Angry staff, but only sometimes.

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Angry staff, but only sometimes. Empty Angry staff, but only sometimes.

Post by anthony07 Sun Jun 08 2014, 16:25

Hi, last week we acquired a rescue staffy girl, believed to be about 3 years old and definitely been bred from, she has the left upper and lower canines broken so I believe she has been mistreated but there is precious little info on her. We brought her into our home that we share with a 2 1/2 year old neutered male and they get on like they've been together for years, sleep in the same bed and happily share food, toys etc.
We took them both to a dog show today and she turned into another dog, snarling and barking at other dogs, in the end we took them both home. The second they were in the car she turned back into our loving pet again.

Am I right in thinking that this is a socialisation issue? Any recommendations for how to help her throughout it?
I am a bit concerned about taking her to classes as I think so many dogs would intimidate her, I'm thinking she is reacting out of fear rather than aggression.

Suggestions gratefully received.

Kind regards

Tony
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Post by Rachel33 Sun Jun 08 2014, 16:55

I would say that it's a socialization issue, but without seeing the behaviour it's hard to say 100%. My girl (also a rescue that had been bred from a LOT and awfully mistreated) will happily live with other dogs, but can't cope with unknown dogs being in her space, and will bark/lunge/snap. I rescued her 3 years ago and she's never gotten any better, but I'm unsure that she had ever really been outside before I got her. May be different for your girl, do you know anything of her background? Biscuit has dog friends that she has been carefully introduced to and has lived with many different foster dogs, but I don't think she will ever safely be around unknown dogs. I've taught her the "watch me" command so that she has something else to focus on whilst another dog passes on the other side of the road, but dogs stress her out majorly so a lot of my walks are spent doing u turns, crossing the road and walks off lead are in the middle of nowhere!

I'd imagine it's a fear thing, and that you're right in thinking that a class setting wouldn't be right for her. I would suggest a one to one session with a good behaviourist and see what they think of the behaviour, and you can then put together a training plan to help reduce her stress.
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Post by anthony07 Sun Jun 08 2014, 17:12

Thanks, reading your reply reminded me that when walking on the riverbank, which is a fairly narrow space, she is fine when meeting other dogs. I'm guessing that so many dogs at once is too much. Seemed to be the bigger dogs that upset her, particularly the Inuits.

I will look up a behaviourist and see what they suggest, thanks.
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Post by Rachel33 Sun Jun 08 2014, 17:51

Ah okay, all hope is not lost then Smile perhaps just reactive to bigger dogs or certain breeds. Was she on lead whilst at the dog show? Could it have been frustration? I'd probably work with a behaviourist and test her with a variety of different sizes/ages/personalities/breeds and see if there's a possible trigger.. You may be able to do this yourself with friends dogs etc.. But the main aim is of course to keep her and other dogs safe. When it comes to even possible aggression I'd always lean towards getting a behaviourist involved if possible.. Four eyes are better than two, and a trained eye may spot things that others may not have! Hope it all works out Smile
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Post by anthony07 Sun Jun 08 2014, 18:04

Yes, they were both on leads, she was okay for a while, she even won a second place rosette, but then she saw the bigger dogs and it started her off, and that started him off.... In the end I picked her up and carried her out, and, like I said, they both calmed down straight away.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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Post by Guest Sun Jun 08 2014, 20:55

Hope you can sort out something, Rach is the best at advice on this sort of thing. Good luck  Big Grin 

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Post by anthony07 Sun Jun 08 2014, 20:59

Thanks, I'm sure we can work out something, she really is a lovely dog, at the moment they are both lying down quiet as mice.
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Post by Guest Sun Jun 08 2014, 21:04

Yes sure you can bless em  Love Struck 

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Post by Rachel33 Sun Jun 08 2014, 22:00

I had a foster a while back that Bug used to set off every time she lost control around a dog, he was young and impressionable, so in the end I just got him doing the watch me with her, so they were both calm and focusing on me (and the food in my hand!) whilst the dog passed. Bug doesn't like big dogs in general, and even after lots of walks with my friends rather large Labrador, she still only tolerates him.

If you want to do some reading in the mean time, "Fiesty Fido" by Patricia McConnell is a great book.. You can usually get it from amazon for a few quid.

Thank you Inez, that's very kind of you Smile x
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Post by anthony07 Sun Jun 08 2014, 22:15

Thanks, I'll look it up.
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Post by Rupertsbooks Fri Jun 13 2014, 20:15

It could be the sex of the dog, whether or no it is neutered, and it could be a one-off. Also, in confined spaces it's a full on situation for dogs - their sense of smell is so acute, it must be almost overwhelming.

I'd say, keep an eye, in that you might work out over time what it is about certain dogs that can trigger yours.

Mine doesn't like other dogs sniffing his butt endlessly. But he snarls at them so they go away. That is a very different thing than attacking. Once at a charity dog show he really didn't like this one, very calm Staffy. No idea why.

Try not to worry. You stay cal & they calm down.
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Post by anthony07 Fri Jun 13 2014, 21:05

Thanks. It's been a week now and no repeat incidents. She has met other dogs and just reacted with friendly curiosity. I really think it was a combination of heat, too many dogs and being in heat.

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