[b]Desperately needing some advice asap[/b]

Hiya fellow Staffy loving peeps :-)

I have just joined this forum today, although have kept track of the goings on via facebook for some time now, and knew that if anyone can give good advice, then this is the place to be.

(Long story cut as short as possible) Last April I had my beloved staffy Keatz stolen from my home, he was 1yr old at the time, and although chipped wasn't yet neutered (that was to have taken place on return from holidays the following month). Despite notifying all the relevant authorities i.e. police, local vets, petlog and numerous flyers around the town along with a facebook appeal offereing a reward, I was still without my baby. Eight months later I rehomed a 5yr old male staffy named Levi to fill the void of lossing Keatz and to give a less fortunate staffy a loving home. Levi settled in with my 2 cats in his new home almost immediately, and a more loving loyal sociable dog one couldn't ask for, our lives resumed back to normality....until today.

On returning from our afternoon walk, I had just put the kettle on and there was a knock at the door, on answering I found my beloved Keatz tied up to the porch. Keatz recognised his surroundings and myself instantly and was overflowing with love and happiness to be home (as was I) however, Levi wasn't so enamoured by him. Ihave Keatz staying at my partners house whom he knows, but how do i get both dogs to accept each other in my home. We walked both dogs to his home together (both on leads) and they were fine, even in his home they were okay together and also with his collie whom they both know....until my partner was clapping/praising Keatz and Levi approached them then the sparks flew :-(....luckily no real harm came to either of them but this wasn't a nice thing to witness. I have Keatz booked in to be neutered next week in the hope that this might help in any dominance issues, but still not sure it will work.
Please can someone advise if this could work i.e. 2 male staffies in 1 home were each of them considers it is theirs or am I going to have my heart broken all over again??

Thanks peeps!

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Hi &

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Staffs can be so jelous, I can't really advise but am sure its something you can work with.

How amazing to get Keatz back, even in these circumstances I bet your made up

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

What a position to be in, and wonderful that you finally got Keatz back & he's unharmed! I take it that, for the time being, your partner is happy to have Keatz stay with him while you sort things out?

If he can, then at least you can take things slowly.

Has Levi been neutered? Is he normally ok with other dogs outside the home? Which dog seems to start the trouble?

Wow how very odd to get your first dog Keatz back in that way. You must have been very suprised and relieved at the same time.

Very sorry I cannot offer any advise on keeping two dogs together as I never have. I am very positive that someone will be along shortly who can help you.

Please have a read of the link below which you may find useful:

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. I would keep them in seperate homes for now if possible. Continue to walk them together as often as possible and have short visits in the home with both dogs on lead. Over time they should get used to each other but I would never leave them alone unsupervised.

Hi and welcome. How truly amazing you have your boy back. It is all very new to both dogs and it will take time for them both to adjust. Perhaps the aide of a professional will speed up this process?

Hi & welcome to the forum
Wow I bet that was a real shock but a nice one. How's Keatz? does he seem to have been looked after? Do you have any idea who would do that?

I have had 2 males, both in tact before several times, but everytime I have got a puppy as one was about 6 years old. I have never had 2 bigger male dogs from the start.
All I can suggest is what Jstaff has suggested. Plenty of walks to help form a bond. I would also keep them both on leash, no games like fetch etc as these may trigger something also.
Any pics? Would love to see some pics of them

Hi welcome. I too had my staffy stolen so i know how you're feeling. Lucky for me we got her back within a week but it was a hard week! So glad you got yours back

As for the dogs, i think the best thing to do is keep walking them together and praise them both at the same time, so you will need two treats and feed at exactly the same time to save any jealousy. Treat them like syamese twins, if you look at on immediately look at the other too. Try to have them in the same house but seperated by a baby gate somewhere that you are not having one dog with you and one not, only let them with you together and when they are being good. If they start to get gruff with eachother, immediately put them BOTH back in time out. Hopefully they will see that if they want to be with you they must get along, and when they are calm and happy they may realise that having a play mate is actually fun !

Wow im over the moon you got your dog back and I hope everything works out for you

OMG! so many replies so soon....massive thanks to you all! (not quite figures out how to reply to you all individually yet) in answer to some of your questions..

Yes I am totally made up so much so words can't describe, and haven't quite managed to turn off the water works yet with the joy off having my baby back.....and yes totally and utterly unbelievable after so long I'll be honest i gave up hope of ever seeing him again....I just keep thanking him upstairs that the person/persons who had him looked after him well and had a conscience even after so long.

Keatz is fine to be staying with my partner and his do, and if needs must forever, but I will endeavour to have him back home here with myself and Levi. I am under no illusions that this will be a straight forward or even an easy task, but one that will require a lot of time, patience, hard work and
the belief in both dogs.

Levi is a fabulous socialised dog who loves interacting and playing with other dogs no matter what size shape or breed, and tends to avoid confrontation at all costs...we walk daily with a registered dog walker who regularly has about 6 varying types of dog out daily, and he has never so much as growled at any of them. Levi also lives with my 2 cats whom he also gets along with fine, so much so that he won't settle at night till both are back in the house before bed. lol

I am aware that both Keatz and Levi will need to be on leads when together, and learn to get to know each other on neutral ground, and want to assure you all that we'd (my partner and I) never put either dog at risk by leaving them unsupervised together or indeed assuming that after only a few walks out together everything will be 'hunky dory'. I have spoken to my vet this afternoon, and explained the whole scenario, and as she knows both dogs, seemed to think that there will be a good chance that it could work out, but definately recommended getting Keatz neutered - he's booked in for next week. Also recommended was contacting an animal behaviourist.....but by gings....so many on the net, and how on earth do I know which ones are any good??? This was one of the reasons I thought of you guys on here first, as I'm sure with all your combined knowledge about the breed I'd get good advice.

Pics??....I do have pics of both dogs on my PC, but haven't the foggiest idea how to post them on here for you to see.......simple instructions on how to do this gratefully accepted! lol

Once again thank you all for your time in replying, and I will update you on how things progress :-)

Have a look at this, should help

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12018-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Don't worry i haven't figure out that multi-quote button either, its a devil! lol

Yes castration may help if they are both trying to be dominant. Hope it works out, keep us updated Can't wait for pics

Thrilled for you that Keatz is back and okay.

It's nice that your vet who knows both of them thinks they will work it out, I would be very encouraged by that as you work toward getting them to be good housemates.

Perhaps leave a post for Denise an the forum who is a breeder and very knowledgeable. I am sure she could recommend someone.