Help and advice please

Hi all, i'm a new member and Need some help on deciding to have a Staffy under my circumstances and have no one to advise me. I live alone in an apartment and work 4x 10hr night shifts a week. Other than that my time is my own. Would love a 'best friend' as it's get quite lonely sometimes and have always wanted a dog rather than say a cat! I'm 38yrs old so still have life in me yet My major worry is whether a Staffy would be O.k on his own while i'm at work? and worried also about barking or howling again while I'm not at home. I have a park directly accross the road from me for plenty of exercise and walking so that isn't a problem, also done a lot of research on the breed but still would ask for any advise anyone could give me Many Thanks Jennifer

Hi &

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They do tend to like to be around people as much as possible and can indeed have seperation aniexty issues. I would recommend an older dog around 3 or 4 years of age. We leave Suki for about 6 hours or so and she is okay as long as she is well exercised before we leave.

If you have a friend that could stop by and take the dog for a walk while you are gone that would be preferable as well if you can't get back on your break. Dog walkers would work as well

Hi, The Staffy I'm thinking of having is 4 years old. What do you think about my barking concern, do Staffy's bark alot? Jennifer

Some do and some don't. Suki will bark when someone comes near the house but that's about it. If possible take a week or two off from work to help the dog settle and learn the routine. When he barks say speak and reward him with a treat. You can than work on the quiet command be telling him quiet when he barking and rewarding with a treat. Takes a little time but they pick up on things fairly quickly and do like to please their handlers.

Ok Thank you for your help, appreciate it

Hi & Welcome to the forum ><

I advise if you get one to com here and post lots of pics

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Jennifer wrote:Hi, The Staffy I'm thinking of having is 4 years old. What do you think about my barking concern, do Staffy's bark alot? Jennifer

Our oldest Tilly never barks , you'd never know she was in the house, Tommy the pup does a lot of crying but other than that not vocal under excitement etc. I think the thing in your favour is the fact that you are on nighshift and an older dog should already be used to sleeping at this time . You say 10 hrs , is that from leaving the house to returning ?? I would say if its longer then ideally you want someone that can pop round last thing or first thing just to check and take him / her out for a quick wee. Also you are going to need to take the dog at a time when you can get a bit of time off to get to know them and get them settled

Hi and welcome from me, Millie and Bella

If you work through the night then i think it will be fine, it will sleep most of the time anyway. Good luck and welcome!

Welcome from me and Bailey

Hi and welcome..

good on you for thinking it all through..alot of people just rush out and get a dog first..

I can't see there being a problem ..I mean you have to work to be able to afford to have a dog !! ..and as long as it gets plenty of company and exercise when you are home... If you do night shifts chances are your dog would be sleeping then anyway..maybe leave a radio on quietly for abit of companionship when you aren't around..

Hiya and welcome from me and Moo, an older dog would be ideal so good luck and do let us know the outcome, I live on my own with Moo also and she is my best friend, life wouldn't be the same without her Xx

janey wrote:
Hiya and welcome from me and Moo, an older dog would be ideal so good luck and do let us know the outcome, I live on my own with Moo also and she is my best friend, life wouldn't be the same without her Xx

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i deff think you could make it work i think its alot better you work night rather than days as my boy will take himself off to bed at about 9.30-10.00 and still be there 9oclock next morning (lazy sod lol)
all i would do hoppfully yopur not to tired when you get in from work would be take the dog out for a good hour hour and a half and i dare say they will go back to sleep for a while so you can get some shut eye yourself

hi & welcome to the forum

Hi and welcome to the forum from Tyson & me. Great advice there from Dave. Working nights is an advantage under the circumstances.

Hi and welcome

Hi and welcome from Callie and me

Hi from me and my brood. Two of mine would be good with that schedule, but one would have a tough go of it as he doesn't sleep for more than 6 -7 hours per night and then wants to go do something. Also, I recommend feeding at night before you leave or both night and morning so that he doesn't feel starved and can go into an nice food coma.