westozmike

Thanks for your support Clyde - it's good to see there may be some light at the end of the tunnel if I keep working on it with her. We went to Carine Open Space last night were the obedience class I go to do their agility training under lights....great spectacle. Anyway, I was not going near the agility dogs (100 - 200 m away) and had her on a short (and sometimes long lead) just practising recall and focus with the distraction of the other dogs in the distance....there was good improvemnt over the 30 minutes we were there - though maybe she was just getting tired over this time - but either way I was pleased, and can see that I may be starting to get through to her when she's in "drive". Thanks to some great suggestions from this forum I have some good techniques to work on.... :D

nice one - I really appreciate your time and advice on this..... I'll give it a go.... ta

Thanks guys, some great advise. This has got myself and my family worried so we are committed to stamping it out... SBT123: I was a little shocked at the vet puppy school where it clearly was just a free for all - as I said earlier I ended-up putting my girl on a lead anyway despite others (including the instructor) saying things like "let her off, she has to learn, she's only playing".....I thought all along it was just reinforcing the bad behaviour. The obedience class puppy school does not let her off the lead - and I have control over the interaction.....while she still has officially 1 or 2 weeks left in puppy school there, I'll talk to the trainer this week to see if she can go to the next class up for more formal obedience classess. SBT123 (or others) do you have any thoughts on the type of lead/collar for a SBT? Halti / check chain / flat? I'm considering a halti at this point in time...while she has a long way to go with lead training of course - her flat collar is choking her quite badly when she interacts with other dogs / people....may very well be my technique (we're both still learning!!)

Unfortunately no - I may just get down to the obedience class earlier and stay longer though this week - hanging around the older dogs rather than the pups...

Thanks kavik: I am working on the recall with a long lead when no other distractions are around - she is doing very well at this. Her focus is definitely a problem with common distractions though - and so far she's not interested in treats at times like this (but I'm trying different treats hoping to find one she can't resist). I don't know much about clicker training but from what I've read on DOL it sounds great - I'll give it a go. Meets on a leash is mainly what I am doing - walking away after a few seconds or when she carries on. Hi Showdog: I am not too happy with the free for all at the vet's puppy class. The other (obedience school) puppy class is much more controlled. Her behaviour is generally better around adult dogs - maybe I should look at more of these opportunities. Valley CBR: I am at Karrinyup Small Animal Hospital (only been once so far) and Northern Suburbs Training & Obedience Dog Club in Carine (been 3 or 4 times).....I'm hoping atm that if I just keep going to the dog club through puppy classess and into the older classes she will get better.....with effective reinforcement at home and on walks of course. Hopefully she hasn't jumped all over or chased your dog..

After a very long search - my family is now the proud owner of a gorgeous Stafford Puppy. She is now 14 weeks - we got her at 9 weeks. Apart from the expected/normal mouthing and bite inhibition stuff we are going through atm - and she is getting better, I have an issue already with other dogs & pups. She is just over the top (more so than the other SBTs at puppy school). Getting in other dogs faces and not backing off or dancing around like pups do. She makes a bee line straight to other dogs and jumps and nips at their faces and wants to play fight with no slowing down. When on a lead she is pulling to the point of choking herself when other dogs are there. She also appears to target dogs that give her a negative reaction i.e. those wimpering and running away or those growling at her. I know she is only very young still - but this early behaviour is not positive and if she did it as an adult would no doubt come across as aggressive and get her into strife. My intention is not to have her off lead wondering around - but I want her to show some self control around other dogs. I actually have her at 2 puppy schools now to try and increase her exposure/socialisation. One school is a lot more controlled with very little off the lead time (though the instructor no longer allows her to be off lead); the other school is all off lead but I end up having to put her on as she is terrorising the other pups. She comes from good stock and I have met both her mum and dad. I have also learnt this week that the breeder observed this behaviour early but did nothing to stop it until a week before we picked her up. This forum has been great for advice so far - and I was hoping I may get some more help here.

Thanks Valley CBR. Someone else (on another post) was singing the praises also. Unfortunately Forestdale is too far from Carine to make it feasible for me. So far so good at Northern Suburbs Dog Club, though my little terror is a bit much for most of the pups and often has to be put on a lead during free play time to maintain some control. ;) This is not ideal, but the instructor is working with me to try and teach her some better play manners. My feeling is if there were some other SBTs (or similar strong dogs) in the class she would be better off. But this is just luck as to who turns up on the day.

fair call Willow That is one thing that has bothered me about the club is the "outdoor on grass puppy class"...ha ha ...funny words Unfortunately my nearest vet class does the same thing though out the back of the practice....

Thanks some more wise words sandgrubber and alpha bet....what lovely names ... ;) My intention is to go to Northern Suburbs Training & Obedience Dog Club - who are located walking distance from my house - don't worry I wont be walking the dog to puppy class ;) ..haha and I know my dog already - there's no way she's going to be an angel after a few weeks of puppy school - lots of work (and fun) in front of us I reckon :D

great responses guys - thanks. I was leaning towards pre-12 week classes. I have no doubt the little terror will be the most boisterous in the class ;)

Hi there, I have a 9 week old Stafford who I want to take to puppy school, primarily for socialisation. I understand there are different theories on the "risk vs benefit" before 12 weeks (particularly for Staffords). I am seeking knowledgeable opinion on the matter from the DOL community. Any advice/thoughts/opinions??

Thanks guys - appreciate your input and help ....

Sorry if this has already been asked - I searched but couldn't find exactly what I was after My new SBT pup is comming home next Monday and I intend to crate train. I am looking at two sizes (both have an adjustable panel to make it smaller for the pup), and would like some opinions from the ever informative Dogzonline community... 91 cm (L)x 61 cm (W) x 71 cm (H) or 76cm (L) x 53cm (W) x 61cm (H) I'm leaning towards the second (smaller) one. Please Help - I don't want tohave to buy another one when she is fully grown....

This forum is sensational - so many well meaning and knowledgeable people.... Thanks Clyde - I am in contact with Sandra now.... fingers crossed....

Yes I think we will walk away. I am contract savy - so would have no issues bedding down an arrangement, but there's still just too many complications with it. Sandra777: No I think we've been properly steered clear of blues now - partly thanks to you on other posts (thanks) They are very cute though!! We would love a black female stafford that we know would be great with our young family (I'm sure most staffords would fit this). Would like to meet the breeder - but would consider importing from over east from someone very experinced and understanding of our needs.

Thank you all for the quick responses. My wife and I are leaning towards no - for many of the reasons listed, but primarily: risk to the bitch, dealing with her when she's in season (again not being involved in breeding not sure if this is a big issue or not) and time away from home (could be tough on my two young children)... While it is a very nice pup - I think we'll keep looking for a no strings attached scenario... There are a lot of staffords around, but we're not finding it that easy to find one we want from a good breeder....we seem to be always just missing out on the girl that we want (very frustrating).. The blues seem to be easy to pick-up though - I guess people aren't keen on the high price and potential health issues.

Hi there, Wanted to put this query out to the DOL community for general opinion. A breeder has a female (staffy) pup available to us but will only sell on the proviso that we will allow her to have 1 or 2 litters in the future (at her kennels). Ideally we wanted to sterilise our new family pet - and have never been involved in breeding before (not that we would have to do anything as everything would be handled by the breeder). Any thoughts on this would be appreciated??

Thanks for the help and responses on this matter - I am learning so much here... cheers :thumbsup: java script:add_smilie("","smid_12")

Hi there - I'm currently talking to a few breeders of staffies. Looking for a new family pet. I am an eperinced dog owner but very new to evaluating purebreds (and breeders ). My question is: One of the pups we are looking at has a grandad on the sire's side that is the same dog as the great-grandad on the dam's side (as listed on the registered pedigree). Is this considered acceptable? Are there any general rules for dogs with regard to this that I should be aware of? As I said I am a real novice but keen for some help/advice. PS - This forum is a goldmine I have learnt so much already - Thanks!!

Thanks for the feedback. Sandra777 - I like the "cut of your jib" ... You summed up nicely regarding other potential flaws which are likely to be present in any given SBT - so why simply focus only on the nose colour...could common sense I would have thought. So - am I correct in saying that other than the dilute alopecia issue, there are no other health issues directly related to a blue SBT. If this is correct and if I can be assured (by written and observable evidence) that the blue is of good healthy stock, has no other heriditry/genetic issues, is from a breeder who's is focused on health as much (if not more than colour) - then i should be OK with my blue selection from a blue litter. Or is it possible that the dilute alopecia could develop in a dog even if it comes from stock that haven't had it??

Ok - I will say at the start I know little of breeding and I'm currently researching staffies for a new family pet. I am an experienced dog owner though, of different breeds and some rescued mongrels. I have found this topic and the SBT breed topic very interesting and informative. Thanks to all the geat contributors. I have the following questions/comments, please forgive my ignorance on some of these: - Could someone please direct me to a topic, articles, websites (whatever) that detail the potential detrimental health implications specifically for blue SBTs? - Is there some specific thing I should be looking for in a blue pup which would indicate a potential health implication (directly related to the blue colour)? - I understand there may be skin and eye problems - but is this not a potential for all staffies? May be more prevalent in Blue (I don't know)? - If the pups come from a line of blues with no apparent health issues - is this a better bet? - Is there a difference between a dark blue, fawn blue and a normal blue (other than colour of course)? - COMMENT: I am totally bemused by the contradiction in the standard (i.e. black nose but blue listed as an acceptable colour). Now forgive my (potential) ignorance here but my limited knowledge of standards suggests that the standard itself (and strict adherence to it) has for many dogs resulted in extreme health issues. I don't believe this is the case with SBTs but I personally would place only limited confidence on a "standard" that is not scientific but rather just a description of physical appearance determined to be appropriate by a club 50+ years ago with limited medical/scientific knowledge compared to today. The contradiction mentioned above is a classic example of this. I'm not suggesting to do away with a standard but surely they shhould be adjusted for modern times and current day knowledge. - It seems there a few blue champions out there - why is this so if they appear to be so frowned upon? I am interested in a Blue simply because I like their appearance (I also really like blacks). Not particualry keen on the lighter or grey blues - but the dark blues. Is there someone who could direct me to reputable blue breeders (if there areany in their opinion) in WA? I have no problem paying more for a blue. We live in a capitalist socienty with a free market and hence price for any commodity is a matter of supply and demand. Having said that I certainly do not want to deal with a breeder who is ignoring the health of a breed/dog purely for financial gain. Would love to hear some comments/answers on any or all of the above - especially from Ellz