Loner Dog

Hi I am new to this site and wondered if you can help me. I appreciate someone may have already asked this question and you have offered advice but...................how can I get Ruby to tolerate other dogs.

Ruby is a rescue and is approx 2 years old (we have had her a little over 12 months now). She is a little darling with humans but 'appears' really aggressive towards other dogs. When our rescue centre got her from the pound (she was a day away from being pts ) and took her for her check over, she was fine with the other dogs they had with them, however, since being in her furever home, whenever we take her out and she encounters another dog she just pulls and pulls to get at them growling aggressively. We would dearly love her to tolerate other dogs, so then we could get her some friends. We have tried to introduce her to other dogs but her aggression puts us off taking her too close. Does any one have any advice that could help us or does she just want to be an only dog

It may take some time. I am no expert but I have had some success with walking my dog around other dogs on a daily basis. You can try a clicker or a squeaky toy(and a no no) when she acts up. First take time to make her understand it's not nice to go mad at the sight of other animals. Then keep it up to get her used to seeing the other dogs over time(daily). After a while she should become a little more comfortable seeing and being around other dogs. She needs to know that you're the boss before any of this will be effective of course. Hope this helps.

Staffords are notoriously people dogs and NOT dog dogs. Some staffs just will not tolerate other dogs at all full stop. Im not saying dont try but always keep her on a lead please and just dont be suprised if she will never like other dogs x

Do you have any friends with dogs you could try walking with? Or possiably a training school. As Carly said some just will never be dog friendly but it seems a shame she used to be but isn't now. You certainly need to correct her behaviour when she starts to pull, get her focused on you, make her walks fun so maybe she isn't really interested in the other dogs around and then gradually build up her social time and mixing. Well done on re-homing, another staff in a forever home, and welcome to the forum

I have to agree with blaze some will not tolerate other dogs and just want to fight but if you spend time walking together they will tolerate each other to a point but letting them off lead to play would be a total different sinario.
Maybe now she is settled her true nature has surfaced were as in the rescue she was nervous and unsettled and thats why you now see changes.
If my boy goes to the vets hes no interest in anything only getting out the door but meet that dog on a walk and he would for sure want a scrap.
Some traits still live on in the stafford and that is one, some dont like it and wish it wasnt there some think its unique to the breed and is a must have.
Your girl will be just as happy with human freinds as doggie ones so dont worry that shes missing out to have a good home with a loving family is all she needs

gem wrote:Some traits still live on in the stafford and that is one, some dont like it and wish it wasnt there some think its unique to the breed and is a must have.
Your girl will be just as happy with human freinds as doggie ones so dont worry that shes missing out to have a good home with a loving family is all she needs

I must agree with this - some just never like dogs. By all means try, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't work!

Is she snarling or snapping, at the other dogs or just growling, dogs growl for so many different things including frustration, When you see another dog (hopefully before her) Sit her down praise and treats for good behaviour and a lead correction for bad behaviour,
If you know of someone who has a dog who is willing to help, you could try muzzling them both (to be on the safe side in a safe environment) have her on a long lead and correct when needed, its important to know dog behaviour and its meanings, so you know what your dog is saying, such as does all her hackles (shoulder and along her spine) go up when she see's another dog or just the ones by her shoulders? The reason i ask is if its all raised along the spine then this is aggression, if its just the shoulders then she is nervouse and there is a big difference between the both and how to approach.
What is her stance like, is she rigid (stiff)? or is she loose?
Is her tail wagging eratically? in level with her body or is it high/curled wagging slowly.
Is her head low/level with her shoulders or is it high?
are her ears really far forward or really far back/ or are they they high/floppy?
She's gorgeous by the way a lovely red very bright.

Wow - some wonderful advice.
We have friends with dogs, but I don't want to but either dog under any stress by trying to get them to walk together. We did try once and it was only once and had Ruby walking both in front and behind. When behind she pulled the whole time, even with checking, walking in front, all she did was keep checking behind her. I don't want her to be aggressive outdoors but be the little sweetheart she is in the house. There isn't a day go by that she does make us laugh. Usually when she is 'killing' her toys her wrecking my slippers.
Her aggression is strange, her hackles dont go up, maybe a little around the base of her tail. She does snarl but not agressively if that makes sense, she does the same kind of snarl when she is playing with her dad, her stance is quite loose. and her ears stay floppy.

I appreciate all your comments and will try out some of your suggestions, but all that matters is that we love her.

good luck

Ruby01 wrote:Her aggression is strange, her hackles dont go up, maybe a little around the base of her tail. She does snarl but not agressively if that makes sense, she does the same kind of snarl when she is playing with her dad, her stance is quite loose. and her ears stay floppy.

To be honest, what you describe there sounds like anxiety - nervous aggression if you like. Have you ever tried letting her play with a really friendly, non aggressive dog? You could buy a muzzle until you were sure of her reactions. Sometimes dogs get very nervous when they're on lead, but quite friendly when they're off lead.

Thanks Caryll, we haven't usually when she starts people cross the road out of her way. I will, however, invest in a muzzle and see what happens. If not so be it. At least we will have tried

Ruby sends licks and snuggles

[quote="Caryll"][quote="Ruby01"]Her aggression is strange, her hackles dont go up, maybe a little around the base of her tail. She does snarl but not agressively if that makes sense, she does the same kind of snarl when she is playing with her dad, her stance is quite loose. and her ears stay floppy.

[/quote]

To be honest, what you describe there sounds like anxiety - nervous aggression if you like. Have you ever tried letting her play with a really friendly, non aggressive dog? You could buy a muzzle until you were sure of her reactions. Sometimes dogs get very nervous when they're on lead, but quite friendly when they're off lead.[/quote]

Mine is like that I call him the silent assasin, he doesnt show any signs and will walk past another dog (safe distance) fine as if the dog isnt there as long as it doesnt come into his comfort zone then he would just grab it and without warning. They are not stupid though put a muzzle on and he would just stand there off and different game.