Staffy and dogs parks

Hello, I'm new here, I'm the owner of Bullo, a 9 months male staffy.
Since recently, when unleashed in dogs areas, more and more often he's getting into fights with other dogs. He starts to play rough, the intensity increases until the fight starts. I'm not even sure who's starting it as everything happens so fast...so far he never bit anyone and he got bitten once on the ear but he didn't even notice it.
I knew this breed is a bit troublesome with dogs when I chose it so I don't complain, but what would you do? On the one hand I'd like to socialise him as much as possible, on the other hand I don't want to create problems or tensions with other owners....

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Hi and welcome , id socialise your dog as much as possible id recommend dog classes . Or walking with an older calmer dog where possible if you don't socialise a dog can never interact and learn how to behave id start this asap as the teenage phase will fast approach, and as your dog gets older be harder to train them heres a thread you might find useful
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f55-staffordshire-bull-terrier-puppy-chat.
We love photo's here
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t66679-new-way-of-posting-photo-s-by-steve.

Welcome from Misty and me. I agree with Crystal, dog training classes are great and as he is still so young he can go into puppy classes, I wish I had Misty from a younger age so we could have gone to puppy class but she loves her adult training classes. Also I'd avoid the dog parks for a bit as if he is getting into fights this isn't good. Maybe go to some normal parks and pop him onto a long line so he can still have freedom but you can have control over any dog interactions.

Good luck, do let us know how you get on.

There's socialising and there's socialising. I think dogs need to learn how to interact with other dogs in a positive but measured way. Having specific rough and tumble buddies is fine, great even, but they need to learn that in general interactions with others should be calmer.

That for me means no doggy free for all parks. They tend to be super high energy places where things can get out of hand quickly and where it's hard for you the owner to introduce a degree of control. It's the equivalent of giving a load of teenagers some stiff drinks and letting them loose on a fun fair.

For what it's worth, you may well find that at the moment the fights are just OTT play - staffie rough play can be jaw droppingly rough - but it's not impossible that it will boil over. Sadly, if it does Bullo will probably get all the blame due to his breed. He's also going to become increasingly capable of doing more damage that lighter breeds.

You'll have guess my advice already, I think. Socialise, but in a structured way that you can control, and not in groups of dogs in free for all environments, be it bark parks or other mass gatherings.

I'd allow him to say hello to others provided he does so quietly to make sure everyone is happy, I'd allow him to run and chase a little, but I would also call him back and, if necessary, clip him on the lead well before he starts to get too excited. You will feel mean, breaking up a good play, but you need to teach Bullo that he can play, that he should stop when you ask (I have a command 'enough!', that means 'hey guys, stop playing and you'll get a treat!!!'), and that he should not look for big rough play.

If you have a friend with a dog who will play but tell Bullo when it's going too far, let them play more freely.

Sadly, one of the very few downsides to having a staffie is the need to be aware of how others see what our dogs are doing, who they are. The public is very ready to blame our dogs for everything, even if another dog started a fight the staffie will be blamed. You get blamed even if an off lead dog comes and bothers yours that is on lead!