Originally Posted by Scoobysti

My 8 year old Staffie Harvey, loved other dogs as a pup. Then at about 2 years of age started to dislike most other dogs. He still does. Male staffs as a rule dislike other dogs, plus they like to be dominant. So they will generally be fine with females and smaller dogs, but any male dogs that could challenge their authority is a threat. You cant train them out of this, it's in their nature. Harvey is an absolute darling with people and children and all female dogs, but I will never trust him with a male dog.Therefore he is walked on a flexi lead at all times. It has been known for other dogs to actually come and attack him, and I think that is to do with the signals he sends out to other dogs. I have never stopped him from greeting a dog that approaches as that means I am sending out the wrong signals to him, but I can read him like a book and know which signs to look out for which tell me if he's going to get nasty or not. He is more often than not - all mouth and no trousers - but you cannot take the risk with a staff - he could cause severe damage to another dog with just one bite and so to ensure his safety and other dogs it's my responsibility to manage the situation. He is only ever let off the lead, when there are no other dogs in near range and now he even sits to go back on the lead if he spots one in the distance.

He's not an aggressive dog - therefore I will not muzzle him, it's in his make up and that is not his fault, all I can do as his owner is make sure I behave responsibly.