Nik williams

Hello anyone with any advice for a first time staffy owner please anything will be much appreciated thanks

Wow, that's a leading question!

How old is your furry friend?

2 years 9 months he is had him for 17 months now was abused by first owners and his 2nd owner gave him up because couldnt afford to look after him so i had him hes brilliant but taken a lot of work though but worth it lol

I have had dogs all my life but never a staffy until now lol he 100 per cent keeps me on my toes lol main thing is hes very protective/reactive towards other dogs i have made some progress with him though to be honest

It's always hard when you don't know the full history of a dog! Plus, of course, they're far more intelligent than most people give them credit for.

TBH I would find his 'trigger' distance and then teach him "watch" so that he will focus on you. Start off at home & when he's 100% take it outside.

VERY gradually reduce the distance between you and the other dog - if at any time his focus shifts to the dog, take it back a step or two. Always reward the focus with quiet praise & treats if he's food orientated.

It may take time, and some staffords even nowadays don't much like other dogs, but it should at least improve!

Here's something I wrote on another forum (GSD)...

"That being the case, I would not take her to the park at the moment - far too stressful for her. Take her round the streets & bring loads of her favourite treats with you - but make sure she only gets those treats on walks! When you see a dog in the distance get her to look at you by raising a treat to your face & saying "watch me" or similar. As soon as she looks at you, give her the treat. Don't go near the dog yet!

Keep repeating that until she looks at you every time you give her the trigger word (practice at home as well). Then, when she does that every time, try it when she sees a dog in the distance. If she still kicks off you've taken it too quickly so go back to the start again. See if someone with a really calm dog is willing to help you out with this - they could keep their dog still while you find the 'trigger' distance.

Gradually decrease the distance until she's comfortable to be within about two metres of the other dog. Then allow nose to nose greeting on lead, taking care not allow over excitement.

It may take a while to do, but it's normally the best way for a fearful dog to become trustworthy with other dogs."

Thanks for the advice caryll when i first had dave he was ok with dogs then one day this dog thats always barked at me even before i had dave had a go at me when dave was with me and dave reacted since then hes barked at dogs but had made progress by reassuring him and making him sit till they had passed then a man with a dog walked up to him with a shar pei even after i had told him hes reactive and protective of me but still took no notice and it set him back again but now ive tried him with a muzzle and 2 dogs have walked past us all he did was stare and stand in front of me no growling or barking so hopefully if he stays like that i can socialise him when on walks thanks for the help appreciate it p.s i do know his history he was seriously abused by his first owners young lads in 20s who were drug dealers and wanted him for protection but couldnt get him that way so sold him to bloke i had him off hes such a friendly and loving dog but weary of lads that age thanks again

Theres a lot of idiots in my area with dogs i try to keep a distance from them but they still walk upto you even though ive warned them how he is its like theyre tryin to see how tough there dogs are so to avoid people like that i take him out early in morning and i take him out in afternoon now he wears a muzzle glad i got one now seems to be calming him down now just hope some idiot with a big dog doesnt try and intimedate us now cos can see hes muzzled thats what my areas full of young idiots who are frightened to walk streets without a big mean dog attached to them

Some people are just plain idiots!

I used to get the same thing with my dog reactive Bull Terrier - you tell them & tell them, but they still bring their dogs right up to you, don't they?

Yh theyre the kind that are causing all the problems with dogs now in the country

People like that spoil it for owners like us dont they

Dave thats his name lol is such a playfull loving dog hes weary of young lads in there 20s but kids and women of any age he absolutely loves i dont let kids come by him at all cos only me anf him at home only young girl who is allowed is my mates 15 year old daughter shes made fuss of him from 2nd day i had him and he adorez her hes only gotta see her or hear her call him and he virtually pulls me down street to get to her lol

They're not called nanny dogs for nothing!

You aint kidding there trust me hes only gotta hear a kid scream if theyre out in the street and he wants to go to them even though he doesnt know them lol