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Original poster

OMG!!! Can I trust him now???

75 replies

sparklygothkat · 20/06/2007 18:31

We have a rule in this house that the kids must not open the front door as the dog will bolt out. Dd2 just opened the front door, the dog got out and ran after a dog of the same breed, the lady walking the dog kept running further away from me, and I had to shout at her to stop running, so I could catch my dog, but my dog then bit her dog on the back not a big bit, didn;t break the skin but sort of grab the skin IYKWIM I just don't know if I can trust him now... We know he doesn't like other dogs and we dont have other dogs here for that reason, he is fine with our cats and us..

OP posts:
Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 10:31

lol,

OP posts:
Speccy · 21/06/2007 10:32

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 10:36

I know, he is still a puppy (a huge puppy ) and thinks everything is a game.. especially people running. This 0ther dog has snapped at him before, do dogs remember things like that??
I am not defending him, what he did was scary, and of course I do not allow him to be with my kids without us there, Dd2 uses him as a pillow, and he will just lay there. But I can not rest till I have got some help, and know he will be ok with other dogs

OP posts:
Speccy · 21/06/2007 10:44

This reply has been deleted

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AbRoller · 21/06/2007 10:51

Sparkly - I understand how you feel but he sounds like a lovely dog.

I'm no expert, I had to have a trainer in as I was useless with trying to get my two under control outside of the house and the lady told me that my dogs reacted according to how I reacted........

Dogs don't understand english When you scream and shout the dog understands that as you being stressed but does not know why and being loyal to you he is protecting you. You must remain the Alpha and never let your dog sence your fear, he must learn to follow your lead which with training he will.

The best thing the trainer ever said to me, though at the time I found it offensive, was 'I'm training you more so than the dog'

AbRoller · 21/06/2007 10:56

That's what I mean Speccy. That owner did not have control of that dog and I think that's a shame. Ok, it was leashed but if the owner had let go because the dog was too strong, as staffies are then I doubt for one minute your dog or maybe you would have come out the better.

Dogs are pack animals and they need to have an Alpha (you) they respect. A well trained dog in that case would have been reprimanded by the owner and left your dog alone.

AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:02

I'm sorry, I'm coming across all vexed now.

It's people like that who are responsible for the bad image of the lovable staffie. As Sparkly pointed out, her dc can lie on the dog and he's fine, staffies are know to be excellent with children but stupid people do stupid thing with them, intended, like fighting or just lack of training and others who know nothing about staffies get the wrong impression.

They get them mixed up with pit bulls, english bulls and it makes me sad. Any loving family with a staffie knows they're a fabulous animal.

End of rant

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 11:11

have managed to get him into a training school on sunday I am really looking forward to it..

OP posts:
AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:18

That's brilliant news, you'll love the difference and the confidence it gives you.

Sorry for the endless rant earlier

Best of luck

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 11:21

The one that deals with bull terriers couldn;t take him, as they are an indoor school, but found one that is an outdoor one, and they are willing to help, she said it might have been that he was protecting me, but he needs to know that he shouldn't protect me, but I should be the one to approch the other dog or something.

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AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:27

Yeah, I'd say he was. I shouldn't be too happy about it but I think it's lovely to have a dog that wants to protect you.I know it's wrong but it's comforting. I'm so passionate about staffies (like you couldn't tell) You'll have a brilliant time, it's actually fun and so rewarding for both you and the dog. Have a great time

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 11:30

he is very protective, the other evening we hear a bang outside, his heckles went up, he barked loudly, and then ran back to my feet and sat there watching the door.. I wonder what would have happened if someone has come through the door

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AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:37

He'd have fought until he or the intruder was dead. A fantastically loyal and loving creature. When you love him, he returns it tenfold and will protect you and your family at all cost.

I would have one word of warning and please keep in mind that this is not the dogs fault.....Never play fight in front of him, with him is not recommended either as it will give him the want to 'best' you but some people do it so , but never amongst family members. He will know his place is at the bottom of the pack but he will always protect the alpha over the others. It might not happen the first time but way too risky to test!

That's the only 'bad' thing I would ever say about them and that's not even their fault.

Happy dog training

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 11:40

I think he see me as the alpha I don;t play fight anyway, but the kids do with DH. Will have to make sure they stop that.

OP posts:
AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:46

I hope I didn't alarm you, it may never happen just something to be mindful of.

The link below is the reason I get so pissed off. Cruelty for one and turning people against any type of dog with 'bull terrier' in it's name and of course they look simular so you or I walking our dog get the looks 'oh that's one of them dangerous dogs'! FFS

This is the stupidity and cruelty I was talking about

saralou · 21/06/2007 11:53

this has just reminded me of my friends staffy... he was terrible with other dogs

he was also too naughty for naughty school and was asked to leave.. ( that cracks me up!)

someone told her that it was down to him being frightened of other dogs and when it comes to a choice of fight or flight a staffy will get up and fight when they are scared

good luck with the dog training... i love staf's, so misunderstood

AbRoller · 21/06/2007 11:58

lol @ 'too naughty for naughty school'

Agree, so misunderstood.

purpleduck · 21/06/2007 12:14

Sparkly, have you tried a shaky bottle a la dog borstal? My dogs were terrible for jumping up when the door went and scaring people (!!!) Now i just get the shaky bottle out (plastic coke bottle with a few stones in it) and my dogs back right off. It is magic. It has also stopped my dog from going mad when she sees cats. You just have to be careful when you use it. I would leave the door open, and as soon as he goes to go outside without you, give the bottle a shake. I was amazed at how well it works. The only trouble is my lurcher is a bit clever, and she knows when i've forgotten it!!! Beast!!

purpleduck · 21/06/2007 12:18

Just read more!! Speccy, I think dogs totally remember things. My lurcher will look for cats in places where she has seen one, even though weeks will have passed. My other dog doesn't though, he's just cute. Thats all he does. And licks alot!! LOL!!

saralou · 21/06/2007 12:38

dogs do remember

i have a alsation, next door is a staffy

one day i saw dp walking to front door so i opened it.. not realising next door staf had escaped! out rus woof, all i see is a black blur as staf attatches itself to my dogs arse!

to this day my dog hasn't legged it out the door, always has a cautious peep 1st!

thats how i solved my poblem

Haribosmum · 21/06/2007 17:59

Let me just clarify what I meant by 'the woman was stupid for running'! I meant Did she think she could out-run your dog? When she heard you shouting your dog why did she carry on running away from you with your dog following? I know it's REALLY easy to say this not being in the situation but surely running away is just escalating the situation? (Just like the man who tried to separate my dog and his dog once and then wondered why he got bit!!) Ok so now hopefully all the can be replaced with !!!

hercules1 · 21/06/2007 20:06

By getting a dog to guard you and fight for you, that's what you got. Personally I would never have a guard dog and I have 3 dogs two being giant breeds.
FOr each dog that will fight to protect it's owner there are a few hundred at least that will end up growling, snapping or biting their owners. The disney image of a dog is unrealisitic.

You should be socialising your dog with other dogs on a regular basis, socialising with joggers, kids etc.

I know lots of nice staffies btw.

Original poster
sparklygothkat · 21/06/2007 20:14

FWIW we have never wanted a guard dog, We dont have 'watch out for the dog signs' and we don't encourage him to protect us,

OP posts:
AbRoller · 21/06/2007 20:15

Agree socialising is very important but Sparkly doesn't seem like the kind of person who just got the dog to guard her family and nor am I. Most breeds of dog will, out of love and loyalty to their owner, protect them. A person who raises their dog to be vicious is a different story.

hercules1 · 21/06/2007 20:17

From what I know of staffies they have a guarding instinct whether you bring them up that way or not. I dont think you can be surprised when that is what they do. SOrry I dont buy the dog protencting hte family with it's life. As i said for each case of a dog doing something lassie like there are loads more for a dog following its instinct and protecting itself.