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rippedcb
Puppy
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 74
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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 Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:32 pm Post subject: Off Leash?? |
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When we got our puppy we had planned to take her hiking/running with us. We had planned to have her trained enough to be able to go for runs/walks off leash but after reading some of the recent posts here about Amstaff aggression and amstaff's not being able to get along with other dogs.. we're starting to get worried. Our puppy is 5 months old right now and she's starting to show a little bit of aggression towards other dogs that we see on the streets while walking. Sometimes its hard to tell if she's being aggressive or if she wants to play. We try to socialize her as much as we can.. but don't want to end up with a dog fight.
So my questions is.. does anyone here take their dogs for runs/hikes OFFLEASH where they *might* come across other dogs/people?? Or are we going to be limited to having her on the leash at all times??
Also, i know there are alot of hesitations out there regarding remote collar training.. just wondering if anyone here have used remote collars to train their dog/dogs and if they have any input.
Thanks,
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DivinityAmstaffs
Scouts
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Posts: 476
Location: Maple Valley, WA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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Check out sitmeanssit.com to see if there are any trainers in your area. I think we should definitely be able to take our dogs on off leash walks. I do believe in remote collars if done properly... it should be like a tap on the 'shoulder' not used as a punishment.
I know of quite a few Amstaffs personally that have been raised with lots of interraction with dogs (dog parks, walks, off leash hikes etc) without any problems. Starting now with your 5 month old is your best bet (this is true with any breed!). Lots of training so that they know you are the leader and that they have every reason to feel secure because you won't put them in harms way. Make sure that the dogs around you are good dogs setting good examples. Which is why I'll go back to suggesting you check out sitmeanssit.com so that you're around people and dogs of a like-mind. |
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DivinityAmstaffs
Scouts
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Posts: 476
Location: Maple Valley, WA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| By the way, I'm not 100% advocating dog parks... our new trainers are completely against them. They've lost too many clients from injuries so bad that they couldn't continue training... all because of dog parks. Our youngest has gone to one just once and because of the stories I've heard, I will thoroughly assess what kinds of owners are there before allowing her to go again. It CAN be dangerous. BUT one of our pups from our last litter goes to them all the time and has never had a single incident so ??? Just be smart! |
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AMdedicated
Pack Members
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Posts: 395
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Agression can be avoided by doing obedience classes Whilst teaching you're dog all sorts of fun things it also socialises them at the same time and shows them they can be friendly and play with other dogs. If you're pup is really showing agression towards dogs at this age, then now is the time to start basic obedience training. Somtimes a little bit of agression cant be avoided... After all the training with one of my older males, he was still very standoffish with a same sex dog.. Girls he was fine but i could of never left him "alone" with another male dog.
If you are worried about you're dog bumping into somone on a hiking track and nipping there dog then thats fair enough... But whats to say that there dog is on a leash because of that very reason and you're pup runs up to have a play or sniff and cops it? Just make sure you have all the training down pat before you go letting you're dog off the leash. You have to be confident that one whistle will see you're dog sprinting back to you if he decides to go for a look around or sees another dog.
Aslong as you raise you're dog right and give him the appropriate training he needs you will have a brilliant hiking companion i am sure of it. 
Goodluck.
Last edited by AMdedicated on Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:31 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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Obedience classes. Your dog needs to focus on you in spite of the presence of other dogs. Your dog needs you firmly in the driver's seat. If your dog feels like he needs to be aggressive with other dogs (and I actually doubt it, he is probably just being a pup) there may be a leadership void there that he thinks he needs to fill. You need to fill it instead.
I would avoid letting your dog play with just anyone. Sometimes the dogs you meet at dog parks are really inappropriate with other dogs, and that can cause aggression. Some of the owners at these parks are NOT dog savvy at all and don't really understand behavior and training. A bad experience with an inappropriate or aggressive dog during certain developmental stages can really be hard to overcome for a puppy. A bit of controlled play with dogs you know and savvy handlers is good, a free for all is not so much. |
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rippedcb
Puppy
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 74
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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thanks guys, i suppose i just needed some reassuarance.. got really nervous with all those aggression threads recently.
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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For what it's worth, all of my dogs have been fine with other dogs. See?
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AMdedicated
Pack Members
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Posts: 395
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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It all falls down to raising and training you're dog right.. Thats how i see it. You will be fine and have many years of fun ahead of you. 
Cute pic angela!  |
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mossyoakamstaffs
Pack Members
Joined: 10 Jan 2010
Posts: 355
Location: Vidalia, Ga
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree that obedience training is key, with tons of positive praising and treats. my oldest male is male aggressive however he knows my expectations of him and I also use a remote collar and the "leave it" command and it refocuses his attention to what we are doing and not a distraction. The tap on the shoulder works wonders with him. You will be fine. Your pup is young and can be shown exactly what you are expecting from him. Good luck and have fun. |
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MegKel
Puppy
Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 38
Location: Kings Bay, GA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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I use to take Delilah to the dog park regularly before we moved (I'm still looking for a new place to go). When we would go I would always walk her on leash into the park so I could check out what other dogs were there before letting her off. I also would follow pretty close behind her in case anything happened I was right there. Delilah is really submissive and will even let other dogs take the ball out of her mouth without any issues.
The last two times I took her I did have two separate issues that were not major but enough for me to leash my dog and leave. Not every owner is as good as I am at keeping an eye on their dog.
I think that dog parks can be a great way to socialize your dog as long as you are comfortable with it. I know that my dog is extrememly submissive, easy going, and loves playing with other dogs. I still keep a close eye on her and have left when I am no longer comfortable. |
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k84
Elders
Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Posts: 2222
Location: Transylvania, EU/ Cayman Islands
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Off Leash?? |
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| rippedcb wrote: |
| So my questions is.. does anyone here take their dogs for runs/hikes OFFLEASH where they *might* come across other dogs/people?? |
Yes, where they might come across other people but I try to avoid other dogs. So I take them where it's a little chance to meet an other dog. Even if an amstaff is properly trained, it can be attacked by other dogs and be sure he will fight like a gladiator. In this case you will have a hard time to separate them and you and your dog will be blamed. |
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AMdedicated
Pack Members
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Posts: 395
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree, K84. |
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rippedcb
Puppy
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
Posts: 74
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Off Leash?? |
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| k84 wrote: |
In this case you will have a hard time to separate them and you and your dog will be blamed. |
Yeah.. good point... that would be the worst scenerio possible. Imagine a stupid jack russell or something charging at my amstaff and my dog getting blamed for the results.. 
But thanks everyone for the encouraging words.. guess it depends on how well you can trust your dog and other dogs. Training is vital, i understand that. |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I disagree that an AmStaff will ALWAYS fight back. I had an American Pit Bull Terrier that was beat up SO many times! He was a soft dog with a kick me sign on him and just took it. However, most dogs (any breed) will fight back when attacked, and if your AmStaff is within 100 feet of a dog fight it will surely be blamed in the court of public opinion. Be cautious always, you can't trust other people's dogs even if yours is fine. |
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k84
Elders
Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Posts: 2222
Location: Transylvania, EU/ Cayman Islands
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| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| Chianti's Mom wrote: |
| I disagree that an AmStaff will ALWAYS fight back. I had an American Pit Bull Terrier that was beat up SO many times! He was a soft dog with a kick me sign on him and just took it |
In this case your dog is the exception which confirms the rule. |
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