10 Easy to Remember Tips for Responsible Owners

by **Steve** Fri Mar 23 2012, 13:42

Frequently Asked Questions

10 Easy to Remember Tips

for Responsible Owners

Responsible ownership starts from the time your Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes to live with you. Irresponsible owner's are one of the major causes for all the problems the breed faces today. It's our hope here at Staffordshire Bull Terrier Website we can spread the word and educate more owners to take responsibility for their dogs actions.

10 easy to remember tips for responsible Staffordshire bull terrier owners:

Buy from a reputable breeder

Anyone can put two dogs together and can call themselves a breeder but that doesn’t make them reputable or responsible.

Buying a dog is an important and long term commitment so you want to choose a breeder that has the best interests of the dog, their breed and you in mind. Reputable breeders usually don't advertise in the local classified newspaper ads, glitzy dog magazines, or on a poster taped to a wall in the local shop - the places that the average person might look. Most importantly they will not sell to pet stores.
While some may say it's because the breeders are being elitist, the real reason is quite simple. These venues encourage impulse buying.

Impulse buying all too often leads to disappointment when the dog turns out to be just a “dog”, with a dog's needs, and a dog's means of communication.

Shelters and rescue programs are full of dogs that were bought on impulse. Such a fate is not what a responsible breeder wants for the dogs he or she has helped bring into this world.
Exercise your dog everyday.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier have high energy levels they want to play and run forever the more exercise they get the calmer and better behaved they will be. If you can manage it two/three walks per day for 45mins plus each time .
Unwanted Matings

Keeping your female safe from male advances is an IMPORTANT job for responsible owners it only take minutes for them to get locked.
Vet bills

Vets fees nowadays are very expensive, with operations costing £1000s and unless you have an amount of money put aside, then maybe you should think about taking out pet insurance.
Dog proofing house and garden

A curious dog can get into every kind of danger a baby or toddler can and even more sometimes. A dog's sensitive nose can sniff out intriguing and potentially dangerous off-limits items in hiding places that a two-year-old child would never find.

It can be frustrating to have your dog get out of a fenced garden. Whether your dog is a digger or a jumper, keep your garden fence dog-proof and keep your dog safely inside your garden.
Train your dog

It is important to start training your new puppy as soon as you bring it home. Training can be done yourself or a professional can be hired. Local dog training classes are often available. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a trainer or look in your local newspaper for a trainer in your area.
Supervise your dog with small children.

This is a must. Small children are often hurt by dogs not out of anger, but because dogs can scratch them, step on them, and otherwise injure them.
Always have your dog on a leash in public.

Always have your dog on the lead in public places, they can be nervous and excitable when there are lots of people it is bettter to be safe than sorry.
Socialize your dog.

Take your dog to as many places as you can, meet new people and while they are young meet as many other dogs as possible. Socializing your Staffies will help curb any future problems that might occur.
learning your dog body language

It's important to understand what dogs are saying with their bodies, not only to know your own dog but to better predict what other dogs are doing.

To really read dog body language takes experience. I encourage you to watch your own dog(s) and others. Go to the dog park and watch dogs interacting. Watch different body parts (ears, tails, eyes, lips, hair, overall posture) separately for a while. See if you can predict which body stances lead to which activities or outcomes. read more....

In order for things to change, we must change the way we look at our own actions and how they affect the world around us. Until we do that, things will simply stay the way they are right now.

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Thank you.
Forum Administrator
Steve

A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions