My dog is labelled the Savage one !!!!!?

Today was Sky's birthday and is the little age of one.

Since having her she has never growled, nor been aggressive with anything or anyone. However...

Today I dropped her off at my parents, which is usual when I work a day shift. Due to it being her birthday I got her a special little bone, and sent her with that to, all in all she seemed happy little self. My parents have 4 little yorkshire terriers, and although sky gets excited with them sometimes, and gets a bit boisterous thats about it. 

When I got to my parents to pick sky up I was greeted by, don't ask how your dog has been!

Naturally I asked and mum said the typical staffie line that does my head in "IT'S AN AGGRESSIVE DOG". Naturally I got to the details of what actually happened, and it is as follows,

Sky was sat eating the biscuit I gave her minding her own business, with the other dogs around and about doing their own thing. Apparently Tia one of the yorkies was sat the sofa watching Sky the entire time. Out of the blue the door bell goes, and mum naturally goes to answer it. Sky being the curious bugger she is goes to the door also. After a few seconds mum returns to the sitting room as does Sky, and Tia has jumped off the sofa at that exact time and grabbed the bone that Sky had. Sky goes hey thats mine and goes towards the bone. Tina then in my mums words being the aggressor, starts growling etc and goes towards Sky who then goes towards Tia and there is a full on barny.

According to my mum she has never seen such aggression, and it ends up with the Yorkie pinned on the floor and Sky stood over her. Mum describes how she left the room , and sky had literally put her mouth over the entire top half of Tia. Mum returns into the room to find, Tia hid behind the sofa, and Sky eating her biscuit. Tia was checked and does not have a mark, scratch or anything on her. Sky does naturally play as staffies does with her mouth wide open, but never bites. Clearly that is what she has done today. (Mum appeared to be shocked, that sky never hurt her, and that little innocent Tia was not mince meat)

But what frustrates my so much is Tia, according to my mum was acting the aggressor and Sky does nothing until Tia went for her aggressively and Sky pretty much put her down and showed her who is boss. Tia for a little dog is a bully, and steals all the toys from all the dogs, and if it was a dog the size of Sky would be put down. However Sky is labelled the aggressive dog.

I'm so infuriated, Sky had never hurt anybody and I try all sorts taking her food you name it so she doesn't become aggressive, but she is made out to be the total bad dog here, just because she is a staffie.

I tried to explain this to my mum, that if Sky was aggressive she had every opportunity to rip the dog in half and didn't , she said I'm the boss! The other dog stole her biscuit, then went at her aggressively so sky defend her position. Although I wished it never happened, especially on her birthday, I find it hard to be angry with her. If she had bitten her then that is different.. But in my mind she showed the restraint I had been training her to do.

I'm sorry for the rant, just annoyed... Sky now has to wear the muzzle!!

I did explain to my mum, that if I took someones pint in the pub, I'd expect a smack in the mouth. That doesn't make them savage. However If I took their pint , and they beat me continuously until I was dead, then you could argue they are savages, but standing up for what is yours is different, poor analogy, but you know what I mean.

I've said enough now :-(

Views/opinions appreciated.

James.

James, I totally agree with you!

Sky was fine until Tia had a go at her, and then all she did was put Tia in her place. She pinned her down, which is what all dogs do, not just staffords, but she didn't bite her. It was a warning not to start with her! And I think Tia will remember that in future.

I suppose, though, that your mum will now be on Sky's back over every little thing? 

I'm just glad I wasn't going insane thinking how I was thinking.. Yeah  you watch tomorrow, if she does't wipe her feet it will be noted lol. I have had words with Sky :-), and I've explained she needs to rise above the stupid behaviour of the other dogs, she has looked at me with her eyes and I'm hoping she understands lol. On a more serious note hopefully Tia, will think twice about doing that now.

As you say, you (and Sky) have to rise above it! 

Aww poor sky was just minding her own business! for the record I totally agree with you James, hopefully Tia has learnt her lesson and leaves sky alone, rising above it is the best way forward

Oh dear, James, I can understand why you are upset.

No doubt your Mum was scared - she's used to little Yorkies and one of her babies was being "told off" by a bigger dog, and it frightened her.

I wouldn't want to suppose that your mum feels like this, but it is a fact that some people who have a little dog see no harm in their dog yelling, nipping and acting aggressive because "they're only little and can't do any harm".

Whether your mum feels the same I can't say, but :-

She's your mum; PLEASE don't fall out with her over this

Whilst not blaming you at all, dogs can feel possessive over something that is "theirs" - you've done well in training Sky to let you take her treats/toys but this wasn't you or another human, but a dog - an "equal" if you like - . Not many dogs appreciate another dog nicking their treat/toy.

All dogs in close proximity should be given an edible treat at the same time, so as not to cause jealousy. Especially as Sky was in Tia's "territory" and had been given preferential treatment (the biscuit).

Just my point of view James - I do hope you and your mum are calming down now, it wasn't the end of the world thanks to Sky's good temperament!

This was nothing to do with Sky being a Staffy. It's what dogs do. She was just fighting her corner. I think she showed remarkable restraint and had she wanted, could have done a lot of damage. I think you should be very proud of her.

Seems as though Tia may be 'top dog' in your mums house, and Sky well and truly put her in her place. I think this is just normal doggie pecking order behaviour, and no one should over react with regards to it, although your mum is obviously used to fluffies who tend to get away with bullying behaviour. It may have frightened her.
Agree with Lynda. You definitely shouldn't fall out with your mum over this.
Jasmine was set upon only yesterday by a Yorkie, which really upset her! They have quite bolshy characters, and I think Sky reacted in a completely non aggressive way, and was just letting her know she won't tolerate it. No harm done. I hope it doesn't affect your dog sitting arrangements. Your very lucky to have your mum look after her! :-)

Thanks for all the replies,

Just thought i'd let you know it is all good, my mother did agree to have Sky again, and spoke to me about it. Saying that she was just scared and didn't know what would happen. Even said she adores Sky, and was very impressed that she didn't hurt the little ones. Sky has since been down their, although muzzled alot of the time , no further issues. 

I am mega lucky to have a good dog sitter,I need to find me a lovely women and then she can take over the role lol.

Good to know you and your mum are friends again!