Hi Everyone

Hi All, Am new to this forum. Huge shout out to all the contributors (admin and members).
As a (soon to be) first time Staffy parent - I can honestly say this is the place I have learned the most in preparation for our little one's arrival. So many of my questions answered and amazing to read everyone's experiences.
Cheers,Ben.

Hi there, welcome.

So glad we've been able to help; just shout if you have any questions.

Hi & welcome to the forum   

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Hello Ben and welcome to the family 

Glad you’ve been able to find answers to your questions so far but please don’t hesitate to ask any question you might have.
Even if the subject may have been covered before, new experiences from current users can sometimes offer another and/or more up to date point of view.

Do tell us more about your new family member and when do they arrive home ?

Thanks for the warm welcome and the info. Very useful for a newbie.
Mia is 4 weeks today and will be with us in another 4 weeks. Below are pics taken of her today.





Being a boring accountant....everything is lists and notes for me

Critical Decisions
1. One or two puppies? (IF two – then not from same litter and not 2 of the same sex)
2. Spaying/Neutering – YES – but at what age? (6/12/18/24 months?) – online "research" suggesting the need to wait until growth plates close otherwise Staffie gets slightly taller and leaner
3. Puppy Training – YES – need to find a trainer in Durban who has worked with Staffies before

Important Decisions
1. Crate Training – to do or not to do?
2. Pet Insurance – need to research the fine print

Normal Decisions
1. Food – must be quality food – eukanuba/hills/royal canin etc
2. Toys – Kong toys
3. Bedding


We had our heart set on 2 pups (from different breeders, male and female) .....however after trawling through the members comments and experiences we think we will just go with the one pup for now and evaluate in 6-12 months time.
We also were going to spay after 6-8 months....but after reading the threads, we think we will wait until 18 months
Undecided yet on crate training.....
Some say pet insurance is a must, others say not necessary for right now if you buying a pure thoroughbred, so jury is still out on that one.

Its going to be a long 4 weeks......

Congratulations, she’s so pretty 
Just a few comments to your questions.

Dog trainer does not necessarily need experience with staffies but you definitely need a trainer who works with positive reinforcement.

With regards to the food, not all of those you state are quality foods unfortunately.
You will need to continue with whatever your breeder is feeding when you go to fetch Mia but you can transition progressively over a week or 2 to another food.
This site might help with choice
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory

The next 4 weeks are going to fly past 

Hi from me & Katy Welcome to the forum & the wonderful world of staffies! Mia looks adorable 4 weeks will fly by & you will have that adorable bundle of love in your life
Looks like you've been doing your homework & so glad you've found advise here
Shout if you have any questions & we will be happy to help.
Oh lots of pics please

BenP wrote:

Critical Decisions
1. One or two puppies? (IF two – then not from same litter and not 2 of the same sex)
2. Spaying/Neutering – YES – but at what age? (6/12/18/24 months?) – online "research" suggesting the need to wait until growth plates close otherwise Staffie gets slightly taller and leaner
3. Puppy Training – YES – need to find a trainer in Durban who has worked with Staffies before

Important Decisions
1. Crate Training – to do or not to do?
2. Pet Insurance – need to research the fine print

Normal Decisions
1. Food – must be quality food – eukanuba/hills/royal canin etc
2. Toys – Kong toys
3. Bedding

Critical...
1. I'd start with one & get yourself through the teenage phase first!
2. Spaying - leave well alone until fully mature both mentally & physically. Yes, your vet will recommend 6 months, but that's because he's conscious of unwanted litters! If you're sensible & careful, that shouldn't happen. I would suggest around 18 months- 2 years old.
3. Training - well, yes, it's a help to have someone who knows staffords, but it isn't actually a necessity. You can train her yourself, and providing she's socialised properly you shouldn't have any problems. If you do find a trainer, please make sure that they follow non aversive training.

Important...
1. Crate training is good for several reasons. Dogs often have to stay overnight at the vets, and being used to a crate is a great help. Crates can be used for aiding toilet training. If you have to go out for any length of time, it'll help to keep your pup safe.
2. Insurance, in my opinion, is a must. Unless you have savings of around £5000 that you don't need, it's very useful to have an insurance back up. Plus, you'll get 3rd party liability with it.

Normal...
1. Food. I wouldn't touch Eukanuba, Hills or Royal Canin. All are expensive, and not top quality. The veterinary ones are good for if your pup's ill, but I wouldn't go with them otherwise. Have you thought about raw feeding?
2. Toys. Don't expect anything to last too long, and make sure to throw away anything that starts to look damaged. Don't give rawhide...EVER!
3. Bedding. Some staffords will chew their beds, some won't. So get something that won't be too pocket-hurtful if it's destroyed. Once you know how she gets on with bedding you can get a better one! I used a memory foam mattress for my last dog, but I didn't get it until he was 9 years old!

Good luck!!

I believe in setting up your staffy with references.
If crate training is being happy going into a crate then yes, I have found it more than useful. My girls have their house crate (with door removed) which replaces the traditional basket. It’s their bed, their safe place where they can retreat to for peace and quiet. 

Crates are very useful for car travel, keeping dog safe and in a smaller space whilst keeping car clean! If you ever spend a night away from home (friends, family, holiday) then your car travel crate can also be used as bedding crate. Simple and your dog already has their scent and reference crate so settle very easily.

I don’t however believe in closing the crate at home without supervision as I feel the space is too confined. Therefore from day 1 my girls have been closed into their play pen when I’m out of the house to keep them and my furniture safe ! Today they could easily jump over the panels but they don’t as it’s their reference pen with water and bedding crate. This is also great if you’re away from home, as I tried last Christmas at my sister’s place (where she had 6 chihuahuas in another room).

Bedding, go for orthopedic cushion from the start. They are not too expensive and given that staffies like weird sleeping positions, you can only set them up for comfort further along the way. I also have vetbeds which are easy to clean and which you can again put down as reference in places away from home.

These are nice crates that I use for house and travel
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sturdy-Dog-Kennel-Gulliver-Travelling/dp/B01FXJ071Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UMTBVIVUPU54&dchild=1&keywords=trixie%2Bgulliver%2Btransport%2Bcrate&qid=1595478067&sprefix=Trixie%2Bgullive%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1&th=1

You can have a look at this thread for size of crate
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t67115-what-size-crate?highlight=Crate+size

This is what I mean by vet bed or vet fleece, do prefer rubber backed for anti slip
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PnH-Veterinary-Bedding-NON-SLIP/dp/B0843S72Y4/ref=sr_1_42?dchild=1&keywords=Vet+fleece&qid=1595478249&sr=8-42

This is play pen
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FEANDREA-Whelping-Foldable-Portable-PPK86H/dp/B01AHP0LJM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=B01AHP0LJM&qid=1595478445&sr=8-1

I put 2 of these in bottom of bed crate with a vet fleece on top. Everyone is easily washable too
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ellie-Bo-Waterproof-Memory-Orthopaedic-30-Inch/dp/B00IVOQP1U/ref=sr_1_36?crid=3OQRRJK677SOO&dchild=1&keywords=ellie-bo&qid=1595478495&sprefix=Ellie%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-36


You also need a harness, size small for staffy puppy (you can graduate to collar once trained to walk on a lead  )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rabbitgoo-Adjustable-Reflective-Training-Walking-Orange/dp/B01MEG2Q7P/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=B01MEG2Q7P&qid=1595478673&sr=8-1

Just a few ideas to empty your bank account 

Thanks Gilly/Nifty/Jen - advice much appreciated. An yes, wallet much lighter

Re - the food - will need to look further into this. The 'allaboutthedogfood' website was informative. After looking at the nutritional ratings there - I was fine to select Acana which is available here and seems to have good ratings. And I will also consider the 'raw' option which seems highly recommended.

Further online research has shown a study by controversial group "Clean Label Project" that apparently studied toxicity levels in pet food. Has anyone any further info on this? Is this something to be worried about? Acana is rated highly toxic on that study.

Cheers,

I have given acana to both of my girls and the only problem I had with it was an egg and chicken intolerance from Nifty.
Today I give Carnilove but don’t know if you can get it where you are.

Not heard of the clean label project so will go have a look.
But you heed to be careful as statistics can be used to push practically any point of view.

I considered raw/barf but for me, it was much more expensive and a heavy restriction in terms of freezer space and specific hygiene considerations.

BenP wrote:

Further online research has shown a study by controversial group "Clean Label Project" that apparently studied toxicity levels in pet food.

Be careful with this sort of site. It's American & the brands it mentions, although sold here, are not the same as UK based foods. Acana in the UK is made in the UK. As far as I am aware it is fine.

^^ @ gilly - Ben is in SA but I don’t know where his acana would be produced

Good point - might be worth investigating.

Hi All,

For sure I think the Food Standards Board (each countries equivalent) have different standards in each country. I remember reading about the concerns over chlorine washed chicken being imported into the UK from the US (where the practice is kosher there).

Whilst the pet food industry doesn't seem to be as regulated to those standards, I will definitely do a bit more research into the pet foods.

Cheers,

Mia @ 5 weeks





Thanks.

She’s so pretty and growing well

Not long to go now
Everything ready for her arrival ?

Hi Nifty,

About a week left now. Family is super excited. Have purchased most of the essentials. Will buy the food, the day of arrival.



Training is booked and vet registration is completed.

She is on a flight to get to us, so the day will probably be traumatic for her. I have been reading on the forum about the things we can do to make her arrival as comfortable for her as possible.

Cheers,
Ben.

Wow, hasn’t she grown well !

On a flight ? How far is she from you ?
I drove 1000kms (each way) to fetch Opium

Wow, that's 9-10 hrs of driving each way.

Mia is 750km's away - but we cannot travel inter-province under our current lockdown conditions.

I have spoke to the breeder who assures me they have experience in sending pups across the country by air travel. I have got references from friends who have used the same company to transport their dogs.

Cheers,
Ben.

We left at 3am Saturday morning with Nifty, so we could check they got along, and got home 6.15am Sunday morning
We had horrendous driving conditions to come home, even part of the motorway was closed and deviated

750kms is less than an hour in the sky so it won’t be too long for her.

What I did with my girls was travel them home with a cuddly toy which was about their size. We rubbed toy on mum and siblings to take their scent. Then the girls could cuddle up and feel less alone. They also kept the toy in their bed.
From the first day, neither of mine has ever cried during the night.

This is baby Nifty with her cuddly toy

Mia is growing beautifully Bet you're getting so excited

Oh how sweet was baby Nifty

Jenc wrote:
Oh how sweet was baby Nifty  

Yes, and then she grew up ...

Not long now Ben.  
Please do let us know how it goes !

Yes, and then she grew up ...
Haha - kids and pets....sometimes wish you could freeze them at a certain age and not let them get older....


Today's the day!!! - we are super excited - picking Mia up this evening. Haven't told the kids yet, they think she is only coming in next week.


Cheers,

Ooh, how exciting !!
Travel safely Mia

Everything ready (but hidden from your children ) ?

Oh Ben, how did the travel go ?
How are you getting on today ?

The suspense is killing us !

Don't keep us waiting!

Waiting impatiently for news of Mia in her new home Hope everything is going ok

Hiya all,

Well, where to start.......We are razzled, frazzled and soooo tired.....but also so in Love. Do all first time staffy owners feel like this?






Firstly - thanks to those who tipped us towards 1 pup rather than 2. Definitely would recommend newbies like myself to start with one pup.

The last few days have been amazing - a real rollercoaster of emotions.
She's adorable, naughty, playful, stubborn....and that's all in the space of 20 mins

But we are learning and growing with her and slowly figuring out her little mannerisms and her needs. The missus and I are taking turns with the night shift - taking Mia out every few hrs for her business.....I have stood and waited for her in the garden for 1/2 hr at 1am....only to have her do it on the floor as soon as we come inside....you know she knows exactly what she's doing - then she looks at you with these puppy dog eyes and you just melt and can't even say anything to her.

We started Mia off with a highly recommended orthopedic bed - only to have her take over one of the couches from day 3. You look at the cute way she sleeps with all legs in the air and you don't have the heart to take her off.

Training course starts this Thursday - we will definitely need it, I think we are way too soft with her
Question - training cost here is reasonable - bout 40 quid for 6 x 1hr sessions. So could we do 2 different trainers per week? or is it best to stick with 1?

We just need to do a bit more reading on tips for potty training and for nipping/biting.

Will post some pics in the gallery section soon. Took her to the beach yesterday and she loved it. Mia was initially a bit scared but after a while she was so happy. Also going to take her this week to mate's houses where they have dogs - to socialize her.

Thanks again for all the advice - will keep reading and hopefully one day soon we'll have a bit of advice to contribute for other soon-to-be Staffy parents

Cheers,

So happy to see and hear everything is going so well. I just love her personalized blanket too  

When you are on garden duty, are you already associating a word or command for her business ? Use it and then heavy praise when she delivers. She’ll soon catch on to the command and your garden watch in the middle of the night should be reduced.

Not surprised that she’s adopted the couch but please make sure she’s not jumping on and/or off it until she’s at least 6 months old (to protect her joints as she grows).

For training, I would stick to one lesson/trainer per week at first and see how it goes. Ideally you’ll be going through the basic commands and puppy socializing would be great.
Be careful with your friend’s dogs, maybe introduce one at a time and with the calmest first. You should also make sure your friend’s dogs are properly vaccinated to avoid passing on things to Mia who isn’t fully vaccinated yet.


If I may, I would just say to slow it down.
Mia has just arrived and as much as I agree that she needs to see the big wide world, she doesn’t have to see it all during her first week with you.
I mean lots of lessons, meeting other (adult ?) dogs, going to the beach, etc.
Enjoy your puppy and as for training, just remember to be fair and consistent.

So exciting & so tiring, remember it well
Nifty has given great advice! As the saying goes with staffies '1st they steal your heart, then the bed & sofa'
I take it she's already had her jabs to be going out & about?

Thanks for the tips. We have built a ramp to the sofa that she uses. It's now totally her space

We have taken it easier this week. Haven't ventured anywhere. I think the fact that we got Mia on a weekend and we had waited soooo long for her, we just wanted to show her everything. But as advised, we need to remember she is just a baby.

Just looking through age and weight charts - Mia seems to be always hungry....she is 3.6kgs at 10 weeks. I think that might be a bit on the low side. She finishes her food so fast and then gives you this look like we are starving her

Had 2 jabs so far - have a 3rd one booked at the end of September.

She seems to enjoy the home veg treats (carrots etc) a bit more than the 2 types of package treats we bought from the store.

Absolutely loving her to bits

I personally wouldn’t worry about following weight charts. Neither of them were exact when it comes to my girls.
Just make sure you’re splitting her daily ration into 4 portions for now and then observe how she’s doing. You don’t want her porky nor skinny and I’m pretty sure your children are the same, they have growth spurts.
If she’s eating too fast, you might want to look into techniques to slow her down with puzzle bowls or dispenser toys for her kibble (if she eats kibble).

So happy to hear so much love in your household

Hey all, new here. Nice pics all around

Stanbiller8 wrote:Hey all, new here. Nice pics all around

Hi there! Welcome.

Why don't you introduce yourself, we'd love to know a bit more about you!

Stanbiller8 wrote:Hey all, new here. Nice pics all around

Come & introduce yourself in the new members section & tell us about yourself & your furbaby We love pics here so would love to see yours!

gillybrent wrote:

Stanbiller8 wrote:Hey all, new here. Nice pics all around

Hi there! Welcome.

Why don't you introduce yourself, we'd love to know a bit more about you!

Hey buddy, I will do that. I was not much familiar with forums that's not know to introduce first.
I have one query i will merge my introduction with it.