New Staffy owner - need some helpful hints please

Hi,

I have recently become an owner of a lost adult staffy which was wandering the streets in my local area.

I have some concerns that she appears to have anxiety issues where she will be fine and calm one minute then her temperament changes where she becomes very hyper is depserate for and constantly licks.

Also any ideas on how to keep her occupied whilst I go to work, I live in a unit and although she is very well trained would like to keep her occupied through the day until I get home to take her for a walk.

Does anyone have any tips please?

Hiya and welcome.

Fair play to you for taking a staff in and with the right training you'll be fine and so will she.

What enviroment does she have at the mo?? Any history?? Can the vets give a rough idea of age??

Hi and thank you for your reply

She is a gorgeous dog couldn't not take her in and appears to be very well trained.

Unfortunatley the environment is not very dog friendly, I live in a 2 bedroom unit, so she is in doors while I'm at work, I do leave the TV on for her for company and give her a bone to chew (which she seems to devour very quickly lol).

Have no history and the vet thinks that she maybe around 4 - 5 years old.

She appears to have trained me quite well in the two weeks that we have been friends just would like to keep her from getting bored until I get home

I work 9-6 five days a week, and I have a dog walker. She's socialised and happy, she;s also a rescue.

Your both new to each other too, she will settle down fine

Appreciate the reassurance, am just a bit worried as I don't really know what environment she is used too

Maybe I should look into a dog walker, great idea!!!

You'll learn off each other, and ask anything! As for reassurance, we all love our babies!!

Well she has definately got me trained

They are definately a beautiful breed.

Have been reading up on her so I can understand her temperament better as she can be slightly aggresive to other dogs on occasion

Great job on taking in a stray. I'm sure you both have adjustments to adapt to and i'm sure she will settle down soon enough. Just keep up the walks you can never have too many, set her a few bounderies dogs really do love them e.g. when you enter your home completely ignore her until she is nice and calm then call her on over, sitting nice and calming before feeding, your first in and out of door ways she should sit calmly until you invite her in or out, always lead on the walks she should be beside you not infront,also with the constant licking firm voice and say no move her about a foot away from you all your asking for is a little space then when she calms down give a treat or praise, if she goes through her bones to quickly you can try a treat ball/kong or dog puzzles while your away and of course the most important thing ever love her to death and she'll return the fav ten fold.

That is fantastic advice Miss Rogue thank you I will definately try and put it into practice

The treat ball sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me, she is definately worth the effort

Welcome to the forum Wendy great news that you have taken in a staff. There is loads of good advice on this forum and all the members are their for you to help you along

As Miss Rogue said a kong or treat ball is a good idea as it entertains and keeps them busy so they forget that you are'nt there to keep them busy. In reference to the temprement changes staffords are very sensitive dogs and as she is a stray you don't really know what happened to her before. Chances are she is acting this way becase of something in her past. All you can do is learn how to react to her silly outbursts.

From what you say when she gets hyper and licks you and trys to get your attention she is just being anxious. And although she isn't reacting in a negative way and she is being affectionate she must be feeling stressed. When she does this stop stroking her until she visibly settles, if she still pushes for your attention turn away from her, avoid eye contact as this will make her more likely to get hyper. When she settles stops huffing and wriggling and sits down then you can calmly stroke her and use your voice to praise her. say something that won't excite her again in a low, level voice ('Good dog' or similar). She needs to learn that acting silly isn't going to get her attention and that being axious like that will only make you ignore her.

When you are doing this just remember no eye contact, keep your body language neutral (arms down etc). She should settle down, she is new to you after all but from what you have said sounds like everything is sortable and she has no major issues.

Hi and welcome!

Wendy- where in Brissy are u? I live in Runcorn on the Southside. I also have a staffy his name is Harley, he's the same way lol luckily he has my other dog Mia for company. They both wait for me until i get home before they play etc lol

try getting a Kong, they are supposed to work well.