Very new dog owner, what the hell do I do?

astonsmummy · 13 July 2008 at 6:52PM

Hi
My boyfriend has just 'surprised' me with an 18 month old staffie.
I have no idea about dogs, I grew up with 2 german shephards but as i wa a child mum and dad done all the doggie stuff.
Has anyone got any tips for me please?
Such as feeding times, walking, good toys or anything else I should know :eek:

Boppy_2 · 13 July 2008 at 7:30PM

You'll have your work cut out with a staffie but they are the most loyal loving dogs going, we have a 5 year old who is my baby girl.

Usually staffies love walking, mine can walk forever, however my old staffie hated it from day one, used to have to bribe him to walk lol!!

We tend to keep dry food down all the time so both our dogs can eat when hungry and then we give other food 1st thing in a morning or last thing at night. As dogs get older they tend to just eat once a day.

Toys for a staffie, you won't find one they won't be able to destroy in seconds unfortunately lol!! I tend to buy rawhide bones which keep her occupied for a while and also rope toys which she'll happily play tug with before ripping it to shreds!! Don't spend a fortune on toys, believe me it isn't worth it!!

Is it a dog or a !!!!! you have?

Carrera74 · 13 July 2008 at 7:30PM

I adopted my brothers staffie when she was about 1 year old when he lost his flat. She was lovely but a right handful!! They need lots of exercise, loads in fact! And hide anything you don't want eaten as they like to chew too. Our staffie loved pigs ears (yuk) and those plastic toys with colourful rope at each end, they were the only things that lasted more than 10 mins! The more exercise you can give them the better I'd say as that's probably why mine chewed as I worked full time and couldn't give her the attention she needed

Boppy_2 · 13 July 2008 at 7:31PM

thats a girl dog thats been blocked out!!

Titch89 · 13 July 2008 at 7:34PM

Make sure you put lids on bins. We've had to do this with our 4 year old greyhound. Do they have anywhere (not the sofa!) to sleep?

astonsmummy · 13 July 2008 at 7:41PM

Boppy wrote: »

You'll have your work cut out with a staffie but they are the most loyal loving dogs going, we have a 5 year old who is my baby girl.

Usually staffies love walking, mine can walk forever, however my old staffie hated it from day one, used to have to bribe him to walk lol!!

We tend to keep dry food down all the time so both our dogs can eat when hungry and then we give other food 1st thing in a morning or last thing at night. As dogs get older they tend to just eat once a day.

Toys for a staffie, you won't find one they won't be able to destroy in seconds unfortunately lol!! I tend to buy rawhide bones which keep her occupied for a while and also rope toys which she'll happily play tug with before ripping it to shreds!! Don't spend a fortune on toys, believe me it isn't worth it!!

Is it a dog or a !!!!! you have?

She's a biatch, I've fallen in love already!
We got her because the owner is going away.
OH just took her out for a walk and she absolutely loved it!
My friend was walking her, fell over and let go of the lead, Dee Dee ran ahead a little but then came staright back, so hopefully she's not a 'runner'

astonsmummy · 13 July 2008 at 7:42PM

Carrera74 wrote: »

I adopted my brothers staffie when she was about 1 year old when he lost his flat. She was lovely but a right handful!! They need lots of exercise, loads in fact! And hide anything you don't want eaten as they like to chew too. Our staffie loved pigs ears (yuk) and those plastic toys with colourful rope at each end, they were the only things that lasted more than 10 mins! The more exercise you can give them the better I'd say as that's probably why mine chewed as I worked full time and couldn't give her the attention she needed

Cool, well i only work 2 night a week and so am in all day every day, so it shouldnt be a problem.

astonsmummy · 13 July 2008 at 7:43PM

Titch89 wrote: »

Make sure you put lids on bins. We've had to do this with our 4 year old greyhound. Do they have anywhere (not the sofa!) to sleep?

No! Not yet.
We've got a cheap duvet which was for my sons bed but he doenst like it so will se if she'll sleep on that tonight.

Boppy_2 · 13 July 2008 at 7:44PM

astonsmummy wrote: »

She's a biatch, I've fallen in love already!
We got her because the owner is going away.
OH just took her out for a walk and she absolutely loved it!
My friend was walking her, fell over and let go of the lead, Dee Dee ran ahead a little but then came staright back, so hopefully she's not a 'runner'

She sounds lovely, what colour is she? My Jess is very much a runner for my OH :rotfl: good as gold for me she is but runs rings round him

They like to think they are humans so be warned, they also believe that they belong on the sofa with you :rolleyes: You can't go wrong with a staffie, they are absolutely perfect pets especially with children (don't believe any of this rubbish in the papers!) They are extremely stubborn though!

Titch89 · 13 July 2008 at 7:45PM

Boppy wrote: »

they also believe that they belong on the sofa with you :rolleyes:

Agreed. My parents greyhound is always like this. And she pinches peoples' seats.:rolleyes:

astonsmummy · 13 July 2008 at 7:46PM

Boppy wrote: »

She sounds lovely, what colour is she? My Jess is very much a runner for my OH :rotfl: good as gold for me she is but runs rings round him They like to think they are humans so be warned, they also believe that they belong on the sofa with you :rolleyes: You can't go wrong with a staffie, they are absolutely perfect pets especially with children (don't believe any of this rubbish in the papers!) They are extremely stubborn though!

LOL she's a red staffie.
She seems fine with us already, was a bit hyper at first but she's quietened donw and takes orders such as 'sit' and 'lay down'

Very new dog owner, what the hell do I do?

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