Starkehre Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Hi guys, I am just wondering if anyone in Victoria owns a super neutral, calm Stafford, preferably a bitch (but either sex or both would be even better). Dark in color would be ideal, but I will jump at the chance and be super appreciative of any neutral SBTs available to me. I know, I am asking a lot right :D Unfortunately we were in a situation last night at our vet and I would like an opportunity to do some socialisation with one or some Staffords if anyone is able to offer this for me. I have an almost 4 year old Rottweiler bitch whom is non combative, non reactive, rarely plays with strange dogs and is very well socialised. She spends a lot of time in leash free areas where she is wonderful. On the several occasions where dogs have got in her face and barked or growled at her, she has always defused the situation, offers calming signals and won't engage. She happily moves in and around, up close and personal with any dogs, however I wouldn't describe her as 100% neutral as she does get excited initially when she meets a new dog. Usual Rottweiler upright stance. She finds males quite exciting. Once she has had the initial meet, she tends to wander off and lose interest almost immediately. I am heart broken. It is probably an over reaction on my behalf, but I recently lost my beautiful girl Dyzney, so I am already in a fragile place. I have put so much work into my young girl, Seven and she is such an awesome dog, I am just really hoping last night has not impacted her negatively. I would dearly love an opportunity to allow her to be in the company of a similar dog, wander around with for half an hour and just reassure her that last night's incident was a one off. If anyone can please help me, I would be hugely thankful. I am willing to pay for you for your time or offer product in lieu. I don't need a lot of your time, just a nice experience or two and we'll be on our way. I am from Mornington peninsula but am happy to travel. Thank you in advance Edited November 20, 2015 by Starkehre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) I would dearly love an opportunity to allow her to be in the company of a similar dog, wander around with for half an hour and just reassure her that last night's incident was a one off. If anyone can please help me, I would be hugely thankful. I am willing to pay for you for your time or offer product in lieu. I don't need a lot of your time, just a nice experience or two and we'll be on our way. I am from Mornington peninsula but am happy to travel. Thank you in advance I strongly recommend you talk to a professional and have them present for any desensitisation. Given the body language displayed by some dogs whose owners assure me they are "friendly", I'd not take the word of a pet owner that they have the dog for the job. Unless you both know precisely what you are doing, the other dog may also be at risk You will be on edge and that will radiate to your dog. Some SBTs can be fine with any dog that doesn't question their dominance. Put them with another dog who isn't going to allow that and you can have fireworks. It could be the same with your girl. I know you are concerned but unless you want professional help, you might be better off simple avoiding situations where there can be contact between your dog and others in such stressful places (for a dog). If neither dog has any holes, you might just have to put it down to "one of those things dogs do". Edited November 20, 2015 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Thanks for your advice HW. I have already sought professional assistance and am planning to do precisely what you mention. You are absolutely correct, I totally agree and won't be engaging with pet owners that are not full versed in understanding their dog's temperament, what they are capable of and reading their dog's body language. Yep, fully aware of and experienced with SBT temperament. It could have been much worse. We are really very lucky. No holes. No real contact, just a few solid seconds of noise and carry on. Other dog came out of consult room, at large and beelined us making payment at the counter. Note, owners and SBT enthusiasts, I am in no way breedist, hell I own Rottweilers. I do not blame the dog at all. The dog did nothing that almost every Stafford I met wouldn't have done. He sniffed my dogs, all was fine until the second he was being pulled away, that was when attacked. Edited November 20, 2015 by Starkehre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) When you meet your professional, you could ask them if they have any recommendations on people with a dog like you described (and if they could ask that person if they'd be inclined to meet yours and exchange details. They may even know professional trainers who have a trained calm stafford). And a third party (professional) supervising and instructing both sides is a godsend in my experience. Afraid I can't think of any off the top of my head, all the ones I know own gorgeous rottweilers ;) dalmations, GSD and mixes... Good luck! Edited November 20, 2015 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 When you meet your professional, you could ask them if they have any recommendations on people with a dog like you described (and if they could ask that person if they'd be inclined to meet yours and exchange details. They may even know professional trainers who have a trained calm stafford). And a third party (professional) supervising and instructing both sides is a godsend in my experience. Afraid I can't think of any off the top of my head, all the ones I know own gorgeous rottweilers ;) dalmations, GSD and mixes... Good luck! Thanks TTD. I have asked the professional about SBTs and he has directed me to where they may be some. Making some more inquiries now. Never hurts covering all bases :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 It could have been much worse. We are really very lucky. No holes. No real contact, just a few solid seconds of noise and carry on. Other dog came out of consult room, at large and beelined us making payment at the counter. Drives me insane that people can't keep their dogs away from yours at the vets. Frankly, I don't consider from what you've described, that you have anything to worry about. Your dog defended herself and showed good bite inhibition. As for male dogs that would attack a female, I don't care what breed they are, that is unacceptable temperament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) It could have been much worse. We are really very lucky. No holes. No real contact, just a few solid seconds of noise and carry on. Other dog came out of consult room, at large and beelined us making payment at the counter. Drives me insane that people can't keep their dogs away from yours at the vets. Frankly, I don't consider from what you've described, that you have anything to worry about. Your dog defended herself and showed good bite inhibition. As for male dogs that would attack a female, I don't care what breed they are, that is unacceptable temperament. Yeh, I am really wild about this HW. So annoyed. I was holding both my reactive, fear aggressive, leash aggressive, anxious male (who was unwell) as well as my lovely bitch who was there to be weighed and give Jag moral support. The receptionist and vets had already commented several times about how beautiful, behaved they were. Down stays whilst waiting and sitting nicely at the counter. Jag was being an absolute gentlemen, minding his own business, very calm and relaxed. When I saw this loose dog coming out of the consult room, I remained calm. I slowed my breathing and completely relaxed... even surprised myself. I knew we were possibly in for an issue but there was absolutely nothing I could do that would not have escalated the situation. I just hoped someone would grab this dog. If I blocked, I would have had to move forward which would have changed the emotional charge. I couldn't move back cause I was against the counter. I just held my dogs fairly close but did not put any additional pressure on the leads. I was just waiting and hoping all would be fine. And it would have, had this dog not attacked as it was grabbed, but it had to be restrained because it was not calling off. Poor thing most likely also has some lead aggression. They were all sniffing, body language was good. Entirely the owners fault. My bitch didn't do anything except sniff the other dog. But she was there when the dog attacked and Jag did reacted back, not surprisingly. Yep, I doubt she has been emotionally scarred, but she is such an amazing bitch, I just want to make sure all my hard work and all her great genetics are still holding true :) Edited November 20, 2015 by Starkehre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazydoglady99 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 No advice here - just wanted to say your bitch sounds lovely!! All the best :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Yeh, I am really wild about this HW. So annoyed. I was at a specialist consult in Sydney with my poodle with IVDD. On painkillers and still a very sore boy. Walked into the surgery.. small dog offlead. So I go and sit in the cat section which was empty. I pointed it out to the vet nurses and they requested the dog be put on lead. They ask me to weigh my boy is is fear aggressive. Over to the scales I go and before I can turn around, the dog is nose to nose with my boy who reacted predictably. I turn to the owner who is doing the usual "my dog is friendly" stuff and say rather loudly "which part of 'put your dog on lead' are you having trouble understanding"? Glare of death from owner, and the vet nurses rush out with a lead for the dog. Yep, didn't have one. And yes, I was wild too. There is a sign on EVERY vet surgery I have ever been to that says "cats in a box, dogs on a leash". And still people think they are too special to comply. : Edited November 21, 2015 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 We are constantly having to ask people to put their dogs on a lead. So frustrating. Many even come into the clinic with the dog on lead, then unclip it once they are inside?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Yeh, I am really wild about this HW. So annoyed. I was at a specialist consult in Sydney with my poodle with IVDD. On painkillers and still a very sore boy. Walked into the surgery.. small dog offlead. So I go and sit in the cat section which was empty. I pointed it out to the vet nurses and they requested the dog be put on lead. They ask me to weigh my boy is is fear aggressive. Over to the scales I go and before I can turn around, the dog is nose to nose with my boy who reacted predictably. I turn to the owner who is doing the usual "my dog is friendly" stuff and say rather loudly "which part of 'put your dog on lead' are you having trouble understanding"? Glare of death from owner, and the vet nurses rush out with a lead for the dog. Yep, didn't have one. And yes, I was wild too. There is a sign on EVERY vet surgery I have ever been to that says "cats in a box, dogs on a leash". And still people think they are too special to comply. : Unreal. So they let her in without a lead at all??!! No wonder your poor was feeling defensive, he must have been in dreadful pain, poor little mite. Edited November 21, 2015 by Starkehre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 No advice here - just wanted to say your bitch sounds lovely!! All the best :) Thank you AL99 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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