant to be crazy and playful?

My fella calls it 'being teenage'. lola gets like that with other dogs sometimes, it's normal puppy behaviour. The severity of it depends on the individual dogs personality. Lily is really dog friendly apart from the female Stafford across the road, she really growls at it and went for it once and would again given the chance. This is the only dog Lily has ever shown aggression to. Maybe Lily wants to be the Queen Stafford of the street!

I'm no expert but having some similiar experiences so it may help. Recently Betsy has started growling in play- she never used to before. I keep her on a training lead when she meets new dogs and only let go when I can see they are happily playing.

Once I hear the growling I let the other owners know that I'm keeping a close eye on her behaviour as she's recently started doing this. This gives them a choice to let me know if they're happy for their dog to continue. It tends to happen more in heightened play and my response depends on how the other dog is. If they both are relaxed then I am. It seems to be through excitment. However recently it happened with a pug who Betsy was all over and the poor thing froze. This wasn't play so I pulled her away.

Betsy did meet a younger female staff not long ago. Betsy was on long lead and the other dog wasn't. They said hello then Betsy growled. As they hadn't started any play I called her to me nice and calm. The other owner was close to me so they had another hello and Betsy did it again so off we went.

As for the greeting with other dogs, again from what I'm learning it sounds fairly staffie typical and in a youngster too. It's part of why we love them so
Betsy was 2.5 when I got her and she would do the same, but with the help of a training lead and some guidance from me she is learning how to approach dogs. I bow down to the training lead- it's a saving grace great until Loki learns

At 6 months I wouldn't be overly concerned with the behaviour. He's still a pup and very playfull. Just keep an eye on him like always.

It could have been an age thing with the other dog or it could be breed specific. They will sometimes just not do well with a certain breed be it from a bad experience or other reasons.

Sometimes dogs can stare at each other which can be seen as a challenge, we always keep Rocky on his lead when greeting other dogs then proper introductions are maintained.

My 2 are like chalk n cheese , Tank is chilled n calm around ppl and other dogs, whereas Diesel is batshit crazy super excited at seeing either other ppl or dogs, she's very full on, nothing we can do to change the way she is, her excitement has been mistaken for agression once or twice, but I always make sure I prewarn other dog owners, that's she's ok just demented happy !

Sometimes pre-teens or twenies are just as bad as teenagers.. Maybe Loki is just an early bloomer and hitting tween time now.. I'm sure it wouldn't be you doing anything wrong I'm sure he will grow out of it soon.. The growling is a hard one as you weren't there so it's hard for you to know what it meant, it could have just been play..

Teach him a cast iron recall and focus on you under different circumstances. Start be teaching him to recall/focus when the distractions e.g. another dog are a bit of a distance away.. When he gets good at that, gradually reduce the distance between him and the other dog. Teach him that only calm behaviour means he gets to approach and play with another dog. Just be on guard for signs of frustration with him that he's not getting to say hello to other dogs which can lead to aggression.

Make the rewards really really cool, like high value treats or playing with his favourite toy but probably not tug as this might get him too stimulated. He is no longer a puppy at six months, more like a young teenager and probably needs some manners training which I'm happy to help with.

Hi glasgowdogtrainer. Would you introduce yourself in the new members introduction forum please? Thanks.