Stafford Aggression

[Sbt_bella]

I have an 11 month old stafford who has started showing signs of aggression with some other dogs.

She is desexed, has had quite a bit of socialisation since a young age and is involved in obedience training.

She showed signs of dominance when meeting new dogs ( jumping on their heads) but has stopped that as we have been correcting her when she did it. She also can be submissive when playing.

I'm just wondering if it's a bit of a stage? It really only happens at obedience club in their off leash pen and she is taken out if she try's to pick any fights.

I understand Staffords can be more prone to aggression also.

[Staffyluv]

The best suggestion I can give you, is that you need a reputable behaviourist to assess the situation now before it gets out of hand.

I note that you are in Victoria, there are some really good behaviourists down there.

Nekbet, Cosmolo are both members here and may know someone in your area.

Well bred SBT are no more prone to aggression than any other well bred dog. Between myself and my siblings and parents, over the years we have owned many SBT and only ever had one that had aggression issues and he was put to sleep at 18 months old because of it.

[Beckybecbec]

Ill be interested in all replies to this... I currently have a 4.5mth old SBT bitch who is very submissive in play yet so so eager to meet people and dogs.

[Sandra777]

Second staffyluv, get a behaviourist to assess your dog, jumping on another dogs head is not uncommon for Staffords - they think it's fun. Correcting her for this sort of thing MAY cause you more issues if what she gets out of it is "don't greet dogs at all" - or that she will be corrected if she does get close to another dog. You MIGHT have unintentionally taught her other dogs are 'bad'.

In the meantime don't put her in a position where she needs to be "corrected" - i.e. don't let her play with random other dogs. Choose a couple of dogs who cope with her style of greet and play and stick with them.

Yes it will be an age thing, she is changing from a pup to a bolshi teenager.

Edited September 22, 2013 by Sandra777

[Sbt_bella]

Thanks for the advice.

When I say corrected her, I mean just pulling her down. She certainly hasn't associated the correction as being not aloud to meet other dogs, she still loves meet and greets!

[BlackJaq]

What did your breeder say to this? Did they have any advice or recommendations?

Edited September 22, 2013 by BlackJaq

[Staffyluv]

Thanks for the advice.

When I say corrected her, I mean just pulling her down. She certainly hasn't associated the correction as being not aloud to meet other dogs, she still loves meet and greets!

Believe it or not, dogs would see this as correction - moving them to or from things or situations etc is all correction in one way or another.

Like Sandra777 said, this is pretty typical stafford play - some dogs don't mind and others may react badly to it.

There will also be dogs that love to play like this (my boy and foster girl are two that love this sort of play and rough housing).

Find a couple of dogs that allow her to play and go for it but it still needs to be addressed and this is a forum, without knowing the pup (or your experience with training), it is best that you seek professional help.

In the long run you want what is best for the pup and learning to meet and greet and play appropriately is the best thing for everyone.

[SoL]

Choosing the dogs you socialise your pup with is as important as choosing to socialise your pup at all.

As Sandra777 said, you need to select dogs that will play with her "Stafford-stylie" or at least not be offended by her style of play. Or, you need the calmer type of dog that will not get razzed up or riled when confronted with a Stafford in full on play mode.

She is at the age where she will start pushing the boundaries as to what she can get away with and any correction done at this time needs to be done correctly and consistently for it to be effective (probably not going to happen straight away if she has 'tude!). If you're not sure then I would definitely suggest getting a professional in to take you through some steps on how best to achieve this.

This is completely do-able so don't lose heart!

[Sbt_bella]

Thanks everyone will definitely take it on board :)