Hi ya, I'm a new girl

I've been looking for advice about my little staffie cross (hope you don't mind that she's a cross). She looks and acts just like a staff but is very small compared to most full breed staffies. The thing is although I have had lots of dogs I've never had a staff before and I've been told by lots of people that I need to treat her differently! But no-one says why or how. Is it true that they change at about 2yrs and become aggressive towards other dogs, at the moment she loves the socks off every dog, cat, hamster etc and thinks all humans of all ages are her long lost pals!!
She is a rescue and was 6months when I adopted her so I don't know her cross but it must have been a small breed! Also I understood that this lockjaw thing was a myth but people keep saying it's true and told me that you can tell by the shape of the top of a staffs head because it dips!!??? I'm just a little confused as what to think as I can't believe my lovely lilly lola could change so much just because she has staffie in her. (I don't believe any dog is born nasty you see, I firmly feel it's the way they are treated/trained by people).

Don't mind at all she's a cross, would love to see some photo's of her.
Staffys can be very stubborn and domineering, so they need to know what is what, know the boundries and know whats wrong and whats right... just like training any other dog, you'll need a lot of patience and understanding.
They can be aggressive towards other dogs but interaction with other dogs from a young age should help a great deal.
Stick with what you firmly believe in and you're on the way to a lovely trained Staffy, she'll give you years of love, loyalty and happiness.

Firstly, welcome to the forum & hope you enjoy yourself here!

We don't care what your staff is crossed with - if you look at my avatar you'll see I don't even have a staff, I have an EBT!!!

The age of 2 years doesn't suddenly ring a bell that signals dog aggression, whatever people have told you! Some staff are dog aggressive, but not all. And if you've socialised her ell, the chances of her not liking other dogs are slim.

They don't actually 'lock' their jaws, no dog can do that, they just have immensely strong jaws that can hold on harder & longer than other breeds. Having said that, they can also be incredibly gentle when they want to be, especially with children, the elderly and, of course, their human family.

You don't need to treat her any differently - she just needs consistent training and lots of love! She'll do you proud!

Any pics????

Hi there

Hope you enjoy the forum. It's full of fantastic info and the people are are very friendly and happy to answer any question...

Would love to see some pics

Hi and welcome, can't really add anymore so I hope you enjoy the forum and any questions just ask. Nothing wrong with a cross mines a rescue too and shall we say doesn't really look like a traditional staff!

I have Mutts Sootypegs Three Staff X JackRussells and i'v been welcomed here extremely well, its a fantastic, helpful and friendly forum. Great news on the rescue its always great to hear, Staffys are strong minded dogs but with mental exercise and physical your going to have a fantastic dog in your care, As you said you she is great with everyone and everything so keep at it, keep her socialised with all the right people and animals and she'll do great.
As for the locked Jaw as Caryll said no dog can lock their jaw its unnatural how could they eat,drink,defend its a myth most definatly, but they do have powerful jaws muscles.
And to be honest I'v had trouble the JackRussell part of my dogs and not the staffy side they are a breed apart.
Would love to see some pictures might even be able to determine what breeds she has in her. I find its always good to find out what crosses are so you can apply training (mental and physical) to all their sides.

Hello For there size they are so robust focused and tuff and whoever is telling you these things they dont know much about the breed.
I think the others have put you straight on most things.
I do get a little upset when people comment and say dogs are nasty due to how they are brought up cause most of the time thats not true some have a awful life and are so loyal and gentle.
Sometimes a dog can change when they mature to adult hood and thats normal as they then start to compete with others but its way before 2 years of age.
My boy is dog aggressive but I beleive he veiws the family as his and he needs to protect us all. As soon as he was able to crawl around he was in charge of the others and the people that bred him took notice he was the bravest got the best toy the best place to sleep ect so she placed him with me. I tried so hard with him and he tried to play but always ended up pushing to far he went to play parties, shows the works and even shares his life with another dog whos so gentle but he is what he is. On the other hand he is a wonderful dog I had teenagers when he came and now grandchildren and hes lovely never showed any aggression to anything other than other dogs so what im trying to say its always been there.
You dont need to treat her any differently to any other dog she sounds like a angel

I think one of the main things is to socialize your doggie with as many animals and dogs as you can while she is young.

Thank you so much for your welcome and comments. I will try and put a photo of lola on the computer but not sure how! My photo's are on my phone so when my son comes home he might beable to show me as I'm a bit of a computer idiot took me about an hour to figure out how to put a message up!!! LOL Going up the park with her in a bit and we walk with a pack, 2 labs, 1 tiny cross, 1 collie (lassie type), chawawa (can't spell that 1 ha, ha) a bull mastiff and a patterdale. Lola loves tham all but she's the liveliest and maddest of the lot!!!

Aww that sounds fantastic how you have a whole pack around you to share walks with I'm sure she will be great around other dogs when you have walks like that from now till then so there will be no surprises for her when she meets a robust dog etc.

hello and welcome, can't wait for the photos

Hiya and welcome to the forumxx