Stressmagnet

Great comments. My problem may have been I had an AmStaff bitch and I was not well versed emough (I thought I was but..) to manage her. They are a gorgeous gorgeous breed. If I could, I would.

Jeez, he weighed almost as much as Ernie. Don't get me started on fat Labradors. The next time I'm with the labrador club I'm going to take some photos so you can believe what I see. At least two of he labs are Ernie's size and easily EASILY 70kgs. Of course, funny how their owners are also in the same shape and sit on chairs for the whole get together. I get asked by said owners EVERY time if Ernie is 'purebred' because he's so 'small and skinny'. I'm getting a bit snarky as my last reply was 'yes, just like me' (I weigh 72kgs at 179cms). Soon I will be bashed if they can heft themselves out of their chairs to do so. I think it's abuse to do that to an animal, plain and simple.

Ernie has them on his front paws. One occasionally gives him trouble but I realised he's the first dog I've owned where they've been there. The only thing I have to watch is clipping them regularly, as his othe claws seem to trim themselves as he's got the patio to wear them down. I don't think that I'd be fussed if a dog still had them unless I knew the dog would be doing something that might cause injury such as agility or other dog sports. (Ernie at agility? Immense LOLs). You just have to keep an eye on them when you are doing regular grooming.

My poor breeder gets pics of Ernie dressed up in baby clothes, lying in his back with his tongue flopping out and watching Pitbull Rescue with intensity.. I could send her a video of all the things he's learned but sit/stay/shake/spin/drop/leave it and go to bed would bore her stupid. I just want her to know he's well loved, not fat and taken care of. I hope she's ok with that.

I owned a beautiful Anstaff. She was amazing with people - seriously awesome. At 8 months she decided she hated other dogs.. I tried several behaviourists - the best I could ever get her to do was to sit on leash when another dog appeared. I never ever could have her in an off leash area with other dogs. Broke my heart, but that was her. Yesterday I took Ernie to an off leash area with a friend who has an American cocker pup and an elderly Cavalier. There were two Staffies on lead (English) who's owners were struggling to control. Both slipped their collars and headed for our dogs. The male staffy was wonderful - play bowing and running around with the pups like a mad thing. The female headed straight for the cocker pup's throat and after the owner pulled her off (and we put the cocker on lead) the female broke free and went for the Cavalier. I got in the middle and scooped the old boy up. Interesting that the female staffy didn't go near Ernie - perhaps his size saved him. I love Staffies. But having had a staffy breed who came from a good breeder and she STILL turned dog aggressive PLUS the constant work and effort to try and desensitise her and failing - I know a staffy is not the breed for me. After yesterday, I'm not so sure it's for a lot of other folks either. Please get your hub to consider another breed. You could get lucky - the male staffy was a beautiful testament to the breed but unless you are willing to put in the time - you could get one that has dog issues. The owners yesterday openly admitted they'd done nothing to deal with the females dog issues as they were 'too busy'. If that's your husband, be prepared for a possible tragedy.

Wow. Ernie's getting extra cuddles and no yelling for slobbering on my feet anymore..

Ernie gets a Smackos when he goes to bed. I know it's complete junk but one a day won't kill him and he eagerly goes to bed. Funny thing. I usually go to bed at 9:30 (I'm old ya see). At 9:20 he starts staring at me with a laser like gaze. I have to put my knees up to block his line of sight if I intend to be a wild child and stay up to, say, 10:30. We call him 'old man'. When I FINALLY go to bed - he races to my room and into his crate with a long suffering sigh. He's only 10mos. What on earth will he be like when he's fully matured?

Hi Breeders I just sent off an email to Ernie's breeder with some photos and a little spiel about what he's been getting up to. It occurred to me that maybe breeders have so much else going on that they don't want regular updates on their pups. Is this stalking? I'm just so incredibly grateful that she listened to me and gave me the perfect boy for our family. I guess I want to encourage her to keep breeding even though I know she only has a litter every couple of years. I hear horror stories about teen dogs being returned or neglected and I want her to know just how loved he is. So AM I stalking? I email her about once every 6 weeks.

I too was one of 'those' before I got my AmStaff, Georgia. I knew a wanted a purebred AmStaff because I wanted to avoid the 'pit bull' label. Luckily, I had some lovely breeders help me 'get it'. With Ernie, Im afraid I DID have long conversations about my life since I needed the breeder to understand that some days I'm not active and why. I was upfront about my temperment needs and as a result, I had to wait for my perfect guy. But boy, I asked some stupid questions in the beginning.

I'm just SICK about this news. BWAHAHA.

I'm probably going to get flamed but... I took Ernie to the local cafe and while Miss 12 and I were enjoying our cake and coffee, I bought him a sausage roll. (Yeah I know but it's not a regular thing). He finished it in two bites and was lying quietly at my feet practicing his big boy behaviour when this woman with a fluffy sat down at the next table and proceeded to let her dog get in Ernie's face and climb all over him. He actually got up and moved as far away as his leash would allow. I too, asked the woman why she was letting her dog pester mine. Her answer 'he's a lab and I know he won't hurt her'. I asked her to keep her dog by her side. Her answer 'it's a public place'. (Yeah but Ernie was there first and the cafe had at least 6 empty tables). So when fluffy came over again and actually started to try and HANG OFF ERNIE'S JOWLS, I scooped it up and dumped it in her lap with the comment - 'look after your dog or i will'. Lady moved tables to get away from crazy lady with vicious labrador.

Stupif humans. That dead bird smelled GOOD: If I look unbearably handsome, I will get to stay up a bit later: My monkey, my circus:

What a load of absolute codswallop. Rescues sell dogs for under that. Oh. You won't be able to buy a PUREBRED dog for under that. Ernie's as purebred as they come, with impeccable lines going back 6 generations and he was much less than that. Oh. You won't be able to buy the 'dog of the month' for less than that? My neighbour just paid $4k for a beautiful Frenchie. Oh. HE won't be able to sell dogs. Now I understand.

EXCELLENT choice.

:rofl: That is brilliant, and one of the funniest things I have read on the forum. Your description was so visual I'll bet kisses were off the menu for a short period of time Omg. I just spat out my perfectly good glass of red. Best Story Ever.

Great post Aphra.

You mean the new and just purchased Fooble? Oh Ernie.... how? Ernie! It was on 15 minutes. I was cooking in the kitchen. It's split open plan, I heard the first ring - leaned over to see him get the treats. Heard the second ring, watched him immediately go to the ball. By the third ring, i had the blender on and by the time I turned it off and leaned over to check on him - ball lid chewed off, ALL treats gone and bits of plastic scattered around. Ernie must learn patience when it comes to food. He got a double dose of coconut oil to grease his works in case he'd ingested any of the damn thing. He's very pleased with himself.

Ernie destroyed the Foobler ball by the 2nd ring. He lacks, shall we say... Finesse.

I honestly don't think the dog's preference is a very good indicator as quite like us humans, they'll go for good flavours first and have no knowledge of what is "best" for them. Mine would happily eat all the chocolate and lollies if given the chance, he'd probably even choose them over raw meat. Sugars and fats are rich in energy and an opportunistic carnivore will jump the chance to eat anything containing high levels of them. Plus smell is a huge factor too. +1 If I put a tray of McDonalds in front of my daughter and a piece of steamed fish... I know what would be eaten first :laugh: Steamed fish is of the devil. :vomit

Ernie has taken 2 feral rabbits in our back yard and badly damaged a bush Turkey. He's a Labrador retriever- not a dog I would suspect of having a hunting drive. If it's small and it squeaks, I think it's instinct. On the other hand, that bush Turkey was a monster.

My AmStaff hated Labradors. She'd never had a bad experience with one, but would arc up and embarassi me every time we saw one. Do you know how many Labradors are in the suburbs? She never ever changed despite training and treats. My next dog was a labrador. He's never met anything that isn't his instant BFF.

Ernie stares at the empty hallway and growls every so often. Yikes.

When I was researching Amstaff breeders, this guy kept coming up. One look at his website told me all I needed to know. Looking further at his dogs - cemented my opinion. I so wish these dogs didn't appeal to this type of individual. It does nothing to help their tarnished image. Very sad.

I'd love one but out of my price range, unfortunately.

Just ordered mine as they are back in stock. Any updates from you buyers as to how they are going. I'm planning on using this as a crate treat or to get some peace during tv time as Ernie runs out of patience with 'lie down and be quiet'. Also think it might be a cool training toy?