Assertion?

Bacchus has just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago and I have noticed that occassionally when he comes up on the sofa for a cuddle he will try to stand above me and tense up with the ears slightly back as if he is challenging me. As soon as I raise my voice to let him know it's not acceptable he backs off. I gave him a real telling off last night and he slinked off to his crate for about 20 mins then came grovelling back and, when invited, jumped up on the sofa and cuddled in with his head on my lap as if to say sorry. Is this an adolescent thing, as I thought he would be past the teenage stage by now? He's my first staff by the way.

Really hard for me to say. Suki will do the same thing with me as well but I have always encouraged rough play with her. She won't do it with anyone else and will stop if told to.

I have noticed recently that he has been doing a lot of sniffing the grass and drooling which leads me to believe that someone is walking a bitch in season in the area. He appears a bit unsettled when we return from walks because of this, so could be a testosterone thing

Just be firm but fair lovely dog

What a beautiful boy - you're doing exactly the right thing.

Thanks guys. He really is a sweetheart,   but being a 2 year old entire male he needs to be reminded of his place now and again > . It's not a huge issue but just wanted your opinions as I am a newby to staffs although I've had dogs all my life ( a couple of GSDs and a Dobe)