Just acquired a new puppy, updated with pics and new Qs!

viktory · 23 February 2010 at 11:10PM

Careful with toys. Staffies have amazingly strong jaws and all the Staffies I have known have managed to destroy all toys in minutes - a Kong might be an exception to the rule though.

CFC · 24 February 2010 at 12:41AM

My new boy has an absolute obsession with cables. Make sure you tuck all yours away and watch Coco like a hawk - after about a week he'll have his paws right under the table and you'll see what she's really like ;0

BubblyMumbles · 24 February 2010 at 1:01AM

Aww, well done you for taking on a rescue dog! :T

Coco is a great name, one of my cats is called Coco!

As regards feeding I'd watch what you give her. It would be best if she continued on what she had been getting and then you very gradually (over a wekk or two) changed her on to whatever you wanted her to have. Definitely not Bakers or Pedigree, they're not good at all! My boy has a very bad tum and he has a mix of NatureDiet wet food and Autarky dry food, both excellent IMO.

If she's not toilet trained then get her outside as often as possible and you'll learn to read her body language and see the signs when she needs to go. often it's after food, after playing, when they've been excited etc.

Crates are a personal choice but I would recommend it, especially if she's a chewer, plus most dogs love them as it's their own private space where they can chill out.

Make sure you establish rules asap and let her know she's not top dog in your house. Don't go for the over sympathy bit, you won't be doing her any favours at all.

I'm sure you'll have loads more questions as time goes on but I'd just enjoy my new pup and spend time getting to know her and letting her get to know you.

Good luck!

Lemony · 24 February 2010 at 5:19PM

Congratulations on your lovely new dog. I think she is lucky to have found you.

Please keep us posted on how she is doing, and don't forget to show us some pics!

jackieglasgow · 24 February 2010 at 5:20PM

OK First night report.

She setlled fantastically last night. We put a stairgate over the stairs, and she was essentially penned in the front hall which is L shaped, about 5-6m sqaure, in her bed with some water. She whimpered when OH put off the landing light (after some discussion, her didn't want to leave her in the dark!), and scratched at the gate for about a minuted, then simply lay down and went to sleep! I wakened a few times but could hear her snoring away. OH got up at 6am and fed her one sachet of the puppy food and two slices of toast and marmalade, which he had to show her how to eat, then walked her half an hour later, and she did her businesses!

So, she is toilet trained, and didn't seem to suffer from the food, which was all the local shop had, I asked in pets at home, but the girl was about 12, and I wasn't too confident in her replies, so that will be sorted later.

She was at home on her own from 9-3, and didn't seem to happy to be left (in the hallway as last night). I had given her another wee sachet around 8 as she seemed hungry, and was worried she might need to go so left some newspaper down. I came home fully expecting it to be torn to shreds, but she didn't bark at all when I opened the door, in fact, she woke up, and stumbled dopily towards me! Delighted to see me, no mess, no toilet mess, she'd drunk a little water and is fine. Didn't like the snow, went out and did her business and back in sharply, had dinner, and is now waiting for daddy to come home and walk her.

I think we have been very lucky, she is completely adorable and well natured, and I hope she isn't just getting her feet under the table first!

Having probs wirth the bluetooth connection on the lappy, so will try and dig the USB out tonight so I can show her off!!

jackieglasgow · 24 February 2010 at 5:31PM

viktory wrote: »

Careful with toys. Staffies have amazingly strong jaws and all the Staffies I have known have managed to destroy all toys in minutes - a Kong might be an exception to the rule though.

So what's a Kong, please?

foreign_correspondent · 24 February 2010 at 6:54PM

she sounds lovely - glad she has settled in so well! Tell the OH to go easy on things like toast and marmalade though - its really not good for dogs, may cause an upset tum in the short term, and health, weight and dental issues in the long term - I do occasionally let my dog have a crust off the toast, but 2 slices is a lot for a dog!

Raggs_2 · 24 February 2010 at 7:14PM

Kongs are toys with empty cavities within, made out of an extremely tough rubber. Basically chew toys, that you can stuff with food, making it a game to get it out for the dog. The black ones are made with dogs capable of chewing threw steel in mind.

jackieglasgow · 24 February 2010 at 7:41PM

Thank you, but it was Nimble, which is light as air, (I'm on a diet!) and our last dog lasted to the ripe old age of 14 with ordinary wholemeal as breakfast every day of his life. I thought a bit of toast would be a bit safer than a bellyful of pedigree chum, which was all I had in, until we know how she is and what does or doesn't disagree with her. The marmalade was simpy because my OH can't stand butter, so won't even spread it! LOL

elsien · 24 February 2010 at 7:44PM

Kongs and nylabones are reasonably bull terrier resistant - note I say resistant not proof! You still need to monitor and take them away when they start looking the worse for wear. They're the only toys it's ever been safe for my mutt to have and it takes her mind off the furniture, skirting boards front door and all the other things a strong chewy pup otherwise finds irresistable when they get bored.