My dog got attacked by a much larger dog, now he is so aggressive to other dogs.

[helpmeout06]

Every time I take him out he pulls me and he looks like he waiting to be attacked, whens a dog come near him he growls and snarls, I'm so upset. He is a Staff and he is lovely with people including babies and toddlers he just hates dogs now.

Not only that when I take him to the shops with me he does not sit still, he screams I was in the shop approximately 4 minutes yesterday and had I came back a minute later he would have chewed his way through his thick rope like lead. PLEASE HELP.

[helpmeout06]

Please excuse the typo.

[divegirl]

Hi, so sorry to hear of his attack.

The first thing I would say is if you can afford it then you need to get a behaviourist in to work with. Ask at your vet for a recommendation.

If you can't afford this then I will tell you about an experience I had with one of my dogs.

I have Sam, a rescue Great Dane who was always a bit nervous of other dogs and not long after he came to me he was attacked by a Rottie. He too decided that attack was the best form of defence.
I managed to 'cure' him of this with no more than a squirty water bottle. I walked him constantly where he could see other dogs and using treats and I would keep his attention on me. If he so much as looked at another dog he would get a squirt to the head and the command ''at me'' . This took weeks and weeks of commitment and at no time was he allowed off lead when there were other dogs around.
I really want to stress that I have years of experience with rescue dogs and I would not recommend you undertake this unless you are totally confident in your abilities. At the very least you need great dexterity to hold the lead of a dog that could attack and to be able to administer the reprimand!
I really would advise you seek professional help....you should start at your vets and then maybe contact a local breed club for help.

Good luck.

Lisa x

[helpmeout06]

Thanks so much, I will certainly try this once I have purchased a new lead, I'm not going to give up, he is so loyal and lovable, but his outdoor behaviour makes me so sad, thanks again. Deborah x

[RATTER15]

Excellent advice from Divegirl, also be aware that Staffies are known to be aggressive towards other dogs.

Look into dog training classes, a great opportunity to re-socialise your dog with other dogs at close quarters, the training will also help with the pulling issue.

[chrissa1]

I wouldn't take him to the shops if that's what he does. What about a "gentle" muzzle? My two soft, friendly Labs were attacked by a Springer Spaniel of all things. It's owner had it on a lead but we were on a narrow bridle path.
I never thought for a moment that a Springer would be aggressive and if she'd had it muzzled then my dog wouldn't have been bitten.

Sorry to be a bit negative but it made me cross that she allowed the situation to occur. She obviously knew that it would attack.

[jules77]

Good advice, I would keep him on a lead and muzzled. Never leave a dog outside a shop unattended.

[tamborine]

Staffs are bred for dog fighting. If you didn't know that you shouldn't have one !

[divegirl]

What lead have you bought? You could consider something along the lines a Dogmatic.......

http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/index.html

These give excellent control with out riding up into the eyes of the dog. If you go with the muzzle idea [not something I would use just yet] please make sure you but the correct size for him.

Lisa x

[helpmeout06]

No point posting if you are going to be pedantic tamborine, I'm well aware of the breed I do read and have had dogs for many years, the point is Jet played very well with other dogs before being attacked.

chrissa1 I bought him a nylon muzzle which he chewed off very quickly, I had bought it at a pet shop where I spent quite a while trying to find the right one needless to say the staff weren't very helpful. The vet does not advise a muzzle, he said it's definitely a behavioural problem.

Thanks divegirl, I'll get one of these leads and give it a go along with everything else you have advised.

[Frank97]

Good luck I hope you sort the problem out, I used to own a Staffie and a Pitbull who go on great for about twelve months, then one evening there was a dispute over sitting in front of the fire rights which was then followed by ten years of having to keep the two seperated, not easy.