Socialization help for a 7 year old pitt

Hi,
I have a 7 year old small staffy/pitty with issues! I socialized her from a young age to get along with other dogs and there were no issues until she was around 4ish. She got attacked by a husky and split her head open. After that she slowly started becoming aggressive towards husky type dogs, and then it eventually spread to all dogs. She plays quite rough, and will run right at a dog at the park and growl and dominate them. If they are a well balanced dog, she will just play with them - but some dogs (understandably) dont like her approach and a fight starts. She ran at another dog on the trail a few monthes ago bit it causing stitches. She has friends that shes known for years that she plays with and there are never any issues - even though they play very rough. I am constantly worried about her when I take her for walks. After she bit the dog, I went and got her a lightweight grill style plastic muzzle - but she HATES it and drags her face along the ground and makes her paws bleed trying to get it off. She will play with it on for a bit but she acts even more aggressive than usual with it on, and even seems to use it as a 'battering ram'. Can anyone help with some ideas of how to control her behavior?? Its very stressful.

I would have to aggree w/ the previous comment, is your pitbull is dog aggressive then by all means avoid going to the dog park, unless you have "The Dog Whisper" Cesar Milan to help you out LOL. But seriously most dog parks are a set up for euthanization if your dog shows any aggression, and by you owning a pit bull you have to be twice as cautious as other others w/ say a lab or poodle. Pit bulls have become the victim of a large witch hunt and it seems that any news regarding a pit bull is bad news, and if your dog is attacked and tries to defend itself, then beware that the media and even local animal officers will probably say it's your dog that's at fault unless the other owner can vouch for you. And walking the dog in public w/ a muzzle I would only do that is my dog was Human aggressive, b/c if someone else's dog come and put their body in my dogs mouth while it's on a leash that's not my problem, I say control your own dog as we owners of pit bulls have to do.

Good post LMP, that is what I was going to say as well. You have a dog agressive breed and it is not likely you will be able to train her out of that. If there are certain dogs she will tolerate, that is fine, but you also need to be very attentive in that situation. They can turn in a second, even on their very best play buddy. I would defintetly not take her to the park. Take her for walks where she can be alone. If you do take her where there are other people or dogs, keep her away from them. Even if muzzled she can still do damage to another animal.

Thanks for the concerns guys! I actually havent taken her to the dog park in years, but when she had the altercation with the other dog a few monthes ago I sought advice from a local pit owner vet. He suggested trying to resocialize her at the dog park under the safety of the muzzle. It didnt work and I didnt feel comfortable becuase of her increased aggression with the muzzle. I now keep her on leash in public, and off leash only when the 'coast is clear'. She still plays happily with her friends - thankfully because it is a great way to wear her out! Im just looking for any advice that might be out there for resocialization. Or to find out if anyone else has a similar behavior in their dogs. Its really nerve racking!

Resocialization is always an option but I would think you would have to hire a professional that has lots of experience. Just in my own dogs, I have had some that have been together for years and one day decide they are no longer 'friends'. For me it is not worth the risk.

pitmamma wrote:

Resocialization is always an option but I would think you would have to hire a professional that has lots of experience. Just in my own dogs, I have had some that have been together for years and one day decide they are no longer 'friends'. For me it is not worth the risk.

I think "resocialization" is a horrible idea. These dogs don't need a "buddy" to hang out with. If they can get along that's great, but the companionship they truly desire is human companionship. Trying to force the dog to socialize with other dogs is asking for trouble and I would advise against it for sure. The dog is only doing what comes totally natural to it as the APBT has natural dog aggression. Just because it didn't show up till a little later in it's life doesn't make it wrong, or unusual.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but I would keep the dog away from other dogs period if I was you.

I'm not trying to sound like the typical pit bull owner that says they can't be socialized w/ other dogs, but boogieman has a great point these dogs are bred to be human companions they were not bred as pack hounds. The dog showing dog aggression is a natural instinct and to try and socialize the dog into a pack mannerism takes away from his natural heritage as a human companion and friend.

pitmamma wrote:

Good post LMP, that is what I was going to say as well. You have a dog agressive breed and it is not likely you will be able to train her out of that. If there are certain dogs she will tolerate, that is fine, but you also need to be very attentive in that situation. They can turn in a second, even on their very best play buddy. I would defintetly not take her to the park. Take her for walks where she can be alone. If you do take her where there are other people or dogs, keep her away from them. Even if muzzled she can still do damage to another animal.

Very true! I have an 8 yr old female who plays with the other dogs but if you don't read her body language well you can at any moment be dealing with a full on attack. I don't want that to be displayed in public b/c some will read that as a human aggressive dog as well which is not the case.