Luna's growing up ...

Hi all

Just wanted to give you an update on my baby girl's progress (with pictures of course!! )

Lulu is now out and about (all the time) and no longer crated as she's much happier in bed with her 'sister' but we've started to muzzle her if we're out for too long to prevent chew 'incidents' after a few mishaps
She's now out grown Amber but still shows respect and 'submits' a lot when they play (although the pics prove they are equal in terms of who wins )
And she's still coming out in new spots to break up her white. Especially round her right eye where she's got some lovely 'eyelashes'
I honestly wouldn't change a hair on her ... she's such a good girl, and i'm now a steed fast advocate of Staffys (although I could do with one that doesn't fart as bad!!)

Hope you enjoy ...







I'm happiest with my sister (even more so now we have a big new bed!)


Rocking 'The Clockwork Orange' look!

She really has grown loads, she's looking gorgeous (as is her sister ), thanks for the update, and you're right, it really is a Clockwork Orange look

Fantastic update and great pics to go with

Great update! She really has started to grow up bless her I'm loving her spots round her eyes She really is a beauty

Fraggle wrote:Hi all



Lulu is now out and about (all the time) and no longer crated as she's much happier in bed with her 'sister' but we've started to muzzle her if we're out for too long to prevent chew 'incidents' after a few mishaps

Hope you enjoy ...

Thanks for the up date on Luna, however the quote above bothers me slightly, does this mean you leave her at home alone with the muzzle on her ?

Kathy wrote:

Fraggle wrote:Hi all



Lulu is now out and about (all the time) and no longer crated as she's much happier in bed with her 'sister' but we've started to muzzle her if we're out for too long to prevent chew 'incidents' after a few mishaps

Hope you enjoy ...

Thanks for the up date on Luna, however the quote above bothers me slightly, does this mean you leave her at home alone with the muzzle on her ?

Yes we do.
I have been assured that this is fine (by our vet and pet store staff) in the short term.
(For us) It seems the kinder option as she is able to be with Amber, explore the house and garden and can use the dog flap to toilet whilst we're out.

For Kathy
It is by no means a long term thing, but an aid to keep her safe whilst unsupervised. With training (and age) she'll be able to be left with free run of the house as Amber is/was.

Lovely update, the piks are fab and im loving the eyelashes, very pretty

Tara wrote:She really has grown loads, she's looking gorgeous (as is her sister ), thanks for the update, and you're right, it really is a Clockwork Orange look

She's a looker alright!
Thanks x

CodlingKid wrote:Great update! She really has started to grow up bless her I'm loving her spots round her eyes She really is a beauty

kita90 wrote:Lovely update, the piks are fab and im loving the eyelashes, very pretty

Thank you

Great pics

Are you sure it's safe to leave her muzzled unsupervised?

what a stunner!!!

Sazzle wrote:Great pics

Are you sure it's safe to leave her muzzled unsupervised?

Certainly not soemthing I would ever do

why do you muzzle your dog for?

She's beautiful, but I'm not so keen on the muzzle.

I'm sorry you all feel this way.
I had hoped the post would be a nice one

If anyone wishes to give me 'constructive' info/comments regarding the muzzle then I am happy to hear them.
As the info came from a professional source I haven't questioned it. It seemed to be a solution to a problem.

She is looking so well

MatLogan wrote:She is looking so well

Thank you
I wouldn't change her for the world

She is absolutely beautiful!

Luna is beautiful

She's a stunner! and loving the clockwork orange look

If the muzzle keeps her and her sister safe and she's not upset by it then personally I think its a good idea she joys of freedom x

Fraggle wrote:I'm sorry you all feel this way.
I had hoped the post would be a nice one

If anyone wishes to give me 'constructive' info/comments regarding the muzzle then I am happy to hear them.
As the info came from a professional source I haven't questioned it. It seemed to be a solution to a problem.

What was the muzzle recommended for? If it's chewing, then a crate would be a better answer. If it's fighting with your other dog, then separation would be better. A muzzle left on unattended can cause nasty (possibly fatal) injuries.

The muzzle also looks very clumsy & heavy for such a young dog.

She is gorgeous
but I am not a fan of the muzzle either, the reason I don't like it is because it is only working as a cover up and is not dealing with the underlaying problem (the reason she is chewing). I think it is better to figure out the reason she is doing this (boredom? lack of exercise? etc) and solving the problem with training rather than relying on the muzzle.
I'm not sure but I could also imagine that it is a safety issue?

Fraggle wrote:It seemed to be a solution to a problem.

A solution to a problem (chewing) is training, not just sticking a muzzle on while unsupervised!

The muzzle looks like a P@H Baskerville muzzle? They clearly state

Muzzles are not designed to be worn for long periods of time and dogs should never be left wearing a muzzle unattended.

So I'd be questioning the professional advice you've received.

Thanks,

Just to clarify.
I do train her,
she isn't bored,
she has all the time, attention and stimulation she deserves.
The muzzle was suggested for chewing rather than issues with our other dog.
I took advice from a professiona,l and if that it wrong then I am guilty of no more than naivety.

Thank you for the support I have received since joining ... but have to admit to feeling slightly attacked (for want of a better way of putting it

Aww bless, hope you dont feel that way, you only go on what people recommend you do to help situations. I have had loads of good advice from here and know that everyone just wants to help and love their staffs to pieces.

I am sure you will resolve the chewing, she's still a baby after all and she has a lot to learn.

Ozzy is my first dog, people told me that you need experience to have a staffie, especially a rescue one and you know what - I have had so much help from everyone here, they really do care and it has been invaluable, especiially Matt

Fraggle wrote:Thanks,

Just to clarify.
I do train her,
she isn't bored,
she has all the time, attention and stimulation she deserves.
The muzzle was suggested for chewing rather than issues with our other dog.
I took advice from a professiona,l and if that it wrong then I am guilty of no more than naivety.

Thank you for the support I have received since joining ... but have to admit to feeling slightly attacked (for want of a better way of putting it

Nobody has attacked you - but if people feel that something is wrong then they have a right to say so.

Certainly leaving a muzzle on a dog that is unattended is dangerous.

Caryll wrote:

Fraggle wrote:Thanks,

Just to clarify.
I do train her,
she isn't bored,
she has all the time, attention and stimulation she deserves.
The muzzle was suggested for chewing rather than issues with our other dog.
I took advice from a professiona,l and if that it wrong then I am guilty of no more than naivety.

Thank you for the support I have received since joining ... but have to admit to feeling slightly attacked (for want of a better way of putting it

Nobody has attacked you - but if people feel that something is wrong then they have a right to say so.

Certainly leaving a muzzle on a dog that is unattended is dangerous.

Yes ... I get that now! thanks

Please don't take us wrong over this , you have taken advice from a vet and believe it or not they are certainly not always the best people in the world to advise on behaviour , training solutions etc , same as we are not the best people to advise on ilnesses , though many members will have illness experiences of their own to help with . All we are trying to do is advise you to have a rethink
I sort of detect a sarcastic tone in your last reply and can understand what you may be thinking but it really is good advice being given

Fraggle wrote:Thanks,

Just to clarify.
I do train her,
she isn't bored,
she has all the time, attention and stimulation she deserves.
The muzzle was suggested for chewing rather than issues with our other dog.
I took advice from a professiona,l and if that it wrong then I am guilty of no more than naivety.

Thank you for the support I have received since joining ... but have to admit to feeling slightly attacked (for want of a better way of putting it

No-one's attacking you, we just wouldn't be a very good and helpful forum if we said "OK, cool " every time someone did something we feel is unsafe or isn't the best decision for them or the dog, right? We're not saying you're a bad person, people are just pointing out the possible issues with the muzzle, which is perfectly acceptable.

My own issue with it is that if she's running around with the other dog, it can very easily get caught on things and cause harm

Please don't feel attacked. It is very clear you are totally in love with your lovely Luna.

Sadly though you have been given some bad advice about the muzzle. Its not your fault this is the advice you were given.

But I would really think about avoiding it too.

Fraggle I would be careful about the muzzle as they can get caught and the dog can panic.They are not meant to worn unsupervised. I have done a bit of research on muzzles as my Lola wears one one when off lead as she is fear aggressive . Please be careful, I hope you don't feel I am being negative

She is a beautiful dog, growing so well and seems to enjoy her sister very much She is still young and learning. Please don't feel put out by comments made by other members - We all want to help if you are experiencing any problems and want to give positive vibes to overcome them.

I say it allllllllll the time never take advice from a vet about anything un-medical. You wouldn't take parenting lessons from a doctor

Agree with others about the muzzle but there's no point in me saying dont use one as others already said! Buuut in other words, could you try a few kongs filled with things for her? You can also buy treat balls ect to keep them entertain and also a "treat puzzle" where they have to learn how to open and push things to get the treat out! She's still young and staffies are very inquisitive, so I'm sure she'd love it I don't know how I missed this post, I swear I commented it she's a beautiful little girly anyway, and I love her spots