An update (with pics)

Hey everyone,

Just an update on how the first socialization and obedience training went.

We had our first class on Saturday, both my wife and myself went to it. It wasnt the best experience unfortunately. Marley is 16 weeks and her only other dog interaction is with the mini dach pup. So she was there with 10 other pups and was SO EXCITED lol. the poor thing. she was so excited she just kept choking herself, to the point of her eyes going red, i was so upset. we did have a cheapy harness my dad got randomly on a cruise, it doesnt fit right and we didnt know if the trainer would allow harness in class so we just had her collared. the collar was not too tight, it was just right. so through all the excitement, all she wanted to do was romp, im pretty sure she said "screw all your commands today" . so yeah it was minimally productive. she realllllllllllly enjoyed playing with this black lab pup. the black lab was being handled by a 7 year old kid who was just allowing it to jump all over the other pups and it was freaking the rest of the pups out. his dad was a dueche, when they got there he told my wife and i that his black lab was going to eat my staffy and the kid was like "Yeah...". his wife was the voice of reason and was trying to tell the man and the son to control the puppy. when it came time to off lead play, the trainer paired the lab and marley and boy did Marley light a fire cracker under that labs butt, she unleashed 16 weeks of pent up puppy play on that lab, i swear she said "I WANT TO PLAYYYY... *exorcist voice*" .

so bottom line, week 1, no commands, just excitement and play.

The trainer advised us after class to get a harness, and i demonstrated to the trainer that she knows her commands hehe, i had to let her know that mar wasnt psycho lol. the trainer was over the moon with her when she was one on one and not distracted. she said as we socialize we will get improved results. she has since dubbed our Marley as the "Cement Bag With Legs" .

Another great thing the trainer did was introduce the different breeds. She really went to bat for the Staffy and explained what they were about, dont be alarmed with vocalization and the play HARD, so noone be alarmed. i really appreciated that and it relaxed me alot to hear her say that. the other breeds there were a black lab, golden retriever, some fluffy 4lb thing, 2 portugues water dogs, a depressed looking whippet, chocolate lab, rat terrier.

Apon her advisement we got an easywalk harnes, its a tad too big, but it really does the job, she is walking to heel on her own with the lead fairly loose. she starts to pull i just put some pressure and she brings it back. such a HUGE difference from her strangling herself with the collar.

I posted some pics and a video here --> https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t31247-marley-having-a-good-weekend
please enjoy those from yesterday, also below are some from an hour ago

Get my good side daddy


Her thinking pose


Let me flip my bed over and lay on the bottom....


NO NAP!!!!

Oh my god, so gorgeous. Awww she'll do brilliantly, staffies are very clever. We did basic obedience with Tash which she passed brilliantly and have done low level agility which she loves. Lots of socialisations for staffies and they should make well grounded beautiful pets.

Julia - keep us updated on next training class

She's adorable and don't worry the classes will get better once she is used to being around other dogs

She is gorgeous

Classes are great especially for letting the pup be around others, how they behave is up to the pup xxX Very cute I must say Xx

She is so healthy looking, she actually shines! Good job with the training classes, they will get easier over time I'm sure. She is most likely just super excited and happy to be doing them!

I agree on the harness, they are an absolute God send.

I really enjoyed Reading the update i think I will get one of those harness for Betty your pup is gorgeous
I think the socialisation / training classes are a great idea .

Gorgeous pics lovely dog

Marley's sooo beautiful and glad the trainer said those things about the breed. Our trainers made us all do research on what our breeds were originally bred for, and then went on to explain the pros and cons of each breed, so that was pretty cool.

She probably just needs more socialisation, it must've been paradise for her Loki was surprisingly well-behaved in puppy classes. That was when he cared about me more than other dogs and people. Not anymore . Hope it goes well next week!

Can you please tell me what size harness you went for ?