Dog Aggression Help

mandymoomoo

Hi I have a problem with my staffie. She is brilliant with other dogs in general, loves playing, no problems when we meet dogs out on walks etc but if another dog starts on her she reacts everytime. She also gets very possessive over food.

I have two other smaller dogs, one female terrier cross and a male pom. All three are neutered.

I had the staff in the sitting room with me the last few hours and the other two were in the kitchen. Brought all three out to the toilet and then all into sitting room. Not sure what started it but the staff attacked the terrier, had her pinned down. Grabbed her back but let her go for a second while I was trying to move the laptop and she was on her again growling and snarling. Managed to drag her off and put her in the kitchen. Terrier seems to be ok, shes a little terror anyway she would never back down from a fight and doesnt realise how small she is.

I dont know what to do, the staff has attacked before over food. Recently she got sick and attached the male when he went over for a nose as she wanted to eat it.

I know ye are going to say get a behaviourist but I literally have no money so its not an option. Any ideas on what I can do?

Thank you all.

DamagedTrax

feed them seperatly and socialise her with other dogs besides your own.

as far as reacting to other dogs starting, thats just the breed. they wont back down from a fight, 99% of the time they're happy little eejits but when it comes to being challanged the bull terrier just comes out in them. its all part of owning the breed.

my staffie is as good as gold with other dogs until you add toys or food into the equation then she turns into a possesive bitch, she'll happily have friend's dogs around in 'her' place but i always feed seperatly cause she's a dope

she's not uncommon either. ive a few friends with terriers that have 'mine' syndrome.

mandymoomoo

DamagedTrax wrote: »

feed them seperatly and socialise her with other dogs besides your own.

my staffie is as good as gold with other dogs until you add toys or food into the equation then she turns into a possesive bitch, she'll happily have friend's dogs around in 'her' place but i always feed seperatly cause she's a dope

she's not uncommon either. ive a few friends with terriers that have 'mine' syndrome.

Sorry I should have said, I do feed them seperately, always do. But its the times when one of them finds one tiny bit of food and all hell breaks loose or if one of them get sicks and they think its food. She is well socialised, have her at day care occasionally and she great. Its just she reacts to everything. Maybe if her basic training was improved it might help?

What do you do with your staff when she gets possessive?

DamagedTrax

i put her in the hall in a sit for 5 minutes and close the door. she can hear all the fun and games happening behind the door and she knows she's missing out.

punishing a staffie emotionally is the best way. if you shout they just flip on their back because they know its too cute to stay serious. slapping them on the bum is pointless cause they're little tanks and you may aswell be tickling them for all the good it will do.

human interaction is what they crave so i find using it against them is the best way to get my point across. kinda like the naughty step

it might seem cruel and heartless but this breed need very strict rules to be stable.

mandymoomoo

Thanks for the replies, thats what I done with her this evening. Its just worrying as shes a fab dog but so strong compared to the others.

DamagedTrax

where are you based? if you're in dublin you're welcome to come out and test her with my girl and i can show you what works. i know its scary when staffs get aggressive.

mandymoomoo

Aw thank you, I am in Clare but thanks so much for the offer.

DamagedTrax

no problem. good luck with her