Hi,
Just wondering if someone could offer me some advice on my dog, he is approximately three years, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, he is castrated.  I have just moved house, and have moved to my parents house, my dog is use to being there as he used to stay there on a weekend.  Well recently my dad took him and my other dog a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bitch approx 18 months old for a walk, he saw someone he knew, and my dogs (who are friendly, until now!)   ran upto to him, he petted my dog and was commenting how lovely he was, when he bent down to stroke him again, he jumped up and tried to bit him! My bitch then joined in and they both tried to bite this poor person, my dad instantly got hold of them and took them away.  Since then my dog has been almost impossible to walk off the lead and tries to bite nearly everyone he sees, has now got to wear a muzzle when out for walks, my bitch also has developed a problem whenever she sees a dog, whilst on the lead, she attacks my dog! So they both now have to wear muzzles.  They are both very affectionate and happy dogs inside the home, very friendly to people they know, just at present, my dog is nearly impossible to walk, would it be adviseable to walk them separately?  I really don't know what to do, please help, thank you.

I'm not really into Staffy behaviour, but there are a lot of people who do have them on this site, so hopefully they will be able to help you more than me.

How long have you been in your new home? Even though you visited regularly with the dogs this hasn't been home to them before, so they could just be adapting to their new circumstances. It could just be a settling in period. I truly hope so. However, as you say it's happening when your dad is walking them, how is he reacting? It could be his reaction, rather than the dogs, that is causing this. If he is feeling apprehensive they could be picking up on it. Is your bitch neutered? Again, if she is due in season this could be a factor. Even though you male is castrated he will still be aware of her. Do the dogs react in the same way when you take them out? Have they been checked out by a vet? A change in behaviour can be down to a physical problem.

I do hope that you can get this sorted out. :)

Hi, many thanks for your reply, this is happening whenever I walk the dogs, or if my dad or anyone else walks them,  my bitch has just had her season.  Do you think I should take them both to the vets to be checked over?

A season can make a bitch a lot more snappy and grumpy than usual, but it is worrying that they both have changed in behaviour together, perhaps your boy attacking first has caused a pack reaction,(though with two it is hardly a pack) but with a group of dogs the pack would work together if one goes on the hunt the others follow, perhaps there is a little of this invoved. To find out whether this is the case could you possibly walk the two dogs seperately for a while to see if the behaviour changes, and to try to re-socialise them both.

Nice friendly Staffies don't usually turn like this unless something has happend to change the behaviour, can you think of anything, apart from your house move? Which yes will cause confusion and maybe a little apprehension but should not cause aggressiveness.

Has your boy only recently been castrated? This may also be a reason.
And hate to say it, but was the breeder a good breeder who had dogs of good temperament?

A vet check is always a good idea when behaviour changes, afterwards if all is well, just go back to basics and train seperately.

What a shame, I hope it comes back around again for you all.

This seems to be a bit of a minefield as so much is going on behaviour wise from 2 dogs, and i reckon you need someone on hand to walk with you and assess what is happening :)

Try www.apdt.co.uk and www.apbc.org.uk and www.ukrcb.co.uk

Experiences vary, try to find out how experienced in aggression the person is. Beware of charlatans, peeps advertising who are not members of these associations which are reputable, trainers are insured, etc :)

Often a change in behaviour can be due to something medical however 2 at once would be unusual, you need to consider all sorts such as medication, handling, body language, environment, diet, stress in the household etc...

good luck
Lindsay
x

Sacha
some staffys can *mouth* as a way of excitement and can come across as biting
Im sure you know your own dogs better than I - good luck and I hope you get this sorted xxx

Hi Sacha

First thing is, get them both checked over by the vet. Its unlikley that something is physically wrong with both at the same time, but you never know! Anyway, it sounds like your bitch just joined in, maybe as a protective measure for your boy. I think that the move has probably affected them both more than you realised as something has to have triggered this reaction. I would go back to basics with them. Try walking them separately and see how they react (keep them muzzled and on a lead at first). Then perhaps when it is safe to do so, try letting one off and see what they do (keeping him or her muzzled). Really praise their good behaviour and if you run into trouble take them home and start again the next day. Gradually build up to walking them both together again and monitor what they do.

I do think that it might be worth involving a behaviourist but you might want to diarise their reactions first as this may help. Its definately worth drawing on all the help that you can now as they are both young enough to be helped.

Good Luck, keep us posted

If it was me ide get them both checked out incase theres a medical reason for there change in behaviour.
but ide put it down to you moving,its prob unsettled the dogs .
even though there used to your parents house its still abig change for them.
wen i got meg 18,mths ago she was 6yo and i was tiold she was a sweet naturerd dog with kids and other dogs.
on bringing her home she was a different dog,she was snappy with family kids & agressive towards other dogs :(
her previous owner couldnt beleave i was talking about meg,now 18mths on & she is the dog i was sold :).
she just needed time to gain back her confidence and shes fine now with dogs and people :)
give them time,but i would also keep them muzzeld until your sure there ok.
i was also thinking even though the dog is castrated would he still protect an in -season bitch or 1 coming into season?
coz maybe that could be another reason behind his unexplained behaviour.