Hi from 1st time dog owner - please help xx

Hello -

Im Kylie - Me & my partner rescued Lola from a kennel after her 5 month stay.

If im honest I went there adement that I would not get a staff! Then I saw her with her head in her paws all sweet & innocent like & after hearing she was the longest resident they have ever had at the kennel Lola was sold.

We believe she is around 3 & that she is a SBT x English bull terrier.

Lola has been part of our family for the past 3 weeks so we are still on learning curves. She is a well behaved dog - Inside the house. You can play fetch with her, Tug of war with her, shes sits, lays, doesnt beg, is house trained (during the day) & seems quiet a content dog but when you take her from the house to the park she just does not listen. You can get her to sit at curbs and wait and thats it - shes on constant cat patrol & shes already broke through 2 leather collars - & we just had a little scrap in the park with a boxer who was of his lead.

Shes very weary around other dogs & I want to see if this can be changed.

She has one dog friend called titch that we sucessfully intoduced her to & they see eachother at weekends & dont even make a fuss... then even playfight. but other dogs if she sees them she stances forward with years up right .. & its very hard to get her attention. my nan used to be a dog trainer & said a little jab in the ribs will get her attention but nope.

The other problem we have with her is she sometimes messes in the night... she is house trained. we say Peepees and the ears are up & then were off we even take her out just before bed & she will do both but then still mess in the night? is this to get attention?

Sorry if Ive rambled - After our little dog scrap in the park feeling a little emotional & hoping that we can get a solution. I dont like that people see a staff & assume she is a bad dog let alone her fighting with another dog when really I feel if lolas on a tight lead around other dogs shouldnt other dog owners recognise there might be a reason for this and leash theres in too?

Hope someone can help

Kylie & Lola - Who is now sleeping after her ordeal xx

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Hi welcome, lola is aaaaabsolutely gorgeous. I hope you enjoy the site.

hia from me and sasha,well done on the rescue she is lovely im sure in time the messing in the house will stop,try not feeding say after 6 o clock and stop her drinks say hour/hour and a half before bed,as for the dog thing i would just keep her on the lead while other dogs are around for now,watch how her body language is around other dogs would be my advise

Hi and welcome to the forum from me & Tyson. Try these links for some useful information on your situation:
http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/socializingyourstaffords.html
http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

Hi Sasha - Im going to try the taking her food away & no treats afer 5 tonight - last night we took her out at 10.30 & she done both & we still woke up to a parcel :/

Al your dogs are beautiful Going to grab a cuppa & read up on that info ... Thank you guys for getting back to me xxx

welcome, just try feeding her in the morning giving her time to do what she as to in the day. good luck with her...

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

As said above keep on lead when other dogs around. Do you have a long line/training lead??

Hi and welcome to the forum well done for rescuing a lovely dog, its sounds like she hasn't been socialised very well. take her to a dog training class were you'll learn basic commands whilst around other dogs.

Try to teach her the watch me command and then whilst out walking and approaching other dogs tell her watch me lots of fuss and treats

its hard work but plenty of effort will bring its rewards

remember she's been in kennels a long time and needs time to settle in as well

Hi & welcome.

Well, to start with she's still in a settling-in period, and messing overnight could be a sign of anxiety. Just ignore it - don't tell her off - and take her straight outside in the garden. Then clear up whatever she's done with a non-amonia based cleaner (a solution of biological washing liquid does the job!). It can take a few months to completely settle.

Have you thought about crate training her at night? Dogs will rarely mess in their own bed, so a crate may teach her to hold on to it.

With the outside behaviour, again part of it could be anxiety. Everything's new & she's in a high anxiety state for most of the time I would think. She should calm down over the next few weeks, but in the meantime I'd use a long training line, about 50' long. Just let it trail, and if she won't come back or she starts to move off too far, just pick the end up & reel her in!

If you have a training club near you it might be an idea to pop along & have a word with the trainers. They might sugest you take her along & sit at the side for a couple of weeks before you try & join in.

Marty wrote:Hi and welcome to the forum well done for rescuing a lovely dog, its sounds like she hasn't been socialised very well. take her to a dog training class were you'll learn basic commands whilst around other dogs.

Try to teach her the watch me command and then whilst out walking and approaching other dogs tell her watch me lots of fuss and treats

its hard work but plenty of effort will bring its rewards

remember she's been in kennels a long time and needs time to settle in as well

The watch me works very well for me , put a treat in my hand and keep Tilly occupied , she used to go on the lead for any distractions, now the only time is with other dogs when they are on lead (my sign that they might need it , like Tilly ) just distract her , show her what you have in your hand and make it a game. I like playing the have I or haven't I one now and works really well.

welcome to the forum, I can't add on much advice than has already been given - I just wanted to say she is absolutely gorgeous and no wonder you chose her

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. Try only letting her interact with dogs you know she will get along with. Walking dogs together is also a great way to socialize them so if you know anyone with a well socialized dog see if they will let you walk with them

Welcome to the site. I'm also a rcent member and have found it great for advice and discussion.
Lola is lovely.

Hiya and welcome to the forum

hi and welcome

Lola looks adorable!! I am sure she will settle down.. it is early days yet..

Good on you for giving her a loving home!

Hi, we have just rescued our second staff, had him nearly 2 weeks, he somtimes messes in the night but I just ignore it, I take food up after 5 , I wouldn't worry she'll soon settle. As for dog walking, is keep her on a long or stretchy lead where there are other dogs, that way if anything does happen you have control and its not your dog in the wrong. The frustrating thing about being a staffie owner is that people automatically blame your dog , even when it isn't, but it wont stop me having them. Socialize as much as you can, you are in for a real treat owning a staff, enjoy!

Hello and welcome from myself the wife and marley

Hello and welcome from Zac and me

Hi and welcome from Roxy and me

Hi and welcome from Skye buster and me
Buster is a rescue ( although not from kennels) and I've had him for just over 3 months and he is still adjusting to life with us
keep going she's a lovely looking girl and they have so much to learn time is a good thing

hello from Me,moo & Tye we are new here also