Rehoming a rescue staffi cross?

[whatismyusername]

We have today been to see a lovely staffie cross at a local rescue centre. Have had my eye on him for ages. He is about 3 years old and they don't know much about his as the dog warden had to force entry to get him from a house as he was constantly being left alone. Have had dogs before, but never a staffie.
I have a 12 year old DS and he came to see him and they got on well.

Just a little bit nervous as don't know the breed well and know they are given a bad name by some idiots who had them. But he could of been owned by one of these idiots we don't know

Just a little scared and wondered if any stories to share on rescue staffies?

I had a good chat with the rescue manager earlier. She was not sure who I spoke to last time but she assured me that my lad has been socialised and put through various testing, they wouldn't let out a dangerous dog etc. He has been out being walked with other staffies and stooge dog and always been fine. So that is a big relief!

The best news is that someone on this thread mentioned that the half chokers are not good, so I took it off him today and just used the harness (also I am pretty sure when we 'test drove' him at the rescue he only had harness) - it really made a difference :) :) :) We got to our dog walking area (am sticking to same place for now) and there were no dogs about, so again as suggested by someone on this thread, I got the ball out and let him off. He was ace!! Absolutely loved the ball and highly focused on that and my excitable clapping and yays each time he got it!!!! We had about 45 mins down there. ITs a huge field so when I saw a dog enter one part we just went the other way and he just focused on the ball :) About half hour in a collie comes running out from wood area and running towards us (cue me panic, he doesn't notice), frantically look round for owner to tell them to keep it away but no-one to be seen. I stick my boy back on the lead and put my hand out to try and keep the collie away, it was strange though it was cowering towards me very submissive and I thought for a while I was having to deal with a bloody lost dog. My lad showed no interest!!!!! Then some bloke comes out the woods and I shout out if the dog is his, he waves and starts to walk towards us. I take my lad off and the dog just sat watching its owner walk over to it. It was fab that my dog didn't react at all, but very odd behaviour from the dog, worried now that the owner is nasty to it and he/she wanted to come with us

Also, upped the leaving him to 45 mins today and he was looking out the window when I got but all fine and no damage. Happy day today :)

We are only a few mins from the beach and I'm dying to take him. Might leave it for another couple of days and then take him with the long leash

That's really great news. For the first two to four weeks I would recommend setting up your routine and keeping things quite samey as he adjusts to his new home. Then once he has had a chance to settle, introduce new interesting visits and walks. I know the temptation to take them here there and everywhere is very strong but a nice steady intro to life with you will set you up much better.

whatis I wonder if you're describing something that we noticed with our old staff...

He would play happily with any dog offlead. But sometimes - only with certain dogs - got reactive if onlead. Not always, but... it was unpredictable. Something about being onlead made him feel restricted or 'trapped' I guess. He never had a fight in his entire life but went through phases of being very reactive but only onlead and only with certain dogs.

I did think you got a bit of a prat on the phone yesterday and all you needed to do was ring again and find someone with half a brain.

Beach? You're so lucky! And he has landed on his feet with you.

We have managed to keep away from other dogs as he is just loving his ball. Its great! He is off the lead for about a half hour chasing it and running around, there were plenty of dogs around minding their own business and he wasn't at all interested. He did see a squirrel and he was off... not too far though and he did come back but was pretty wound up after so I just put him back on lead for a bit.

Left him for two hours today and from what I can see (spying from down the road) he spent it looking out the window. Its a shame as he had plenty of exercise and a yummy kong so was hoping he would chill out. Nothing destroyed though and post still on the doormat intact :) Monday am back to work and I am quite worried about leaving him for 4 hours even though rescue told me he would be ok. I have lots of bits to keep him amused and have just brought one of those DAP diffusers so hope that will help. Any more advice on leaving him? I already ignore him for 10mins before I go out [which I hate doing]. When I come back he is excited but crowching down as though he has done something wrong? Which he hasn't. He has been so good about toiletting on the grass, earlier he was sat outside back door enjoying the sun and I went out and he had done a wee by the door. I just say 'oh, whats that' and he skulked off to his bed scared :( I went in after him to give him a cuddle. Makes me wonder what has gone on with him :( He is very obedient, if I click towards his bed he will go but think his training may have been done with some force

My other slight worry is that as DS has been at school this week he has not had that much time with him and he has instead become my shadow and appears a little bit in love with me... I don't want him becoming possessive over me. I got DS to feed him this morning and get him to do a couple of tricks for a treat. Any other advice on this?