Peppa is now 16 months old, spayed and reasonably well trained (recall can be shaky when she sees a squirrel or rabbit)
She has always been playful with other dogs and happily runs round bouncing and playing chase.
She is always very keen to meet other dogs on a lead and pulls like a train with pricked ears and wagging tail (I know that's not a good indicator!) and when I allow her to sniff and greet she is bouncy but has never shown true aggression, just excitement and wanting to play.
I have noticed though that her hackles are up on her shoulders when she initially sees another dog, and this worries me. For this reason I am now very wary of allowing her to play off lead with another dog. I don't make an issue of it by shouting at her or yanking on the lead to get her under control, I just distract with food, insist that she sits and waits calmly until other dog has passed. A gsd did nip her on the back the other day and she yelped but didn't turn or kick off, just hid behind my legs for a bit then carried on as normal.
Is this how dog-dog aggression starts? I know staffs have an uncertain reputation with other dogs, my old dog was psycho with other dogs, regardless of breed age or sex, but he was not socialised as a pup and rarely walked by my parents (we weren't allowed due to risk of him attacking other dogs)
I really really don't want peppa to end up like this, she loves to play with other dogs, and loves to go off lead, but it's not a chance I'm prepared to take as she could do appalling damage.
I thought I would ask here as I know there are some very knowledgable experienced folk on here.
At the moment she is only allowed off lead on the dog walking field attached to our estate, which is private and only 2 other families walk their dogs on there. I've had words with both and arranged for us to walk her at times when no one else is up there so she can have a good run! I don't worry about wildlife as they are too quick for her!