Hi everyone, advice needed please

Hello, I've recently started to take my nanas staffy out for walks as she is not very well. He doesn't get walked every day, maybe twice a week but he loves being took out and gets so hyper when I walk in the door. I didn't even really like dogs before but I love this one and I even might bring him to live with me. I've bought a toy rope ball thing to teach him fetch and I'm just wondering if it's okay to let him off the leader for a long time? I have before but he nearly killed a neighbours cat and I'm scared in case he fights with another dog cos I don't think he's been socialised with other dogs. He doesn't really acknowledge other dogs when they walk past though and he's never been angry or violent with people. I have let him off the leader a few times when theres no other dogs around and he is okay but runs towards the road sometimes. Also, I've been reading quite a bit about dogs in general and I've read that when you walk a dog it shouldnt walk in front of you or pull you cos it thinks its the pack leader, well Marley pulls a lot as soon as I open the door but I think this is just because he's rarely out and gets dead excited? He pulls all the way to the field where we walk but is totally calm and walking by my side by the time we go home. He knows sit but i would love to be able to train him to do new things. Sorry if I sound really dense, I've never owned a dog or pet other than a goldfish and this is the first proper bond ive had with an animal and now im obsessed

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Hi and welcome from Me n Steffi

From what you have said I definitely would advise to keep him onlead all the time, you can get long training leads that are like 5metres long that would be a good idea so he can run around and you would still have control to pull him back in if another dog, cat etc approached or if he was getting too close to the road.. The most important thing to teach him is recall so he will always come back to you before you let him off lead

Hey! Welcome from Sophie, Taco and me! Give it half an hour and you'll be swimming in fantastic advice!
I probably wouldn't let him off lead unless you're at the dog park or somewhere cat-less (and away from roads) until his recall is really superb, just in case.
Have you considered taking him to obedience classes? It's a great opportunity for you to socialise him and learn some new tricks with him and it may help with his over excitement at walk times.
If his pulling is something that bothers you there are ways to train him out of it and special walking harnesses that help. The canny collar or the gentle leader are the two that worked best for us.
It's fantastic that you're able to walk him for your nan and I hope she feels better soon.

Welcome to the forum from the kids and I Great advice above and I totally agree with long lines and obedience classes.

Hello and welcome to the forum from me and the kids

hia from me and sasha

Hi and welcome from me and Vinnie

Hi and welcome from us and Suki

Hi & welcome from darcy & me

you're best off to post a question for advice in staffordshire bull terrier chat and you will get much more advice , people (like me ) sometimes miss the questions as this is really just an area for people to say hello

Hello and welcome to the forum

Its lovely that youve made a bond with this dog and your able to give it some exercise! I would definitely purchase a training lead so you have full control, but he's able to have a bit more freedom and until your both 100% perfect on recall, i wouldnt let him off, especially near roads. Obediance classes would be an ideal place to start

Nikita & Shéara

Hi welcome! Firstly don't let the dog off the lead, you don't sound confident enough in him or yourself. You can buy a long line which will do the same job, just put him on it when you get to the park.

As for your nan, im sure shes a lovely person, but shes not looking after him properly if she can't walk him, so you might want to suggest you rehome him so he can get walked every day x

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me

Have you talked to your Nan about possibly taking on the dog full time and have him live with you ? If you have the time to take him for at least 2 good walks a day of about an hour each time it may be greatly beneficial for him in the long term.

It sounds like he is hyper when you take him out because he doesn't get enough exercise during each day. Do you have any idea what he is fed on at the moment ?

It may be a good idea to pop a question or two in the Staffy Chat section that way more people can help you with this.

Hi there, welcome to the forum.

Dave wrote:you're best off to post a question for advice in staffordshire bull terrier chat and you will get much more advice , people (like me ) sometimes miss the questions as this is really just an area for people to say hello

I agree - you'll get much more help if you start up a new topic!

Welcome don't believe any of that walking ahead/pack leader stuff. He walks ahead because he's excited and wants to hurry up and get there.

Also, never let him off the lead unless you can trust him. Running towards a road, having bother with cats and other dogs, etc., sounds like a big no. You can get a long line and practice his recall, that way he can have a run around but you know he's safe and under your control.

Lastly, he's hyperactive because he needs two 45 minute walks a day as a minimum. They finds other ways to get that energy out if they don't get the right amount of exercise, and I know it's a difficult situation for all involved, but basically, the more you can take him out, the better it'll be for him and the calmer he'll be

thanks everyone, ive reposted in the staffy forum x

Hi and welcome from Chiquito and I

welcome

Hello again, welcome from me and daisy

Welcome to the forum

BethMarleyDawg wrote:Also, I've been reading quite a bit about dogs in general and I've read that when you walk a dog it shouldnt walk in front of you or pull you cos it thinks its the pack leader,

Don't get hung up on the 'pack leader' theory. It was based on flawed research and has even been retracted by the man who first came up with it!

A very warm welcome to the forums from myself & Sadie. I also have to agree with not letting him off the lead right now. You sound as if you're not that confident yet but that will come with time and I'm sure he will learn to obey your every command.

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and the zoo xx