Badly need advice - fighting with other dogs

Eccles is just 8 months. Never had a bother with him with kids or dogs till now. I bring him to the dog park most mornings and never had an incident - till now!
This morning 2 Boxers were fighting over a ball and he decided to dive in, he got one of the them by the neck and would not let go. Luckily the owners of the Boxers were 2 big men and they managed to prise him off eventually. There was blood on his mouth but the other dog was ok. The owner took it very well but it could have been very indifferent, my kids were in tears and we were all very shook, still are.
I will have to keep him muzzled and in the lead I suppose but I'm concerned about the kids now, one is only 5. Really don't know what to do.

Sorry that happened but I just have to stress that situation was very high energy and the vibes the boxers were giving off probably just got eccles juices running, the high energy and aggression from the other dogs probably got him all excited which turned into aggression, it does not mean your dog will necessarily fight again or has turned dog aggressive. I would keep him on a long lead for a bit just to be sure but I do think in this case it was just excitement and an energy overload.

Also just want to point out dog aggression is completely different to human aggression. Just because a dog does not like other dogs it does not mean he will suddenly turn on humans, the two are completely separate issues so don't worry.

Thanks. Just spoke to another Staffy owner and she said exactly the same thing, she didn't think I needed to be concerned about the kids. Another problem I now have is we are going away for 2 nights this week and a friend with a lab and a collie of her own is minding him, she might not take him when she hears this.

I'm sure she will it was a situation that any dog of any breed would have reacted exactly the same any doggy person will know that. I'm sure she will understand:)

I echo what Debs has said. It sounds like it was just over excitement. I know there was blood but this could just have over excitement and not knowing his limits. He just saw two dogs and he wanted to be a part of what was happening. He's still young so could of thought it was all a game and don't forget Staffs do play rough. I'm sure if it was real aggression there would have been a lot of damage done and I'm sure the second boxer would have turned on Eccles too so it sounds like it was just a very high level of excitement.

Try not to worry I'm sure Eccles will be fine. I've read a lovely quote about staffs yesterday ' with humans they are kindness itself'

An event like this can be very upsetting to witness. As others have said, it was all probably done in the heat of the moment.

Eccles should be fine around the kids as long as you treat him as you always have done. Don't show any signs of apprehension around him, he will pick up on that, just carry on as usual. I would be extremely surprised if you noticed any change in him at home.

If Eccles is socialised with your friends dogs then I wouldn't expect any issues, this sort of thing normally only happens with dogs that you don't know.

I know it's easy for me to say but do try and relax, Eccles is still that fab dog you know and love

Ahhh thanks everyone, I feel a lot more relaxed now, he must too, is here asleep on my feet as I type. It was a different dog park this morning, in our usual one he would know all the dogs and all the owners know and like him. I'll give it a miss for a while but I'd love to be able to bring him there agin in the future as he loves it.

I can only echo what the others have said. I'd keep your lead on you and pop him on if you see another super exciting situation, but otherwise don't panic. Maybe for your reassurance, walk him with a few other dogs quietly so that he can show you he's still what he was.

can only echo above advice and it was understandable you would panic my dog doesnt like dogs her height or bigger but is excellent around kids couldnt fault her despite in her previous home the kids were nasty and mistreated her

I agree with what everyone has said, staffies are incredibly perceptive of different energies and feelings around them, that includes dogs, for all you know the boxers could have been having a "who's more dominant" situation which could have fired Eccles up.

I would personally stand fast on the muzzle as it can potentially make him more anxious and it's all about learning how to read a situation that you think your dog will be ok in, and also recall if you have them off the lead.

My boy isn't good with other dogs and I read him very well now which means we avoid situations that he won't like and praise him for things he does well in.

With the kids, he will be fine, they're fantastic with children but keeping in mind to make sure your youngens know how to act with him too. Keep us updated

I agree too - Milo was on his lead and he just leaned over and bit another dog for no reason as it was passing us also on its lead. He had a mouthful of fluff from it but no blood luckily. Nothing has happened since altho I considered seriously using a muzzle - he hated. My husband has been walking him recently as I have twisted my knee and he has been letting him off lead on the park where he has played great with lots of other dogs so its obviously not sent him 'nasty'.

Maybe the blood on Eccles was from the boxers, they may have bitten each other and it rubbed off onto him?

I wouldn't worry too much - he probably thought it was play time but it is scary at the time.

I totally agree with everyone above regarding wearing a lead.
Our Roxy is well socialised with dogs as she goes to dog care every day, and over friendly with humans and unless she is on a lead (still in training with Recall) I would not put Roxy in harms way. With the recent news in the papers, we know we are owners of "R. Breed" so we never throw caution to the wind if there are other dogs or humans around, Eccles like Roxy is very young and just want to explore and meet everyone but need to be monitored carefully. For us Roxy is a jumper and can easily run up to a 6ft person and jump up to lick them in the face and has already has freaked a few people out. So when the park is busy we have Roxy on a lead, but then we go to the park early morning or "off peak" and let her run riot in the tennis courts with her ball, or a near by field.

Dogs will be dogs. Animal on animal agression is hugely different to human aggression, do try not to worry about your kids.