Axl's behaviour around other dogs

After my last post about axl suddenly turning nasty with pther dogs I'm a bit concerned. He's been aggressive today as well. It was while me and my other half were having a ciggy on the balcony. Axl was inside sleeping when a dog, another Staffie, went past he doesn't like this dog anyway but when it went past and the owner called it (it was off lead) axl jumped off the sofa and went crazy barking and growling through the balcony door he looked like a crazy dog! After the dog had gone we let him out so he could see it was all okay and a lady walked past with her dog, again he went crazy. Then this evening on his night walk he saw two cats and again lost the plot. It's so unlike him I'm at a loss as to why he's doing it .

Nothing has changed and no incidents it's just weird. Also we spent yesterday around a friends house with their dog , a pug, and he was good as gold he just ignored their dog.

Anyone got any tips as to how to nip this in the bud before he gets used to behaving like that?

Also did anyone else find that their Staffie suddenly became dog aggressive for no reason?

It really does sound like something has made him insecure. Maybe something happened while he was home alone that has unsettled him. It may be worth asking the neighbours if there was any kind of commotion in the area while you were out (I am thinking an argument in the street, Police\Fire Sirens). It seems so strange.

Some dogs behaviour reverts or becomes aggressive around his age. Suki thankfully didn't have that phase but she will bark at dogs and cats when they pass our house like she has lost her mind. I'd go back to basic socialization techniques as frequently as possible and go from there

I'm thinking age possibly too.. Possibly territorial if you were outside of your house, but I know other incidents have been on neutral territory. To be honest Biscuit does this too, fine one day and a lunatic the next but she's a bit of an oddball in general.

Thanks guys, I'm really concerned about it as I can't hold him when he goes nuts he is so blooming strong. First I'm going to get a behaviourist to take a look at him and if that fails then I think I may have to muzzle train him and work with treats and "watch me" or something. I'm so upset about it all it's so horrible seeing him like that

Its such a shame because up until now he's been great with other dogs. I will keep you all updated though.

How are you feeling when he sees other dogs hun? Won't explain the balcony incident but they pick up any tension, I know if i've had a crappy day Biscuit's behaviour is a billion times worse. What are you walking on also? May help to have something that you can control him easier on. I'd start with the watch me straight away, you don't want this becoming a practised reaction. Work from a distance and just get him to sit and feed him treat after treat whenever you see a dog, if he starts to react take the lead and walk in the other direction without saying anything. Hope you're okay  

Hey Rach, thanks for the advice, I'm okay just a bit upset that he's started reacting to dogs. I've got him on a lead and collar but I'm thinking about changing to a harness so if he starts reacting he doesn't damage his neck as he really does go crazy.

Your right, when I meet other dogs I'm very very weary and nervous about it. I try to move away and let my OH take the lead so I'm not near Axl to try to keep him calm.

I have told my OH to do the watch me command and he's working on it but we are taking him to our old dog trainer on Sunday. He told me to bring him down at about 1ish. He said as the dogs come into the class he can see how Axl reacts etc. Hopefully he'll be able to help us

Sorry to hear this, I know its horrible when you have a dog that can't chill and have fun around other dogs. I wonder why he has changed, as the others said maybe its an age phase.
Good luck with the trainer on Sunday.

Ah even now that Biscuit's finally trained I find it hard to control her on a lead and collar, I used a halti for the first 18 months and it was a life saver! Now we just use a trixie harness and el perro collar; both sturdy enough for support. Halti double ended leads are a must for control too IMO. Attached to the halti and collar or collar and harness. No wonder you're struggling hun!

Great idea about the dog trainer, hope it goes well! I'm sure you'll all figure it out x

Ahhh thanks Rach, I'll look into getting a halti double ended lead although I don't think I can put a halti on him, last time I tried he ended up scraping his nose across the pavement to get it off and I couldn't stop him. I will get a harness though. He's got an el perro collar and I was looking at their harnesses but they are so expensive. I'm going to google trixie harnesses and see if I can grab one of those.

I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it, he's been so good up until now so I think it may be his age..

Good luck with the trainer, I know from my experience that when I used to be anxious when other dogs came around Nico played up big time, it's so hard but try and relax, they pick on on these things. Nico was playing up because he felt insecure due to my anxiety, now that I'm calmer he's great, off lead playing, listens to me. We used a lot of treat training when out and also seen a trainer ( only needed 2 sessions, more for me than the boyo)

Thanks you're right I think it probably my nerves rubbing off on him I am trying to stay calm and will try harder it will be good to see the trainer as well

It did take a while to get Biscuit used to the halti but in the end it was a life saver, soo much better for control. I've seen mixed reviews about the trixie harness but Biscuit's is really sturdy and has lasted nearly 6 months so far, plus with the double ended lead if it were to break you're still attached to the collar anyway!

Agree with the watch me and a no pull harness would be a great investment. Suki is strong as can be and 27kg. My OH is 49kg and the harness lets her keep control of Suki fairly easily

Just a quick update. In advance of his training class and taking note of all your advice I bought Axl a blue trixie harness and a double ended lead. I put it on him last night and let's just say he's perfecting the crab walk at the moment LOL...

I don't think he's too impressed but thank you for your suggestions I have to say I feel a lot more in control of him.

I'm not looking forward to Sunday but last night we saw a cat on his walk and he started to growl and snarl, the harness meant I could turn him around and say "no" in a second and he did stop so there's hope yet. I am hoping its just his age, fingers crossed

Good to hear the harness makes you more comfortable. They sometimes go through a phase like that at his age but with hard work and consistancy they can turn it around. Best of luck

Thanks JStaff, I'll keep you all updated on his progress.

I'm determined to change his behaviour towards other dogs because I know its not his usual behaviour, he's been fine up until now so I do think it's a phase he's going through!

Debs01 wrote:Ahhh thanks Rach, I'll look into getting a halti double ended lead although I don't think I can put a halti on him, last time I tried he ended up scraping his nose across the pavement to get it off and I couldn't stop him.  I will get a harness though.  He's got an el perro collar and I was looking at their harnesses but they are so expensive.  I'm going to google trixie harnesses and see if I can grab one of those.

I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it, he's been so good up until now so I think it may be his age..

the first time i put a halti on chester he made his face bleed trying to get it off and i thought no i cant use that but after many other "tries" with things i went back to the halti they do hate it at first even 2 years on chester not so keen on his "dogmatic" but attached to his collar (as if they determined to get off they will) i started off putting halti on for a few mins at a time at home and using training treats (and a kong filled with peanut butter as distractions) chester still now as soon as hes on grass he rubs his face along ground even did it through another dogs poo once and i had to use my coat to clean his face! 2 years old is sort of teenager period for a dog (have u ever had a human teenager!!!) and is he entire? maybe neutering would help?

Hey yeah he's awful with a halti although the double ended lead attached to his collar and harness is better. We are going to speak to the trainer tomorrow and if need be I will muzzle train him but hopefully he will get over this quickly and go back to being the gentle giant I'm so used to

I don't have kids so I don't know what human teenagers are like lol. A lot of people have said it could be his age so hopefully it's just the terrible twos, fingers crossed!

He is castrated

Glad they're helping the crab walk?! Hahaha!

Lol it's hilarious he won't walk straight he walks sideways silly boy!

i still think id rather have a teenage dog than child! when willow was 2ish she started being naughty and it took awhile to realise she was in her "teenage" faze and has thankfully grown out of it (mainly) i think though most staffies never really grow up and will always be a little crazy! when was he neutered as this can take a while before you see any improvements if any (thankfully i definetly noticed a differernce in chester behaviour after being neutered but took a couple of months) getting a trainer is good idea and i agree with one of the other posts they defo pick up on how u are feeling chester is at a stage now where some dogs we can get past (always on other side of road ) ok some once hes eyeballed them he starts to go crazy so i sit him down and dont let him  look at the other dog then we carry on always trying for a stress free walk   ! good luck keep at it im sure it will get better!

Hello Debs

I'm pretty sure from reading your post that you were the couple I was speaking to in Orpington today at the training!

If it is you - best of luck with Axl - keep me posted please as to how you get on...

We signed up for the training that starts in July. Might have a few 1-1's with Michael in the meantime, see how it goes.

Jo

Hey!

Yes it is me oh wow small world lol. I want to start up with training as well but axl is too reactive at the moment and my oh works nights so for us it's just training and letting him know he's not in charge. Michael seems to think he's just doing it because he can. I've also got a halti now as well.

As you are so close by, Maybe we could all take the dogs out on a lead walk together when they are a bit better behaved it would be good to have some walking buddies in the area

I hope your sessions with Michael go well. If you want I will private message you my email address tomorrow when I'm back at my computer, would be good to keep in touch and share training tips

Perfect. Do that. Will be nice to take them out. :-)

I can't work out how to PM yet, once I do I'll send over my email address

There are no pm on here guys