Help with my dog - Leaning on other dogs causing issues
Discussion
Hi all,
After a bit of advice please. I have a rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Had him a year now and we believe he is around 2 years old. He has a way of greeting some dogs by leaning on them (he ignores 9/10 of the other dogs), sometimes using his front legs on their back. It doesn't appear aggressive to me, just oafish and boisterous; but I'm led to believe this is asserting alpha dominance. To me he's like that big kid in the playground who doesn't realise his own strength.
Some dogs take an instant dislike to this (understandably) and snap at him. When he was younger he'd lean on a dog, get snapped at, then cower and run away. Now he's older and has confidence, he's starting to stand his ground - which usually ends up with the other dog realising he's bitten off more than he can chew. Being the breed he is, some owners instantly blame him. To be fair, he always starts it by leaning but never ever snaps first. But being so strong he always comes out on top which isn't great for the blame game which inevitably ensues.
Tonight we were walking him in our woods, off lead. A spaniel type came up to him, my dog put his front paws on the spaniels back; the spaniel instantly bit my dogs face which ended up with my dog snapping back and a scuffle happening. I grabbed my dog as quickly as I could and lifted him by the harness. My dog had the spaniels neck skin in his mouth which he let go on command. My dog ran off the other direction. No damage, no blood, just drama. But the other owner had a hissy fit only seeing the back end of it all.
It worries me, I'm conscious of the breed reputation and that this all stems from my dog leaning. I know it's just dogs being dogs and it's not aggression on my dogs part, but I want to train the leaning out of him.. It's only going to take one owner to cry wolf. Any advice?
After a bit of advice please. I have a rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Had him a year now and we believe he is around 2 years old. He has a way of greeting some dogs by leaning on them (he ignores 9/10 of the other dogs), sometimes using his front legs on their back. It doesn't appear aggressive to me, just oafish and boisterous; but I'm led to believe this is asserting alpha dominance. To me he's like that big kid in the playground who doesn't realise his own strength.
Some dogs take an instant dislike to this (understandably) and snap at him. When he was younger he'd lean on a dog, get snapped at, then cower and run away. Now he's older and has confidence, he's starting to stand his ground - which usually ends up with the other dog realising he's bitten off more than he can chew. Being the breed he is, some owners instantly blame him. To be fair, he always starts it by leaning but never ever snaps first. But being so strong he always comes out on top which isn't great for the blame game which inevitably ensues.
Tonight we were walking him in our woods, off lead. A spaniel type came up to him, my dog put his front paws on the spaniels back; the spaniel instantly bit my dogs face which ended up with my dog snapping back and a scuffle happening. I grabbed my dog as quickly as I could and lifted him by the harness. My dog had the spaniels neck skin in his mouth which he let go on command. My dog ran off the other direction. No damage, no blood, just drama. But the other owner had a hissy fit only seeing the back end of it all.
It worries me, I'm conscious of the breed reputation and that this all stems from my dog leaning. I know it's just dogs being dogs and it's not aggression on my dogs part, but I want to train the leaning out of him.. It's only going to take one owner to cry wolf. Any advice?
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Thursday 15th September 20:53
I would be tempted to lead walk only until you find a solution, it just isn't worth the risk.
Can you distract him/stop him from going up to other dogs (this requires vigilance and stopping him before he turns to go to another dog). Again if you can't he needs to be on a lead.(obviously hard if the dog runs to him but you would have more control.
A lab did this to our whippet once. This dog was 3x heavier than my dog and hurt him
A dog trainer may be useful to observe him (with a stooge dog) may be useful.
Can you distract him/stop him from going up to other dogs (this requires vigilance and stopping him before he turns to go to another dog). Again if you can't he needs to be on a lead.(obviously hard if the dog runs to him but you would have more control.
A lab did this to our whippet once. This dog was 3x heavier than my dog and hurt him
A dog trainer may be useful to observe him (with a stooge dog) may be useful.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 15th September 22:04
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