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Location: Essex UK
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 483
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01-03-2013, 06:41 PM
Originally Posted by Baxter8 
it's just the staffie breed that gets highlighted and to say that the fighting instinct is what motivates them more than anything else is pure twaddle and lifted straight out of the daily mail I suspect.
Originally Posted by Baxter8
Sadly because of Shane and others with the same attitude these wonderful dogs end up in rescue homes thereafter being pts.
Thats an absolutely outragious comment to make,
Am I the idiot who selectively bred them based on aggression towards other dogs?
Am I the idiot who bred them for profit and sold them to anyone who wanted to improve there masculinity?
Am I the idiot that bought one and didn't socialise or train it?
I find your comment extremely upsetting.
I won't be commenting further.
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Location: Somerset UK
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 969
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01-03-2013, 07:06 PM
I think he had had very little socialisation in his formative months and we introduced him too quickly to dogs as he didn't seem to object to them. One or two played very rough with him and I think it unnerved him and we didn't pick up on it.
Sometimes even benevolent handlers (such as myself) don't realise what they're doing or even allowing to happen. Our previous dog was socialised with dogs from a very young age and when we adopted this one we were told he got on well with other dogs and we took this to mean we could let him play with any dogs as and when he pleased - we learned (to his cost) this wasn't the case.
Now because of our ignorance he is paying the price and we're working hard to rehabilitate him.
Florence has got it right, seeking advice and guidance the moment she spots a problem. I'm only sorry I didn't.
Sandy
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Location: leicester uk
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 567
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01-03-2013, 07:22 PM
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Location: Sirius
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 660
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01-03-2013, 07:24 PM
I agree with you about benevolent (=unknowledgeable) owners. I've also learnt the hard way, and am still learning. Our first dog was perfect and we expected every other dog we got to be the same.
I love your attitude - accept that mistakes were made and work to rectify them. Hope you reap rewards very quickly. He was 'good' once, shouldn't take too long to take him back there.
PS Freedom comes with rules and has to be earned, it is not a privilege. Not in my house anyway.
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Location: Uk
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 251
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01-03-2013, 08:58 PM
Originally Posted by Florence
Hi, so I've only just joined and obviously already have a question.
The dog I'm going to rehome with me in about a month is a 3 year old staffie bitch. In general I can say she's absolutely lovely, friendly, playful and learns very quickly.
She still lives with her owner until I move into a new flat in April. So until then my boyfriend and I try and walk her as much as we can as she doesn't really get walked because her owner is heavily pregnant.
She told me Ella doesn't like other dogs and has had little fights here and there. But she's only really aggressive towards other dogs when with a female. Apparently she's very protective or her owner.
I have no experience with aggressive dogs, I have to admit. My previous dogs didn't particularly like other dogs, but they were more the fleeing type.
So this is what I've observed so far with Ella:
I went to walk her on my own the other day. She's brilliant off the lead, comes back when called and is obsessed with her ball. She ignores other dogs if they stay out of her way. But one big bouncy golden retriever wanted to play with her when she was on the lead and she lunged at him. She didn't growl or bark at all. So that's why I just take her on the lead whenever I can see a dog that's off the lead and comes towards her. Another time I was out with my boyfriend and the same happened again when I had her on the lead. This time it was a big GSD who approached her. Again it was me who had her on the lead. So on the way back we tried something different: When I saw a big Doberman running towards us, my boyfriend took her on the lead and I gave them some distance. This time, her behaviour was completely different. She had her ears pinned back, tail tucked away and looked on the floor when the dog sniffed her. She was growling a little bit, but didn't lunge or anything.
Before, with me, she didn't show these signs of fear, she had her tail and ears up and tried to chase the dog away.
Does anyone know or have experience with this kind of behaviour? I'm definitely going to see a behaviourist when she lives with us but until then I'd like to find out as much as possible. She clearly doens't like other dogs and finds them threatening if they are bouncy and come towards her. She doesn't mind dogs who ignore her. I can pass a well behaved dog on the lead and she doesn't even look at them.
I'd appreciate any input! Thanks!
There are plenty of dogs that are DA and not just staffs!
I can't offer any advise because I've never owned a DA dog but I'm sure with your commitment and help of a behaviourist it will be just fine xx
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Location: Somerset UK
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 969
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01-03-2013, 09:09 PM
I think all dogs come with baggage and it is our responsibility to learn about them and to keep them, other dogs, ourselves and obviously other people safe.
I hope Florence doesn't feel her posting has been hijacked and that she's learnt something from the thread.
Originally Posted by muddymoodymoo
Baxter8
I agree with you about benevolent (=unknowledgeable) owners. I've also learnt the hard way, and am still learning. Our first dog was perfect and we expected every other dog we got to be the same.
I love your attitude - accept that mistakes were made and work to rectify them. Hope you reap rewards very quickly. He was 'good' once, shouldn't take too long to take him back there.
PS Freedom comes with rules and has to be earned, it is not a privilege. Not in my house anyway.
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Location: Uk
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 251
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01-03-2013, 09:15 PM
Originally Posted by Shane
not what you want to hear but I'd advise against taking him on.
Bull Terriers were bred by idiotic humans to fight. and yes, I know there are thousands of very friendly ones around but you'll find it very difficult to stop a bull terrier with this fighting instinct because thats what motivates them more than anything else.
There's a guy at my dog club that rescued a second Bull Terrier recently but had to take it back to the rescue centre because without any warning it would grab his other SBT and refuse to let go. This was after weeks of showing no aggression at all.
Also the guy is very experienced with the breed and with training.
I know many people here will not agree, as the popular sound bite is "it's not the breed, it's the owner" but to take on a SBT that's already known to be aggressive and without having experience, I'd have to strongly advice against.
Sorry, but I can only tell you what I believe.
Good luck, whatever you do
Yes they were bred by idiotic humans to fight but those idiotic humans must of failed dramatically because like you say there are thousands of friendly ones.
Obviously the dog needs to be re-socialised, I'm not sure that fighting motivates them more than anything else. Staffs are known for their willingness to please their owner and the OP said the dog is defensive of the owner so maybe once the dog learns another way to react threugh reward system the problem may be resolved. But if not what about a muzzle? There are plenty of responsible owners who are able to control DA dogs so why should the OP not take the dog on.
Why anyone would want to put somebody off rehoming a dog like this I don't understand. Where else would this dog go? Would you feel differently if it was a different breed?
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Location: West Yorkshire
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 855
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01-03-2013, 09:23 PM
Originally Posted by Florence
Hi, so I've only just joined and obviously already have a question.
The dog I'm going to rehome with me in about a month is a 3 year old staffie bitch. In general I can say she's absolutely lovely, friendly, playful and learns very quickly.
She still lives with her owner until I move into a new flat in April. So until then my boyfriend and I try and walk her as much as we can as she doesn't really get walked because her owner is heavily pregnant.
She told me Ella doesn't like other dogs and has had little fights here and there. But she's only really aggressive towards other dogs when with a female. Apparently she's very protective or her owner.
I have no experience with aggressive dogs, I have to admit. My previous dogs didn't particularly like other dogs, but they were more the fleeing type.
So this is what I've observed so far with Ella:
I went to walk her on my own the other day. She's brilliant off the lead, comes back when called and is obsessed with her ball. She ignores other dogs if they stay out of her way. But one big bouncy golden retriever wanted to play with her when she was on the lead and she lunged at him.
I see you live in Bristol, how far away are the Malverns or Somerset? I have a friend in the Malverns who is good with dogs and Angela Stockdale, one of the worlds best trainers/behavourists is based in Somerset, this is her web site http://www.dogpartnership.co.uk/ I know people who have taken their dogs to her, she uses teaching dogs, these are not stooge dogs but teach a dog how to be a dog in safety.
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Location: West Yorkshire
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 855
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01-03-2013, 09:34 PM
Originally Posted by Shane
not what you want to hear but I'd advise against taking him on.
Sorry, but I can only tell you what I believe.
Good luck, whatever you do
Staffies are not aggressive dogs, they were bred to fight but they also have to be taught and trained to fight which is why so many dogs are stolen to teach their dogs to fight. Staffies are one of the only two breeds of dogs that the Kennel Club recommend to have with children, they couldn't do that if they were aggressive.
I really really hate it when people give out wrong information, it can cause so many problems and trouble.
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Location: UK
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,122
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01-03-2013, 09:34 PM
Originally Posted by Baxter8
Hi Florence
Sadly because of Shane and others with the same attitude these wonderful dogs end up in rescue homes thereafter being pts.
You may of course be able to sort this dogs problems out with help, but from my perspective , you have to be aware of all eventualities.
Take it from someone who has lived this life, it's not easy, it's hard work, and to be brutally honest, I would never willingly take on a known DA dog again,
Dog ownership is supposed to be enjoyable, and the thought of taking a DA dog on ( for me) , well I would never knowingly step into that world again.
My situation is a little different, we had her at 8 weeks old, and life played its part, and we have dealt with what we ave, but if you ask for an honest opinion , I would not walk this line again.
Every dog and owner is different, some people can cope, and deal with DA dogs better than others, only you can decide if you are capable of dealing with the worst outcome.
Good luck , but you need to soul search first to make sure you are up for the long haul, it may be fixable , but it may ave to be manageable , good luck ......
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