Please can you give advice on best cruelty free way to deter an attacking Staffy?

Hi, I would be grateful for guidance from Staffy owners on the most effective and cruelty free means to deter an attacking Staffy? I have 2 small Chihuahuas and I was charged by a Staffy a few days ago, I managed to get the Chis in my arms and protect them but the Staffy gave me a nasty bite on my upper thigh. It was an idiot owner who had it off lead in the city centre. 2 Chis from our puppy class were also mauled badly by a Staffy the other day.  I am scared walking my little dogs and they seem like a target. Please understand I'm not bashing the breed - we just have a lot of irresponsible owners around here. My dog trainer suggested Pet Corrector spray but many of the reviews say it doesn't work on Staffies? Any thoughts on this or alternatives? Many thanks.

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Tough Q that i know nothing about. Welcome fro Iza and me. Personaly i left Iza up if a dog comes charging up to her.

Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

That is a tough question. As you'll be aware it's not just Staffies that do this and this is probably the most annoying thing to Staffy owners themselves. Allowing any dog to bound straight up to another is always going to create the opportunity for conflict.

Ultimately the onus is on the owner to teach their dog good obedience and recall and not allow this to happen whether it's a Staffy or any other breed.

I'm not sure there is a one fits all answer to your question. Personally I always look ahead and take avoiding action like altering my route, doesn't work all the time though. In your case picking them up is good but stay still if at all possible. If the dogs are under your arm and your ducking and diving they will look like great fun to try and get to so remain calm and confident. Staffs love people so it would be very rare indeed for one to bite.

Thank you, I did try and stay still but it was difficult as I was terrified for myself and the Chis, the Staffy did give me a nasty bite on my upper thigh trying to get at my Chis who were in my arms. The owner ran off and is local so I likely will run into him again and want to be better prepared. I was really defenceless as I had the Chis in my arms. I do not blame the dog, I think it is a rescue. The owner should not have had it off lead. Especially since I later found out it had charged another owner and her dogs 2 weeks prior. I found out yesterday too that despite all this the Staffy was off lead again the same area a few days ago, so hope you understand my anxiety. I am also short which doesn't help! That's why I thought the Pet Corrector spray would be good to have in my hand but reviews said Staffies don't tend to respond to it.

Hi from me too, and I'm really sorry to hear you've had these problems. As Ian says, it's not just staffies that have problems with other dogs but I do appreciate that having one charging up to you isn't nice.

If this sort of thing happens in your area, then I think I might try a pet corrector as your trainer suggested. The reaction to them varies from dog to dog and some dogs (again not only staffies) don't react to them, especially if they are in 'the zone'. It's certainly better to try than not, though, especially if you can get in quickly.

One word about picking a dog up - this can actually make matters worse. Dogs can see this change of height as a provocation. I know that doesn't help you much! I always ask owners who are concerned about my dog (even when he's not doing anything other than being interested) not to pick their dog up as I know it will excite him.

Please, though, do report any incidents, especially where an owner is irresponsible/rude/doesn't care less. In this case, it sounds as if the owner needs an order requiring him to keep the dog on the lead in public and if necessary have him muzzled. If as you say there has been more than one incident with this same dog, not reporting him (possibly supported by others) may lead to someone getting badly hurt. Also, if you do ever have a bite that breaks the skin, get it checked and ask if you need antibiotics. Dog bite wounds can infect very quickly.

Thanks for that info Liz

If possible can u carry plain water and spray the dog in the eyes this this may deter the dog and you can get far enough away . I would report this owner to the council/ dog warden also it they may put an order in for the dog to wear a muzzle undergo classes with a behaviourist . Please be assured it isnt the dogs fault i dnt believe in this case its entirely the owners for not training the dog properly. Is there a way for you to take an alternate route ? Must be causing your little dogs and you a bit of stress

Thank you so much everyone, I really appreciate the info. I did report it to the police and the dog warden, they are patrolling the area but still haven't found the owner and dog, I did need antibiotics too and took them.

I had to grab the Chis as know for sure they would have been torn to shreds otherwise, the Staffy was charging with intent to bite, as per my injuries. When it comes to Chis, they are so small and fragile you just can't take any risks. Many Chi owners I know have lost theirs from being too slow to get them off the ground.

I must admit I am now very wary of Staffies since what happened to me and the stories I hear from other small dog owners which I have to confess do all seem to be Staffies. However, I recognise this has more to do with the owners they tend to attract than anything else and I want to not end up fearing the dogs. Therefore I am so thankful for the help from responsible Staffy owners like yourselves, I will try the water.

Oh and I have been trying to avoid the route, the problem is it is very close to my home and the only local grassy area to walk the dogs (I live in the city centre). I have been driving to a nearby park, but still aware I could encounter the dog just taking my Chis to the car. Also have to watch out for another stupid owner of a Staffy who lets his off the lead too on my street, crazy since the dog could be killed as it is congested with traffic and he has bad recall...My Chis have become reactive since the incident and it provokes that Staffy and he reacts. Got my Chis in reactive training classes now so hoping that helps minimize risks.

Please do not be scared of staffs they really are the ultimate people dog. They are so loving, but like you say sadly some owners do not deserve to own any dog and when things go wrong the dog is always blamed. Where I live there are a few staffs but I do get some horrible looks from other dog owners when I walk my girl. I try to make a point of smiling and where I can I say good evening etc to let people know both I and Misty have manners. I have the exact opposite problem to you, we always have little dogs, off lead running up to us and  barking etc! I do hope that the dog warden speaks to the owner so nothing else like this happens.

I sympathise, as a small dog owner my Chis have taken a lot of work to not have them yappy and snappy, they have to be taught not to nip from pups and they are very stubborn! They bark at bigger dogs because they feel threatened and it ironically ends up provoking the wrong dogs. Puppy class helped a lot. Mine were doing well with this issue but have been setback by what happened. As I said they are now in reactive training so hopefully this will get them quiet and polite again. I wouldn't let mine run up to any larger dogs as even in play they can get badly hurt. Yorkies, Pugs and so forth are my entire comfort zone unless they know the other dog well. I can't let one of my Chis off the lead as he bolts if he's freaked out.

A lot of people get Chis without realising the responsibility in how they are so vulnerable and in how their attitudes aren't compatible with that. Still I like them to walk on the ground and not be handbag dogs, just keeping them safe is the challenge. They are worth all the effort as they reward it by being such funny, smart, loving loyal little dudes, hence why I'd take a bite for them! Sadly there are as many bad Chi owners as Staffy owners and they're growing in numbers in shelters too.

Could I say what a nice person you sound?

hia from me and sasha i carry a can of pet corrector with me whilst walking sash,she was attacked a few years ago by a small terrier and i find it a small comfort by carrying it,i never heard of it not working on staffys

Hiya from me and Vinnie, that is a difficult one,I think Liz has covered it very well. I must say I am glad you recognise its the owners not the dog. And as staffy owners we have to be responsible at all times even when our dogs are friendly. My boy as big as he is is always put on lead whenever any dos are about, but did run away from a snappy jack russell tonight! big poof!

THANK YOU You are all so lovely and I wish I could meet your Staffies to get over my fears. Please understand it is tough when you have been charged by one and all I seem to hear from other small dog owners are horror stories where Staffies do seem to be the major breed cited. I am a dog lover so really do not want to be a retarded breed stigmatist or be afraid of any dog before I meet it. I sincerely hope the Staffie that attacked me will be alright. What breaks my heart is it was a rescue dog (confirmed this with another owner tonight) and so goodness knows what trauma lies behind it's aggression. It deserved an owner who would be responsible and let it truly have a second chance, not let if off the lead until issues have been resolved to end up getting put down... I think I'll call the rescue tomorrow and advise them so they can track it and have words with the owner.

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More Chichis

My Chis

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. The pet corrector works well for us. You do need to use it at the first sign of trouble though so better safe than sorry.