7 month old Staffy Cross training crouch position when meeting dogs

Hi, we've just got a 7 month old rescue Staffy cross (possibly Boxer) who we've had for 2 weeks . A couple of things I'd appreciate your thoughts on!

One she adours people and wants to say hello to everyone no matter where they are and continually looks around or stops when she's sees someone in the distance with her tail wagging. Any ideas of helping her get over this ?? We've been using treats to get her going again. Secondly and not sure this is a Staffy thing or a learnt thing;

She was with a colllie in the dogs trust and now when she meets another dog , again when they are in the distance she drops down like a collie crouching. We've got her sitting with a treat but as soon as the other dog gets closer she drops down. She wants to play and in our eyes is taking it in but to others it does look like she could be aggressive. Her ears are forward and tail wagging a lot. The challenge we have is getting her out of this 'zone' as when the dog gets closer she then lunges forward making her hard to control.

I'm aware she's still learning and we've only had her a couple of weeks with basic training but any hints received. She seems to be doing this more and more and something we'd like to get her out of. Even treats doesn't get her out!

Thanks for your thoughts :-) Caroline

Hi ya Caroline, welcome to the forum from Flo and me

Well done on the rescue

The happy to see everyone is definitely a Staffy thing. The crouching, wagging tail, lunging thing is probably all play and equally probably not a learnt thing from the collie just a natural reaction, some dogs do and some just bowl on in there but either way it's considered bad manners to just launch oneself at another in the dog world so could result from n a telling off.

The thing to remember is that she's still young and has lots to learn so I would recommend two things. Firstly classes, you'll both learn loads and it's a great way for her to socialise in a controlled environment. Secondly, use the "Look at me" technique whereby you use a really high value treat (cheese/frankfurter) to get her attention and then when sat nicely looking at you reward, this will break the fixation. From there you can do a controlled on lead meet.

They all do calm down but now is the time to set the boundaries and when they learn the most.

Hi and welcome from me and mine too

Definitely agree with Ian, especially about training classes. Teaching your pup to be around other dogs quietly in a class environment will help out and about.

'Watch me' is a great technique - you teach it simply by holding a treat to your face while giving the command, but making sure you only give it when she gives you eye contact. Another good one is to teach her to come towards you as you back up, I call 'this way!', for a treat or a game. Both should help break the focus on the other dog and give her something else to do. It should also mean that other people can see what a well trained dog you have, and that will decrease their worries.

As she lunges (very common!), if I had to pick one I'd go for 'this way' as it will move her feet as well as breaking her concentration on the other dog, but different dogs respond to different things so try both and see which works for you.

Misty does this and I don't like it either. It's like the Collie stalk and it looks really bad. I definitely agree with the above.

Thanks everyone, good to hear its fairly common! Yes training starts at the beginning of March and we can't wait. She's fine when the other dog ignores her or is chilled but if it's an excitable dog then concentration is gone so very much work in progress . Thanks again Caroline