An ugly start to the year

So I've never really posted on here since I got my rescue staff back last March. It's been a whirlwind of a time. But something happened recently that made me want community around me

Texas is a rescue, she came to me in an emergency as a social worker needed to get her owner out of a dangerous situation but refused to leave unless the dog was saved too. Tex underwent some horrible abuse.

We think she was no more than 6months when i got her. Things started out great but as she relaxed some undesirable behaviours surfaced. Tex is great with most dogs but the ones she doesn't like, she REALLY does not like. So far she's never bitten ANYONE but not wanted her behaviour to escalated, I now muzzle her. And she is slowly but surely improving!!

On New Years Day I took her for a walk, I knew it would be very busy so I kept her on the lead and she was muzzled. Most people were great and respected my request for space, and Tex herself did amazing, only reacting to 1 or 2 large groups of dogs.

Until we got near to the end of our walk, a couple with two off lead jack russells. Tex did amazing, she didn't react to them at all (unusual when faced with Jack's). Then one of them followed her and sniffed around her very intently. I was surprised to see she tolerated it but nonetheless called to the owners to immidately please retrieve their dog. I didn't want Tex to feel the need to tell the dog to leave. She then gave the dog very clear signals that she was unhappy, ears down, hackles up but it didn't move. Again I called to the owners. Unfortunately Tex did tell it off. But in a controlled manner i think - as any dog would in the face of unwanted pestering. The dog was not hurt.

It could have been avoided if my calls for control were listened to. As the woman FINALLY retreived her dog she muttered to me that maybe i should socialise my dog more. To which i replied that this was what i was trying to do but when tex feels the need to react negatively because her boundaries are not respected, I have a harder time teaching her how to be more social and positive about other dogs

This is when it turned ugly. the womans male companion turned on me, he was much bigger than me and he shouted at me that how dare I tell him to control his dogs when they're not the bad dogs. he demanded to know how long i had had Texas. When i told him nearly a year, he shouted that I was getting no where with her, she was a lost cause, I should just have her destroyed.

repeatedly i tried to explain to him that dogs are leaded for many reasons and controlling his dogs would've been basic respect. And he had no reply to me saying i have proof of her making friends with other dogs, and no reply either to me saying her behaviour is an aftermath and the ordeal she suffered. He just kept shouted at me that there was too many bull terriers and mine was out of control and I should just give up

I didn't know what to do. Luckily I wasn't on my own and my friend was there to support me. Ive had comments about my girl, but never has someone judged her so harshly on the 1 second snippet they saw of her defending her personal space. its made me so nervous about going back out with her, but I know i have to otherwise she won't improve.

I'm sorry for the massive essay, I'm just really shaken, not just by being shouted at publically by a very large man, but at the suggestion I should have my Texas destroyed just because of one issue she has

My blood is boiling here how dare he judge Tex when his flippin dog was the instigator!!

You have done nothing wrong, in fact people should see you as a shining example of what to do when you rescue an abused Dog and are rehabilitating her.

In my long experience of owning a Staffy, it's always the smaller Dogs that are left to roam and cause trouble and if people saw how nasty these small Dogs can be, they would be the ones muzzled. They aren't because people simply shoo them away.

I so wish I had been there with you, you wouldn't have had this reaction if I had been. This man is a small minded bully, nothing more nothing less.

Em, you are doing all the right things, please don't let this idiot upset you any more.

What a horrible upsetting thing to happen to you. First off you are not to blame for this. Tex was on the lead and muzzled. His dogs were compelty in the wrong. You asked them to take their dogs away and they ignored you. Why would anyone let their dogs go up to a muzzled dog?? You acted as a responsible owner who is doing the best for your dog. I know it's easy to say but please don't listen to that vile comment he made. I can't imagine how upsetting it must be to hear that. You were in the right and there was no harm or damage done to their dogs so why they felt the need to have a go at you is beyond my comprehension. Tex sounds like she handled the situation very well, you should be proud of her. Since having my girl I had one guy run out of his house and scream at me in the street when she sniffed his front wall and garden and another give me a mouthful of abuse and actually picked her up when she went over to play with his dog ( that was my fault though as she did bolt to go play with his dog and we couldn't grab the long line in time ) the only abuse I've had is with big guys. Please don't let this get you down, you know how much Tex means to you and don't waste your time thinking negative thoughts. Trust me once you go out with her a few more times you won't even think about this event. X

What an awful experience for you, im really sorry this happened to you. You did NOTHING wrong (your dog on lead, muzzled, relaxed, you called for them to get their dogs) i love the work you are putting in with Tex, nothing but praise for that, it'd be a much nicer place if people followed your example. The guy was an a$$hole and unfortunately you crossed paths with him, do what you can to keep this in mind and keep pushing forward you're doing an outstanding job!

please dont think you or Tex are to blame,you did NOTHING wrong here,the mans a total idiot ,your doing an amazing job with Tex please dont let it put you off come and vent on here when ever you need to

Thank you guys, you're already making me feel much better

so glad it's help Em and your feeling a bit better x

You aren't the first to be abused like this and won't be the last Em. It seems like it's always male bullies that behave this way, makes you wonder what makes them so abusive, an unhappy life I feel.

We are here whenever you need support or not. In fact, I'd love to hear more about Tex and how she's getting on

Luckily Tex wasn't phased by the whole thing. I stood my ground with this man, trying to make my point and maybe offer a slight bit of education about how socialisation of a reactive dog works but unfortunately he only seemed interested in trying to put us down!

We're going to get back up and dust ourselves off though and carry on with our training. It might be going slowly but I definitely disagree with this bully that she's a lost cause. When her behaviour first arose I could barely walk her past another dog on the lead without her flying off the handle completely, these days she's actually calm for the majority of her walks. I am very proud of her!

This is her on Christmas day enjoy some off lead time with her muzzle (I only off lead her at certain times in certain places)

Really sorry that you have had this experience with such an ignorant human being! You sound to be a very sensible owner, doing everything in your power to keep Tex and others safe and happy. My girl is from a harsh background and was aggressive with both people and dogs on arrival - 5 years on she is a lot better, but I don't believe that she will ever be fully comfortable around other dogs - not that I haven't tried my hardest to help her to feel more comfortable! Dogs can become fearful for a huge number of reasons - it's not all down to socialisation and rehabilitation is in no way plain sailing! Please try not to take his comment to heart - I really understand how hard it is, I've been on the receiving end of strangers advising that I have Bug destroyed also, but you and I both know that this isn't required!

This forum is great for support, as well as training tips etc, stick around

Thanks! It really is a comfort knowing there's people out there who understand. I'm definitely going to stick around on this forum more often!

What a lovely pic, Tex looks absoutely gorgeous

She does too

Another one who fully understands, and who thinks you're doing a fab job. My main consolation at times like this is that these small minded bullies are probably miserable gits at heart.

You are doing great - I only have a pup of 10 months who is more excitable than dog aggressive but even when I am clearly training him, I get negative comments from people who know no better than what they read in the press.. keep up the good work- it is nice to know there are people like you willing to put the time in to help a beautiful dog like Tex - keep us updated on your progress

Some people never see their own faults but are quick to judge others tex is lovely

Tex is gorgeous! You're a wonderful person for not only adopting her but for helping her work through her problems, a lot of people just give up on dogs when they've got problems. That man sounds like a right piece of work, sounds like he can't handle the fact he was in the wrong- how childish! Just ignore his stupid comments, you're doing great work with Tex, don't let a silly man with a loud mouth get you down. Trust me I have a dog aggressive dog to, he went from actually attacking a dog a few years ago to now being able to ignore other dogs barking/lunging at him, in the summer he's actually meeting up with my friends dog for a play date (he'll be muzzled of course) as he's progressed so well! Keep up the good work and brush off any snide comments from others, it really will pay off!

Love that pic of Tex what a cutie! Don't let the haters get you down they are missing out! Axl has gone from dog aggressive all the time to dog aggressive hardly ever anymore he also wears a muzzle for my piece of mind and just in case he takes a disliking to a dog, I can't trust him 100% but I know how much hard work goes into the training and can totally sympathise I can't tell you how many people I've wanted to scream at cos they let their dogs run up off lead! Keep your chin up and smile via you know staffs love and they are missing out

What sort of muzzle is Tex wearing Em - looks nice and comfortable? Is it made of cloth?

It looks like a Baskerville Ultra Muzzle. My boy wears one exactly the same. They are more comfortable than others and I prefer the black colour.

Here is a link to the cheapest I've found online. Size 4 fits my boy perfectly:

https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Baskerville-Ultra-Muzzle-Size-4/86798011?from=UNKNOWN&description=3&

Hey Em, I can't agree more with all the comments above. What a narrow minded idiot bully who took it upon himself to try an intimidate you being female no doubt! Makes me furious when people think they can do that!!

You are doing a great job with Tex and I can totally relate to you as my boy is also not good with all dogs and he is always muzzled if off lead with other dogs around, plus I have eyes like hawks and in the back of my head if he's off lead but I'm always in a wide open space so I can see what is coming in advance.

He greets some dogs, when on lead, lovely at times but then other dogs he either lunges at or snaps at after a few sniffs. I watch his body language intently though as I like to socialise him as much as I can, but always know the signs when he is saying he's not too sure about a certain dog. I can never fully trust him 100% but it's the way he is and I am as responsible as I can be when out with him.

I've had a few hair raising incidents in the past, one time in a similar situation with three Jack Russels who were yapping and surrounding my boy. He was muzzled at the time but as he steamed in to try and put them in their places their irresponsible owner threatened to stab my dog clearly because he is a Staffie!! So I know exactly how you feel but you were no way in the wrong with your dog being on a lead and muzzled. They were at fault for having their dogs off the lead and out of control in a public place!

Keep up the good work and always visit the site for advice and support. I've not been on in a while but it's helped me on many occasion and I love the unity of the Staffie community

Tex does wear a baskervilles but she has a funny shape little face, I had to warm it up and mould it into a more comfortable shape. And then I've customed it with padding around her nose for better long term use and I also used some craft "duck tape" to make it pretty so people still find her approachable

I still don't feel it fits her a comfortable as I'd like though so I have a new one on the way that's designed to fit staffs and short snouts

And I've had Texas surround by Jack Russell's before. One only a tiny puppy. This was before I muzzled her and I yelled over and over for him to come and rescue his clueless pup who was seconds away from a bad experience. In the end I picked Texas up just for the little pups safety. I must've looked ridiculous holding a staffie out the way of a 16 week old puppy >.<

Don't worry, I have done that too! I know they say you shouldn't really pick a dog up in a situation, but sometimes that is the only option to thwart any altercation and unwanted consequence

I'd be interested to know where you found the muzzles to suit staffs and short snouts. I did like Tex's 'customised' version I must admit as I couldn't work out why it looked so different from the standard black.

I got the new muzzle off Alphadog I found them on eBay. It doesn't arrive until the end of January so I'll post an update on whether it's as good as it looks!!

Her custom muzzle gets a lot of comments. Which is good because it encourages people to talk about her muzzle and hear her story (usually)

I got the tape from Hobbycraft, they do all sorts! I wanted to make hers all pink but Tex's dad is South American and INSISTED well get the sugar skulls tape instead xD