staffy and pre schooler?

[tygertygerburningbright]

I have a three and a half year old ds. His father has a 7 year old staffy and I know her well. She is very well trained and never left alone with ds etc.

I have been thinking of getting a dog for a while, and an 8 month old staffy has become available.

I'd really like some opinions on how best to introduce the dog and my son etc. I've never had a dog before but xp has offered me extensive advice on how to train a staffy and safety issues.

If anyone thinks this is a horrid idea please tell me. I'm not sure if getting an older puppy is a better idea than a baby one or whether it will be harder to train. Thr staff is coming from a house with a five year old but I guess you can't ever be sure of the reasons for re homing.

[tygertygerburningbright]

Anyone?

[ClaimedByMe]

It will be hard work, you will have to be committed to training the pup and child, I have a 6 year old staffy and my children are 8 & 11, we have only had the dog 18months, she really is the most loyal laid back dog.

[SpicyPear]

I have a staff and they can be fantastic family pets, but I would strongly advise against private rehoming. It is much safer for all involved to go through a reputable rescue to find one that has been fully assessed and comes with rescue support and an agreement to take them back should things not work out.

[Dirtybadger]

Another staffie owner saying do not rehome privately! Have you met the dog? IME staffies being rehomed at this sort of age commonly come from homes where the foundation work has not been put in early on which manifests itself in mouthing, jumping up, generally poor impulse control and varying degrees of communication deficit with other dogs.

For what it's worth my experience comes from stray staffies so they come from the most irresponsible owners, though. They usually have the same problem behaviours, and are between 6 months and 3 years (tearaway teens).
We do get some lovely dogs (young and old) who are 'straight forward' but at 70%, I'd say, are 'generally good but need groundwork'.

They are not notorious for being social butterflies with other dogs so this is an important consideration if your dp has a dog (especially another staffie). A rescue will be able to give you more advice on whether they look like a good match, and be able to offer life time back up if for whatever reason things don't go as planned. A private home will be unlikely to do this. You may end up stuck with two dogs who want to kill each other with nowhere to take the younger one (because no rescue will touch it, what with being so full up).

BUT like I said my experience of the breed is based upon a few of my own and many from the most irresponsible owners. There are so many "straight forward" staffies sitting in kennels and in foster homes up and down the country you'd be daft not to consider them and opt for private rehoming instead. For all the negative stuff I've said I wouldn't be without one so please don't think I'm "hating" on them even remotely.

[Monty27]

No. Wouldn't do it. I had one pre dcs. He was hard work. I did adore him. A neighbour used to come occasionally and knock on the door he'd go ballistic. But only at that particular neighbour. I'd never trust an unknown dog with a littlie. Ever.

[higgle]

we have had two fairly elderly rescue Staffies, both have had beautiful manners and got on well with children. Our present dog came from Rescue Remedies, they always seem to have a few who are living with children in foster which makes it easier to be confident.

[ilovedogsandcats]

No to private rehoming.

[ilovedogsandcats]

No to private rehoming.

[ilovedogsandcats]

No to private rehoming.

[ilovedogsandcats]

Oops, apologies for duplicate posts.

[Booboostoo]

I would agree with the no to private rehoming. The dog will not have been assessed by a professional for suitability as a family dog, there is no fall back for advice and no alternative if you discover you can't cope with the dog. Also, I would assume that some private homes may lie about the reasons for rehoming. Eight months is the start of the stage where the cute puppy has grown into a badly behaved teenager - you inherit all the problems and have just missed the opportunity to avoid them with socialisation and training (you can overcome problem behaviours but why start from a difficult place?).

Ideally you should research your breed, research your breeder and wait for a suitable puppy. Or you should go to a reputable rescue centre and ask them to match you with an older, suitable dog. An older dog may be a better bet for you as you can check it's house trained, has basic commands, is good with children, walks nicely on the lead. A puppy will require a lot of hard work and your 3yo may not always want to co-operate.

[Anniegoestotown]

Please note the sex of both staffies. On no account house 2 female staffies together.