Hello :)
my nan has a 3 year old bitch (yorkie x JR), that as a puppy she didn't have much interaction with other bitches.
a close family member has a (staffie) bitch aged 1 and at the start they didnt get on.
now fastfoward 1 year they are better, she still unsure of how to react and play.
they are fine walking together and if walked together are better when they go indoors.
when the staffie tries to play with the yorkie, the yorkie is unsure how to play with her which, usually results in the
yorkie jumping into my nan's lap.
is the yorkie too old for some dog socialisation?
and what would be the best way to do this? i.e. somewhere where is neither the yorkie's home or the staffie's home
thanks

I can only offer advice on my experience with a friends greyhound. The greyhound didn't know what any other breed of dog was as it was an ex racer, and they only see other greyhounds. At first I took my extremely dog friendly young bitch (under a year old) to the local play area (not playground, just rough grass) and my friend brought her 4 1/2 year old greyhound. They were both kept on a lead at first so that they could sniff one another. Once we knew they were ok we let them both off the lead. The greyhound hadn't got clue what to do! It took time, but they were best mates when I moved. There wasn't any aggression, just confusion.

In your case, the yorkie may feel intimidated a swell, being a much smaller dog, and the staffie being muscle ;-) I would try to find somewhere they are safe to run around and just let nature take its course. Preferrably away from the home of either dog. Either they will play, or they won't. Not all dogs do.

thanks for the advice. :)
i dont think its intimidation, as shes like this with most dogs.
will try your suggestion but i think the yorkie is just one
those of dogs that just won't get along with others 

> i think the yorkie is just one
> those of dogs that just won't get along with others 

Not so much her not getting along, as the total lack of opportunity to do so for her short life.  Poor girl.

I remember a Victoria Stillwell episode about a Great Dane who wasn't socialised due to ill health as a puppy.  In short, she prescribed careful introductions (muzzle, leads etc) and a target of a new dog every day.  We've had a long road to travel with our ex-racer too and although she is much, much better we have to accept that there are just some dogs she takes an instant dislike to.  We went to Angela Stockdale's communication classes but that probably isn't an option for your Nan.  Finding a balanced, reliable friend for this little dog is a good start as they might teach her how to behave with other dogs.

Just a thought the young staffi may be a bit too much for the little yorkie atm. My gsd loves playing with staffs  one in particular but that is because he can be rather bouncy himself and the style of play that both breeds generally like is often big and bouncy with lots of noise. I know my chi makes a retreat back to me if we meet up with   Whispa 's  friends much like little yorkie. I would talk to an apdt trainer and see if you could do some gentle calm inroductions with other dogs and possibly join a class maybe just watching for a bit if Nan can do that

hello :)
thanks everyone for your replies.
Will ring some classes in our area to see if they would be to let us sit in.
furrie friends: i think you maybe right as when they staffie was a young pup she was quite bouncy
and excitied at a new friend to play with.
as she has grown the staffie is much better just wanted to play.
although there is a little similar sized dog across the road and the yorkie isn't fazed but her.

We went to Angela Stockdale's communication classes

What did you think of her.

Been there and  have to say , would never go back, the damage she did to my girl took me mths and mths of hard work to try and undo!!

Been there and  have to say , would never go back, the damage she did to my girl took me mths and mths of hard work to try and undo!!

You and lots of others :-( Though I know some people think she's fantastic but certainly uses controversial methods and has some very different ideas.

You and lots of others  Though I know some people think she's fantastic but certainly uses controversial methods and has some very different ideas

yep, she can talk a good talk (sometimes) but in reality,  the consequences of  her actions are far reaching.

Lets just say I took a very young fear aggressive dog to her and the results were devastating.