Hey everyone

I have 2 staffords, 1 is my girly who is perfect in every way, dog and people friendly my 2nd is a male staffords who is well trained, obedient and absolutly loves children!
Only problem with my boy is he really doesnt like dogs which are bigger them him, smaller dogs he is fine with... when he was 6 months I let him off lead with 2 boxers, AFTER I had checked with the owner, are the dogs safe? as I didnt want my pup getting hurt, the lady said 'of course their fine' so I trusted her and let my boy off to have a play.
As soon as his lead was off these 2 boxers were dominating him, jumping on him and being aggressive, I didnt have time to fly at the owner, it was all I could do to pop his lead back on and walk out of the park with her 2 boxers chasing us and being horrible dogs in general.

Since this he wont let any dog go near him or my girl He is getting slightly better but no one will help me socialise a 2 yr old stafford who is built big and is very powerful for his age.
Im worried whenever I see another dog off lead incase it runs up which they always do, and my boy swings round on his lead protecting himself and will NEVER let a dog approach him from behind, he shows his teeth but doesnt growl,maybe a little lunge if they get too close but if they keep getting closer (IE the owner will not call them back or cant even with me pleading with them to do so) he gets all skitty and afterwards tries to get away as fast as possible.

What can I do if no one will let me near enough with him to socialise him?
I hate thiswoman for what she has done, why cant people be honest if their dogs arent trustworthy???

All this bad press has really effected peoples attitudes towards staffords, even though my boy was the perfect puppy until he was set upon by these 2 large dogs
Who says staffords starts the fights eh???

Any ideas anyone?
Im afraid to take him to social classes as I dont know how he would react, he is fearful dominant from what I can see.

Its such a shame as he is champion bred and I wanted him to show, but I have no hope as I will be chucked out in a milisecond for his fearful behaviour.

Please Help!!!

i dont have alot if experience but I would contact you local apdt class and have a word with the trainer about you concerns. They are usually very helpful people and train with rewards it does sound like some carefully monitor socialisation may be needed with your boy haveing good expereinces and at least you could then do it a safe environment.
You are so right about the bad press that staffs and other breeds (I own a gsd another breed that people dont like often) It is such a shame as you say they a beautiful dogs in the right hands

I do see where you're coming from owning Rotties. Where are you based? I have a girl that would happily socialise, but equally so is good at reading doggie body language - I also have a boy that I wouldn't suggest doing this with, he's fear agressive and feels the need to be "the man" with things he's not sure of.

T

It isn't standard socialistation he needs you really could do with getting the help of a good behaviourist. Pushing your dog too fast could make him much, much worse. He needs to first learn to be relaxed in the presence of other dogs before he gets to greet/sniff them up close, this may mean that at first another dog can not get within 100yds of him for example - it all really depends on how nervous he is.

In the mean time make sure you take plenty of treats out with you or his favorite toy (depending on his strongest motivation) and use that to get his attention and reward any wanted behaviour around other dogs, even if that means rewarding him for happily following you away from another dog, at least that way he'll learn he has another option other than fight.

> Im worried whenever I see another dog off lead incase it runs up which they always do

If you see a loose dog, go in the oppostie direction, it's not worth meeting that loose dog and making your dog more fearfull.

Have a read of The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell, it is excellent. I am following these principles with my fearful daxie having had a few sessions with a trainer a while ago. It explains all about desensitization & counter conditioning.

This happened 18 mths ago and hard to say but how to know if boxers weren't being playful, if a bit full on. Sounds like you have an agressive, for whatever reason, staffordshire who could well now be a big problem for any dog he encounters. I certainly would not let my dog anywhere near. You should be looking for behavioural support, not socialising IMO,

Thank you soooo much everyone for your sound advice, Im looking up those books now as well!

Lab007, Im pretty darn sure when 2 boxers are trying to roll a puppy, snarling and growling they are not beng ott, they are being dominant and aggressive!!
Im lucky my hand didnt get nipped as I had to really get in there to save my boy from getting further upset.
I appreciate you wouldnt let your dog near him, tbh I wouldnt trust your dog near mine until proven otherwise, I dont trust ANY dog owner as so many say' my dogs so perfect, my dogs is safe as it isnt a bullbreed ' or whatever and turns out they have no idea about dog owner ship at all!!

Just yesterday on my day off a black dog was let off lead in the park and instantly came bombing up to me and my boy, all barks, teeth and tail high,  I tried to walk off with him on lead, did the other dog owner stop his dog? did he eck!!
Always me running off to save OTHER dogs, why cant people keep uncontrollable dogs on lead?!?>!

But anyway, thanks again for the great advice everyone I will update you when I have any news~!!