Rescuing a Staffie

ianian99

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

Hi,

there is a 1 yr old Staffie !!!!! at our local dog rescue centre. we are considering rehoming it.

we have a collie which we have taken up with us and the two got along fine for the 15 or so minutes they were together in the outside area at the centre.

we have our heart set on the dog but got home and started to do some research.

we do agility with the collie and have been told that staffies make good agility dogs, one big tick in the box.

our big concern is that there seems to be a lot of advice to keep the dog on a lead at all times or even muzzled. is this due to reputation, that it is likely to start a fight or the danger that if the dog gets into a fight it can do serious damage?

am i right in thinking that staffies don't fall under the dangerous dogs act?

having a dog that cannot be let off the lead really does not fit in with what we are looking for in a dog. so it would be a mistake for us to home this dog only to find that we need to take it back again in a couple of months time, not fair on the dog. we understand that there will be a period of months with any dog we home where it will need training and will be on the lead almost all of the time we are outside.

any help appreciated.

ALL dogs should be on a lead when out.

WeirdoMagnet

I don't have a staffie, but I think it depends on the individual dog. What is this dog like at the moment? How does she appear with other dogs?

Like kr15 says, it's down to training too. So long as you take it slow, and go at her speed, introducing her carefully to the scary barky excited collies - maybe going walks with some of your collie agility pals, and doing some training with your staff while the collies are agilitying, say in the next field, so she can get used to them.

I think maybe it is breed discriminantion when people say 'they don't back down'. Why not join DogPages? There are lots of agility folk on there, if you post on the Training & Behaviour Board, they'll help you out.

adouglasmhor

ianian99 wrote: »

ALL dogs should be on a lead when out.

Some dogs need more exercise than walking at a human pace can give, so you are proven to be wrong at the first hurdle.

WeirdoMagnet

ianian99 wrote: »

ALL dogs should be on a lead when out.

But the OP would like to do agility with the dog, and it can't be on lead for that, which is why they are asking.

Alibi wrote: »

Could you ask the rescue centre if you could take the Staffie in question to one of your training sessions to see how the dog reacts?

I half thought that when I posted earlier. But I think that taking a unknown dog who is not used to seeing excited barky agility collies is bound to react, so I don't think it would tell you alot. It's a bit more difficult at this time of year as I'm guessing that the training is inside, rather than outside in the summer, where you could expose her more gradually. Someone on DogPages will have an idea, I'm sure.

ianian99

adouglasmhor wrote: »

Some dogs need more exercise than walking at a human pace can give, so you are proven to be wrong at the first hurdle.

then you shouldn't have a dog if you cant keep up with it!

ianian99

Georgina wrote: »

But the OP would like to do agility with the dog, and it can't be on lead for that, which is why they are asking.

then it should be done on private secure ground then

adouglasmhor

ianian99 wrote: »

then you shouldn't have a dog if you cant keep up with it!

I will be ignoring your trolling from now on. A dog of any working breed will have greater exercise needs than any human can keep up with. That doesn't mean they are out of control, all dogs should be under control. You have to let them of the lead for games of fetch or hiding games or they will develop behavioral problems through boredom.
Do you also mean that disabled or elderly people should not have dogs? Bit of a fascist attitude IMO.
Anyway as a qualified dog handler trained by military instructors during my time in the army I think I can say I know more about it than you - just by looking at the tripe you have posted. If you have issues with dogs perhaps another avenue would be more rewarding than posting here.

I will not be engaging in any more debate with you. Look at Shaw's quote about wrestling with a pig to find out why.

ianian99

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I will be ignoring your trolling from now on. A dog of any working breed will have greater exercise needs than any human can keep up with. That doesn't mean they are out of control, all dogs should be under control. You have to let them of the lead for games of fetch or hiding games or they will develop behavioral problems through boredom.
Do you also mean that disabled or elderly people should not have dogs? Bit of a fascist attitude IMO.
Anyway as a qualified dog handler trained by military instructors during mt time in the army I think I can say I know more about it than you - just by looking at the tripe you have posted. If you have issues with dogs perhaps another avenue would be more rewarding than posting here.

I will not be engaging in any more debate with you. Look at Shaw's quote about wrestling with a pig to find out why.

OMG.
So i'm not allowed an opinion then ?
For a start the dog in the op is not a working dog is it?
If its a working dog then it would be on its private workplace land surely, so no need to be on a lead.
I dont care if you were trained by the SAS or whoever , what that has to do with anything god knows.
You have got a cheek calling anyone a fascist with your attitude.
Also never said anything about old people or disabled people but now that you have mentioned it then if they cant control them then they shouldn't take them out should they? I dont have a problem with dogs but I do have problems with idiots that think they have their dog under 100% control when they never will have.

adouglasmhor

I have a problem with idiots that can't even read. I wasn't going to reply but you are not getting away with that. Yes you can have an opinion but anyone who disagrees can have one too. Tough get over it. Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you right. Do you think you are the Pope or something seeing as you felt obliged to bring god into it..

What I posted was relevant. I talked about being a trained dog handler, we are talking about dogs here. I said working breed not working dog so don't you dare misquote me you arrogant little person. Plenty of people can control a dog it's not rocket science, don't judge others by your own low standards. And there is no law that says they have to keep dogs on the lead so it's up to the handler.

kr15snw

OP: Nice to know Im not alone with dogs not walking on the lead. Our springers are USELESS on the lead (and weve tried everything). But take the lead off and they will walk to heel beautifully and dont leave your side unless you tell them to. Its weird.....

A staffie is NO different to another breed. It just depends how the dog is raised / trained. If this particular dog seems perfect for your family, go for it! Ignore the breed!