playing or fighting

Sorry for posting so much but questions keep popping I my head lol. Today a woman said that my stella was going for her dog and she would keep hers on the lead whenever she saw me in future. I saw it as trying to play but being restricted by her lead. It hurt a bit tho as stella plays with dog friends and has never shown aggression to my young children. How do I know when growling and pulling is playful or not as I couldnt see a problem. Thanks

Staff do play rough, so to someone who doesn't know I can see how they may see it as aggressive.

Unfortunately there are some very ignorant people about just let the woman get on with it, you could try and convince her that Stella is as friendly as to next dog but some peoples attitude are tarnished sadly

Staffies play very rough and are vocal too, if someone doesn't understand this they may worry but there's no need I'm sure this was the case so I wouldn't worry about Stella

Thank you if I see her again I shall put stella on lead as I walk past smile and say hello then take her off again

Probably best, over time this person may start to see that Stella is just playing   

I'm sure if she was hurting, the other dog would soon let her know! I know if Bane wants to play with Sabre next door and he's not interested Bane will start to jump and it looks like he is 'going for' Sabre but it's just him trying to get attention.
Bane's only properly played with two other Staffs before and its so fascinating to see the difference in play! They are so boistrous but look like they have so much fun!

yes it would be a good idea to put her on lead when you see this women when your out walking,as said they do play hard and very vocal with it!to some one that did'nt know the breed they may take it wrong,hopefully she might see that it is playing in time   

 I know where you are coming from. All Staffies are rough players and they do tend to growl play too. To be fair, if Stella has good recall and will walk by your side, I would leave her off lead. My reasons for this being, Pixee too went to play with a recused springer, the old lady has been talking to me whenever I passed her, and she knows Pixee is a rescue too, and well over christmas, the springer wanted to play and Pixee did some play growling, that old lady went to kick my Pixee in a rage!    I called her back on the clicker with n o problem, and told the lady if she ever tried that again, I would hit her. I havent seen her since! and I am not putting my dog on lead either as I can keep mine under control if I have to. However if her springer comes running over, I shall then put Pixee back on lead and have a few more words with her. At the end of the day, they need to learn each dog is different and plays different including play growling which is natural to a staffie.

I cant control her 100 per cent off the lead where there is another dog She walks by my side until weve nearly walked past the dog then temptation of another dog is too much and she runs off. And once shes playin I have to really put my foot down to get her to recall. Otherwise her recall and walk to heel is perfect and she is off the lead most of the time. How do I overcome this obstacle when people wont let me try and walk past without the lead on?

How about investing in a training line? Keep her on that rather than letting her off

You meam attach this while passong other dogs? I had never thought of that. Does this feel the same as a lead to the dog though?

Well you can just leave it on trailing on the floor so there is no tension but you can get hold of her if you need to   I'm unable to let Daisy off so I use one so she can have a run around , it may make other people feel more comfortable and you can practice the walking past.

Sounds like a good investment is there any particular brand or make you recommend?

The link below may help you to recognise the signs to watch for:

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