Needing advice maybe folks.  I have as you probably know a dog aggressive BT.  I'm saving up for behaviour consultations as I think he needs this.  But he just makes me wonder where he's at.  Usually, within 50 yards or more of any dog he throws a complete fit, snarl, growl, bitey, all the rest of it.  And I've got used to that and have adjusted his (and mine) lifestyle to fit in.  But tonight I just get in and take him for a wee walk to the shop, just as I get there a guy and his staffy appear and I grab my dog. The guy says "no bother, he's fine (and I wonder why staffy owners have to justify their dogs when I was the one grabbing mines collar!!)  I expected my dog to do his usual freak out.  But he just sat there totally silent.  The staffy was 5 feet away (and not looking at my dog in any way).  Copper laid down and put his nose on his paws and was silent again.  I don't understand it.  Why most dogs and not others.  Can anyone explain?

CG

My girl does that with particular dogs (i'm not saying she growls/snarls though) but she will go totally submissive yet with others she bounds over.
I just presumed that these particular dogs give off a dominant vibe??

Sarah
(Totally useless info but i tried lol :) )

there can be lots of reasons, could be the sex, physical appearance, maybe its certain types of dogs (a friend of mine had one that would only go for tings bigger than him). have you had him from a pup? if not it could also be a previous bad experience with a certain type of dog.

too many reasons lol.

Thanks, and I agree too many reasons.  He hates usually ALL dogs.  But this staffy was totally "don't care I'm waiting for my owner"  In fact, everything I want my own dog to be!!!!!!!!!  Dunno.  I got him 6 months ago because he's a bugger with other dogs and he usually goes bananas.  But today he listened to me patting him, telling him to be calm and looking at the calm dog and maybe taking on his vibes??? Dunno maybe tomorrow it will be different!!

So many people I saw back in the days when Bethany was with us used to tell me their dog "Doesn't like other dogs." I used to look down at their dog wagging its tail at Bethany and say, "Yes, I can see that!" She was the kind of dog who could make friends with any dog. She exuded confidence and the "I'm no threat" body language. I've never had one quite like her before or since. In her whole life I never saw her argue with any dog, except on, and that was when another Labrador growled at me.

Best wishes, John

John, I honestly know that copper tries to chew the nose of any animal that comes within 2 inches of him.  But what I saw tonight was a totally cool dog not even looking at mine and therefore (I think) maybe my dog might have got the cool vibes.  I don't know.  All I know was that my dog behaved 100% differently and that gives me hope :D

CG

Don't you know the guy? Maybe if you got to know him you could walk both dogs together and it may put your dog at some sort of ease if he sees the other (obvious well respected lol) dog being calm?

With him being a Rescue - maybe hes had a bad experience in the past with some breeds ? Some dogs never forget

hi

was the staffy quite old? i had a male who was always ready for a fight except with elderly dogs even if they barked at him , i think he knew they were no threat to him as he liked to be the alpha male!

regards
jojo

Hi CG who cares why? Copper was a good lad and you had the prescence of mind to reward him, so he can do it again! Really pleased for you turning the corner as it were. :)

Thank you all so much for your comments and I'm getting quite excited as today my neighbour appeared in the street with his pup (which looks a bit like an akita and is a big big pup) and although copper did the "up on the hind legs thing" he didn't bark at all.  Even in the house now he isn't harrassing the cat as much, just tap dancing around him, but doesn't look like he's going to go for him.  The staffy I saw, I don't know the guy, but it was not a young dog although not majorly old, obviously not giving off any kind of signals at all.  My mum did remind me that I've only had copper 6 months (he's 4 1/2) so maybe he's just taken a bit of time to settle.  Maybe, just maybe we're turning the corner.  I'll keep you posted.

CG

Sometimes it is the eye contact which triggers an aggressive response.  Head collars can be beneficial as you can turn the dogs head and either break or prevent the eye contact to calm the dog down.
Lara x

Perhaps this dog was VERY well socialised and was actually exhibiting calming signals?  Added to that you did let go of his collar, so the tension on him was eased.....