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Original poster

Advice please re Staffs

27 replies

12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 09/02/2009 13:20

Hello all, my family is in the process of adopting a dog from the local Dog's Trust and I'd just like a few pointers.

After looking at a few dogs that turned to be unsuitable for our situation (me, DP and DS (13)) we've decided on a 1-year-old Staff bitch. We've been to the Dogs Trust a couple of times and yesterday took her for a walk. She's absolutely adorable, fabulous with DS, adores DP, and we're having the home-check tomorrow morning. Obedience is quite good considering her young age but there is a bit of extra training needed.

Background - not much known about her history as she was a stray with the RSPCA for a fortnight and has been with the Dogs Trust for a fortnight too.

I've read loads of stuff on the net and asked tons of questions at the Dogs Trust, but I thought first-hand-experience advice would be better.

Ta muchly.

OP posts:
bella29 · 09/02/2009 13:28

tbh, I see each dog as an individual and if you're not that experienced I would recommend you enrol yourselves in a training class, which will help you both. Your local vet should have details. That said, Staffies are often misunderstood and can be fantastic family dogs.

Very best of luck with her - she sounds lovely.

LittleB · 09/02/2009 13:30

hi, no experience of staffs as such, but I have rescued a couple of dogs. Training was hard work, harder with my young collie X who was about 1, with no history like yours. I went along to a local dog club and did some training with them which helped. Do you know if shes good with other dogs? Also takes quite a while to settle in and for their true personality to come out, our young collie was very quiet in the centre, and at first, quite nervy and quiet, but after a few months with us he was a confident happy dog, also pretty mad and very bouncy. I've heard it said it can take up to 6mths for a dog to settle into a new home, and I'd agree with this from our experience.Good luck with her, I hope she settles with you quickly.

BlueSapphire77 · 09/02/2009 13:31

Will someone be at home with her most of the time as they can be destructive..tis not a breed specific thing (before i get flamed by staffy owners) but does tend to happen, and no dog should be left for long hours really (speaking out of arse as i leave my dog while i'm at work but what the hell can't i be sanctimonious once in a while )

bella29 · 09/02/2009 13:33
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 09/02/2009 13:39

Thanks Bella29 and LittleB.

I have experience with Staffs from friends and family members who've had them, but not as an owner.

I'll definitely talk to the vet about training classes - great idea.

She doesn't like all dogs, wary of some, completely non-chalant with others. We took her for a walk yesterday in the Dogs Trust with LOADS of other dogs about the place. She wanted to play with most of them, seemed to be wary of one (a teeny tiny little thing!) and one of them (muzzled) got really aggressive when he saw her, growled, pulled his owner/walker towards us, really doing his best to "have a go". But she just looked up at him (he was massive) and carried on walking. Not phased, not encouraged to join in the aggression or anything.

Everybody at the Dogs Trust said they knew she wouldn't be there long and that she's completely adorable.

I'll definitely speak to the vet about those classes.

OP posts:
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 09/02/2009 13:41

No - she won't be left alone as my job is very flexible and can work at home whenever I need to (didn't go into the office at all between June and August last year ) and DP works shifts.

OP posts:
BlueSapphire77 · 09/02/2009 14:12

Hi bella

BlueSapphire77 · 09/02/2009 14:13

However .... i personally would have a rottie

As i love mine to bits

But i'm biased lol

tonysoprano · 09/02/2009 14:19

why would anyone would have one of these horrible vicous dogs? 3 month old in wales has just been mauled to death. why take the risk?

tankie · 09/02/2009 14:22

Any dog can be horrible and vicious, just as any dog can be trained and cared for properly.

Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 09/02/2009 15:33

tonysoprano - I'm not surprised you've mentioned this recent mauling, but how do you know it wasn't the JRT that was the culprit?? Any dog is potentially horrible and vicious, but I honestly think it's down to the owner to take a selfless, responsible attitude. Train the dogs properly, don't leave dogs (any dogs) alone with little ones. My DS is not a wee baby potentially viewed as a plaything, he's bigger and taller than me (5'7"), I'm the short one in our house. I'm not being flippant saying that though and am taking this very seriously. She's coming from the local Dogs Trust, has been thoroughly checked over, vet certified, all jabs etc up to date, we're being vetted (excuse the pun) too.

A dog, any dog, should never be left unsupervised with a child. I have no intention of every making that mistake. I have a very well brought up 13 year old DS which took a lot of commitment, time and hard work. Any pet, not just dogs, deserves the same sort of respect and that's what I intend to do.

We're not taking this lightly at all. We KNOW that we'll ALL have to put the effort into making sure the dog fits into our family. She's not a toy. She's not a temporary addition to the family that, if we get fed up with the effort required, we can just toss out with the rubbish. We're not stupid and know it will take the time and effort. She won't be allowed to roam the streets and will always be on a lead in public places.

When I was little, our next door neighbour's dog would bark and bite at anybody who came within any distance of their house. Every single time I came home from school it was yapping, growling and biting at my ankles (and it bit my sisters upper leg too on one occasion). That dog was a Jack Russell!! Because of that (and I honestly think it was because the dog was basically left to its own devices all day so not really its fault) I can't stand Jack Russells, but that doesn't make me think ALL Jack Russells are equally aggressive (DS's best friend has one and she's lovely).

BlueSapphire - yes I've seen your posts on the thread mentioned in tonysoprano's post. I understand your point, am expecting the next few weeks to be very interesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 10/02/2009 11:36

Woo-hoo, passed our home check. So we'll be getting all the stuff tonight and picking her up in the morning

OP posts:
Molesworth · 10/02/2009 12:01

Congrats 12SNTB10 - do post some piccies on your profile so we can admire the new arrival

We have a Staffie friend and he is the best natured dog imaginable

anniecam38 · 10/02/2009 12:07

Congrats on your new addition{grin}, Staffies are lovely dogs, ive had 2 myself. They have a lot of bad press but IMO its the owners who are at fault not the dog. Staffies just want to love you to death.

nickschick · 10/02/2009 12:10

We have a rehomed staffie/pitbull he's lovely- very gentle and obedient and actually quite timid.

Marne · 10/02/2009 12:24

Hi, we have a 1 year old staffie bitch, we got her from a breeder as a pup, she's very loving, needs a lot of attention, is great with the kids (dd2's best friend), she's a bit of a baby really, she sleeps we me like a baby , the only down side is she is hyper and has loads of energy, she's not great on the lead but is great off the lead (stays by my leg).

Good luck with your Staff, i'm sure she will be a loving member of your family, enjoy xx

BlueSapphire77 · 11/02/2009 13:21

12SNTB10

Well? C'mon Did you get one

staffylover · 19/02/2009 22:19

Dont listen to tonysoppyprano !As has been said its not sure that the Staffy was the main culprit. That said they are wonderful dogs and you should make it a member of your family as they are loving and loyal, like most dogs. Ive never met a vicious Staffy but have met many vicious owners.

Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 25/06/2009 11:13

Blimey - I forgot about starting this thread
Yes, we did get her, brought her home 11th Feb and she's gorgeous.
She's never used the house as a toilet - even when she had an upset stomach during taking antibiotics when she got spayed... she'd come and grab us (if we were out of the room) to let her out, is scarily well behaved (previous owners did a marvellous job there), loves everybody, ignores most dogs on her walks - actually looks quite aloof and offended that the other dogs even dare to come into her space
We were dubious about letting her off the lead in the park but she NEVER EVER runs away, just kind of wide-circles us and always looks back to make sure we're still there (perhaps memories of being abandoned by last owner?? - she was stray picked up by the RSPCA then taken to local Dogs Trust).
My friend advised getting an indoor kennel for her to sleep in to avoid chewing of kitchen table etc. She was not impressed the first two nights but now we just have to say "bedtime" and in she goes. Fabulous.
I'm not sure how to add pics to my profile, but I'll give it a go.
It feels liks she's been with us forever, very good choice by us I'd say

OP posts:
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 25/06/2009 11:14

Ooh, forget to mention, she was slightly older than first thought, she's actually 3.

OP posts:
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 25/06/2009 11:42

Pics are now in my profile.

OP posts:
Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 25/06/2009 12:34

fair enough - well it did take me four months to respond to the last post on this thread

OP posts:
SouthMum · 25/06/2009 12:52

Ahh she sounds and looks lovely.

I love Staffies and won't have any other breed of dog.

Good choice

Original poster
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 25/06/2009 16:28

I agree

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hertsnessex · 03/07/2009 17:33

i had staffies growing up and then got 2 myself, i love the breed and her pics look adorable. now have a BM and getting a DDB next week but would def have a SBT again. hope you are all enjoying having her x