Socialising A Staffy?

[MsBex]

I've had my first staffy for about 4 months now, and am nervous about taking him to off-leash dog parks. At the same time i'm worried about his socialisation (although he does play with my sisters staffy). He's such an awesome dog at home and gets along really well 90% of the time with other dogs, unless they snap or snarl at him, and then he has no hesitation in getting involved in scuffle.

I got him as an 18mo pup, and took him to those parks at least twice a week for the first 2 months with no problem. He absolutely LOVED it! (and was used to it according to the breeder).

However about 2 months ago he got into a 30 sec fight with another large dog, and caused some pretty deep gashes in the dogs face. I was really nervous to take him back, but when I did a week later he snapped and snarled at a Maltese. Haven't taken him back since! Because he's a Staffy he has a good bite on him, but am not sure whether its my own paranoia or whether its the responsible thing to do to exclude him from those places. He does miss it, because he whimpers every time we drive past, but i'd hate to be responsible for him doing serious damage to someone elses pet!

Any opinions? Should I give it another go? Is there such a thing as a park for big dogs? ... lol. (I find its more likely to be a small dog who snaps at him, which makes it worse if he snaps back) Are there other ways to socialise your dog?

[Nekhbet]

If you are nervous about your dogs behavior PLEASE do not go to dogs you do not know. THat is a recipe for disaster and IMO negligent on your behalf.

speak to a trainer first and find some good dogs to socialise with. Socialisation is not just exposing dogs to something it is about you showing your dog the right way to react around the stimulus. So just letting the him run around with dogs is not socialisation (well in a positive way any way)

I would get the dog evaluated so you can see the signs and see why he snaps back. It doesnt matter about his previous life what matters is that the effort you put in funnels the dog in a direction you want in the long term.

[MsBex]

If you are nervous about your dogs behavior PLEASE do not go to dogs you do not know. THat is a recipe for disaster and IMO negligent on your behalf.

speak to a trainer first and find some good dogs to socialise with. Socialisation is not just exposing dogs to something it is about you showing your dog the right way to react around the stimulus. So just letting the him run around with dogs is not socialisation (well in a positive way any way)

I would get the dog evaluated so you can see the signs and see why he snaps back. It doesnt matter about his previous life what matters is that the effort you put in funnels the dog in a direction you want in the long term.

Thanks Nekhbet. That was my gut reaction too which is why I haven't taken him back. I did book in with a trainer and went to one session, but my reason for taking him was so he could be well-socialised, and we spent the day sitting, walking, commands etc. Don't get me wrong, he was an awesome trainer, but those weren't the reasons I went, so I didn't go back. Maybe there's different trainers for different things?

The reason i've been second-guessing myself is because people i've spoken to about it have *suggested* that i'm paranoid, so I thought i'd put it to the dog community!

I grew up with a German Shepherd/Husky and we just didn't leash them back in those days! I feel so sorry for my dog that he can't explore when we go for walks, and run around like a fruit loop and release some of that energy! Instead we do a brisk walk, and I break into a jog every now and then :D But it just doesn't feel the same.

[Clyde]

Could you go to group classes?

I always like those as then it is some socialising in a controlled environment. Then if you think your dog might play nicely with another there you can go for a stroll together after the class.

I don't take my Staff to popular parks, although I did for the very first time 2weeks ago. Long story but I saw two Staffs tearing around and decided to keep back and keep my buys on leash, when the two Staffs chased a got a hold of a swf. Did some damage, everyone was really shaken up but it only confirmed to me why I avoid those sort of places.

Just stick to dogs you know and avoid the more 'reactive' breeds.

[Staranais]

Will PM you :p

[dogdude]

I wish I had a dollar for every one of these dog park disasters I have read.

Your dog wimpers when you go past because you have made him dependent on them for having fun. You need to make yourself the centre of his world.

A "dog socialised" dog is one that is neutral towards other dogs. A free for all romp in the park will not acheive this long term. They don't need it.

[MsBex]

I wish I had a dollar for every one of these dog park disasters I have read.

Your dog wimpers when you go past because you have made him dependent on them for having fun. You need to make yourself the centre of his world.

A "dog socialised" dog is one that is neutral towards other dogs. A free for all romp in the park will not acheive this long term. They don't need it.

I'd be happy with neutral. I just want to be able to let him off the lead and run around like other dogs I see. I'm not talking populated public areas here, i'm talking walk tracks where 4 out of 5 dogs are off lead, walking around with their owners.

Whether it was intentional or not, your post comes across as an accusation so I'll respond to your comments. I doubt twice a week for 2 months of his life has "made him dependent". Once the incident occurred I stopped going, and consider that the responsible thing to do. Similarly I'd have to be pretty rotten not to be the centre of his world, it was something that he enjoyed, hence the wimpers.

Just my 2c. Thanks for the advice nonetheless.

[dogdude]

Sorry if my post offended. I do feel strongly against dog parks. Particulary when I hear about my favorite breed (under intense scrutiny) being involved in an attack in a public place.

Please understand your breeds history, and be very carefull in how you manage his ownership.

You have just proved to yourself that a 30 second fight can change your dogs life in an instant. Dogs can and do respond to learn't behaviors very quickly. Some of those experiences can't be reversed.

Good socialisation involves getting your dog used to as many strange sites and sounds as possible. Meeting strange dogs is only a very small part of it.

I talk to many people that say "I" like to seem him do this, and "I" like to see him do that, because he likes it.

He can also be just as happy with you if you know how to "float his boat", and you will have the peace of mind knowing that you arn't playing a numbers game, waiting for him to meet the wrong dog.

Good luck with him

Edited February 9, 2009 by dogdude

[dee lee]

The reason i've been second-guessing myself is because people i've spoken to about it have *suggested* that i'm paranoid, so I thought i'd put it to the dog community!

Dont listen to them!

I have a staffy x with a fairly similar story to yours. After a couple of altercations at the dog park I stopped going and exercised her at another park where there were fewer dogs. She reacted well with a staffy I met there and the owner told me I was overreacting and "that's how staffys play". Because I, like you, felt sad that my dog couldnt run free anymore I made the mistake of listening and went back to the first park. The second return visit she started a fight.

That was a year ago and I have not let her off lead since and she gets walked onlead on the streets instead. I still feel bad, but I think thats more my issue than the dog's.

My dog has gone up and down in her DA but I would always hesitate to let her offlead around even a dog she knew and liked, I could not live with myself if she "turned" on it suddenly.

[MsBex]

Sorry if my post offended. I do feel strongly against dog parks. Particulary when I hear about my favorite breed (under intense scrutiny) being involved in an attack in a public place.

He can also be just as happy with you if you know how to "float his boat", and you will have the peace of mind knowing that you arn't playing a numbers game, waiting for him to meet the wrong dog.

Good luck with him

Thanks dogdude, definately hear what your saying and I do agree. Have decided not to take him back to those parks, but will get one of those extender leashes so he can have a bit of freedom, but still under my control ... and i'll jog faster .. haha.

[MsBex]

Dont listen to them!

I have a staffy x with a fairly similar story to yours. After a couple of altercations at the dog park I stopped going and exercised her at another park where there were fewer dogs. She reacted well with a staffy I met there and the owner told me I was overreacting and "that's how staffys play". Because I, like you, felt sad that my dog couldnt run free anymore I made the mistake of listening and went back to the first park. The second return visit she started a fight.

That was a year ago and I have not let her off lead since and she gets walked onlead on the streets instead. I still feel bad, but I think thats more my issue than the dog's.

My dog has gone up and down in her DA but I would always hesitate to let her offlead around even a dog she knew and liked, I could not live with myself if she "turned" on it suddenly.

Sounds so familiar I've often wished they had 'staffy' parks! He does seem to play well with other staffys. They all seem to run hard and fast and barrel around, then flop down in exhaustion not long after ... lol

[LeeJane]

I am too considering letting my a.staffie pup start to socialise with other dogs. She is only 12 weeks old and I am thinking that I should send her to puppy day care once/twice a week for several hours a day. Some of my colleagues been putting hteir dogs there and they said the day care is good, with vets and all.

I read on the internet that Staffie does not like to socilaise with other dogs/animals, so I thought I will start when she is still young and not that agressive.

I know she enjoys spending time with me and she has all my attention when i am not at work, playing, walking, cuddling with her when she is sleepy but i just want her to be able to play with other dogs just so she is ok if i decide to take her to a park.

[Sandra777]

I am too considering letting my a.staffie pup start to socialise with other dogs. She is only 12 weeks old and I am thinking that I should send her to puppy day care once/twice a week for several hours a day. Some of my colleagues been putting hteir dogs there and they said the day care is good, with vets and all.

I read on the internet that Staffie does not like to socilaise with other dogs/animals, so I thought I will start when she is still young and not that agressive.

I know she enjoys spending time with me and she has all my attention when i am not at work, playing, walking, cuddling with her when she is sleepy but i just want her to be able to play with other dogs just so she is ok if i decide to take her to a park.

Early socialisation is a great idea, but when your pup becomes a fully mature adult (which might not be until she's 2 or even 3 years old) then do NOT assume she will continue to like all the dogs she liked when she was a puppy. Sadly a lot of people get lulled into a false sense of security with Staffords, Amstaffs and Bull Terriers. They're great with other dogs as pups (although usually a bit rougher than their playmates) but with some it makes no difference how much socialisation you've done, when they grow up they just plain don't like certain other dogs. Had Staffords 30 years so not anti

[dogdude]

The thing is, when you "doggie socialise", it doesn't mean you have let them play and romp around.

A five second meet and greet is all it takes to get a postitive experience out of it. The experience must be a postive one, in a controlled manner.

Sadly, many other people will try to use your pup as a guinnea pig for their own dogs. (like seeing if their dog is still aggressive), even if their intentions seem genuine.