Correct way to socialise

After having (rescued for a way better life) just got Lola from people who didn't do things right by a long stretch we wanted to ask what is the correct way to socialise her with other dogs .... she is very aggressive to any other dog , which is such a shame as with people and kids she is very typical of any staff and just wants to play or show affection .

I've had other staffies all my life but shes not responding to anything I'm trying to do with her regards the aggression to dogs , she has done so well with all the other training , walks to heel , plays fetch , sits at edge of roads etc but as soon as another dog comes within 50 yds she just sees red .

HELP lol

Exactly what your asking is the way forward, familiarity will reduce the stress that she feels. It could be fear anxiety that she feels so being in the company of other dogs that aren't reactive might help.

Not sure how you would feel about this suggestion but classes are a good start. Like you I've had Staffies in the past but each are different in their own little ways and what one tolerates can be far different from ones we've known before so classes could be a gentle way of interaction with a trained person offering advice.

Another option, if you can, is to find people that will socialise on walks with both dogs on lead, this would give you control over the situation and give Lola the chance to socialise and accept another dog without worry.

yes Ian we have thought about classes but she goes absolutely mental when another dog is even remotely close , its taken me 4 weeks to stop her getting aggressive when passing dogs on the opposite side of the road .

where she used to live she had vocal dogs live either side of her so from being a pup was goaded to go at the fence to , and i quote "keep the other dogs off the fence".

we also live in an area where a lot of people , mainly oap's have small very yappy dogs almost always off the lead , the problem arises as they think its fine to let their dogs just run up to strangers barking , at the minute Lola is having none of it lol

Have a look at this thread, what I've written there is exactly what I'd suggest for you and Lola

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t66546-dealing-with-the-stereotype

Thanks will do

Well we have started making progress only a bit but its progress non the less .

Today she walked right past 4 dogs on the promenade without so much as a noise , look , ear pricking , nothing at all .... we were so proud ....

Small steps but all in the right direction , i was so chuffed .

God i love my dog

Sounds like you'll be fine. Remember to keep positive associations with other dogs, so lots of treats. I would also say to keep an eye on her body language - stiffening, a tensely moving tail instead of a happy wag, yawning or swallowing - and if she is unsure of a particular dog create more space, by turning round if necessary.

In other words, make it all as easy and as nice a possible and you should go from strength to strength.

My mia had problems with dogs same size or bigger she did as lola does eventually i realised she just couldnt do big dogs but loved cats and small dogs. Took her to dog classes the important thing is to train everyday . I had mia 11 years if you need help just shout have experience of a few things.

lol possibly spoke to soon .... she was fine on the walk off the lead had loads of training and fun then on walk home on the lead the aggression started again at every dog we passed, so yes any help would be appreciated .

You just need to keep up the training everyday socialise socialise socialise

Well its been a year since we got our new addition to the family , so thought it time for an update .

We took her knowing she had a few troubles but were confident we could bring her round , with people and kids of all ages she is an absolute darling of a dog , the Mrs who was very wary at the time as she had a massive fear of dogs has now taken to her in such a way that they are now inseparable lol .

where Lola came from she was goaded against other dogs non stop , never socialised and in general just mistreated, (in my eyes its abuse) .

we have made quite a lot of head way with her but the aggression with some dogs is still there ,  not all the time and not with all dogs .... she has at times run around with other dogs and played and then other times shes not having none of it .

1 instance a few weeks ago we were on the beach not a soul or dog for hundreds of yds , it was bliss , then 1 woman , whom we've seen before (with a bigger very vocal and aggressive dog ) seemed to want to get as close to us as possible even though the whole beach was empty , Lola was so well behaved and just ignored the dog , but as they got closer i told lola to sit which she did and just looked at me waiting for her ball , this other dog was going mad with the stupid owner trying to call it away but it was paying no attention , cut a long story short it went for Lola and she retaliated the woman just carried on screaming at her dog , Lola had def got the better of the other dog and i had to split them up , yes i know she was just defending herself but had i not been there it could have been so much worse .

We have tried to get her into local classes and not one has accepted her because of her breed and size ,age.

and not had much luck looking for someone to walk with to carry on social training .

we use the Polegrove a lot for the smaller walks but its always full of the "in crowd" with handbag dogs that can do no wrong , if you get my drift , so as soon as we walk in we get frowned at , to be honest i care not a jot other than it would be nice for Lola not to be called back to heal when a dog gets within 20 yds .

i am still really happy with how much she has come on since we first got her but it guts us both when we see all the other dogs in the Polegrove playing as we know she'd learn to love it , but just turns on a six pence .

we wont ever give in , so more updates to follow i suppose .

Russ and Lola x

Glad lola has made some progree tbh some owners regarding the beach incident it was gonna happen patience and more socialisation at a distance is better than nothing. High praise or treats whenever she interacts will help her. Mia ignored treats outside always found high praise worked best mia was aged 3 when i rescued her.

Great to hear - you've really come a long way.

Small steps lead to big rewards!

she really is a beaut of a dog who we love to absolute bits , and like a typical staff , just wants to play all the time but repays it with a constant staffie smile and unconditional love ... so if and when it happens , it happens .... if not she will still be our baby

Hi Team Lola, was wondering if you had an update on how it's going now it has been a few years? Our rescue is 6 years old and has the same issues. We've had her for a few months and she is slowly responding to other training but socialising seems years off.

Ninathedog wrote:Hi Team Lola, was wondering if you had an update on how it's going now it has been a few years? Our rescue is 6 years old and has the same issues. We've had her for a few months and she is slowly responding to other training but socialising seems years off.

Hi from me & Katy, come and introduce yourself https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

Ninathedog wrote:Hi Team Lola, was wondering if you had an update on how it's going now it has been a few years? Our rescue is 6 years old and has the same issues. We've had her for a few months and she is slowly responding to other training but socialising seems years off.

hi there , she has come on leaps and bounds as to when she first arrived .... still not what i would call socialised by a long stretch , some dogs she wants to play with some she has an instant dislike to .

she is my whole world and is like my shadow who i just couldn't imagine life without .

she loves people of all ages , strangers or not she has to have a fuss .

as soon as another dog gets within 15meters i put the lead on (just incase) but most of the time she just wants a sniff and to say hello , and I'm ok with that .... considering the money i have spent in one to one sessions and behaviourists i love her just the way she is .

we can always be found on the front or on the beach .... please come say hi , all of you

here we are

I'll keep an eye out for you & Lola as I do a garden on Bexhill prom every Monday