Introducing Joel

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tim_

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Can't get the image to display but here's the link: https://imgur.com/a/zDoC5

Staff cross from Birmingham Dogs Home. Not at all what I expected we'd ever get but the wife and kids loved him, he was great with them when we had him in a run obeying a number of commands. Can't say I'm not nervous not having had a dog before but seems to be settling well.
 
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He is handsome - my favourite colour, too! Have lots of fun, staffs make great family dogs, from what I have seen.
 
Embedded that for you, hope that’s ok.

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Last night was interesting, didn't expect it to be a quiet on in any way. Left downstairs on his bed, didn't settle on his own. Came down at 00:30 to calm him to find a poo (poorly tummy) and a destroyed packet of prawn crackers! They had been in a box on the work surface so might have a surfer.. Stayed downstairs so he'd get a nights sleep and he settled fine.

Came back from the school run to find poo trampled everywhere and a considerable amount of my wifes wood chewed up (for her business). Shall have to think of distraction techniques for when we're out.
 
He looks lovely you could try introducing a crate quite often it ends up being there go to place and while he settles it will stop any unwanted chewing, you could try a Kong toy filled with something nice or just a plain old rawhide chew I would buy a fairly big one for a staff though.
 
Morning all on my phone so no pics yer. Interesting weekend, he's very food driven. Separation issues which are to be expected but he's distructive! Quite a bit of damage including the contents of the sink.. Note to us to wash and dry up so no temptation.

I have to say there are doubts, primarily over trust. He looks nothing like a Staffie, he hasn't been aggressive yet apart from a bit of mouthing which we've stopped but still it's nagging, primarily because of our girls (they're 5). They can't push him off or tell him no very well if he does go towards them with an open mouth.

Time will tell. I did read the old tread from 2013 on here about settling, we know this will take time.
 
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If he's got separation anxiety then you'll need to be doing quite a lot of training with him. As this is your first dog, I would highly recommend enrolling with a good local training club - the training is as much for you and your family, as it is for the dog! Don't try and go it alone, these are not easy issues to sort out. He looks a lovely boy - but he needs your help to make him into a good rounded family pet.
I believe you're not too far from me - I have used Rapport training club, based in Earlswood and found them to be excellent. There is also Pawfect Dogsense, and Wyndsend training. It depends very much on what you want to do with your dog. I urge you to enrol on a course as soon as possible - make life easier for yourselves, and help this dog to settle in and be the wonderful pet he can be :)
Good luck!
 
Ah ok, that's good that your wife has had dogs before - still though, a rescue dog with issues including separation anxiety is not an easy one for any owner!
I definitely agree with crate training - but never as a punishment or to lock them away for hours at a time. My dog has a crate but I never shut the door - it's just a safe space he can retreat to to feel secure. There is even a training "knack" to this, so I'd always enlist the help of a professional for advice.
Mine used to be destructive when left alone (and has now figured out how to open and empty the bin, sigh) - it's not their fault if they get things that are left out though! It's a great lesson in being tidy. VERY tidy. Your house will never have been so tidy..!
With a staffie type with a strong bite, you have to be careful about the type of toy you leave them with - I leave my dog with various treat dispensing toys, which keep him occupied. What do you feed him on? Could you leave him with a raw bone? (only ever raw, not the cooked ones that pet shops sell for some unfathomable reason!). Kongs are good - but make sure it's durable enough, always supervise him with toys first to make sure he can't break bits off the toys that would then pose a choking hazard.
The action of chewing is relaxing for a dog, it releases comforting pheromones, so that is why he wants to chew things up. It is a source of comfort to him at a time when he is feeling very stressed. Raw meaty bones - lamb ribs, turkey necks, I'm not sure what other options are best for larger dogs as mine is quite small! - will keep him occupied and entertained.
Try Adaptil - you can get plug ins, collars and sprays - it is a calming pheromone for dogs. It can help - although it doesn't help them all. Worth a try though!
Also - Lintbells do tablets called Yu Calm which provide natural anxiety relief.
Is your garden secure? Could he have a dog flap to outside, if he's having accidents while you're out? Bear in mind the accidents may just be stress related, rather than him not being trained. So even teaching him how to use a dog flap may not solve this.
Are you walking him to wear him out before you leave him?
If he's got separation anxiety issues, you need to start from scratch with this - building up leaving him alone from a few minutes, while you're just in the next room, to longer periods. A professional trainer can advise you best on how to do this.
If I think of anything else you can try, I'll post :)
 
I hope the rescue are giving you lots of help and support. A big dog like him with issues is not for the faint hearted. I would phone them and ask for help from their behaviourist.
I would also use a crate, I shut mine in it once they have been introduced nicely to it you can get a crate guide on here). I would not leave him alone with your daughters, even if the worse he does is flatten them with excitement it will not give them confidence around him.
 
ponyparty said:
Ah ok, that's good that your wife has had dogs before - still though, a rescue dog with issues including separation anxiety is not an easy one for any owner!
I definitely agree with crate training - but never as a punishment or to lock them away for hours at a time. My dog has a crate but I never shut the door - it's just a safe space he can retreat to to feel secure. There is even a training "knack" to this, so I'd always enlist the help of a professional for advice.
Mine used to be destructive when left alone (and has now figured out how to open and empty the bin, sigh) - it's not their fault if they get things that are left out though! It's a great lesson in being tidy. VERY tidy. Your house will never have been so tidy..!
With a staffie type with a strong bite, you have to be careful about the type of toy you leave them with - I leave my dog with various treat dispensing toys, which keep him occupied. What do you feed him on? Could you leave him with a raw bone? (only ever raw, not the cooked ones that pet shops sell for some unfathomable reason!). Kongs are good - but make sure it's durable enough, always supervise him with toys first to make sure he can't break bits off the toys that would then pose a choking hazard.
The action of chewing is relaxing for a dog, it releases comforting pheromones, so that is why he wants to chew things up. It is a source of comfort to him at a time when he is feeling very stressed. Raw meaty bones - lamb ribs, turkey necks, I'm not sure what other options are best for larger dogs as mine is quite small! - will keep him occupied and entertained.
Try Adaptil - you can get plug ins, collars and sprays - it is a calming pheromone for dogs. It can help - although it doesn't help them all. Worth a try though!
Also - Lintbells do tablets called Yu Calm which provide natural anxiety relief.
Is your garden secure? Could he have a dog flap to outside, if he's having accidents while you're out? Bear in mind the accidents may just be stress related, rather than him not being trained. So even teaching him how to use a dog flap may not solve this.
Are you walking him to wear him out before you leave him?
If he's got separation anxiety issues, you need to start from scratch with this - building up leaving him alone from a few minutes, while you're just in the next room, to longer periods. A professional trainer can advise you best on how to do this.
If I think of anything else you can try, I'll post :)
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Ours learnt how to open and empty the fridge!
 
Haha thank goodness mine hasn't figured that out yet!
I once left him in my mum's laundry/utility room, and my mum's two dogs in the kitchen. Went out for an hour or so - came back to find my mum's dogs shut out in the laundry/utility and my dog lying smugly across their beds in the kitchen. I will never know how he managed to not only open the door, but trick the others into going out and then shut it behind them..!

Tim - at night, just to begin with, can your dog have his bed in your room? Like I would (and did) with a new puppy - have him in the room with you overnight, so he can wake you up if he needs the loo. Then move his bed to just outside your room; gradually further away, downstairs etc. Until the separation anxiety is under control at least anyway.
 
We put a baby gate across the top of the landing gap, he slept silently at the top of the stairs on a blanket with no mess anywhere. Lots of fuss this am, couldn't have asked for anything else from him!

Chew toys he isn't interested in yet
He likes pigs skin, local pet shop is a big raw food seller or has lots of options, we're going to try some different ones to see if any of those entertain him.
 
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Aw good, glad he was more settled last night. He does look a lovely boy, I’m sure with time and routine he’ll realise that he’s landed on his paws with you and will make a lovely family pet!
 
He is beautiful,
In your first photo I thought he looked like he has the head shape of a shar pei,
My girls have a bit of a chew fetish,
If we leave them out of their crate and there is a pencil left on the floor they will find and destroy it,
Dog bed needs to be with no zip or they will knaw at it, eventually tearing the bed to bits

They are very mouthy when they play, very vocal too, but as he is new, definitely err on the side of caution.

Wouldn't be without our crate though.
 
tim_ having read your posts and seen the pics of your dog, I would advise a radical rethink. A rethink because you have very young children and from what you say he's only focused on himself, and I'd also strongly recommend that you re-consider your handling techniques.

Joel may well settle and become a loved and loving member of your family, but from what I read, currently there are serious doubts.

Alec.
 
TheOldTrout said:
He is gorgeous. Is he still doing well?
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He has improved, sleeping at night now. He still goes up on the counter looking for food, we suspect he was left for long periods of his own with no food but will never know.

He's been left for short period without causing any damage, longer periods haven't happened since the weekend so will be a wait and see. Hopefully he realises we're coming back now.
 
Alec Swan said:
tim_ having read your posts and seen the pics of your dog, I would advise a radical rethink. A rethink because you have very young children and from what you say he's only focused on himself, and I'd also strongly recommend that you re-consider your handling techniques.

Joel may well settle and become a loved and loving member of your family, but from what I read, currently there are serious doubts.

Alec.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts Alec, I've DM'd you.
 
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