Small concern

Hi Everyone,

I mentioned in my post last night that Hank met one of his sisters yesterday who just lives round the corner from us, as I was talking to her owners a few things haven't sat right with me and haven't stopped thinking about it all night.

We were both laughing and joking around about how much hard work its been and just generally talking about how they have both been getting along, but they seemed too negative about her, complained about her colouring she is absolutely stunning its like a blue/fawn and she has sliver eyes then saying that she was small and they want her bigger and then on the back of that they were saying they didn't believe the litter was pedigree so who knows what they are going to turn out like, me and my partner seen both parents and they were indeed both full staffs.

Another thing was that their pup was bad for crying during the night and biting, and basically being a puppy which she then said to me she has nearly posted the pup on facebook to give away!! This instantly made me furious to which I actually said to her you cant be serious? and she said she forgot how much hard work puppies were and basically sound like she cant be bothered. She asked me if id ever hit Hank as she has with hers and I just wanted to take the pup back home with me. She has also not been doing any training with her at all but has complained that the pup doesn't listen to her and wont do what they want!

when I got back home I told me OH and he said next time I see them I should say if they are really struggling to give us a ring and we will have her but I don't know if this would come across bad or not the them? If they ever put her on facebook I can't imagine they would look for a loving home for her and just give her to the first person who pops up.

oh, dear, what a worry! some people just shouldn't have a pup, should they?

it's always worth offering to help if they're struggling & then maybe slip in that if they really didn't have the time etc for her you'd be happy to take her on?

the only problem then would be that you'd have a litter brother & sister together & you'd have to consider how you'd keep them apart when she comes into season.

I'm astounded at some dog owners! For me having dogs is a privilege & I never take it for granted. Puppy days are just the best, it's crazy how many people are shocked at the biting etc, it's just part of puppyhood. In your situation I'd say next walk that you have fallen for their pup & if their circumstances ever change you would love to buy her. Training siblings is a lot of work,if you are prepared for that & can do some individual training there is no harm asking. Like Gilly said, plan in advance how you will manage when she comes into season

What's even more baffling to me is that they have had 2 staff's before but they have now passed so I was totally shocked with everything she was saying to me.

I thought about that too as I didn't have plans to neuter Hank, and if we did get his sister I wouldn't with her, but would have to be something we would both have to think about if we did end up getting her. The weather is atrocious now so when it's gets out nicer again I will have a walk up that way and try drop it into conversation and research a bit more on what our situation would be.

I dread to think how they are treating her behind closed doors I am absolutely in love with Hank, I was saying to my OH last night with this being my first pup, I've wanted dogs my whole life but was never allowed and I didn't realise how much love you can have for them, It's like he really is my child. So it totally broke my heart last night listening to that woman thinking why don't you feel the same way about your pup as I do with mine.

Euegh I feel sick after reading that. She had hit a puppy! That's disgusting, I can completely understand why you want to step in. I'd feel exactly that same, anything to stop the pup falling into bad hands. 

How can anyone not understand that a puppy is vet hard work and a commitment of hopefully fifteen years. It's so so sad.

I'd definitely try to step in.

I tried to give her advice and told her just to give her a toy when she is biting as obviously I know Hanks teeth are coming through so she will going through the same thing so we are just bearing with until that is over

Also told her about the clicker training we are currently doing with Hank and that's its worked he understands some of the words we are teaching him and does listen to us.

But yeah, it's all I've had running through my head all last night and woke up thinking about her today.

I would say try not to let it upset you too much. You sound really caring and I would be the same but just try not to get too upset. ( says me who is in floods of tears anytime I see anything about animal abuse!)

If you can take the dog off her great, if not just offer your advice and hope she takes it.
 

We did the same with misty as her nothing was awful when we got her at 14 months. She mouthed all the time but we put a toy in her mouth and stopped all play. That worked.
I've just started clicker training with my girl and I absolutely love it! I did it before with her but I wasn't doing it correctly ( bad mummy) but now our trainer has given me loads of advice. It's a great training aid. Hank looks gorgeous in his pic btw.

I know, I get myself worked up all the time if I see anything on social media or in the news I just really don't understand how anyone could hurt any animal, so this is 10x worse with it being Hanks sister and they are just round the corner.

The clicker is amazing isn't it, Hank has picked up so much really quickly with us using the clicker, I told the lady yesterday that they have them in the pound shop and to go get one as it is so good.

Thank you! He's my little baby and definitely knows his charming good looks gets him out of so much trouble Misty is beautiful too! I absolutely adore that staffy smile

This is so sad, I hate the thought of how many dogs (especially our sensitive, little staffies!) are in crappy homes throughout the UK! Would they take up an offer of joining a (positive) training class with you perhaps? At least then any advice won't only be coming from you.. Complaining about the size of a puppy at that age just baffles me. I hope you can get through the them, or the puppy is rehomed to somebody who cares!

Good luck - it does sound like the poor lass isn't in the right home.

Do think carefully about taking her on. Aside the neutering, there are a couple of other things to bear in mind. The first is that 2 young staffies can wreak havoc! As you know, they play BIG and having that in your house is an undertaking to be accepted with your eyes open.

The other is that this pup is Hank's sibling. If she's small you may have a distinct enough difference between them, but siblings can fight seriously as they seem to have less respect for each other than non-related dogs. It's not always the case and is more common in same sex pairs, but I thought I'd mention it as something that should be factored in.

(clicker rocks!!!)

If you do take in his sister just to be aware my dog is the result of a similar situation - his Mum's owner took in her brother due to concerns about how he was being looked after. First time the mum was on heat she wound up with a litter of 13. Luckily they're not purebreds or the inbreeding would be even more of an issue.

Yes, I have been thinking that Hank alone is running riot currently so would be a big job having both, but definitely an experience

I think I'm going to tell them that if they ever need a hand I'm a phone call away, and if it really does get hard for them we will figure something out and not to put her on facebook for any old person to get her. I haven't had chance to talk about it more with my OH to see what we would actually do if we did take her in.

She was supposed to be on the same puppy training class as Hank but she got sickness and diarrhoea just before the classes, so I think if she had of been attending the classes she would have learnt everything I have with the clicker training and other bits of advice and the socialisation, and that we are all in the same boat! that was a huge relief for me listening to all the other people.