Staffie expert advice needed - Dogs bickering

Hiya!

Our staffie Bella has been staying with a friend who also has a staffie. ( Younger, 1 and a half years old).
Apparently they have all of a sudden started bickering, and Bella now has to leave and find somewhere new to stay.

The other dog has sustained a few injuries (cuts and damage to eye), but Bella doesn't have even a scratch. The vet has recommended that they be separated because if it has happened once it will happen again.

As you can see from my profile is is a gorgeous 5 year old staffie. Normally extremley well-behaved.
Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks
Rachx

sounds like 2 bitches not getting on. bitch fights are a known phenomena and can be the worse type of inter-dog aggression. if the vet has deemed the injury quite severe to be a risk to leave them together, i would take heed.
or at least, if in the same house, keep them separated and/or always supervised.
im assuming your girl is staying somewhere temporary until you sort your accommodation out?
stairgates or dog crates might help
does bella like dogs? has she been socialised with dogs?
before you move dogs into together you have to let them meet a few times in neutral territory to make sure they actually get on.

Hiya krusewalker,

She's looking after her for a year. My hubbie is in the forces, and Staffie's aren't allowed to come to Germany.

She has lived with very young children, and stayed & played with other dogs with no problems. The dog she was staying with before was a female, but a different breed do you think thats why there was no friction?

I'm so confused! I'm stuck out in Germany with a dog in the UK, that now is about to become homeless.

Rachx

Hi,
The younger one may well have challenged Bella and in typical SBT fashion neither will back down.
I would also recommend keeping them away from each other,fights between SBT's can be serious and they can do alot of damage in a short amount of time.

As they have fallen out it is very unlikely they will get along together again.As much as a stare from one to the other can be enough for either to feel challenged when this happens they don't usually back down.

Thank you Sal for your reply. Don't you just love staffie's! Really difficult. I really appreciate anyone's thoughts and comments x

hi brini. sal is right. these are exactly the points i would have posted next.
had your friend's staffie actually met or been socialised with dogs beforehand?

POSTED BY KRUSEWALKER ON DANISH LOGIN

Hiya!

Yes they did meet beforehand for a walk/play. She even went for a sleepover. They got on fantastically, was told that Bella was just the play pal the other dog needed. My friend said that she is a gorgeous dog and very well behaved, just now and again they bicker.

Unfortunately, both bickers have drawn blood and ended up in the youngest having surgery.

Rachx

Hi,
Staffords thrive best in human company,they are not really a breed that requires another dog as a playmate.
I currently own two, opposite sexes, but noway would I ever allow them out together unsupervised not for a minute.Infact they are never left alone together ever.
I know from experience how quickly things can turn around and a playful nip can result in a full blown fight.
I know some SBT's are fine around other dogs,my Tyler is fab,but there is always a first time.Sadly it is part of the breed, not tolerating other dogs.