Newby seeking reassurance and advice

Hello Everyone

MY name is Karl and I'd like to introduce our new/old SBT Fiver to the forum

We've always had dogs but previously only had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from pup which are a different proposition to the huge five year old rescue dog that's just become part of our family. I have terminal cancer and so I didn't want to go down the puppy rearing route again and we were advised to go to the local rescue centre to look at fostering a dog and maybe re homing one if we liked it enough. We went to view them and was kind of surprised to find 90% were either SBTs or Staffie crosses, I guess north Manchester is a hot bed for lads who think they are cool dogs to be seen with LOL

There was this one do who appeared very calm, very big, but there was just something about him I liked. He didn't bark, wasn't jumping up at the bars all the time, and didn't get involved with the other two dogs in the pen who were younger and doing the play fighting etc that you expect with dogs together, he just sat there looking at us with his big eyes seemingly pleading to be given a chance to have a new home. Two days later while I was working away my daughter collected Fiver and brought him home

He was brought in as a stray and is thought to be around five years old, his kennel number was 505 hence we called him Fiver. All white and in great shape not a mark on him, he had obviously been cared for by his owner but they knew very little about the dog only that he had been no trouble at all in their care. He was OK with other dogs though they did say one dog had tried it on with him a little too much and Fiver "told him off" quite effectively. He had developed kennel cough while incarcerated but they were nearing the end of his treatment for that

So at his new home he's been brilliant so far. He doesn't chew anything other than his food or toys, is great on the lead and good off it, OK with other dogs and strangers, doesn't chase bikes, cats, or other dogs. Doesn't make a sound at night or when we leave him to go out, is even great in the car where he sits on the backseat and doesn't move. He gets two long walks a day with some free running though not much of that as I'm still a little nervous of his true character just yet.

He needs lots of affection and wants to cuddle really close all the time. He'll lie on the rug for fifteen minutes then he gets up and goes to each of us for a cuddle before going back to lie down again, this is repeated all day/night. He likes to climb on you but we don't allow that and make him get down when he does it, he also jumps up at you when he gets excited but again we turn away and tell him NO.

Just recently he's started to try to very gently nip hands when you give hi, a belly rub (Which he loves) and he's really possessive over his toys or any sticks he finds when out. He will not drop them at all unless you distract him. The nipping isn't a real concern as he stops as soon as you tell him but I could use some advice about his toys etc.

He's still got his taters and I'm loath to neuter him as I doubt the effectiveness of it though the rescue centre said he was a bit over sexed and should be done, he's shown no evidence of being horny at all. We feed him dry and wet food Pedigree chum wet food, but from what I've read here you guys don't recommend that so I'm looking at getting some Arden Grange dry food this weekend if you think it's worth it.

He's a lovely loving dog and we so want to give him the chance of a happy life with me in it for as long as possible then with my wife and daughter once I've gone, so any advice you can give to help us settle him in and keep him a good boy will be appreciated. Would you recommend training classes at five or has that door shut now? As I say he will sit, stay, go down, etc already it's just the jumping and toy issue I want to correct, and maybe just work on the recall back to me just in case. He's great at the moment but I haven't let him off the lead where other dogs are yet.

Thanks in advance for all your help

Hi &

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Hi and welcome from us and Suki.

For the toy and stick possesion try using a treat to get him to drop it. Training classes will be okay but you can also do this from home. They really do love to please their handlers and are quick learners, plus this will help with the energy level.

For recall use a long lead. We really never let Suki off lead unless she is in a closed in area. The long lead allows them to roam and lets you maintain control.

They love human attention and will always seek it. Have a family meeting and decide on what the rules are and how to train him and as long as everyone is consistant and patient he should be a lovely companion.

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Whether you neuter or not is entlrely down to you but please have a read of the link below:

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12763-long-term-health-risks-and-benefits-associated-with-spay-neuter-in-dogs

Pedigree is not a great food, we do have a list of recommended foods as listed below. Arden Grange is on the list:

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dryfood.html

Have you tried Fiver on a long training lead yet? This may be a good way to do some recall training while you still have him under your control.

Unfortunatly Staffys do love lots of cuddles it's just their way, I wouldn't have them any other way tbh.

Hiya and welcome

Thanks guys

I love that this big scary looking dog is really just huge softie who needs cuddles all the time, he's a beauty he really is. Once I get the toy dropping thing and this nipping sorted he'll be perfect I reckon.

I'll get the new food for him from the local supplier and see how he goes on it. He does come on command really well when we are alone I'm just a tad nervous where there might be other dogs is all. I'll try the long lead option in the park until I know him better

Be sure to introduce the new food slowly or it will give him the runs. The more is is around other dogs the better.

Hi and welcome to the forum

Blue used to keep hold of his stcik/ball when playing fetch and it was a knightmare trying to get it off him. I started to take 2 sticks/balls and when he brought the first back I would show him the 2nd one and say drop. Blue used to open his mouth and start to fixate on the 2nd one. As soon as he dropped it I would say good boy! and throw it as a reward. No he understands that if he drops the stick/ball he gets rewarded by me re throwing it for him to fetch

Hello and welcome to the forum from me and the kids

My advice would be to take serious note of what these guys say! I've had my pup for almost 2 weeks now. he is only 7 weeks old tomorrow (had to come away from mum that early for serious reasons) had already i have his nipping down to minimal and he is just such a good boy because ive followed advice from the people on here! They are all so brilliant!!!

welcome

Hi there and welcome from Tyson & me.

hia from me and sasha
well done on rescuing him,staffies love human attention and the more laps they can lay on the better!as said i would keep him on a long lead when around other dogs and see how his body langue is.some staffies dont always like other dogs,that does'nt make them bad,it just means that as a responsible owner you keep them on lead when other dogs are around.

Hello and welcome to the forum

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hi and welcome. He's lovely. I hope you are feeling well and in good enough health to enjoy him, best wishes to you

Fiver is beautiful.

A bit of an overdue welcome from Maska, Loki and I

Your boy sounds wonderful and is very lucky to have found you and your family.

Dogs don't do "Share", if he has it then it is his and nobody can have it unless he gets fed up with it. We have to find another way round this to teach him to give it up when we need it.

I used to have a Greyhound who nearly took my face off several times when he had something he didn't want to give up. I put treats in a tin and taught him that when it rattles he gets a treat. Each time Merlin got something that he shouldn't have I would run out of the room saying in an excited voice, "Look what I have got", run into the kitchen and rattle the tin. Merlin would come racing out for the treat.

Merlin had done what I wanted, he had left the item and followed me so he got the treat, I was then able to walk into the other room and pick the item up. Greyhounds are not known for having a good recall but as long as I said "Look what I have got", Merlin's recall was awsome.

The 'nipping' probably isn't nipping at all. You say it's gentle? In which case it's more likely 'mouthing' which a lot of dogs, especially bull breeds, like to do. They just place their mouth around your hand/arm and hold without pressure.

If you don't mind, then I wouldn't worry about it, but if you're not happy with it then just say a firm but quiet "No" and remove your hand from his mouth. He'll soon learn!

hello and welcome, your staffie is a really lovely boy and I'm sure will make you all a wonderful companion, the advice you have been given is sound and should help. Would really appreciate seeing some more photos of him please!!

Welcome, you will find here very enjoyable!!

Thanks guys very useful

Hello and welcome aboard