re: Godson just got a Staffordshire Terrier puppy

cute little staffy attack.

Owners need to be the alpha member no matter what the breed, but I do see your point. Staffy's are boisterous, as are Amstaffs. They take an experienced owner.

Thanks Crimsonsaint, going to try and find Staffordshire or Terrier specific training books. My Godson hits off the tee by himself and throws the football and baseball across the front yard so I know the dog will be all over chasing his batted balls or playing catch. Maybe we will just let him bath the dog and refill her bowl and leave the walking to someone who can handle a 50 lbs animal with her own intentions.


That's gruesome, but instead of casting off the puppy who doesn't have teeth yet, how do we train her not to do that??? Any good books, websites, training classes in the NOLA area?

What this guy said....

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Don't listen to all of the fricking TD drama queens

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Not this guy....

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same thing as a pitbull

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I've spent a lot of time around Staffies in South Africa where they are most common. So, I will fancy myself a somewhat of an expert because I've actually spent weeks at a time with them living with them at their homes.

All of my friends there keep them as family pets. All are allowed indoors, and all pretty much are inside/outside dogs being given free run of the bush and back into the home.

The are very high energy, but some not so much.

They are sturdy as all get out- we ran over one(not an exaggeration) at 40 kph with a Ranger and it broke him all up- today he's good as new.

I have read that they will absolutely eat the neighboring pets, but the guys and girls I've been around all did really well with the other pets in the house. One of my friends has a Rott, Mini-Schnauzer, and two Staffies- and they all did fine.

In the end, they will defend the child that is their owner until no end- the South Africans like them for this. They are great family pets, but it's no Lab.

I would also comment that all of my SA friends are about 3x as brutal as any American I've ever known- even the ladies. So y'all may want to keep that in mind when disciplining the dog.

Let him scoop the food and fill the water bowl. Take it outside (theyre strong pups so he may be too young to walk it right now) pick up its crap, help bathe, etc

They are great dogs

maybe you should get the 4 yr old a kitty kat too. i have a lynx rufus available for free.

Look man, I'm not on the side that thinks all pitt type dogs are the devil, but you certainly picked the wrong breed as a first time dog owner. Pitts require someone that can pick up on signals the dog is giving instantly and either reinforce them or nip them in the bud. You don't have those skills, and that's how dangerous dogs happen. It won't hurt YOUR godson, but it may go nuts on the first child who playfully hits him. It's really not worth the risk.

I just feel bad for the dog. In a year it's gonna be on craigslist and go to some hoodrat, dead, or in the pound.

Dogs are dogs. Sometime in their life something will startle or scare them. When that happens, there's a very good chance he/she will defend themselves with their teeth.

Nothing unusual or surprising about this, and should well be expected.

Weigh the risks, and make your decision.

Chance any dog will bite in their life? 80%?
Chance said dog will do major harm to an adult if he bites them? 10% dachound? 80% big dog?
Chance said dog will do major harm to a 4 year old? 20% or 90%?
Chance dog happens to bite the 4 year old, because neither understand each other very well? 60%?

.80 x .90 x .60 = 43%

Change the percentages to what YOU think they are.

I love my baby way too much to put her at a 10% risk of loss of face or worse.

Good luck with your decision.