15 month Staffy Coming Home - Advice please

steve76 wrote:congratulations on your new dog

pado wrote:First off CONGRATULATIONS !!! .... we all expect pictures on Friday .... very happy for you.

On the name ... of course you can change it - people adopt dogs all the time from the shelters and change their names - Dogs learn quickly to what name they are being called.

It is never too late for a dog to learn new tricks - the old wives tale that you can't teach an old dog new tricks is just that.... an old wives tale

As for settling in - just get in your head what the rules are beforehand - is he allowed on the furniture etc etc etc and just stick to them - the dog will learn in time with clear set rules.

Personal note: don't just let him run into your house for the first time and run around smelling .. the one and only time Frank peed in my house was the first night we brought him home - he was just set free and walked into the dining room and cocked his leg on the dining room chair - He claimed the house as his straight away

jstaff wrote:Also have plenty of toys and dog supplies on hand before he arrives. Try not to give him too much fuss at first let him get comfortable and come to you.

davemck3834 wrote:Stop calling him "It" please , advice over Hope Tyson settles in well and sure he is going to give you loads and loads of fun over the coming years

Sorry pet hate of mine along with workmates calling other workmates by surname - can't help it

pado wrote:His name might not be Tyson can't confuse the poor fella

Pado wrote:No help here with names - my last three dogs were - Hank, Bill and Frank

bbimson wrote:Congrats. I find names to be a challenge when it comes to other people's pets. However, my two were already named when I got them and I kept them. Named my last bulldog Gimli, but you have to get a feel for your boy and you can decide if you are going to stick with Tyson or go for something new. I usually end up calling them a nickname lots of the time anyhow. I bet you are super excited! Don't forget we like lots of pictures!

Caryll wrote:Wow, things are moving fast, now! What does he look like?

When you pick him up, take him for a good long walk before you take him home. If he's tired, he's more likely to accept his new surroundings without a problem.

Keep calm & quiet when you first let him in to your home; don't crowd him or smother him. Once he's been with you for an hour or so, give him some food. Try to make sure it's the same as he normally gets (check with the previous owner & get a supply in), you can always change him to what you want to feed him at a later date.

Be prepared for some hic-ups. He may be very restless at night for a while until he settles in properly, ignore any whimpering etc.

As to training, get a good book & read up on it before friday! I don't clicker train, but that's because when I first had dogs clicker training hadn't been invented! It works extremely well with some dogs. By all means give it a try. I'd recommend a book called "When pigs Fly" by Jane Killion (http://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Pigs-Fly-Training-Impossible/dp/1929242441) - it's a very good read, quite funny in places, and helps you to realise that you're not alone!

Next, put plenty of pics on here & ask any questions you want!

Good luck!

as for feeding i feed once and usually a few scraps from the table (depending what it is) before bed.

as for recall and off lead....well lets just say you should concentrate on finding his personality. I wouldnt be looking agt recall for a good few months. but you can start the process by recall in your backyard just use the clicker and treat anytime he comes your way when you call his name

for pulling, try a harness or the old reliable walking away from the way hes pulling. you look a bit mental but its effective. when he pulls just do an about turn and drag him the other way. if he pulls that way drag him around again and again until he stops

Equi wrote:here is a video on what i mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5oe0CWmyo8&feature=related

for feeding, yes i feed in the morning, it gives them time to digest and poop before bed so less likely to have accidents. as for the scraps there isnt usually many but when there is i feed right after dinner so its again time enough for them to use the toilet on their last walk before bed. but be careful what you give. I only give scraps like veg and the meat left over (no bones obv) but never anything like curry or anything spicy at all and nothing overly salty like mackrel or anything like fish that might have bones in it. she usually gets the crusts or leftover bread too but not too much at a time.

Caryll wrote:I'd let him sleep wherever he will eventually sleep full time. He'll get used to it quite quickly & will prefer the stability of just one place.

I feed twice a day, mainly because I'm paranoid about bloat (gastric torsion - a real killer), and so I split Dempsey's meals in two to put less strain on his stomach. I don't give table scraps at all.

Regrading pulling on the lead - the stopping & going the other way method makes you look a complete p*at, but it works!

Equi wrote:I used to feed twice a day but lexi is so tiny that she gets full really fast so feeding twice a day was too much for her, she would not be hungry at the next meal time and just wasted the food. Feeding once makes her hungry enough to actually eat it then and there so its not lying about all day getting maggoty lol

shakespearesdog wrote:I like the name Akio. *
I like the greek god names, I know of someone with a staffy called Troy. I like the name Diesel but thats quite common.
I have a few names lined up for my next dog depending on what he/she looks like; Joker, Riddle, Voltaire, Io, Callisto, Luna, Ripley, Kiba or Tsume.
I always like to give my pets names no other pet has. I was very dissapointed when a new person joined on here and their staffy was also called Romeo-same colour too! Still my staffy is a lot older so i had it first.
My cat is called Babushka.

*But I am pronouncing it 'Ah-ki-oh'. I don't think it sounds nice when pronounced 'Ak-e-oh'.

Equi wrote:Ak-e-o sounds like ikea haha. ah-kI-oh sounds lovely! i always loved the name Loki. (low-Key)

vanessa wrote:

wow how exciting for you,, cant wait to hear how it all goes and look at all the photos you are going to take!

Jade are you a Kate Bush fan? noticed your kitty cats name..

Herman's Human wrote:Herman was nearly 2 years old when he adopted me. his name had been "Hammer" and i wasn't feelin' it. i named him after a t.v. character.

vanessa wrote:

....Munster ??

Congrats on having found a lovely sounding boy, hope you have great fun together!

I changed Maisie's name as the rescue centre had called her Mary as she came in at Xmas time, so she's had at least 3 names! She picked it up very quickly, guess it's the way you say it that helps.

Gee wrote:How long does it take for them to digest and want to poop after being fed in the morning?

Could it happen while stressed the first few nights? I also have an alarm system downstairs which I would have to disable in the room he stays in or I could let him stay on the 2nd floor (I have an attic bedroom) when we are going to bed and set something up for him there? Sounds unusual though, but shouldn't really matter if a bed is there with food and water etc.

So many questions..I'm sorry.

I'm leaning towards Shogun. GF and everyone else likes Troy but I'm strangely going off Troy.

vanessa wrote:

....Munster ??

Pado wrote:Troy has kind of the same ring' as Tyson - should be easy for him to get use to .... I also like Kobi
I also feed twice a day - 6am and 6pm - never feed table scraps either (IMO that is what contributes to gas issues - Frank rarely has gas)

When we first got Frank I set his crate up in the bedroom so he could see me - he slept in his crate without fussing - but I knew he would eventually sleep on the bed.

I'm surprised someone recommended to just let them pull on the lead .... I want to enjoy the walk also and I just don't if I'm being dragged ... I've always had success with just a quick light snap (like pull but very slight and quick) to the dogs collar but to the "side" not choking the dog by snapping upward ... but just a quick correction and using the word heal - the dogs eventually get what you are asking.... don't use this method if the dog acts like you are scolding it, it just won't work then. I've also heard good success stories with the turning around method.
I'd recommend a dog training class -

Equi wrote:Dogs wake up a lot earlier than people, the chewing would happen in that time i would think. It doesnt matter if the kitchen is small tbh, if its a smaller area he is less likely to poo or pee in it as he wont want to mess his bed and feeding area.

Marty wrote:Congrats on the new addition i'm sure you'll be great Caryll has given some great advice for introducing him follow that and he should settle pretty quick

Caryll wrote:

Gee wrote:How long does it take for them to digest and want to poop after being fed in the morning?

Could it happen while stressed the first few nights? I also have an alarm system downstairs which I would have to disable in the room he stays in or I could let him stay on the 2nd floor (I have an attic bedroom) when we are going to bed and set something up for him there? Sounds unusual though, but shouldn't really matter if a bed is there with food and water etc.

So many questions..I'm sorry.

I'm leaning towards Shogun. GF and everyone else likes Troy but I'm strangely going off Troy.

Depends what you're feeding! Most commercial dog food takes between8 & 15 hours to digest & works its way through the dog's system, whereas home cooked meat takes about 7-8 hours and raw food about 4-6 hours.

It's possible that he could be a little destructive the first couple of nights, but if he isn't destructive now, then you've a good chance that he won't be in his new home. The 2nd floor sounds great; tbh it doesn't really matter where he stays as long as he's comfortable (somewhere to sleep & fresh water available) & feels secure.

Never apologise for asking questions! If it's something you want to know - ask away!

I like Shogun!

Jade are you a Kate Bush fan? noticed your kitty cats name..