Aggressive behaviour towards dogs after being traumatised.

Hi,
I just joined this forum as I need advice regarding my fur baby. I have a English staffy named Rocko who is nearly 3. I had a american staffy but he was killed last year by a low life person. When we weren’t home one night someone had pulled him out of our yard and stabbed him multiple times leaving him in the ditch to die, we found him the next morning. Rocko was in the yard and watched it all without being able to help his best mate. For about a week he wouldn’t eat and would howl all the time, he became depressed. A few months later we got a staffy pup to keep him company, he became himself again (happy & playful). Since this incident he has become very aggressive towards other dogs (not our other dog though), when he is in the yard or when we take him for walks. He isn’t aggressive towards people only dogs. Before this happened he was such a social dog with other dogs, our friends would bring their dogs over and they would all play for hours. Now they can’t even come in the yard as he goes ballistic at them. We aren’t sure whether the night our other dog died if the person had a dog with them or not.
Just wanting some advice how to help him be social again.

Thanks
Shell

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Hi and welcome from me and mine

What a terrible story. I can't imagine what that must have felt like, for you or for Rocko. I don't suppose they ever found the low life who did it, did they?

There are various techniques for settling dog reactivity and they are certainly worth trying. One of my favourite trainers, Patricia McConnell, has a short booklet that explains the method I'd suggest first for you:

https://www.amazon.com/Feisty-Fido-Help-Leash-Reactive-Dog-ebook/dp/B001DA99CG

My gut reaction is that it's fear aggression, just trying to keep others away from him, so one big thing I'd say is to give him plenty of space, don't let other dogs get too close and ask other owers to call their dogs if needed. Avoid busy areas if you can, at least until he's settled.

If that doesn't work, then it might be worth trying to find a good behavioural trainer. I'm guessing you're not in the UK but if you are interested in that route and want a hand internet searching, I'm happy to have a look with you.

I'm so sorry to hear of the terrible event you have all been through. That's just so evil, I wish the same would happen to the scumbag.

Liz has given great advice, I hope you and Rocko can work through this. Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks Liz & Misty’s Mum!! No LiZ they never found the low life. Breaks my heart just thinking what they both went through.
I will definitely look into that book.
I think you may be right about the aggression coming from fear. I just don’t understand why it’s towards other dog and not strangers, as it was definitely a person he stabbed our other staffy.
I live in QLD Australia, I will also look into behavioural training, the last thing I want is for him to attack someone else’s fur baby.
Thank you so much for your offer to help!!!

Depending on where in QLD you are, these look good

http://thepositivepetproject.com.au/ (I'm particularly drawn to this one)

https://www.positiveresponse.com.au/

http://cleardogtraining.com/

There are others but these are at least somewhere to start. If you do look at others, avoid those that are in any way dominance (sometimes dressed up as leadership) based. Clues are if they talk about not allowing dogs on the furniture, references to 'alpha' or 'boss', or anything that indicates correction as being a main method. You want a positive method trainer.

Good trainers aren't cheap but they are cheaper than vets bills or being sued if your dog does bite another, and they can provide huge peace of mind. If finances allow, I'd really recommend it.

Why does Rocko react to dogs and not humans? It's hard to say for sure but one guess is that some dogs, staffies included, generally love humans but can be naturally more wary of dogs. That means that they are more likely to express their worries towards dogs than humans. Also, a dog that they can't quite reach is actually a safer option. You can do all the 'keep away' bluster without actually risking anything. Looking at underlying cause is something a good trainer will start with.

Let us know how you get on.

Hello and welcome from us.

What a most terrible ordeal you all must have gone through when your AmStaff was taken from you so brutally.

Very sound advice has been given, hope you’ll stick around and let us know hiw you get on

So sorry to hear about your other dog, thats just unthinkable.

He is now maybe over protective of the new pup which is making him reactive? Have you tried him without the new dog in the mix?

Id agree with the advice above.