My rescue Staffie Lola

We have recently adopted our gorgeous girl Lola. We have been made aware that she doesn't get on with other dogs, was hoping to join socialisation classes to see if this would help. She's around 7 years of age. If dogs approach her to play or sniff, she growls, and will snap.

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Hi ya, welcome to the forum from Flo & me

I would try the socialisation classes first as you'll hopefully get good professional advice. In most cases this sort of behaviour is down to defensive nervousness in the dog and can be overcome by good calm reassurance and patience. Is there anyone with a calm dog you can introduce Lola to and perhaps walk together ?

Well done on the rescue too

Hi and welcome from me and mine , and well done on adopting your new family, Lola!

I agree with Ian, most negative behaviour towards other dogs stems from anxiety. They are saying 'please don't get that close' in the only way they know how. For the time being, I would recommend you respect that need and don't allow other dogs to get close. The distance you need is so that she does not start to tense. If you see another dog coming towards you, ask the owner to call their dog away or if necessary you call Lola off in a different direction, with a treat as a reward.

I wouldn't go to classes. They can be intense and if she's struggling with one dog she won't be able to cope with a group. Maybe later but for now I would concentrate on encouraging her to relax with other dogs near and encouraging her to interact with you and look to you for guidance.

Keep that relaxed distance so that you can keep a loose lead - always avoid tension on the lead - and ask her to 'watch me'. Simply hold a treat near your eyes and give the request, wait for eye contact and reward. Then walk her around, not towards the other dog, asking for her to keep her focus on you and reward her for doing that.

If this goes well, you may be able to decrease the distance between you and other dogs while keeping relaxation.

If you can find another steady dog to walk with, the always start walking parallel, no interaction, just a good distance apart and let them settle. Gradually get closer but don't allow them to sniff each other until they can walk quite close without Lola getting tense. Don't stand between them, you don't want to catch an accidental nip. Call her away for a treat from time to time, and she should relax. If she doesn't, call it quits.

There are some dogs who just aren't keen on canine interaction and who remain picky about their friends (a bit like me, I'm not vastly into people and don't want everyone to be my buddy). Dogs don't HAVE to be very sociable, they just need to be safe in our world.

Hello and welcome from us.
Good on you for helping yet another staffy in need, can't add to the soind advice already posted

Thank you for your welcome advice, my daughter has a cocker spaniel that also dislikes other dogs getting close. We walked them together, and even managed to let them both off the lead. They both kept their distance. Only one slight instance where Lola was a little inquisitive. We are going to keep trying. Once again thank you from Lola and me.

Welcome from misty and me. It's lovely hearing rescue dogs getting forever homes x