My mothers staff is aggressive

I need some advice my mother has a 5 year old staff she loves her but as she's aged she's got more aggressive she attacks her other dogs regularly I've got a younger staff who is a sweetie but if my mother's dog fights mine will run in she's easier to stop but my mothers dog causes major injury and force is needed to stop her now yesterday she turned my staff it ended quick because we have ours under control but my mothers one wouldn't stop my mother is frustrated and I'm worried as it's getting worse and I've a baby on the way we live next door to each other and she refuses to admit the dog is becoming dangerous what can we do to stop the aggression

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Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

Sorry you didn't get a reply earlier, I think it was a quiet Wednesday night

When did the grumpiness start ? Was it when a new dog came in ? What's the walking routine ?
I'm no expert here but I would go back to real basics with the training. Get the sit, stay, wait etc going good. It's never too late to re-educate. When you say attacks your mums other dogs, is it full on aggression or rough play ?

There needs to be real control here and I'm afraid it won't be an instant turn around its going to take work. You'll have to work with the training and re-educate what the boundries are. The good news is that with consistent work, you can turn this around.

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and the zoo xx

You'll have lots of advice off these lovely people My first response would be to muzzle your Mum's staff whilst she could possibly come into contact with any other dog. At least this way she can't actually cause any damage. After all, prevention is better than cure.

I hope this helps xx

It usually starts when there is excitement in the others dogs. My mothers dog has always had this problem when she was only 6 months she attacked a German Shepherd but my mothers staff is unpredictable she's also attacked other dogs when they are relaxed on the lawn. My one has only joined in once but now she's supervised at all times and wears a harness so problem solved but my mother walks her girl briefly I said she should do more to tire her out but on days she's exhausted her she Has came home and jumped on another dog she freaks out when wearing a muzzle but it is getting to the point we have no option :-(

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me

Are you able to get some one - one behaviour training ?

Hello and welcome to the forum

I agree with what Ian is saying here...go back to complete basics to teach the staff who's boss and what the boundaries are. It will be a lengthy process and it wont be easy but it can be achieved. Be sure to muzzle the dog when around other dogs at all time. A lack of exercise can be the start of many behavioural problems, a staff should be getting a minimum of 2 hours a day, they have so much energy to burn. Maybe try walking the staff with yours side by side (muzzled of course) so he can see that yours is no threat. Like I said, it will be hard work but please don't give up, there are plenty of options to help you! Having a behaviourist is a fantastic option as well!

Thanks for the advice everyone we muzzled her today and there has been harmony so far, she's slightly depressed about the muzzle but once she's used to it I think she'll be ok she played with my staff today with no issue at all so my mother can c that her staff seems to be the common denominator in most the drama. Now I'm starting to feel comfortable letting her dog near mine she has relaxed because we have wish I had found this forum sooner it would of saved a fortune in vet bills and heart ache :-)

Glad to hear things are going well so far! Be sure to keep that muzzle on even if they're playing nice, better safe than sorry! Don't be afraid of trying to socialising her when going for walks, the more dogs she meets the better!

You actually raised a good point Jennon, your mums staff will have picked up on your nervousness. Now that things are calmer you might find that you can get mum to go back to the basics with the training, even if it's a little at a time, it will build up.

The muzzle sounds like the best solution in the short term for sure. Glad we could help

When walking the dog as much socialisation as possible is needed also is above advice . Try to walk the dog with a calmer older dog. I would also introduce the dog to kids of all ages very closely and 5 minute intervals gradually increasing the time, each time. Behaviour classes is definitely a must for this dog. They aren't cheap but worth doing good luck

Hiya from me and Vinnie, sorry I havent seen this before now. I hope things continue to improve, maybe at some stage when settled the muzzle maybe able to be removed but if its working then great

hia from me and sasha glad to hear that the muzzle is working

I wouldn't like for her to need the muzzle all the time but I'd rather that than the alternative she would eventually kill another dog sad thing is she is brilliant with kids my fear was more in the fights breaking out around the baby or the children witnessing the awful attacks is very distressing so hopefully this will help solve many of her issues I've passed all the advice to my mother and she is vowing to follow all advice as the alternative would be to lose her staff who she loves dearly

sorry didnt realise the dog had been around and lived with kids already. my mia s previous owners kids done terrible things to her i had to reintroduce mia back to kids and other dogs and cats sadly she didnt like the bigger dogs the damage had been done too early in life but mias learned to love kids again and has a good life now (i hope).

I think all children should have a dog the love they show is amazing I can't imagine life without them I hate hearing about cruelty it's wonderful that you showed her love again and she loves again

mia saved me i trust her tho not much other people do i reversed some of the damage but couldnt do it all had mia 10 years at the end of february she still bounces around like a pup . you know a true saying though "Theres plenty life in the old dog yet"

I've got a rescue German shepherd he shows more love than any other dog I've ever had if only his past owners could of shown him love but regardless he loves me like I'm all his ever known my staff is very loving I think that that comes natural to the staffy tho even the ones that have had an awful start just want love

yes staffies are the more loyal and loving breed very intelligent as well. very much people dogs lot of people find the to be excellent pets.

Hi and welcome from Oz and me. I reAlly hope you and your mum can sort this out please be careful with the muzzle only use for short periods as its not fair otherwise but fully understand it should be there when interacting with other dogs for the moment. You will get great advice here, please keep us posted

Thank you Sara the couple of hours she had the muzzle on interacting with others went really well and she was so happy to have the muzzle off she was even more affectionate than ever so fingers crossed we won't need the muzzle long term :-)

Hi from Iza and me

Hi and welcome from us and Suki