Prep for 9 week old female SBT?

Hey all, we are new to the message board and will be getting our SBT in a couple months. I'm all about the preparation. Anything you can think of we will need would be awesome! We live in a 1500 sqft townhome. Very active people and love the SBT breed! I have lots of questions but I thought I'd start broad and then become more specific. Thank you all!

Here is a link that should help.

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/basics_for_new_puppy_owners

Thank you for a quick reply!

There are some other things I'd add to that. The most important for me is that you discuss and agree as a family what your puppy will need and how your lives are going to have to change for a few months to accommodate her. You will all need to get into her rhythm with regards to meal times and toilet training, and you will all need to be consistent in what you teach her. If one person is trying to teach her not to mouth while another likes playing bitey games, she'll get confused as hell.

Remember that what she learns early on will affect what she understands of the world later on. Things that you might think sweet now - such as climbing up your leg for attention - won't be when she's fully grown (and launching herself at anyone she wants to say hello to). Different species, but I knew of someone who taught his foal to put its feet on his shoulders as a cute trick. Not very cute in a 16hh horse, as he discovered to his cost when the now fully grown mare persisted in rearing at him.

You won't want to do lots of structured training early on but you can start with things like recall - wait till your puppy is looking at you, hold up a treat and call 'come' - and asking her to let go of something - when she has something in her mouth, put a treat by her nose and say 'leave it'. Leave it is a great command to have with a staffie who likes to grab clothing or who thinks stealing your sock is fun!

Socialisation when she's had her jabs it essential. Take every opportunity to get her meeting other dogs and people, and in different situations.

The other thing I personally do as soon as they've had all their jabs is take them for early walks somewhere safe and let them off lead straight away. They don't have the confidence to go far from you so you can teach them about walking off lead from the start. Include some recall from day 1 too, and you've cracked a couple of problems that many people struggle with for ages.

Set her up to be the best dog you could dream of from day 1 and with a bit of effort and lots of fun you should get her!

I can only really echo the post above. Early socialisation (as soon as the jabs are done) is essential. Everyone training the same thing in the same way is also key.

The other thing I would advise is to leave the pup for short periods from an early age so that separation anxiety doesn't become an issue later in life.

Plenty of interactive toys to keep the mind active will be a godsend as mental stimulation can tire them out almost as much as a good walk can.

If you follow the advice by Liz, I'm confident that you'll have a well balanced, well behaved Staffy

The onky thing i can add is get the pup used to every animal from horses to cats and also different vehicles. Can only emphasise above advice

Wow guys thank you so much! What a great community you all have here, I'm so lucky to be a part of it!! This information is so helpful! When you travel with your pups in the car do you bring the crate? Or let them sit in a seat? Again, thank you all for taking time to answer questions, very refreshing to have instant feedback from staffy people!

A crate is safer as long as it's a suitable size and secure. However, you do get some (like Millie!) who won't settle in it, even if crate trained. If she's on her own, i.e. with neither of the other dogs, she's on the back seat but with a seatbelt clip to her harness. You don't want a dog loose in the car, not only so they can't move around and distract you, but also so they can't be thrown any distance if you have to brake suddenly.

One bit of advice on travelling, in the early days drive as if you had a box of eggs on the back seat. Try and avoid sudden braking and taking corners too sharply if you can, until she learns how to adjust her balance.

If you do find you have travelling problems, ask. Several of us have been there, done that!

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/dog/dog-crates-and-carriers/other-dog-travel-products/universal-seat-belt-restraint

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/dog/dog-crates-and-carriers/other-dog-travel-products/car-safety-harness

Any good pet shop should sell these it gives the dog more freedom and safe at the same time.

I'll also echo the advice above.
We have always had hatchback cars so both the dogs we've had have gone in the boot. Start with short journeys and plenty of praise, not too many treats as she might be sick. Make sure that you get her to stay in the boot until you say she can get out! Take her with you every time you go out in the car, even of just nipping to shops, and one of you stay in the car with her. Then car journeys become routine and not just to go somewhere exciting.
Carry her to loads of different places so she gets introduced to all sorts of people, smells and noises.
Pete

Again thank you guys for the information!! Speaking of crates... Do you suggest a certain size? And do I need multiple crates? I will have one for her to sleep in which is in our room and then would I want one just for the car or to just have downstairs? I'm such a novice I know and my questions are probably terrible but I got to be prepared!! Thank you all!!

There are no terrible questions I assure you. As to how many crates, one for each place is ideal I guess but that could work out quiet expensive. One for sleeping in your room is fine but if your living room is on a different level then you may want another for his Safe zone there.

As for the size, it will need to be big enough for him to stand and stretch upwards in (not standing on hind legs) & with enough room to turn comfortably and lay down with legs stretched out. Others might be able to give a better idea i.e. Small, medium or large.

Great advice Liz as always, how exciting for you

Don't forget puppies love to chew as well and that includes seat belts, a £500 bill is not so cute trust me. I got Holly at nine weeks old and got her first jab sorted and then the 2nd at thirteen weeks and then a week later she could go out and that's when you start socialising them about everyone and everything, as long as they trust you and your judgement they'll learn so much so quickly and you'll grow to be the proudest dog owner on the planet, well close anyway.

ps. your local vets will have contacts to a puppy socialising class too and when you can start a training class too. Both Stan and Holly smelled strongly of tea when I got them and the breeder gave me a list of things they were already eating, e.g. Weetabix but they soon start eating proper dog food. Always encourage them by being positive about all the new sounds and experiences and they'll fear almost nothing and be very sociable with people and dogs etc. Treat them as a dog rather than a breed and that's how they'll be. Btw, Stan still loves tea.

Thank you all for helping so much!! You will be hearing lots from me as the questions arise. You all are great people for taking the time to help a stranger. Thank you thank you!

We're all one big Staffy family

How exciting for you getting a puppy! Fantastic advice from everyone above

Be sure to cherish every single moment, they grow up far too quick!

One thing I wish I did with Theia is to get her used to wearing the pants for when she came into season. If I was to have that time again I would have started by wrapping a old cloth around that area.
Pete

Thank you guys!! Great great advice!!!