Newbie...Hi everyone!

Hi guys,
Just looking for a place to get some advice and rant really!! I'm Donna, mummy to 2 gorgeous boys living with my partner Mitch. We are really keen to add to our family and would like a Stafford to hopefully join us but we seem to be coming up against negativity from our family. We live in my step dads house and pay him rent so ultimately we can't add a dog to our family without his permission :-(
We chose this breed for their temprement towards children and animals the fact its a medium breed and from what I'v read very intelligent and therefore straightforward to train. Someone correct me if I'm wrong! I myself am not an experienced dog owner however Mitch my partner has previously had 3 miniture shnauzers as a child right up to the death of William when Mitch was 21. We're now in our thirties have a 2 year old and a 4 month old and feel now would be a great time to introduce a dog in our lives.
What do we need to think about before making a decision and how can we convice the family that we have thought this through and their fears are unfounded? My own queries include what will happen when I start University in September? I will be out of the house for up to 3 days a week so would this mean keeping a dog would be impractical? I mentioned to my stepdad that we would buy a cage for the dog to sleep in at night and whilst alone in the house, is this cruel in any way? My stepdad said that kids and cages don't work together, what could he mean by this?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We really want to make sure that we have ALL the facts first.

x

Hi &

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Hiya from me and Moo

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

You have chosen a great breed to mix with children as the Staffy is also know as the Nanny Dog and not without just cause. They are, along with only one other breed, to have stated in their breed standard that they are "Affectionate with children". The other breed being the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Having a cage would be a great idea if used in the correct manner. A cage should never be used as a punishment but it is Staffies bedroom, a safe haven, somewhere to chill out.

I do not have any children but I'm sure that others who have will be along any minute to give you all the advice you need in this respect.

Just a note of caution when training your new best friend, all members of the household must be singing from the same songsheet (all must stick to the same training method and procedure to ensure training practices are maintained).

Good luck with it all.

Hi & welcome.

donch03 wrote:we seem to be coming up against negativity from our family. We live in my step dads house and pay him rent so ultimately we can't add a dog to our family without his permission :-(
What do we need to think about before making a decision and how can we convice the family that we have thought this through and their fears are unfounded? My own queries include what will happen when I start University in September? I will be out of the house for up to 3 days a week so would this mean keeping a dog would be impractical? I mentioned to my stepdad that we would buy a cage for the dog to sleep in at night and whilst alone in the house, is this cruel in any way? My stepdad said that kids and cages don't work together, what could he mean by this?x

Firstly of course, you're going to have to convince your family that a stafford brought up properly is an ideal dog for a young family. Would your step dad be prepared to have a look through the forum to see what the dogs here are like? Or maybe you could get him to speak to a breeder who would be able to reassure him about a stafford's temperament with children?

Using a crate for a dog isn't cruel as long as it's used properly. No dog should be left in a crate for more than a couple of hours or so during the day and an intelligent & lively dog like the stafford would go mad if left for too long locked up in a crate.

I think what your step dad means by 'kids & cages don't work together' is that kids will always find a way to open doors they know they shouldn't be touching!

Thanks for the responses so far guys any feedback would really help so keep them coming!! We haven't entertained this idea without fully thinking about the change it will make to our family dynamic but feel a dog would be a wonderful addition and a fantastic way for our children to learn about how to care and respect animals. We look forward to taking long walks through our favourite park where the stafford would meet many other dogs a great way to socialize him/her. x

Hi and welcome from us and Suki.

hia from me and sasha

Hi & welcome to the forum

hello and welcome from me and billy

Hello and welcome from me the wife and marley

Hi and welcome from Tyson and me.

Hiya and welcome from me and Moo

welcome

hi there and welcome...

hope you will be able to convince your step dad that staffys are indeed great little dogs!!

Hey and welcome from me and my trio.

HI and welcome to the forum.

bringing a staffy in with kids is a great idea, in my opinion.
My breeder, broth his first dog (a female) home just as his first kid was born. So Kali (the SBT) and Luka (the boy) grew up together. Now there are three years old and are best buds in the whole world. I asked the mom if she was uncomfortable with a puppy and a newborn being there together and growing up together and she said firmly NO! She told me - I would never ever compromise the safety of my child and this is way we decided to take a staffy.

I own an Alaskan Malamute (how is now 13 yrs old). I am the oldest of my siblings (sister 18, brother 11) and I am 25. If I have had the knowledge I have now, I would have never choose a Malamute (even thought they are beautiful and I adore my Mal.. He was there when I fished elementary school, high school, college, puberty...). My Mal was extra sweet whit my little brother. He adored him, but was never left alone with the kids. He loved the Bday parties as many kids from the neighbourhood would come over and played with him.

My boyfriend (Luka) never had dogs and we came across a friend of ours who had Kali (the mom of our puppy, mentioned above).
Luka felt in love with her and we decided that next time she has a litter, we will take one. My point is that you should ask your step dad to go to the breeders or dog meetings or even shows to meet up people and dogs. (As I did, when I was searching for australian cattle dogs). This is the best way to convince your step dad that SBT is the right breed for your family (especially if the breeder has kids!). Nothing is more special than a staffy hug!!!
Also, show your step dada youtube videos of SBTs playing with kids!

The crate is not a big of a deal if used properly. (like others said too).
Small kids and dogs should never be left unsupervised. (And you know that!)
The only thing that might be a concern is that staffies usually are not aware how strong they are and might knock over one of your kids while play. Also (I heard, will experience that in two weeks time) staffies are prone to nibbling. I think it is due to the teeth change, but I've heard that they will nibble everything and anything till 6 months of age (not a bad idea to buy lots and lots of doggy toys).

I am sure that your absence will not be a problem, as long as someone is at home. You know, staffies are very affectionate and love to be around people.

Now, you are on a mission! Take your dad by the hand and go visit and meet up doggies and people who love SBTs!!
(I don't know were you are from, but I can tell you that we have had troubles at meeting SBTs in Croatia as there is only one breeder and not so many doggies, so we went to lot of dog shows and I connected to a lot of people via Facebook and this forum!).

Keep us posted on the progress!

Hi welcome to the forum ><

Well I'm really pleased to say that my family listened to what I had to say and could find no reason to have any doubts upon our wish to get a SBT!! We had already planned to visit a litter nearby so went this afternoon and fell in LOVE with a beautiful Blue/Brindle girl. Her parents were lovely both superb temprements and living in a lovely family home with 2 children. We felt she was right and have placed a deposit on her. She will be ready to come home in 3 weeks!! I want to post a picture but not sure how! x

donch03 wrote:Well I'm really pleased to say that my family listened to what I had to say and could find no reason to have any doubts upon our wish to get a SBT!! We had already planned to visit a litter nearby so went this afternoon and fell in LOVE with a beautiful Blue/Brindle girl. Her parents were lovely both superb temprements and living in a lovely family home with 2 children. We felt she was right and have placed a deposit on her. She will be ready to come home in 3 weeks!! I want to post a picture but not sure how! x

oh what lovely news. you wont regret it. the first few months will be difficult believe me they are stubborn little blighters but well worth the love you get in return

Well heres my beauty!! x

Think I'm in love

BlueStaffBlue wrote:Think I'm in love

Me tooooooo

oh gosh!!!!! she is lovely!!!!!!!!!

VanaVigo wrote:oh gosh!!!!! she is lovely!!!!!!!!!

Thank you xx we're soooooo excited for her to join us x