How to make my dog more self-confident and stand up for himself when other dogs try to subordinate him?

Question

I have a 20 month (1 year 8 month) old american staffordshire terrier (female). She lives in our house and she is really great. We all love her as much as we can and she loves us too. We live in a house with quite a large fenced garden and just 5 meters from forest where we take her for walks. She doasn't bark a lot, only when somebody rings the door or makes a strange noise (rarely). When she is out in the garden she does not bark at people or dogs that walk by the fence. She is very friendly to all people and animals (even cats). What irritates me is the fact that she always backs down and subordinates herself whenever a dog barks on her. She was once attacked and bitten by a german sheppard when she was 4 months old and we thought that she will have fear from other dogs from now on but she does not. She loves to play with other dogs but when she is "attacked" or barked at, she always flees a couple of meters and subordinates herself. That happens even to poodles or chiuauas and such

I have an american staff. terrier (female 1year 8 months old)
The thing is that my aunts dog (2.5 year old male hungarian vizsla) came to visit to our house and we let both our dogs play in our garden. Some time later the vizsla started to bark and snarl at my dog and my dog just backed down and went subordinate Now I think that is very wrong despite the fact that the garden is actually her place and that the vizsla is only a guest in her garden My amstaff also let the vizsla to chew her toys and when my dog tried to take the toy the vizsla snarled and didn't let her take her own toy. I am not saying that she should fight with every dog she sees but a certain limit must be set when another dog is agressive to her in her own teritorry. If she lets a "stranger" dog subordinate her in her teritorry with no fight i cant be soure that she is an effective guard dog. If she lets a dog walk freely on her garden then I am worried about what will she (not) do to a stranger walking on her garden

Answer 1

Basically like everyone else has said you have a submissive dog. Dogs are pack animals & if she were in a pack she very obviously wouldnt be the alpha. But I wouldnt let this worry you so much in the protective area, just because she backs down form other dogs that may be aggressive to her in NO WAY means that come a situation where a dog(or person) should try to attack you or your familymeans she would run and hide then. In fact you may be suprised at how aggressive & for lack of a better word "mean" she may become in a situation like that. Like I said dogs are pack animals & in a pack even the most submissive will protect their own. You also must take into consideration her breed, this isnt a breed know for its submissivness and to assume she would back down if her pack were in trouble......i highly doubt this!! Be happy you have such a sweetie & hope the day never comes that she has to show her other side! :D

Answer 2

I think you should be happy she is subordinate. So much easier than a pack leader or a dog that is always trying to move up in status. Nothing wrong with her knowing her place, her subordinate behavior will help keep her out of fights.

Agility is a great confidence builder! But don't expect her to turn into a 'hard' dog when she obviously is soft. I really don't understand why that should irritate you, be grateful for it! Sure makes it easier for you! And just because she is like that does not mean she wouldn't be protective if she feels she or you is threatened.

Answer 3

You have a submissive dog and there is nothing you can do to change the basic personality of your pet.
Since we are talking about a Staffie be glad you do not have a very dominant assertive dog. Those are the ones everyone hears about and they make people think that all are bad dogs.
Be happy you have a sweet girl and take advantage of it. Maybe do some pet therapy with her if she loves people and attention. It would bring so much to t he breed to see a sweet and kind Staffie.

Answer 4

Terriers are not guard dogs, though they tend to be quarelsome. Being a female she will be more docile than a male and will subordinate herself to a male. Not all pups in a pack will be an alpha male or female.

The fear of being bitten(learnt from previous experience) may have conditioned her to fleeing & then submitting.

U need ot take her to a trainer to de-condition her.

Answer 5

This is a tough question because some dogs just have that personality. Just like people they can be shy or timid. If that's case then I would not try to change the dog. I have three dogs and one of my dogs is just like yours. She is very happy to stay away from dogs that intimidate her. I do step in when it looks like another dog is going to hurt her, but I don't encourage her to be aggressive. Some dogs are just bullies. I don't want my dog to get in a fight. Its the fight or flight reflex. I would rather my dog flee. My oldest dog will fight and I worry more about her than my shy dog!

Answer 6

The way a pack works there is always an alpha. Your dog just isn't an alpha personality- meaning she isn't going to challenege for the alpha spot. If she is really passive you may want to consider some training- either individual or in a group setting. You can check your local pet store or vet for some trainers. You may also want to discuss this with your vet- your vet may have some techniques to give your dog more confidence.

Answer 7

You have a submissive female staffordshire? Do you know how rare that is? Usually the female is more agressive than the male!

Be proud of her, you've got something special! And she'll always be a friendly dog

Answer 8

Just wait till the dog gets older. My dog is an old grumpy dog and she can be temper mental some times. As your dog gets older he or she may become less friendly toward other dogs and possible stand her ground. If not then perhaps this applies only to some dogs.

Answer 9

Your dog is a follower not an alfa. That's the way it is. When a dominate dog is around your dog will always back down. I'll bet she listens to you really well also. Submissive dogs are easier to train, there is no wanting to be the dominate one over you. Enjoy your dog as she is, that is what she is.

Answer 10

You can't change a dogs personality. This is just the way the pack works. There is a leader and some are not. If something bad happens it will fight back and try to defend itself, but you can't make him/her what they are not.