Intro - Pepper (Staffy X German Shepherd) and her humans

We've had Pepper for 2 days so far. We adopted her from a family who had rescued her from the RSPCA. Her history sounds like a sad one ... as a pup she was found with her litter-mates abandoned in a house and the person who found them knew the owner and apparently there was not a good start to their lives.

After she was rescued Pepper went to a few Obedience Foundation Course classes at the RSPCA but didn't complete her training. Unfortunately the people who had her couldn't keep her as she is quite the escape artist and a bit too rambunctious for their baby.

I've noticed that though she is very affectionate she is also very submissive, eager to please and has been exhibiting some other behaviours which could be cause for concern. An example is that I raised my voice to tell her "Off" when she jumped on the couch (we have a cloth sofa so I'd rather she spent her time in the house on her bed) and she did a little pee on the rug - another is that she snuck into our bedroom and peed on our bed.

I've never had a staffy before (I've had a labrador X and we've fostered a Malnoise for 7 months) and I'm not sure whether some of her characteristics are due to being staffy or whether they're due to her past or whether they're due to her just being a very submissive female. She's a lovely girl and I'm trying currently to book her into training so she can finish her foundation obedience classes and look at further training down the line.

Hi and Welcome from Maska, Loki and I

I think some of the behaviour is due to her past. Although Staffs are brutes, they have kind and gentle hearts. You will have to work on positive reinforcement. Just give it some time, you've only had her for 2 days now. She might still be nervous in the new surroundings, with new owners. She does not yet understand that you will love and care for her.

Good luck

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Hi and welcome from me and Moo

Hi & welcome.

Pepper's a pretty little thing, isn't she?

I'd say that her behaviour (the peeing) is partly her age & partly her background. She's probably feeling very anxious at the moment - she's had 4 homes already, and she must wonder if this one is for good or whether she'll be shoved on again. Add to that her submissiveness & you have an unhappy little girl.

Give her a little time to settle & try to train her with positive reinforcement rather than a telling off. ie if she jumps on the sofa, don't tell her "no", get a toy or a treat & tempt her off. Then loads of praise.

She will improve once she atarts to settle in & trust you. She just needs a bit of patience & tlc!

Hi and welcome. Give her time yet. She is still very unsettled. Walking with her and basic training will go a long way to forming a strong bond between you.

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Sounds like her behaviour is due to her background sadly. The peeing would be due to nervousness. Please give her the time to adjust to her new surroundings and settle into a new routine.

She will also need some time to bond with you as her new owner. Playing is a great way to do this and will reinforce her trust in you. After time a game of hide and seek would be great fun but only ofter she has that trust in you.

Have fun and with the training session try to end on a good note with lots of praise for something you know she can do well.

welcome

hia from me and sasha

Hi and welcome from me, Millie and Bella

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. I would also attribute her behaviour to her past and being anxious. She should settle in soon enough and try to use positive reinforcement for training methods. Exercise both mental and physical are also extemely important.

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hello and Welcome from Zac and me

Thank you everyone! As I've never owned a staffy X or a female pup and the other dogs I've been around have always been confident bold boys I was worried about how to best support her. I called the RSPCA animal training unit the day after she escaped and they talked to me about confidence building exercises and training and are sending me lots of information. We know we need to have patience with her and we're willing to give her all the love and support we can. We'll be enrolling her into training in a few weeks after she's had a chance to settle a little. She didn't manage to escape a second time and the trainer I spoke to suggested making her work for her daily nutrition by placing kongs filled with food around the yard so she needs to seek them, giving her a frozen bone, placing some long lasting treats like pigs ears around the yard etc. to keep her occupied while we're at work. She was overjoyed to see me when I got home yesterday and she's a lovely affectionate girl (wants to give us kisses all the time). We intend to be her forever home and we're going to work with her until she's a confident, happy dog.

Hello and welcome to the forum from me the wife and marley

Hello and welcome aboard

Sorry I missed you first time around

Hello and welcome from me and the kids

Hello and welcome...dont think ive seen a staff x german shepard before.hmmm

sure its because of her past and the stress over the last few weeks.
hope she settles in ok

Hi,
She is gorgeous, i have a german shephard x staff Kyra, she is 9wks old an same colour as Pepper have been looking on line as wanted to see what she would be like as she got older if she is anything like Pepper she is going to be lovely looking girl

Aw, Pepper is lovely, our neighbours have a german shepherd cross staff and she is the sweetest girl ever, do think the weeing is down to nerves. Time and patience and lots of love will provide all the healing medicine she needs! Welcome!

hi from me and the boys

Hi and a big welcome from Kia and me,

hi and welcome from me and licks from troy poor baby girl glad she has round her happy ever after

she sounds like a sweetheart, I'm sure with love and some structure she'll settle in.

Those are my 2 favorite breeds, nice to see a cross of the two