New Staffy on the block

My third post. Apparently, it should have been my first....oops!

Anyway, Bololoco's the name, chewing and grunting is the game.

2 and a bit year old Staffy/Boxer. Ridiculously cute and loving yet immensely challenging.

Came to me via a very ill friend who was finding him difficult to handle. I think the poor guy had sat in his cage for a lot of the day, so now he's in better circumstances, he's learning that play is fun.....and tiring, although the more he plays, the less tired he gets and therefore the more tired I get!

His previous name was Bolo. "Be On the Look Out", so when I got him and started exercising him, he was so out of breath that his panting sounded like a locomotive, so the new name is Bololoco. Loco also means crazy, which is very apt as he has a habit of chasing reflections, so within a fortnight, the kitchen Lino has been heavily scratched and needs replacing!! He also chases flies. WTF?

Funnily enough, I have other names for him but they're too rude to print. Just think....on the first day I had him, he got overly amorous with my leg. He also snorts like a pig....you work the rest out!

Anyway, within the first week, he's cost me £300 in vets bills with a swollen lump on his cheek, only to find out there was nothing actually wrong with him and that all he needed was some anti-inflammatory's.

I think the problem was caused by his collar. Obviously, being a boisterous teenager, he pulls like a train (Loco), which lead to the collar rubbing against his neck, causing it to inflame, although I've discovered that if he's given the handle of the lead to hold in his mouth, he walks normally. It should be noted that the handle of his lead was destroyed on day 2, so I have tied a monkey fist knot made of rope onto the end....a much cheaper solution than buying new leads!

So now, I'm really after a decent harness, but nothing ridiculously over-priced as some brands are. Perhaps one on which I can attach a cart to carry the shopping. Why let all that pulling power go to waste? Suggestions appreciated.

I know this all sounds like a bit of a moan but I think he's blinking well excellent. The greetings I get in the morning are nothing short of incredible and he also likes home cooking. Minced beef and onions in gravy anyone?

That'll do for now.

Bo

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Hi from me & Katy Sounds like you are doing a great job with him & letting him be a dog All bullies are a handful but also adorable How about this harness, padded so won't cut in & leaves the shoulders free to move! Different colours & sizes plus D ring on the back.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TLH5651-Reflective-Stitching-Visibility-Adventure/dp/B077GWKZGR/ref=sr_1_20?crid=637YVJUAI6MI&dchild=1&keywords=dog+harness&qid=1630565127&sprefix=dog+%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-20

Thanks for the link. It looks quite good, although i'm really after one with metal clips...not sure plastic will withstand too much pulling.

Icefang make one with a metal buckle, although it looks quite bulky and may be uncomfortable.

More suggestions please from anyone that reads this.

Katy is on a collar of the same make with a plastic clip, she's 30kgs & has never broken one yet! She can pull but is dog reactive so kicks off & hasn't broken it after 2 years!

Ok, well i'll take a closer look, although I may end up with a Julius harness. I don't like them but they do have a big grab handle.

Bolo doesn't seem to make the first growl, but yes, dog reactive is definitely a way of describing him. Saying that, he's met a few dogs who've played with him without it getting out of hand.

I think some dogs owners allow their dogs to be growly and barky when they really shouldn't. Mine is quite a softy really, he just wants to be happy, not be prompted to fight.

Yours looks like a softy too. I'm sure they'd play very well together as they're of roughly equal size.

Katy doesn't want to fight she barks to keep them away! She has dog friends but met them as pups!

Jenc wrote:Katy doesn't want to fight she barks to keep them away! She has dog friends but met them as pups!

Bolo rarely barks. The neighbours dog does and it doesn't phase him at all. His main problem is selective hearing, he doesn't necessarily respond to his name when called unless it suits him....treats etc.

Bolo's a gorgeous boy!

Re: harnesses. The plastic clips on good quality harnesses are VERY strong & should easily withstand the power of a Stafford.

Ruffwear harnesses are pretty good, with good chest support, but no top handle.

Bololoco wrote:Ok, well i'll take a closer look, although I may end up with a Julius harness. I don't like them but they do have a big grab handle.

Be careful with the Julius harnesses, if you have a dog that pulls backwards they can easily slip out of the harness! I know to my cost.

Caryll2 wrote:Be careful with the Julius harnesses, if you have a dog that pulls backwards they can easily slip out of the harness! I know to my cost.

Surely that harness was too large of the straps hadn't been tightened properly?

Bololoco wrote:

Caryll2 wrote:Be careful with the Julius harnesses, if you have a dog that pulls backwards they can easily slip out of the harness! I know to my cost.

Surely that harness was too large of the straps hadn't been tightened properly?

Nope. It fitted perfectly. It's the one big flaw with the Julius - they're designed for a dog that pulls forwards, not backwards. If a dog works out that it can pull back in a certain way, the back of the harness rises & the whole thing pulls forwards over the dog's head. It's a well known problem which Julius either can't or won't address.

Plus, of course, the chest strap can impede shoulder movement. I use a Ruffwear harness on Badger & he's never managed to pull free of it. They are quite pricey, though.

Caryll2 wrote:Nope. It fitted perfectly. It's the one big flaw with the Julius - they're designed for a dog that pulls forwards, not backwards. If a dog works out that it can pull back in a certain way, the back of the harness rises & the whole thing pulls forwards over the dog's head. It's a well known problem which Julius either can't or won't address.

I'll look into that as I'm not fixed on the Julius harness. I also understand that Staffy's are desirable dogs to steal, so may consider something lockable with in-built GPS transmitters, although that may be costly to buy a ready made one.

Perhaps I could try putting something together myself? The components are relatively cheap and I know how to use a sewing machine and can manually stitch what needs to be stitched manually.

Caryll2 wrote:I use a Ruffwear harness on Badger & he's never managed to pull free of it. They are quite pricey, though.

Yes, prohibitively so.