Fighting

I'm writing desperate for some help here. I have 2 beautiful Staff puppies, Loki and Nala, they are now just over 7 months old and we have had them since they were just 6 weeks old. They're brother and sister from the same litter. We have worked hard training them both and they are a dream 99% of the time. Off the lead has never been a problem there recall is great, they sit and lie down on request (most of the time) Food is not a problem, we can take it off them, make them sit and wait before they tuck in etc. Really friendly with other dogs, very submissive and playful.... They have 'mad half hours' at home but that is generally when they haven't had as long a walk as normal. Because my partner works shifts they tend to be out at least an hour a day and much longer at weekends.
The problem happened on Saturday, we went for a walk with our 2, mum's puppy (cocker Spaniel) Brothers dog (old shepherd cross) and friends dog (Max a rescue staff) now all of the dogs except max have been on numerous walks, they love playing with each other and have never been any bother. We were a little worried about Max because he was a rescue, initially he was fine all the dogs played together including Max and Loki. The Shepherd (who is known to not always be friendly with dogs) and Max (a rescue staff aged 6) starting having a battle of Alpha Male, not fighting but 'arguing' things got a bit heated and when the owners went to get them away from each other, my Loki got involved and a big fight kicked off between Loki and Max....it all happened too quickly to see really what happened, but the end result was Loki had clamped on to Max's face and would not let go. Once the humans could get involved it took 3 adults to prise Loki off Max. I pinned Loki to the floor with the intention of holding on until he calmed down, as I tried to put his lead on he wriggled free and went after Max again....
Eventually both my pups were put on a lead and taken away and I left them to the walk and went home a very upset dog owner...
I have been replaying the fight over and over in my head and just to Clarify, Loki didn't growl show his teeth, do the 'death shake' or anything. he just had hold of his mouth and wouldn't let go. There wasn't a mark on Max however loki came away with bite marks to his face. We came to the conclusion that Loki has reacted to the 'energy' gone over and got caught in the middle of it, he's taken a few blows but managed to get hold of Max and his reaction is, 'if I keep hold you can't get me' His reaction was really weird because all 5 adults have said he wasn't been vicious...was he scared and reacting out because of it?
We have had dogs all our lives and thought long and hard about getting a Staffy because of the bad press, but I believe they are a lovely dog... I took them for a walk with my partner yesterday and all though we were very cautious with other dogs, Loki was back to the carefree puppy he has always been...
I don't no whether it is worth pointing out that he is a complete wuss and scared of everything, which is why this is so out of character for him...to the point that when he was neutered the nurse rang and asked if we could come pick him up earlier because he got himself so upset when he came round he was screaming down the vets....

I am sorry for the war and peace but if any staffy owners can help me, Saturday my worst fear played out in front of me and I just want to know if I'm doing anything wrong with him.... he has socialised with other dogs since he was 6 weeks old and there has never been a hint of problem, in fact if a dog has made it clear they don't want to play, then Loki is normally the 1st of the 2 to leave him to it and carry on his way, he has never challenged a dog..

Firstly, how old was he when he was neutered, and was he a wuss then?

It could be a one off, he might have panicked. It does give you a shock though

He was 6 months when he was neutered and yes he always been a wuss!! haha Nala is much braver then Loki and much more independent. An example is when we introduced them to my brothers dog, an 11 year old alsatian cross. Nala went straight in playing and Loki sat on my knee watching from a distance!!
I'm hoping it is a one off, my concern is if it happens again I might be walking them alone, it took 3 adults to get him off!!

From what you've said, it sounds as though he felt he was defending himself.

The only reason I asked about the neutering is that a 'nervous' pup, or one that doesn't have a lot of self assurance, will often be worse off for neutering early (especially males) as they don't get that surge of hormones that allow them to become self assured & mature.

I wouldn't be worried that he's becoming aggressive - I doubt that very much - but you may need to make sure that dogs don't try to overpower him as he may react in self defense.

They both sound very sweet!

I think from what you have said it was a one-off, a new dog came into their playgroup and imabalanced the energy resulting in silly Loki getting confused and lashing out. As you said it does sound like he was just holding onto the other dog and not letting go to try and defend himself. I would take all these dogs for another walk asap, you dont want to leave things too long as they will be more defensive with one another next time. This time keep them all on-lead and do some brisk walking to keep them engaged, take it in turns to walk two dogs each (one on each side) and swap them around so that everyone gets to walk with everyone else.

Think you will be ok, just don't panic and keep socilaising them as much as possible, have you got any photos of your pups?!

Wow, sounds very scary. Im sure it was just a one off and the advice about going back out on a walk with said dog but controlled has got to be the way forward. Good luck and let us know how it goes on. How was your friend after it happened?

You've got some great advice above so read it well Does sound to me like one of them things and Loki possibly defending himself. As Nosipho says don't shy out and think you have a problem dog , get straight back in there armed with the knowledge you might have a problem and be prepared. Also important is your body language as they do sense stress and act accordingly . Be confident

And BTW where are our photo's of these little tinkers

Hi Guys thank you so much for all your replies, it has put my mind at rest. The whole event has made me much more aware of what 'could' happen, which is probably only a good thing.....
@julespercules Max's owner was a friend of my parents, and he is fine, also a learning curve for him as Max is from a rescue centre and he's only had him a couple of months....
You should be able to see my little beast on my avatar..... Nala is the girl on the left and Loki is the boy with the black face. They have grown a little bit since then but I can't seem to upload a more recent pic!!!

I'll keep you posted on their progress

As you can see Loki has always been the smallest of the 2 he was the runt of the litter!!