Henry and I were enjoying a lovely walk in the woods on Saturday when a group of women and kids with 2 staffies were heading towards us.  I spotted them and called henry to me and got hold of his collar whilst they passed.  One of the women had a staffie on the lead which was pulling her so she let the bloody dog go!! He ran straight up to Henry who I was still holding and just attacked him!!!! I was trying to get Henry away and the bloody women just sauntered up to get her dog, didn't try and call it back didn't hurry herself at all just casually walked up and got hold of the lead and proceeded to walk off.  Not even a word to me!!!!!! I was fuming! I could not hold back and I had very strong words with her!  I couldn't believe it!!!  WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE for gods sake??!!!!

is mr H ok emma?

Maybe the staff owner just wanted her dog to play ?
I dont really see the problem was your dog hurt ?
If it was a yorkshire terrier would you have reacted the same ?

What??! wanted her dog to play?? I am sorry but there is no way that that was the case, she obviously couldn't control it on the lead so just let it go and it came straight for Henry with no intention of playing but just to have a go!

What do you mean would I have reacted the same if it was a terrier?

Reading lab mad's post tho did the other dog not attack her dog?

If anyone has any doubt about their dog being aggressive with other dogs surely they should be responsible and put them back on a lead.

Our dogs are very playful and bouncy, because of this when we see other dogs we put them back on their leads as they may upset other dogs.  Once we get to know the other dog and owner then we would let them off.

It is scary and upsetting to have anything happen to your dog especially when something as simple as a lead and a bit of respect from another owner is all it takes. 

I would have thought the problem was that the dog attacked Henry :)

Doesn't matter what breed of dog it was just happened to be a Staffy in this instance :)

The lady should have had control over the dog and should not have let go. Also if I want my girls to play with other dogs I don't know I always ask the owners permission :)

Glad he is ok !

Lucy
xx

Thanks Lucy.  That's really kind of you.

I don't care what breed of dog it was, the fact was that she let it go and it came straight over and attacked Henry.

It really upset me because I was trying to protect Henry.  He didn't do anything.  He was sitting there with me holding his collar just waiting for them to pass.

Em xxx

Em

I never forget when Mars my first ever Lab was attacked by a big lump of a Rottie when she was about 6 months old. It wasn't the poor dogs fault as the bloke just didn't have any control over her. He was about as much use as a chocolate teapot :rolleyes: I had to intervene by kicking the dog off, there was nothing else I could do. I didn't like doing it but had no choice otherwise Mars may well have been seriously injured.

He had a right go at me but I calmly explained his lack of control and said if it had been a child then what could he have done ? Stupid man :(

Lucy
xx

The problem is that the owner was a) not in control of her dog b) risked something happening to it because suppose the dog it rushed up to was not very friendly? c) risked something happening to the dog on the lead either mentally or physically.

Everyone has the right to walk unmolested by other dogs, you may have a grumpy dog, post operative dog, rehabilitated dog, nervous dog at the end of your lead which has been disturbed by a very rude dog and equally rude owner.

It matters not the breed, size, age or anything else.

If people cannot control their dogs, perhaps they should take up goldfish!

I think it was just unfortunate that it was a staff and I think labmad would be just as angry if it was any other breed, I know I would be.

I think it is bad ownership to just let your dogs run up to other dogs, yes, YOUR dog may be freindly and want to play but how do you know that the dog it has run up too, especially if it is on a lead, is friendly, you don't. And if that dog badly hurt yours then you would be at fault for letting yours run up to it.

Another fact you have to think about is that some owners are afraid of certain dogs and I don't mean just staffs, rotties and the like. Just because you meet an owner out with their dobe, doesn't mean that they won't be afraid of your over playful and very friendy, wouldn't hurt a fly, Labrador.

a staffie due to its build & what it has been breed for can & do do alot more damage!
ive had a staffie attack my dog for no reason & its something that some staffie owners have to face up to,that their dogs could be very dangerous with other .ie do alot of damage.
not all i know, & ive just spent two days meeting alot of staffs at ob shows,letting flynn play & me making a fuss of them.lovely.this is to help me get over my fear & its working ive met some lovely ones! :) but they arent all like that & i would always be wary of a staff i didnt know.

My word Frodo that's an awful story!

And well said Michelle.

If I know a staffie is ok I have no problem with it but yes I am wary of the ones I don't know hence the fact that I recalled Henry to me and held his collar whilst they "passed".

Yeah he is ok.  He is a big softy and was a bit panicky afterwards but I was so livid with anger!

My point is that she never attempted to control her dog on the lead and just let it go.  She obviously knew her dog could not be let off the lead which is fair enough but to just let it go!!??

The dog was snarling and growling and after Henry's face.  I was holding on to him.  It was awful!

She didn't even say anything afterwards like "is your dog ok" she never said anything even tho clearly her dog had just attacked mine!

I am sorry but she and her dog were in the wrong here.

once again, another undesirable staffie owner!  I hope that your doggy will be ok labmad, and I agree the owner was completely in the wrong, but not the dog!  Some staffies are just naturally dog-aggressive and some are taught to be!
I'm sorry for your bad experience....

Lab mad, do you know any one who has got a staff who is good with other dogs? If si I would recommend getting your dog out to meet it, so he know that its not a dog to be scared of. My male lab was attacked by a huge spinger spaniel (I think it was a cross) it pinned him down and attacked his throat, luckily he was not hurt, but for a long time after that if he saw a spinger HE would attack first, it was a nightmare. Not saying your dog will do this but just letting you know about my experience. Glad your lab is ok.

Yea I do obedience an in my club there are a variety of breeds staffs included and Henry is fine with them and they are fine with Henry. 

Perhaps some owners need to go to "how to control and own a dog properly" classes!!!!

I agree, they are in the wrong if they do not  keep there dogs on leads, when others are around.
I would have been just as angry if it had been a yorkie as they can be nasty also. I had an incident walking my dogs, when walking through the woods, a women with a lab and yorkie, didn't bother to put them on the lead and my Sam pup was only 4months old and the yorkie flew over growling and snapping at the pups face. I got very angry as the women didn't bother to come over and get it, I had to herd it away with my leg.
But!! I told her if it bites the pups face and scares it, so she can not be shown, I would sue her.
She soon came and got the dog.

Oh my gosh,how ironic!!!! I had a terrible experience with a staff just this morning :(

I was walking the dogs and i was stopped chatting to a man with a westie,when all of a sudden he looks over my shoulder with a shocked expression,i fling around and there was a frail little old man holding a leash of a staff who was pulling him across a (busy) street,the man tripped over,still held onto the lead and the dog was dragging him along the gravel road,trying to get to our dogs all the while snarling and barking,I managed to grab my dogs who were both off lead the westie was on a lead,anyways the staffie man ends up letting go of the lead,this dog comes charging and went straight for the westie as he was closest i guess,i was a good 10 feet away by the time it reached us,the westies owner got inbetween this dog and his,he got hold of the collar of the staff all the while pulling his dog up off the ground by his lead choking him,he lifted the staff up by the collar,so both front legs were off the ground and proceeded to bash him into a light pole that was next to us :( By this time the old man had managed to make his way over and grabbed his dog who then calmed down and all he said was "this dog is too strong for me" and turned around and walked off!!

I honestly feel sorry for the staff,i hated that the westie fellow bashed him up against the pole,but this all happened in a matter of seconds,his dog was untouched! I would hate to think what would have happened if i were there alone with my dogs,i know i couldnt have held onto 2 boxers plus keep this staffie off of them.

I am actually most angry with this staffs owner,he is obviously one of those people who bought a 'tough' looking dog for protection,but doesnt have the strength or energy to properly train it and he is now left with a ticking time bomb :(

I honestly dont know what to think or say,i dont want to be one of those people who think 'ahh them staffies are all the same' as i know there are alot of sweet ones around,but i know in future i will be on guard when i see one approaching :( I hate it that i am now going to be paranoid of these dogs,as this isnt the first negative experience i have seen them be involved in,however this is my first personal experience of this kind,it always happened to other peoples dogs!

I would really like to hear from owners of sociable non aggresive staffs,i know you are out there :)

Labmad i dont mean to take over your thread,i just wanted to share a similar experience. I'm sorry your Henry got attacked,i guess i should think myself lucky none of our dog were harmed.

i think some staffie owners almost develop a head in the sand/victimised approarch,which i think is negative for the breed.
id always keep extra care vwith my dogs near livestock as they have centries of breeding to herd behind them knowledge is power! :)

as you all know we have Giorgia who is dog friendly and people friendly and I give thanks every day for that. I'm really sorry Frodo and Labmad for what happened must have been very frightening for you both. I have had a couple of bad experiences with dogs coming at Giorgia, the most frightening one being a GSD appearing out of nowhere three times the size of her with the owner an ant in the distance and Giorgia running off towards the main road to get away, we were on a mountain path at the time. The GSD finally being called back.This happened twice in 10 minutes, the second time the owner didnt bother to call the dog back and in fact just kept walking away from us and I stood between Giorgia and the dog and shouted at it until it went away. I suppose what I am trying to say is that this hasnt made be wary of all GSD's and I dont give them a wide berth because I try to remember that they're not all like that. Same as Staffies. We are lucky we do not know one nasty one and I hope that remains the same. I wont patronise you and tell you about all the good Staffie owners on this site because I'm sure you know that but try and  bear that in mind next time you meet a Staff

the thing is that any scary experince giorgia has COULD make her agrresssive,which would not be your fault but could happen (like any dog that has had a bad expeince) but a agressive staffie,is worse imo than a agreesive dog of a different breed.

i was speaking to a friend this weekend who haS OWNED BRED & TRAINED STAFFS all her life, but her adult dog was attacked one day,he fought back,enjoyed it & was never safe again. :(

I know that has always concerned us too but so far so good and she meets lots of dogs every day some she knows already and some she doesnt. I am no expert but I dont know if I agree with an aggressive Staff being worse than any other breed. I was scared when that GSD came at us and I am sure it could have done some awful damage the same as a Staff or any powerful breed.

I agree.  There is a lovely collie who plays with Henry in the park called Lucy and one day her owner had taken her for a walk down the road when she said out of nowhere a staffy ran at Lucy, lept at her throat sunk it's teeth in and wouldn't let go.  That story made me wary of them I must admit.

I am sorry i couldnt see what the problem was at first, i thought the staff had simply run up to your dog. Then I re_ read the post and saw that the staff had attacked your dog.So i apologise !
i do hope your dog is ok.
sarah
x

That's ok Sarah. 

Henry is fine that's my main concern. 

I take it you have a staff?

thats what happened to flynn but luckily flynn was quick enoiugh for the staff not to make contact & totally was going for his throat though

Hi Frodo
I am one of these owners whose staff is non dog aggressive. He will happily play with other dogs but actually prefers their owners ankles. he sits at feet wanting to be stroked. I think our staff is unique though. He doesn't want to go out for too long and sometimes not at all and will put his full body weight on the ground and you can't shift this dog. If I see a dog playing with a tennis ball, I will put him on the lead to avoid any potential fights.
I have to admit though, I have seen some terribly behaved dogs and not just staffs. Someone mentioned Rotties too, and I don't understand why this breed has got a bad name either. From experience, all the staffs and rotties that I have met have been wonderful.
As a responsible owner, if I know that Sam doesn't like a dog, then I will put him on the lead, but in no way does he go chasing another dog, he barely leaves my side. I would certainly not call this dog 'tough looking' and in regards to protection, the other person would just get licked to death by a staff.
I think its a shame that this old man has a dog that he can't control, its very unfair on the dog. With this breed, they need good socialisation from a young age, but again, that applies to most breeds. I don't think dogs are aggresive becuase of their breed, its to do with how they are raised and what training they have had. There are some nasty people out there with dogs who really shouldn't have them.

You put into words perfectly, what I wanted to say

thanks Sarah

well said sarah! you sound like a perfect stafford owner!!!!!

Why oh why can't there be more staff owners like you Sarah!  You should be proud of yourself.

Em

perfect or what! i  think thats a perfect attitude 100% aware of what dog you have.

just like labmad has to be aware of henry & his passion for undies,

or husky owners are aware of the problems with their breed type etc!!!!

LOL :-) oh yes I have to be very aware of Henry's passion for knickers and socks!

They don't half keep us on our toes don't they! the little blighters!

Em

I am sure that there are many good staff owners out there like me, its also unfortunate there are some really bad ones too!!!

there are sarah of course but how many good ones do you need to put right the damage from one bad one?

The really bad ones are REALLY bad too it would seem!

yes & have a staff for all the wrong reasons whilst the good ones love & understand the breed .

the thing is if i let my dogs round up all the sheep on the hill,theyed get shot & id lose out
if you let henry munch his way lab fashion through your knicker draw,he could die of a blockage & youd lose out.
a husky owner could let the dog off,it shoots off cant recall it & it gets knocked down

but a bad stafford owner,well its probaly not their dog thats going to come off worse if it follows its instincts. :(

I think the problem is that there are so many staffs out there, this must be one of the most bred dogs in the UK at the moment. If there was a tighter control on breeding, maybe this could help the problem. Most of the rescue centres are full of unwanted staffs, its a crying shame. When I decided to get a rottie pup, I wanted a local breeder and there were 2 nearish me, but when I looked at staffs, there must be about 10 litters for sale in the same areas.
Bring back the dog license, make it more exspensive to get a dog, that may help to eliminate the irresponsible owners.

I just suppose I am lucky to have a big softy lab that woudn't hurt a fly.  If he sees 2 dogs having a go at each other, he runs and hides behind me!  If he knows that a dog in training class is a bit unpredictable, he takes a wide berth around it! He really is daft.

I think I have brought up a big baby!  but I would rather that than a snappy agressive dog.

Mr Flynn is a big softy too!!

mostly,he would have ago back if something had ago though! apart from his staffie incident where he just ran trying to get to me

He sounds charming... :) I was thinking about getting a choc lab, but I like my house the way it is....
But if he had gone to another home where the  owners had been aggressive to each other, would he still be the same?
It sounds that you are a lovely mum to your boys and thats the way it should be.
My last dog had some problems, but towards people, he loved dogs. This time round, my new pup will have lots of interaction from a young age with both people and other dogs.

I love my boy to bits and wouldn't change a thing about him....well......aprt from his underwear fetishes!!!!

Hear hear. We have a 'breeder' down the road who has staffies, labs, rotties, westies, jack russels and anything else he thinks he can make money on. Sadly almost all of his dogs that I have come across have had physical or mental problems - the staffs are, I believe, encouraged to fight and generally be tough, the Rotties have temprement problems and hip displacia, labs have hip and elbow problems and JRTs are down right vicious! Sadly there is Im told little that I can do to stop him :( 

Sounds like a true puppy farm, and unfortunatly, there seems to people still going to these places. If people stopped going and went to decent breeders (who in my opinion, should be licensed) then maybe these farms would not exist anymore. I guess the only people that can try and outlaw these places are the charities like the RSPCA, but I am not sure that this is high on their agenda.

Sadly he thinks he is above the law, a former member of the traveling community :o I have tried what I dare through trading standards as the pedigrees are 'unusual' but since he threatened an owner with a shotgun when he went back to complain I can understand why little has been done! Roll on the day when all dogs and breeders have to be licenced, micro chipped and dna tested.

Sounds like a very nice man......

Sarah, you ought to have a walk round the Birmingham dogs home, The last time I did, it had loads
of staffs, that looked like they had been used for fighting. There faces full of bit marks ect;
I do think, any dog that they use like the staffs for fighting. The owners ought to be registered.
And the dog Tattooed or chipped. It's heart breaking to see them, and how would they be able to find these dogs a new home after.They would be able to find the owners and sue them. Good staff owners wouldn't mine anyway.

Not going to disagree with you there Denese. But if breeders were licsenced, then these dogs would only go to good homes. At the moment, every tom, dick and harry can produce a litter. I have been round rescue centres and looked at websites when I had to re-home a cat and its heart-breaking. Even having to rehome my cat was hard but had to be done otherwise the staff would have taken her head off when she kept attacking him. I couldn't bear the thought of putting her in one of these homes as I don't beleive they check people enough, and signed her over to my vet who did find her a good home.

My last dog came from a rescue centre, but this was 8 years ago and I don't remember seeing all these staffs then, they seem to have become really popular and are not too expensive to buy as a pup. If they bring back the dog license and every dog, by law needs a chip before they go to a new home, then the owner then becomes registered, I think thats the best idea.

I don't think these staffs will find new homes as the staff at the rescue centres don't have the time to give one to one attention to try and show these dogs unconditional love that they have probably never seen.

I sympathise labmad.  This happened to my lab this morning - the dog that went for him was a greyhound - owner didn't even bat an eyelid :(.  To be honest, there are a quite a few owners around here that think it's clever to have a 'domininant' (as they think) dog,:(   I have to keep a look out in the distance for these dogs.   I have to say there are a few staffies round here and they are lovely, friendly, dogs who will happily play with mine.

i know quite a few dodgy greyhounds that i wont trust either