Staffordshire Bull Terriers..

PinkFairy

PinkFairy

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Any experiences? Advice?

OH owns two young bitches, one is (I think) 2 years old, the other is 4 and they can be incredibly excitable to the extent where I can sometimes send them to their beds because I'm worried about how they'll react.

This isn't to say they're dangerous - I'm not used to being around such a mad pair of dogs, my plump Cocker Spaniel girly is much, much more laidback.

I understand every individual dog is different, I just wondered if anyone had any advice they could impart? I'm working on being firm with them and using the commands my OH has taught them, they *are* obedient, but when they get excited, they can jump up to my face which terrifies me.
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The other thing is, the older dog has a habit of licking continuously, it drives me nuts because she licks everything and anyone and doesn't stop until you tell her off.
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Sorry for the lengthy post, cups of tea and biscuits for getting to the end!
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When my dog used to jump up on me, I used to place my hand over his muzzle/nose and just calmly and firmly put him back down again. He is taller than me when he stands up and leaping up on people is rude and antisocial when you're as big as him. He soon stopped doing it.

As they are smaller, when they jump up, just turn around. Don't make a big fuss, don't panic, just turn your back on them. You can combine this with a firm Noo in a low, calm voice.

Ditto with everything else, the more frustrated and hyper you get, so will they. Just keep everything calm and firm.

Don't raise your arms in the air and don't panic, this will turn it into a big game for them and won't stop them doing it, quite the opposite.
If they are arseing about, put them out of the room and let them back in again when they have calmed down - do not reward silliness.

Can't help with the licking.

I do like them as a breed, very happy and friendly when I have met them, but some can be a bit thick
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I did once have to train a lab x staff and it was a nightmare - in one ear, out the other
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Agree with CC...and to add, this is a staff for you
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they love to express their love for u with their everything, which is not so great when built like a tank
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LMAO they have a.....dont bend down to greet them.....they have amean.."I love u" head butt
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Don't encourage or hype the greeting, only give attention when they are calm, otherwise ignore all over selous behaviour.
 
Ooh, thank you for the tips!
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The eldest one has a habit of jumping to the sofa, facing you and she stares at you til you get freaked out and turn away!
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She does this after a hyper frenzy, just watching to see what you'll do next!
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I love them, they're lovely dogs even if they are a bit nuts.
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The other thing I've noticed is that the younger one seems to get very jealous of other dogs coming near me, when the eldest dog comes over to me and I have the youngest on my lap or at my feet, she will growl and start biting at the eldest one's ear til they start (I assume) play fighting.

My OH's sister also has two staffs, one is a boy, one's a girl and they are the parents of the youngest staff my OH owns (the one who gets jealous) and she's the same when around the other two.

I worry as my OH and I will start trying for a baby after we're married and the last thing I want is problems with the dog being jealous of the baby getting my attention. We know we'd never leave the dogs alone with a child, as much as we think we know them, we are aware they can turn in a split second.

More advice?
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That eyeballing thing is actually dominance, you looking away is showing her she is in charge - I wouldn't continue with that I am afraid. Just put her down off the sofa, no fuss, and don't turn it into a game - it isn't funny! Wee madam
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Again, I wouldn't tolerate the nippy possessiveness - my two play fight (see videos of ridiculous hooning about) but not over attention, they are siblings.

If she starts that growling and mouthing, just give her a firm NO until she stops. If one of mine go too far (dumping on the ground or growling) I actually slap a lead against my wellie boot or my coat - the noise will usually shock them out of it.
 
Also, I know a lot of people like to have and allow their dogs on the furniture and 'up on your level' but by the sounds of it, if there are already jealousy/dominance/hyperactivity issues, I wouldn't with these two, sorry
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We've started to get them off the sofa when we're home because when we do sit down, they jump up and lay all over us!

There is also a sofa by the window sill, they sit on the top of it to see out of the window every day (nosey beggars!) which we've started to call them off of if we see them doing it.

I've suggested to my OH about putting babygates up to keep them in the kitchen when we're out but he said he has tried this and they jump over them, so he's got a door in place now.
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OH always assures me that if you're firm with them and refuse to mollycoddle them, they're fine.

With regards to the staring me out thing, if you make a noise or get a bit excited (not with them, just in general) they come whizzing over.
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I know I need to be more firm and assertive but I'm a bit out of my comfort zone with them! LOL.
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"OH always assures me that if you're firm with them and refuse to mollycoddle them, they're fine"

Indeed - they're not your dogs, so obviously you are a bit hesitant to lay down the law and they are chancing their arm to see what they can get away with
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Don't be afraid to be firm, in a calm way, with your voice and in your handling, I'm not for one second saying 'kick seven bells out of them, the insolent buggers!' just remember you are the 'mummy' - they will respect you more for it.
 
I've gotten better at it and I do give them a short smack on the nose if they really do push their luck.

My OH's problem is he can get defensive of them very quickly which I understand, they're his babies and he's had them since they were puppies but I wish he wouldn't be so quick to defend them sometimes.

Before his sister moved in (temporarily, she's moving out before I move in) they used to do whatever they liked, including eating anything they could chew - even the house phone fell victim to them! It was a constant cycle of getting home and clearing up the trail of half eaten rubbish they'd pulled out so now the bin goes outside, his sister shuts them in the kitchen when she goes out and leaves them with a bone each to busy themselves with. It's worked wonders, they don't destroy the house any more but I do think they've been allowed to rule the house for too long and that will change when I move in..
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I love Staffies, my aunty used to have one and she was awesome. Completely mental, like you say, but also a complete softy. She would get so excited to see people that she'd run round the room literally up the walls, zooming round the top of the sofa and jumping from chair to chair like a mad thing, which often scared people because she'd just run straight across your shoulders if you were sitting there! My aunty had two small children when she had the Staffy, and although she was really gentle and kind with them when she was calm, she was just so exciteable that my aunty worried she'd hurt them by accident so she decided to get rid of her. She went to a lovely home with two other Staffies and last I heard she was completely adored and spoilt rotten. But I can see exactly where you're coming from, they are nutty little dogs! I don't really have any advice to add to what everyone else has said, but I really hope you can work things out with them because they are so cool once they calm down a bit.
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I'm going to take on a rescued Staff once I get my own home - it breaks my heart to see so many of them in shelters because they're "status" dogs.
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Yeah, I agree that they are completely adorable once they're settled, which sometimes doesn't take long and they can lay and snooze on the sofa for hours while you're watching TV.
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I wouldn't ask OH to get rid of them unless I feared for my safety or for the safety of a child, which is why I'd like to be able to handle them before I move in, so I'm at least "established" in some way with them.
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Hi I have had 2 staffs and the 1st one (we had for 7 years) was terribly excitable and we used to ask visitors if they had had a shower yet that day cos she licked so much but I was the only one that would not let her lick me and she never ever did once she learnt. She would sit and lick anyone else, the same with the begging of the food, she would beg around the in laws knowing they would give in but never ever us.
My new(ish) staff, bitch again who I rescued in Feb is much much calmer (in fact I encourage playful and excitable behaviour occasionally as I like it) and she has to deal with clients coming and going all day and sits on command and rarely jumps. Occasionally when we are putting her halti on she will jump up and head-butt us but gets ignored.
Your dogs sound very good actually if you are able to"sent them to their bed" when they are so excitable.
Ditto the others, no way should they be on the same level as you and this includes not letting them upstairs when you are downstairs.
Keep up the good work, staffs make the most adoring pets and are amazing with children and babies (known as Nanny's Dogs) despite what ignorant people think - but of course never leave them alone (like any dog!)
 
Hi, thank you for the reply.

OH does allow them upstairs occasionally, they used to sleep in his room when he lived alone so they're used to being up there when he's there, although they will never go up there if there's nobody upstairs.

I also get the headbutts when they get excited, mainly from the older one as well!

We're hoping to get a terrier puppy once I've moved in and settled in with them and established myself as more dominant than they are now.

Do you think they will get on ok? I understand you can never really predict dogs and their social behaviour though.

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All bull-type breeds seem to be fond of the head butt (Stella being no exception).

On occasion, the peanut head gets way too excited and leaps in the air, so I simply fold my arms and turn around. Lo, she is cool as a cucumber (and usually on her back) when I turn back again.
 
I agree with all the great advice you've been given already. I have a staff and when I first got him from the dogs home he was a loon, and it did take me a while to work out how to handle him affectively. Being consistent and calm has worked best for me, also teaching him to lie down when I ask has helped- he can't bound around like a kangaroo when he's planted firmly on the ground, which helps when people come round and when answering the door. It takes a while, my staff is a clever little devil and if you sway in your determination he will pick this up and ignore you. And of course as much exsercise as you can give. Good luck and have fun
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I tried one of the tips last night, which was to turn around and ignore the hyperactivity which did seem to work, when I turned back round, they were both sat quietly.
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Thanks for all the advice!
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OH is keen on buying me a little terrier pup for a wedding present for me, I'm wondering whether they'll settle ok with the pup!
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Mum's adamant she thinks they'll tear the puppy apart but OH is sure they'll be ok. I'd trust my OH before my mum on this, obviously they're his dogs and he knows them better than she does.

Hmm....
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Lol
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I'd love a boxer pup but it would really drive me insane with two staffs as well.
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They're fine with my dog, but my dog *hates* other dogs! She's the most anti social dog I've ever met.
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Although she is otherwise lovely, adorable and I can never stay mad at her for more than five seconds... No, scratch that, two seconds!
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