So Princess is dog aggressive.

so just found out the puppy I'm taking on at the weekend is dog aggressive.

took her out today for a stroll and whilst walking past another staffie she started pulling on lead, the other owner was great and brought her dog over, at which point Princess went ballistic, barking and growling with hackles up, lunging at the other dog.. the full works.

I apologised explaining she hasn't been around dogs and quickly lead her away (well half dragged her as she was determined to go backwards) then diverted her attention to a stick which she carried happily all the way home.

So how do I address this problem? I've had two staffies previously that have never been in anyway aggressive, so is this because she's a cross-breed or just unsocialised? Its quite important for her to get on with other dogs as I hope to start fostering in the near-ish future..

How old is this dog?

sorry, she's only 13 weeks. getting her of my OH's aunt who doesn't want her

unsocialized,is one reason,and and the ability to not get along may just be the way its going to be, for life.managenent and responcibility may be the only option, for some dogs, dont give up and give lots a avalibility to other dogs.lots of info on this here at dogsey...

Look up counter conditioning.

I have eight months old pup for a month now, she is a little dog aggressive. Her previous owner had not been taking her out to meet other dogs when she was younger. So i have been working on the issue with her, keep her busy by giving her treats every time passing the dogs, keep the leash loose as tense leash can make the dog worse. My pup is slowly getting better, she would play with other dogs offlead but not so great when she is on lead. You can also use the pup's favourite toy to distract her.

Yours are only 13 weeks, so you better to work fast, ask a friend with a friendly dog to walk with you and the pup etc etc. Bring her out as much as you can.

Her behaviour doesn't necessarily indicate aggression. My GSD can do very similar but when we were ambushed by a terrier with no where else to go, the big baby threw himself on the floor and cried from fear - his reactivity is definately fear-based. Off-lead or introduced to dogs carefully, he is fine (well, not afraid, but he does lack manners). He's absolutely fine with my other dog - infact, he always lets her win their playfights and she can pinch food, toys, etc. right from under his nose (or out of his mouth!) without him making any move to retaliate - he's not an aggressive boy at all.
I would suggest you contact a behaviourist (try the APBC website for a local one) who can assess and help you out with this boy. They may have a stooge dog they are willing to try him with to judge whether it is aggression or just reactivity, and let you know where to go from there.
May be worth buying a copy of Feisty Fido for starters - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feisty-Fido-.../dp/1891767070

I would have said at 13 weeks this isn't dog aggresion, i would just say undersocialisation, and she needs to meet some friendly dogs quickly, she's just reacting to the unknown, the worse thing you could do at this stage is to drag her away reenforcing that other dogs are to be reacted to she's a baby that needs to know that other dogs aren't to be feared.

thanks guys, I'll start looking into it... want to get her into puppy classes for socialization any-ways so hopefully that will help

would agree with others at 13weeks old you have plenty of time to turn this round - she just doesn't sound socialised - any ideas when she was removed from litter ???

argh, it's a pity, I was in cumbernauld at the weekend and she could have met up with Ranger. I'm not back up until the summer now (I don't think) and he's not yet come across a dog he doesn't like. I def think puppy classes are a good start and ask around with friends to see if they know of anyone with dogs she can socialise with straight away. Good luck