Ella's dog reactivity and how she made a friend

As some of you know I've taken in Ella the wee staffie about 1.5 months ago. She was known to not like dogs and react with biting and growling around them, as she'd never been properly socialised. Since having her I've gone through a lot of effort to give her confidence and introduce her to new things and dogs in a positive way so here's a little update:

We went to a forest by the river with Ella and Dollar, who are both not very social and can be reactive. First they were both on the lead as usual but as everybody relaxed we let them off one after the other and then both together. It went really well and they were running up and down the path. They didn't really make contact, I think they're both happy just leaving each other alone for the moment.

By the river Ella went a bit crazy, she had so much fun! She seemed to love the water and kept dipping her head in completely! They had two little growley moments. Ella found a football and I got a bit nervous because I don't want them to play with toys around each other. But she was fine, Dollar didn't care about the football. But then she found a stick and for some reason Ella thought she could get the stick off Dollar, but Dollar wasn't having any of that and gave her a little growl. Ella was a bit taken aback, I don't think she knows how to play with dogs at all but she didn't react, she just went back to her football.

But she was so excited that she was running around like mad and once accidentally run straight into Dollar (who is an older lady) to which she got a little growl again. After that it was all fine and they even seemed to run with each other and follow each other.

It makes me so happy to see Ella developing like that and getting more and more confident. It might have been less effort to just leave her the way she was and accept she doesn't get along with dogs, but I think she's much happier now that she sees and meets all those exciting things.
I can't imagine what would have happened to her if somebody had got her who follows the likes of Cesar Millan.. She's a great example to show how well positive reinforcement based methods work!

I'm still careful around other dogs, especially big and bouncy ones. But I also started trusting her more and I know she's not a vicious dog.

Here's the video of her and Dollar at the end of our walk. Just ignore the talking, can't be helped in that family



I thought I'd taken another video but turned out I just took a picture..

I'm sat here smiling broadly at your lovely account of your outing with them both (you write well) and the delightful video and photograph. I admire you and anyone like you who takes on a dog like this and gives them a whole new, different and better life. Your children too are delightful. Thanks for posting it.

*the voiceover wasn't bad either - I am just left DYING to know WHO it was that 'had a bogey in her nose' LOL!

Thanks Tangutica

Though just on another note.. they are not my children I think a dog is enough for now for me

They are my boyfriend's little half siblings, and the bogey child is his little cousin who, for some reason, has had a bogey in her nose pretty much since she was born
(the kind that sometimes almost drops and then gets sucked back in....)

LOL! I know exactly what you mean - like some kids have a permanent 'green candle drip' and it never seems to get shorter or longer - just always present! (eeeyuk!)

Sorry about wishing kids as well as dogs on you!

Ella's continuing success is down to your TLC You should be really proud of yourself
Well done to both of you

She is so lucky you took her in - she looks like she's having a lovely time. Good for you.

I think what you are doing with Ella is awesome! Many people do take the easy way out with behaviour training. Getting her use to other dogs is the best thing for her It also does the Staffy justice by showing the world what a fantastic and friendly dog they truly are

Today on our walk, children wanted to pat our pups. We let them and explained why they behaved a certain way because they were hesitant to pat Chillie and especially Diesel (explained body language and sounds).

I said to my partner that these 'opportunities' were beneficial for socialising our dogs and the children gain positive and happy experiences with dogs that are staffies.

Two thumbs up to you Florence

Ella is beautiful btw

Thanks

The breed has such a bad, unjustified reputation, and I think it's really important to disprove it and reassure people whenever we can. Shane's nan doesn't know much about dogs but always watches the news, so when she met Ella she first didn't like her and thought she'd be scared of her forever because she doesn't trust the breed. But we've been over there a fair few times now and she's got to like and love her and now has a different view of staffies.. Because really, they are just as lovable as any other dog!