Advice needed please

Hi everyone I'm new. I have an spayed 8 year old bitch staffy x mastiff
She's been the best dog in the world. But lately she has got into 3 fights which even though I hate to admit I think we're her fault.

She's previously shown no Aggression to other dogs except when they go for her first.
She's usually so social I have her off the lead quite alot as she's so good. But she went for my neighbours dog and now I feel like he hates us because of it and his dog won't go near her they were fine before. We were in the communal garden and the other dog is afraid of bikes a bike went past scared him then my neighbour opened the gate and shylo Went for his dog. If the other dog growls she just goes for them. It's really getting me down as she was a model staffy. Why?? It's so frustrating.

And also another neighbour has a 1 year old boxer and they played fine together but now she's bigger shylo just pins her down and naws at her neck. They can't play civilised can't walk together as they just want to play but my neighbour is scared and doesnt let them play together but they love each other Shylo Doesn't hurt her but because she's white it shows up. The boxer and my dog only play with eachother like that no other dogs. I know my dog is very dominant might I add she's always been boisterous but never aggressive.

Thank you for your time going crazy here x

Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

Your second point is all about rough play and it really can look and sound as though it's a full on fight when it isn't, this can be very scary to people that have never witnessed it.

In your first point, I'm wondering if it was a reaction to a heightened situation due to the bike but that doesn't help you moving forward. Has Shylo shown any signs of discomfort when walking etc, I ask as this behaviour can be a sign that there's something else going on and considering previous good behaviour could be a starting point for answers.

If there isn't anything that you can think is a trigger does Shylo have a favourite toy? If so you can use this as a distraction method, something I've done for a long time with my Flo, she's not aggressive but more fearful defensive. Produce the toy if you think Shylo is getting fixated or worried about another dog hence the distraction method. My Flo for example, loves her Stix and will fixate on that even if another dog is right up her rear, without the distraction she will tell the other dog off quiet forcibly but will never bite which is why it's more fear than aggression.

Hopefully there's something in the above that might help & im certain others here will offer more advice.

Hi and welcome from me too

My thoughts are the same as Ian's. The grabbing by the neck thing is typical of staffie rough play and it's more than likely that's what's happening with the boxer. Generally speaking, genuine fighting will cause injury. However, having said that I know it can look scary to other owners and I appreciate why your neighbour might be concerned.

I'd suggest that you teach them both 'enough', so that you can ask them to stop playing whenever it reaches the level that either of you are uncomfortable with. You do this by pairing the word with a treat, firstly away from the play situations and then building up to being able to call them apart at any time. Not only will this give you an 'off' switch, it may also help your neighbour see that it is controllable.

I also agree that the incident with the bike worrying the other dog seems to have unsettled Shylo. As Ian suggests, using toys/treats as a means of making you more interesting that the other dog can be very helpful. In addition, this method maintains a positive association with dogs for them. Also, keep working on being able to ask Shylo to give you her attention. Ask for 'watch me' while holding a treat to your face. She should look at you. When she gives you eye contact, she gets praise and the treat. This should allow you to ask her to bring her attention to you whenever you need it.

If necessary, you can look at getting a long training line, 5m+. They're readily available on ebay and I can give you a link to a good one if you like. They allow your dog to still move freely but give you (and others) the knowledge that they have a limit and that you can control them more quickly if needed. These lines can be very helpful either as a long term tool if that's what's required but also as a shorter term aid while training/resettling.

Any time you get a sudden behaviour change, especially in an older dog, it's worth a quick vet check to make sure there's nothing physical behind it. Pain causes all sorts of unwanted behaviours, including dogs becoming more snappy and quicker to react.

One last thing, try not to get hung up on the idea of dominance. It's an old idea that's not pretty well discredited. Staffies are very assertive, they do like to express themselves in a very full on way, but that's not the same as dominance.

I hope this helps

Hello from us.
No advice to add, just wanted to welcome you

Thanks everyone for. Your support no she seems fine.ie seen a vet and everything seems fine. I have told my neighbour about this post and hoping she will help Me train the dogs so they can both Have a play and then chill out. Xx I will keep you posted thanks again.