Staffie Owners??

epskie

Hi everyone,

Any Staffie owners here? I love my little dog so much, she is the sweetest little dog and such a part of the family. However, she is scared of everything! Has anybody else found this about their staffie?
My Sister's cat attacked her on Tuesday and she was shaking like a leaf, she is terrified of the hoover and the washing machine and she lies down flat whenever she sees another dog. Just wondering if any other Stafford owners have found similar traits in their dog?

Thanks

krlyr

It could be worth some checks and tests by the vet to rule out a health issue causing extreme anxiety. For example, hypothyroidism can cause anxiety - it caused my Rottie x to have bad separation anxiety for the last 6 months or so, finally resolved now she's diagnosed and on Soloxine. Pain can also cause behavioural problems, and some deficiencies too (e.g. magnesium deficiency can cause anxiety, and anxious dogs burn up more magnesium than normal too). A checkover won't pick up thyroid problems or other internal conditions, so do ask for a blood panel (including a comprehensive thyroid test - not just TSH levels) and consider things like x-rays if a physical examination hint towards any kind of pain.

Alternatively it may be to do with her socialisation to people/animals/things as a puppy, did you have her from a pup or did you get her when she was slightly older? Genetics can play a big part in personality too, which is why it's important to pick a good breeder and also view the mum/dad of the litter to get an idea of their temperament.

The bonus of a vet check means that if she's deemed completely fit, you can try to tackle it with a behaviourist and supplements or medication (medication should always be used in conjunction with behavioural modification to be most effective). There are a lot of calmative products on the market that you don't need to buy from a vet/get a prescription for - e.g. Zyklene and Calmex are two supplements in the form of capsules that you give either daily, or before a scary event. DAP/Adaptil is a plugin, spray or collar you expose the dog to, it mimics a mother dog's pheromones which she would use to calm puppies. There are items like the Thundershirt - a tight fitting dog coat based on calming pressure points (like swaddling a baby to calm it down) and so on.


Kikopup and pamelamarxsen are some good Youtube channels for training videos and I know one/both of them cover some of the issues you mention.
E.g.
If the fear presents as barking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_l9C1yT1g&list=UU-qnqaajTk6bfs3UZuue6IQ&index=0&feature=plcp

Counter conditioning a dog's emotional response - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PhqFdaNduo&feature=plcp

Fear of hoovers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCNAv5aETho&feature=plcp

zaksmum

Poor little thing. Some dogs are just born anxious. one of mine's like that, but put him in a field with the merest hint of rabbit and he's a fast, scary hunter.

Staffs do get such bad press but I've known a few like yours, sweet submissive creatures.

Hope she calms down for you.

Fire_Fox

Definitely have her checked over by the vet. Do you have access to a qualified behaviourist through your pet insurance?

MissKeith

My Staffie is pretty timid. She tends to cry at everything. She's confident with people but very nervous around bigger dogs. She's oblivious to cats and other smaller dogs but big dogs make her shake and cry. She's been checked over by the vet and they can't find a reason for it. In all other respects she's the perfect dog though.

gelbean

i have 2, one is as bold as brass and the other one just seems full of nervous energy. She is constantly on the go following everyone from room to room, submits to any dog that she sees and is quite clingy, shes been checked at the vets and apart from been quite skinny due to never stopping shes fine!

ragecake

I used to have a mixed breed, and Im tempted to adopt one to keep my german shep company, most of the ones I've known have been so soft.

meritaten

my staffie was a very confident type - I don't really remember anything making her nervous. She was a bit wary of our cat - but he scared everyone! I would get yours checked out by a vet - but, you havent said if she is a rescue or have you had her from a puppy? Nervousness isnt really a staffie trait - all the ones I have known tend to be either quiet calm dogs or rather confident full of themselves types.

skivenov

Do you know her history or is she a rescue dog? They're like people, different things affect different dogs different ways. My brother's got one that had a rough start in life, but it's turned out to be a happy socialable dog. On the other hand, my Alsatian x Wolfhound was a nervous wreck when I adoptted him and has always been a bit of a wimp if I'm not there to look after him (and this is a dog that when he was still growing could pin a 6' 2" muscley bloke to a wall by his shoulders.... and lick him to death :rotfl:).