Dog aggressive or just not sure?

So my parents have a 3 year old staffy (featured below (He's such a handsome chap I couldn't not include a photo))

Meet Domino AKA the Woof:


He is more than perfect with humans, great with kids; even lets my nephew ride him like a horse when laying down! hehe  but is not great with other dogs. Was never socialised as a pup. They occassionally come across dogs on walks; small yappy ones I'm sure he would kill in a second, but not too bothered by the bigger ones if they don't bother him.

Now we have Bane, when we both go home to visit it would be nice for them to get along and I am wondering whether this would ever be possible.
The first time I took him home, my mum took Domino out and I met her on a walk, away from his territory. As soon as he saw Bane he did his usual thing of laying down (as if stalking prey) which we snapped him out of, they had a very reluctant sniff (Domino kept trying to sit when Bane was trying to sniff his butt) and we got on with the walk. Once we got going, Domino looked as if he was trying so hard to act as if Bane wasn't there. If they got close he would freeze up, hackles went up and if Bane got too close he would snap.
We got them home, kept on the lead and he went nuts. We seperated them through the french doors and he was barking and howling at the door, jumping at the door, growling, snarling, everything. Bane mostly wasn't interested as he was saying hello to other people.
Walks got a bit better over the days but if Domino ever saw Bane in the house he would just flip. It wasn't a very fun experience but I did get a funny photo of Bane on duty as a doorman 


Second time we went home for Christmas...they walked almost perfectly. Domino would stop occassionally to see where Bane had gone if he went off sniffing (on his retractable lead), then as Bane came running back ahead, Domino looked as if he was trying to jump and run to play (couldn't cos of short lead). He no longer snapped when he got close although was very wary and tense on occassions. In the house was much better too, they would sniff at the stairgate and jump up, Domino even let Bane lick his mouth a few times.

Then we found a problem: If anyone gets close to Bane or Domino when they are at the gate, he flips. It was once when I went to put Bane's collar on and they were fine until I got close then Domino started snarling and growling. We tried again when my mum moved close and touched Domino, again he did the same thing.
We also tried carrying Bane into the living room while Domino was in there...he was a bit growly to start with but as soon as my brother moved to hold him, he got worse.

He seems very very territorial of his home which is fair enough. But is he thinking he needs to protect us when we get close to them, hence why his mood flips? Is it something we could possibly train out of him with letting them meeet more often? Get them used to eachother? It doesn't seem to be all the time so Im not sure that he is dog aggressive, maybe just unsure? Or jealous maybe?

Does anyone have any thoughts? Anyone with dogs that don't get along with other dogs? Is it worth trying or just leave him to be a grumpy ol fart? *So sorry for such a long essay  *

they staffies they was made to be good with human and hate other dogs

Usually a lying down when meeting another dog as I understand is a sign of submissive behaviour ie as in "I am no threat to you" So maybe Domino just feels a little nervous of Bane. I would say after a few meets together they would get along nicely. I am no expert so maybe someone will b able to offer better advice   

Yeah I think the fact they're OK at times is promising   

My last staff, tyra, was also very territorial in the house or even houses she considered hers ( my mums, my friends) we tried several times with two different dogs but she would have none of it! She wasn't socialised as a pup either so my fault really but unfortunately it was something we couldn't fix. As usual she was a softie and very loving with people, just hated other dogs!  Think the fact that they are slowly coming along is promising though, I just wouldn't leave them alone or out of sight yet! The mouth licking is a submissive gesture as well so it's looking good, old grumpy bum should come around!

I'd say take it slowly but surely sounds to me like he's not sure how he should behave always monitor them as you've been doing and fingers crossed they will be the best if friends

Biscuit stalks other dogs too, she's awful at the meet and greet but can mix when taken very slowly. Usually with 3/4 parallel lead walks with no interaction and then short bursts of interaction. Takes a few weeks to allow off lead together but she can do it with certain dogs. Unknown dogs approaching on a walk she will panic and flip out so is muzzled, although has never bitten. If he wasn't socialized I would imagine he's fearful and unsure.. But he is a stafford and may be opinionated and aversive by nature. Try not to rush meetings, you want to prevent that behaviour rather than fixing it later on.

When he lies down it doesn't look submissive...Bane does it too but looks totally different to when Domino does. I guess we will have to keep trying. We only ever give them a few minutes together by the gate inside otherwise Bane gets excited and wants to play so does his little bow dance and barks, which then confuses Domino I think as he often growls back n gets nasty.
Would it be better to keep going with it while Bane is younger? Will the aggression shown by Domino towards Bane effect how Bane interacts with other dogs? Thanks guys!

Some dogs just don't get along with other dogs, just as we don't like everyone we meet.

I have copied the body language link below so you know what signs to look for. Rocky is also still nervous when meeting new dogs and does the crouching down thing, we just get him into the sit position when meeting another dog and is always on the lead too so we are still in control should anything happen. Have you ever considered any doggy training lessons/a canine behaviourists for your dog this may help with socialistion too as well as you picking up some useful hints.

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

Thanks Kathy I'll take a read through.
Domino belongs to my parents, and being in Ipswich, they live a long way away from me. If I was there for longer period of times, I would try taking him out and about more often. Their problem is that he doesn't travel well though. He just about manages to make it to the vets a couple of miles away and they are out in the countryside...most things are far away!

I certainly wouldn't allow Domino to be the only dog that Bane interacts with. He will need 10x positive interactions with different breeds and ages compared to the 1 with Domino. I wouldn't allow them to interact by the gate if this is where Domino gets wound up. Parallel walks frequently with no interaction should help if it's fear, but I'd muzzle train domino just in case.

Thanks Rachel33, I will keep that in mind and make sure Bane gets plenty of interaction with other dogs! Thanks for the help! Lets hope we can get him friendly and happy in Bane's company.

No problem! Got everything crossed for you! Just take it slow..