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

candygirl

Awwww shes not !!!!!!.My Buddy was v thin when he was younger, now he's like a barrel on legs:rotfl: :rotfl:

Keith

astonsmummy wrote: »

Se'd definately a puller!
Yes can you get the make for me?

Try the Halti Harness from Pets At Home. Our staffie pulled like an idiot until we bought one.

As it's boxed, if it doesn't work, you can take it back

EssexGirl

candygirl wrote: »

aww ESSEXGiRL your staffy looks very much like my Candy[strike]and yea she has got a hoody on here[/strike]

Goodness they do look alike! That looks like my ones "I've been told off" face lol. Can you imagine, an Essex Staffie in a hoodie? It REALLY shouldn't be done, ever :eek: !

Hawthorn

This is my girl at christmas. She sulked after I did this to her LOL

~Chameleon~

Hawthorn wrote: »

This is my girl at christmas. She sulked after I did this to her LOL

That is hilarious!!!! She soooo does not look happy to be dressed as santa :rotfl:

Not sure I like the idea of a staffie wearing a hoodie though, think it might give off the wrong impression, especially as staffies don't get a good press anyway. But then I'm not keen on the idea of dressing dogs in clothes full stop

Hawthorn

I used to be like this Chameleon. However, having a bull terrier? You get a lot of people judging her. They think nothing of saying that she's a vicious dog to your face, she's ugly, etc etc. I find this happens less if she happens to have a pink bandana (or a hoodie.......she has one that says 'princess' on it, and another that says throw me a bone. We had another bully a while back - a male, and his said 'dogfather' on it LOL)
It seems to diffuse some of the (irrational) fear people have of this breed.

~Chameleon~

Hawthorn wrote: »

I used to be like this Chameleon. However, having a bull terrier? You get a lot of people judging her. They think nothing of saying that she's a vicious dog to your face, she's ugly, etc etc. I find this happens less if she happens to have a pink bandana (or a hoodie.......she has one that says 'princess' on it, and another that says throw me a bone. We had another bully a while back - a male, and his said 'dogfather' on it LOL)
It seems to diffuse some of the (irrational) fear people have of this breed.

I never thought about it from that angle but you do have a point. I think it also depends very much on the attitudes of owners too as there are those that will use their dog as an "accessory" and dress it accordingly to try and intimidate the public, not that I think anyone on this thread is that sort of person.

Then on the other end of the scale there are the ones that dress toy breeds in prissy clothes with ribbons and bows, poor dogs look mortified half the time!!!

I've never understood why people are so afraid of bulldogs as I've yet to meet one that has a nasty bone in it's body. They do actually make the ideal family pet, yet people seem to have the impression they're vicious and dangerous

Hawthorn

Just to add, I have no defense for the Santa costume. That was purely taking the mickey out of her :rotfl:

Some of the positive attention you get for a Bull terrier - usually gangs of lads around 17-18....'oh maaate, gorgeous dog you got there. I want one of those. Aren't they vicious? How much did it cost yer maaaate'

Then, you do get the nice people too. Usually ones who have either owned, or known someone who has owned a Bull terrier. These dogs have so much personality it's untrue. To know them, is to love them

I got her completely unexpectedly. I wanted a dog, but wanted a spaniel or something equally soft and fluffy. Then, I met my friend. She'd just had this litter of pups, and Rolo immediately grabbed my heart (she was two weeks old then)
I was very lucky to get her, as she was pick of the litter. It was only the circumstances around the flooding that enabled me to have her.
Never in my life did I think I'd have a bull terrier. They do grow on you though.

pink_piggy17

Aww, staffies are gorgeous and so playful!

basically, she needs about an hours walk per day, you can feed her twice a day, a good quality dry food (e.g. royal canin, burns) or a natural homemade diet is best.
you can also sign her up for training classes to get her to learn obedience and it's also a good opportunity to get her socialized (staffies need to be well socialised with other dogs as they can have a tendency to be grumpy with other dogs sometimes)

other things would be worming tablet every 6 months (I use Drontal Plus) regular vet check ups and vaccinations and she's also old enough to be spayed if it hasn't been done already.

Good luck!

astonsmummy

pink_piggy17 wrote: »

Aww, staffies are gorgeous and so playful!

basically, she needs about an hours walk per day, you can feed her twice a day, a good quality dry food (e.g. royal canin, burns) or a natural homemade diet is best.
you can also sign her up for training classes to get her to learn obedience and it's also a good opportunity to get her socialized (staffies need to be well socialised with other dogs as they can have a tendency to be grumpy with other dogs sometimes)

other things would be worming tablet every 6 months (I use Drontal Plus) regular vet check ups and vaccinations and she's also old enough to be spayed if it hasn't been done already.

Good luck!

Thanks.
She wont touch dry food at all, but i've been reading on a staffie forum that cans are bit crap
We have been taking her over the back field each afternoon, and we have a garden so she's not stuck in all day, plus if we go up the shops we'll take her with us (only if me and OH go though)
I went out and bought her 2 toys today and she's soooooooo not interested!
All she wants to do is cuddle up to us bless her.