He's a bugger!

I can't offer any advice .. not something that I have personally experienced. I am sure one of our members who has will be along shortly

I've no personal experience either, but as you say if your feeling tense he'll sense it. I'm sure someone will pop along shortly with some advice soon

My old boy Bandit was dog aggressive from about 6 or 7 months old until he died at nearly 14! I just accepted it, and acted accordingly.

I used to have a warning system for people who let their dogs approach...

"Would you take your dog away, please, mine doesn't like other dogs"
then
"Take your dog away, mine doesn't like other dogs!"
then
"Take him/her away, or I let mine off the lead!"

Some Staffords just are dog/other animal aggressive - it's in their genes & there isn't much you can do about it.

If you learn to accept it, you'll find that you calm down & don't tense up so much - this could calm your dog as well, and make things a little easier. I'd use a harness and a collar with a double ended lead so that you have full control without strangling him.

When I said something similar to a friend about my boy being a little bugger, she said
"yes but he's your little bugger and you love him".  Its very true, all you can do as
long as he is happy is to protect him from getting in to any trouble with another dog.
Oh and r-e-l-a-x 

My girl is fear aggressive towards other dogs, she can mix if introduced very gradually but cannot cope with unknown dogs getting up in her face. Of course, you're doing the right thing by keeping your dog under control, and people shouldn't be letting their dogs run up to others without asking for permission first. However, that's not how the world works and you own a powerful breed of dog that could do real damage if allowed. Personally, I only exercise Biscuit on a 50ft long line, I let it go if we're in a quiet area but it's always in reach. She is muzzled when we walk in areas that are heavily dog populated or there are no escape routes to do a u turn when we see another dog (wide path ways, alternate routes etc)

Sounds like you haven't desensitized him to the muzzle, Biscuit took a while to learn to tolerate hers, but now that she's learnt that the muzzle means cheese she wags her tail and gets all excited whenever she sees it. :)If you need any tips on desensitization myself or another member of the forum would be happy to help!

Thank you all. 

I do love my "little bugger", very-very much. And, yes, do all you have mentioned, like warning other dog wakers, etc, but, on very small occasions, they nearly get through, and that's when I have to restrain Luke. I hate it, as I don't see why he is stressed at doing what he thinks is a very natural reaction. Afterwards, I always cuddle him and tell him it's alright :-) 

Now then, the muzzle desensitise idea, that would really help, so, yes, help there would ne good. I tried a muzzle, and as I mentioned, he despised it, and I wouldn't see him like that, so, threw it away in a huff!

Cheers all...

A bit strapped for time, this is a template that I give to an owners adopting one of my dogs, any questions just ask. Also, I would recommend the black baskerville ultra muzzle as you can still feed treats and allow your dog to drink and pant with these. That way, you can teach a "focus" or "watch me" command to gain Luke's attention onto you using a high value reward treat (like liver, or cheese) when other dogs are present. It'll take some practise, but it's so worth it.

Muzzle desensitization:

Put the muzzle on the floor and allow your dog to explore it in his own time.
 
Begin by holding the muzzle, putting some high value treats into the muzzle, and simply allowing your dog to put his nose into the muzzle in his own time and take the treats. Repeat this stage 3 times per day, for 3 days, when your dog is happily putting his nose straight into the muzzle, you can move onto the next stage.


Once a positive association has been made, you can begin to put some pressure on the straps, and hold them together behind his head whilst praising him and continuing to give him treats through the muzzle as usual. 



If your dog shows no negative reactions this stage you can buckle the clasp and leave for 5 seconds, then undo without making any fuss at all. If you praise and make a fuss when taking the muzzle off, he will associate taking the muzzle off as a reward rather than putting it on as a reward. Repeat this stage 3 times per day for 2 days.


Repeat the previous step, but gradually increase the time that the clasp is locked shut (seconds not minutes);  if an adverse reaction becomes apparent, lessen the time and take it a little slower next time. Practise this step until he is wearing the muzzle for up to a minute, intermittently reward him with a tasty treat every few seconds as long as he is happily wearing it and not trying to take it off



Next you can begin to encourage your dog to move around whilst wearing the muzzle, by luring him forward with some tasty treats and encouraging with excited tones and praise. Reward him for continuous movement whilst wearing the muzzle, without making a fuss. If he begins to make a fuss, pay him no attention at all and only begin rewarding again when he is calm.


Now that your dog is accustomed to wearing the muzzle, place it on him at random times and leave on for 10 minutes (supervised) to get him a little more used to wearing it for longer periods, and also so that he makes no negative associations with having it put on at certain times, for example; the vets or when other dogs are approaching. Start to reduce the treats during the training to at least half and eventually the minimal amount.

P.S by cuddling him and telling him it's alright after displaying an aggressive outburst, you're positively praising his aggressive behaviour, ensuring that it will more than likely happen again and he will believe that he is right in carrying out this behaviour. Whether it's a natural reaction for him or not, it is not acceptable and should not be praised.

Brilliant muzzle advise. I can do that, NP. And yes, I know full well what I do can be detrimental to his aggressive behaviour, but, I hate having to restrain him, and fall to bits when he gives me "the look". I will absolutely not do this anymore, scouts honour :-)

good luck lovely! Keep us updated

Quick update. Well, I decided to try something less extreme than a muzzle, as sometimes, seeing a Staffi in a muzzle gives totally the wrong impression, and can be intimidating. Other responsible dog owners / walkers should have their own dogs on a lead, but in a perfect world, I suppose. So, I am NOT restraining him, or making a fuss when I see another dog, I am controlling my lovely dog, and letting the other party know my dog is not "friendly" with other dogs, as usual, nothing new there. BUT, my new approach of more CALM and less panic has paid off a lot with Luke, he has started to care a lot less, even turns around and wants to walk off quicker, instead of making the lead like a "piano wire". I do not fuss, I do not reward, I just gloss over the close encounter, and we carry on with our walk. If other idiots cannot control their own dogs, then why should I make him look like Hannibal Lector? When all he is is a daft cuddly Brown Bear! All, looking up. A lot was me and my panic it seems. Luke is happy, I am happy. Cheers all!

 glad to hear it.

Glad things have improved

Very pleased to read you are making progress with him. The more you can keep calm the more calm your dog will be. He will pick up on your anxiety and carry it on. Not making a fuss is a much better way of dealing with it than muzzling, which could only exacerbate the problem.

Keep it up, maybe sometime you will be able to introduce him to some calms dogs and get him socialised which would be a great outcome.

Great to hear of the improvement!