Advice with buying a Staffy

Hello there, I'm new here so hello everyone, me and my wife and 7yr old boy have decided to get a family dog, I'm a site manager in London so I wanted a dog that could come with me to work.
And my family love nice long walks.
Anyway to the point we have found a 1 year old male and we will be its 4th owner.
Apparently a lad bought it and then his grandmother had it and now it's with a couple and 3 kids.
The man is now ill and the lady cannot give the Staffy the attention it's needs.
I've asked as much as possible and if it was good with kids and other dogs and she said yes.
I should be excited but I'm just worrying now that all the moving from house to house would effect it at all.
Has anyone else had a similar experience. Am I worrying about nothing, is there anything I should look out for.

Thank you for reading

Steve

As long as the dog was not mistreated it should not be an issue they are very adaptable to new surroundings. If you could take a week off to get the dog settled that would help as well.

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Hi and welcome from us and Suki

Thanks for the welcomes.
Unfortunately we both work full time and haven't got any holiday Ieave I was hoping to take him me to work Monday.
And be in my office with me and my colleges.

Hi ya Steve, welcome to the forum from Flo & me

Thank you for taking him on and giving him a good home. Whilst I won't be ideal taking him to work with you straight away it's still workable.

I gave a home to a rescue and they take a little while to settle in new surroundings but this is where taking him to work might be a good thing. As long as you can give him reassurance and love and somewhere comfy to sleep but still near you then I think you'll have a best buddy.

What does your gut feeling tell you about the home he's in now, that's normally the best gauge about how he's been treated and as long as he's been well cared for then I shouldn't think you'll have any problems.

We are of course always here to help you with any advice.

Thanks Ian, we went to meet him yesterday and he seems happy enough and looked like he was cared for, I dont want to come across horrible or a prude but the house wasn't as clean as we keeps ours, but they have got a bigger family then me so maybe that's why.
We pick him up tomorrow so fingers crossed.
I'll let everyone know how it goes.
Also when I'm at work he will get about 8 walks a day and in a bed I've bought next to my desk, there is a lot of workers walking past so he will get a lot of attention at brake times.
If I do have to leave why popping out the office it would only be for 20mins max.
He will get a good life and a best friend and a loving family.

He's young so I doubt that he will take long to adjust. Just be sure that he can get a bit of space in the first few days as it might be a bit overwhelming. The good news is that you have the weekend together beforehand.

As regards the house... Erm well mine isn't the tidiest but that's what happens when you have kids and a Staffy

Do let us know how it goes and post a pic when you get a chance

Thanks buddy and i will post some as soon as I get him home.'

Thanks again.

Steve

I think you will end up with a buddy for life Steve It will be a fantastic bonding experience spending so much time with your little fella, at work/home. When i first got Maya, before her jabs, i used to carry her absolutely everywhere with me to get her well socialized with people. Then after her inoculations i did/do exactly the same with other Dogs.
I`m sure you will have a fantastic time with your new soul mate, and as Ian says, when you get chance we would love to se some pics.
Also, thank-you for helping , as there are just way too many Dogs in shelters now, and you have done an incredible thing

EDIT: You have also helped a family in need steve, so well done again

Hi and welcome from me and mine

Good on you for giving this lad another chance. It sounds like you're taking him as a private rehoming, i.e. not through a rescue centre, so you won't have the backup if things get sticky. My best advice then is to make full use of this forum. Ask every question you've got - the only silly question is the one you didn't ask - and to start off with err on the side of caution when it comes to know what's normal and what's not.

You'll find a 1 yr old staffy is pretty full on. That might be the reason he's been passed around. A lot of people get the impression that staffies just plod around on leads looking butch with leather studded breastplates. No! The do zoomies round the house, they like playing with things ranging from dog toys (if you're lucky) to empty cardboard boxes, clothing, bits of house... They need occupying and they need training. If it's all starting to sound a bit daunting, then don't panic. We've been there, done that, and between us have a wardrobe full of t-shirts.

My first top tip, though, is start as you mean to go on. Don't feel sorry for him because of his past - he won't be thinking of it so don't you either - and give him his boundaries from the word go. If jumping up is not acceptable, then never give him a treat or a cuddle for it but instead nudge him back down and then give him a treat.

Remember that he will be looking to you for guidance. Rules are good, they'll give him a sense of security, so I'd suggest your first job is to sit down as a family and decide what's yes and what's no, then agree to all stick to that.

Hi from me & Katy, well done on giving this boy another chance Great advice already given, staffies love company, structure & routine. Look forward to seeing pics

Aww well done on the rescue when mia came to me i was her 4th owner it can work as long as the dog has routine and boundaries very important in a year old staffy. Many of us here have a wide range and experience of different problems if you have a problem don't be afraid to ask

Hello and welcome from me and Misty. Well done on the rescue! Lovely to hear about dogs getting a forever happy stable home. I got Misty privately from a family who had no time for her, she was living in a cage and had never even been walked and she was fourteen months old. She was underweight and had no training whatsoever.She has changed our lives for the better, she is my best friend and hubby and I dote on her. Yes it is hard work but she is a wonderful girl and if ever I think oh i wish she would heel or recall then I remember how far she has come in only ten months and we go to training class with her every week so she can catch up what she missed as a young pup. Good luck for tomorrow and we can't wait for pics

LizP wrote: bits of house...

Wow Harvey is wonderful and so so gentle I want to send you guys a photo but how do I upload one

Here is a link that will help with the pics

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12017-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Bless you for giving this boy a loving home. All he needs now is love and guidance and I'm sure you'll give him this as you sound like just the right family for him
Can't wait to see pics

Sorry guys, as im a new-member i have to wait for 7 days and till i can upload some photo's, so as soon as i can i will send some pics of Harvey.

He's wonderful its Friday  so after a hard week at work im having a few beers, my lovely family are asleep upstairs, and im watching rubbish on TV with my new best friend.
Life is good.


Steve

Scaffff wrote:Sorry guys, as im a new-member i have to wait for 7 days and till i can upload some photo's, so as soon as i can i will send some pics of Harvey.

He's wonderful its Friday  so after a hard week at work im having a few beers, my lovely family are asleep upstairs, and im watching rubbish on TV with my new best friend.
Life is good.


Steve

You enjoy them cuddles Steve as much as Harvey will

Welcome to Staffy parenthood! It's lovely to hear you rescued him, life will never be the same again in a wonderful way.

I would not buy a dog that has had so many owner before to be perfectly honest. Esp if i had kids or expected the dog to be around lots of people/kids.

Well lexii I did all the checks I could do and his last home was with 3 children very young, he is awesome he really is, he is so gentle with my son he met my family's dogs and got on just fine, we are so lucky to have such a wonderful dog.

Steve

Oh Steve it sounds like its going fantastic for you all. I can only imagine the fussing he will get when you take him to work. I can imagine your offices productivity might go downhill though

You did the checks Steve and I'm so glad you got him. All this fella wants is love and company and he'll be yer best mate for life

Well done fella

Im glad it is all going well, i didn't read the posts so apologies for missing that you already got him. They really are lovely dogs if they have been brought up well

Yep i echo what Ian says I`m just uploading a video of when Maya first met our granddaughter, so gentle they are. I`ll post it shortly

Totally I just want to thank you all for your kind words and advice,
Means a lot really does.
I feel so so lucky.

It's funny ya know, most people would say the Dogs the lucky one but we know it's us that's lucky to have such wonderful characters in our lives

Where abouts in London are ya Steve ?

Your so correct Ian we are definitely the lucky ones, does it say London that's me probably set it up wrong I'm in Cambridgeshire mate but I work in Watford.

Ah I thought you were a city person... Nicer where you are, loads of great countryside

Yes Cambridgeshire has many places to take him, we are taking him to our local woodlands tomorrow, we took him to pets4he today and he had a vip pamper and a good clean, why we bought him a lovely new bed and lead and lots of toys, the last owners said he doesn't like dog toys ( I think they just didn't want to buy home any)
Harvey loves everything we bought him, he was also on tesco tuned for when we got him so we have bought wainswrights biscuit and meat and will slowly move him over to this food.
He seems so content bless him.

So predictive text changes my spelling I meant tesco tined food lol

Ah yeah, change the food slowly to avoid an upset tummy. You should also see a healthier looking Harvey on better food too

Yes I will do it nice and slowly, I'm sure he will appreciate it lol

He must be feeling like he's won the lottery! What dog doesn't like toys?!! We were told misty loved toys but she didn't have any in her old life either. Of course she has more than one dog can play with in ten years now! I think you are all going to settle in well. Sounds like it's only the beginning of a lovely life together.

Ah good lad. Always good to feed them the best you can

Thanks misty and your right, definitely the start of something good.

Mistys Mum wrote:He must be feeling like he's won the lottery! What dog doesn't like toys?!! We were told misty loved toys but she didn't have any in her old life either. Of course she has more than one dog can play with in ten years now! I think you are all going to settle in well. Sounds like it's only the beginning of a lovely life together.

My lexi. She won't play with anything. Shes had every toy under the sun but NO interest. As a puppy she played with my slippers but was discouraged obviously. She played with a pink dolphin from £land once for about 5 mins but thats about it. lol

Definitely it's like us we are what we eat and I want Harvey to be as healthy as he possible can

Wow lexii bless her I bet she misses those slippers lol

So lovely to hear that he's in a good home now! Would love to see photos!

Just to clarify - even dogs that "haven't been brought up well" CAN go on to become settled, friendly, well rounded pets. People's irresponsibility shouldn't be a reason for a a dog never to get a good home. My girl had a hideous past, and though she's a bit worried around men that she doesn't know, in general she's a wonderful girl who's brilliant with my niece and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Bet he can't believe his luck! Please make use of the forum - there is a wealth of information here from owners with a wide variety of experiences with the breed.

Scaffff wrote:Wow lexii bless her I bet she misses those slippers lol

I have always worn big slippers...gorillas and the ones with Margaret thatcher and prince charlie on them etc...lots to chew...but nah she doesn't bother anymore! I have big unicorn ones now, with a perfectly chewable horn.

Thanks Rachel so true and as I'm new here I cannot upload any photos for a week but as soon as I'm allowed I will upload some.
Thanks again.

Steve

Rachel33 wrote:So lovely to hear that he's in a good home now! Would love to see photos!

Just to clarify - even dogs that "haven't been brought up well" CAN go on to become settled, friendly, well rounded pets. People's irresponsibility shouldn't be a reason for a a dog never to get a good home. My girl had a hideous past, and though she's a bit worried around men that she doesn't know, in general she's a wonderful girl who's brilliant with my niece and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Bet he can't believe his luck! Please make use of the forum - there is a wealth of information here from owners with a wide variety of experiences with the breed.

Of course they can. Personal opinion is a beautiful thing though.

Scaffff wrote:Thanks Rachel so true and as I'm new here I cannot upload any photos for a week but as soon as I'm allowed I will upload some.
Thanks again.

Steve

You can use code to upload pics. If you have facebook or any other online media, you can right click and "copy image URL" then type

Alternatively use Photobucket, and they do the code for you.

Wow lexii I bet they keep you warm lol

Lexii I live tried again and it says New members are not allowed to post external links or emails for 7 days. Please contact the forum administrator for more information.

Ooooooooh, i see. Thats different. Have you tried the buttons above the talking box? Host an image?