Upsetting experience

Hi all,
I'm new to this and have a gorgeous five month old brindle staffie. We chose a staffie as we have young children and after a lot of research felt a staffie was the best dog for us due to their love of children.
As we know they are not always great around other dogs we have taken her to a puppy open hour at our local garden centre, Ruby's enjoyed this however today she was very boisterous, the other owners all huddle together and kept their dogs away from Ruby, it was obvious they were judging her by her breed and not appreciating that she is stronger than the other dogs and was therefore pinning them down, even the people who run it suggested she shouldn't be around the other dogs. I don't think ruby was showing aggression and she was just playing but I no longer feel welcome at this. i desperately want ruby to be socialised with other dogs but not sure how to do this now.
Has anyone any suggestions how they socialised their puppy to get her used to other dogs?
Thank you in advance.

Hi &

Welcome to the staffordshire bull terrier niceboard. We are pleased you have decided to join us, and hope you enjoy your stay. We hope to see plenty of pictures of your staffordshire bull terriers or any other breed you may have in your household

If you would like to enter your dog(s), puppy(s) or another pet(s) you may have into our Monthly Competition, voting starts on the 20th of every month, if you are lucky your dog maybe placed on our Hall Of Fame page on our website.

Just one last thing before you look around could you please just have a quick look At This Poll, we would love to know how you found us.

Here are some links that will get you started with the website:-

Please read the Forum Rules before you start posting.
Here are a List of Tutorial & FAQs that will help you around the forum.
You can ask for Help here if you are having trouble doing something on the forum.
How to update your Profile information
If you have any ideas to improve the forum please let us know Your Feedback Here.
We have a Website with alot of information if you would like to view it.
Make a Donation to help us to keep improving our forum and website.

Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

Sorry for the delayed reply, I think we are all celebrating the end of the rugby

I think your spot on with the aggression thing, at 5 months they don't understand proper aggression so it is all play, the Staffy way. I'm a little surprised that the group leader didn't reassure those around and you that this is simply boisterous play, which it is.

I would attend similar classes if not the same one but step in when your girl gets over excited and pins another dog by removing her and making her sit then reward. This reinforces the thinking that no rough play equals a reward.

Hopefully you'll see some more replies with great suggestions after mine.

hiya and welcome id continue socialising your dog most areas run puppy classes xx

Welcome from me and Misty. I agree, it's definitely puppy play and not aggression. I'm shocked that the people who run it didn't know this and made you feel like Ruby shouldn't be around dogs.
There will be other puppy classes in the area and I think you should definitely take her to another one. Your vets might be able to recommend a good one.

Hi and welcome from me and mine!

What a shame! Sadly, it's all too common that our staffies are judged by their breed. I suppose in fairness, though, people who aren't used to rough dog play can get worried when it starts to get a little rougher.

I'd check with your vets, they might be able to recommend somewhere that does puppy classes. Something a bit more structured can help teach dogs to be a bit calmer around others while, at the same time, maintaining the socialisation. If you can't get a word of mouth recommendation, search online. Have a look here to see if there is anyone near you:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/

Always try and use a positive method trainer, not someone who will use choke collars and stuff like that.

Good luck!

Thank you all for responding, I had read about people's reaction sometimes to Staffies but it's the first time I've experienced it.
The lady who normally runs it wasn't there and I think the other person was not as experienced. We've found another place I think we're going to try and my husband says he'll take Ruby back to this one on his own (he's less concerned about how the people were). Also going to try the sit and treat, hadn't tjought of that but she is very responsive to treat led training.
Thank you all again.

If i was you i would try to get a group of proper dog owners together to let her play with. People with little poofy baby dogs are not worth your time lol

Hi from me and Blue, don't be put of by people misconception of Staffy's, the do sound worse than they are they are only playing, go to vet who should be able to recommend good puppy classes. They are a great breed and awesome character's, sure Ruby is a real cutie!

Hi and welcome from me and Rio i don't have much experience with this as Rio doesn't like other dogs too much so he doesn't play with them, but everyone's advice here sounds spot on and there's a lot of experience on the forum ready to help keep us updated with how you get on

hia from me and sasha

Thank you all for advice, reassurance and welcoming me to the forum, sure it'll become a regular site for me
Lexie....I'll have to look for a non poofy dog group

Hello and a warm welcome to the forum

Hiya from me and Vinnie, I had exactly same at puppy classes but just keep socializing out and about and boisterous they are ,,,,,, Vinnie is still at nearly 5

Good luck, and do try to befriend a few people with dainty pedigree dogs some of them are cracking good fun. It took me ages to get Gizmo ok with playing with small and/or delicate-framed dogs and I really wish I'd managed to introduce him to more of them when he was littler and less keen on allstar wrestling so he'd know more types of playing.

Oh that's a good idea, I feel much happier around bigger dogs as I know they are less phased by Una's bounce, but yes I need to look out for small dogs and get a proper introduction going

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

Hi from me and Ice.
Your puppy is just playing. It's only ignorant people who don't understand and like you say unfortunately our dogs are judged because they are Staffordshires. But they are only judged by people who are to ignorant and dumb to ask about them or find out the truth about how much of a great breed of dog they are.
There is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners.
Enjoy your dog because they are the best dogs on the planet barr none.

Hi and welcome from Oz and me

Hello and welcome. From a seasoned staffy owner, we have to learn to grow a very thick skin owning this wonderful breed.

Unfortunately we have to try twice as hard to make sure their behavious is impeccable or you are judged. Try and keep all four paws on ground when he meets other dogs and as said treat for the good behaviour. You have to forgive people their ignorance as you are blessed with the most wonderful of breeds. Good Luck x