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First of all the nickname for a staffy and a pitbull terrier is THE NURSE MAID DOG OR NANNY DOG. They sure the heck didn't get it because they are not good with kids!! I have worked with some of the meanest pitubulls who with proper training, affection, and time have gone to great homes and every single one are still in there homes, all 36. Almost half are in homes with children.
Any dog can be mean, it all depends on the owner and the amount of time you spend to train the dog!
I can't say I know a lot about this particular breed but I will say please NEVER leave a dog of any age alone with young children and involve your children of all ages with the training you will need to do. The way I understand it, if a child trains a dog, the dog learns that co-operation with children brings reward so when your pup is a hormonal teenager and one of your kids tells him to get off the sofa for example, he is more likely to comply (because he has been rewarded before for doing what the child says) than decide to try his luck and growl/show his teeth as an experiment. Teach your kids to always reward compliance from the dog even if its just a quick pat or a 'good girl'. Don't let them pester him when he is sleeping. Puppies need a lot of rest and should have a special spot they can retreat to in the knowledge they will be left alone. Don't llet the kids over excite the pup. If things are getting a little rowdy, break it up.
If you read nothing else, do take the time to read Jan Fennell's book 'The Dog Listener' You won't regret it. You can probably get a second hand copy on e-bay if cost is a problem. Here is a link to some information about what she teaches. .
Jan Fennell the Dog Listener & Amichien Bonding - Dog Training
Best of luck, I really hope you puppy turns out well
At 4 months old, they recognize differences. If she is in a fenced in yard, that is an easy territory for her to figure out and to defend, this breed is so loyal that they establish quick. Social her to death, you do not want her to bite, you do not have to worry about your kids, they should be able to do anything to her and she should never bite, but she has a right to warn, and you need to make sure that you step in, this lets her know that you are the alpha, and that you will defend her and not let her be mistreated, but if she ever nips or snap, take a rolled up newspaper and smack her across the nose right away and say no, and only do it when she acts out, and do it right away, so she can relate to what she did wrong, after 2 times, she will always walk away, move, or realize she is being played with. At the ages of 6 months and older, you have to establish that you are the boss the minute someone new or strange to her walks in the house, it is their job to bark and protect, but what they do after that is a huge defining factor, if she is sweet to the kids and you, and barks at stranger already, all you need to do is make sure she is under control at all times, you need to start letting her be petted by others, they know when something isn't right, I have a female Dixie, she is 3, my husband has a friend that comes over all time, she is good to him, plays and licks him to death, but when my husband was gone, his friend stopped by hoping to catch him, she immediately let him know that the master is gone, when we were both gone one day, he stopped over, and later called up to tell us that she was all over the house barking mad, there was some things knocked over, and smudges on the windows, but when we are present she would never do that. The key is control, and being a responsible owner, these dogs are wonderful family members, loyal to the death, and protective, especially over the kids, but if they are not raised around kids that treat them well they will attack, kids have to be trained simple and proper treatment measures and respect for the pets in the home as well. I'd keep her, be sure to spade her though, when a female comes into season, she will be more aggressive and less patient.
NO. Hitting is never an appropriate way of disciplining a dog.Quote:
Originally Posted by peterslis
One, it will confuse her because it does not communicate to her what it is she doing wrong and what is asked of her. And two, it hurts your relationship. Dog training needs to be based on trust and firm, but fair corrections. Hitting is neither fair nor does it help your dog trust you.
Hitting with your hands makes them afraid of you.Quote:
Originally Posted by greatdanelover3
Hitting with a newspaper makes them afraid of the OBJECT.
I have had this argument before... I admit I do give mine a tap with a newspaper if they do not listen to me.
I don't even need to tap them any more, I just roll up the newpaper and they stop whatever naughty thing they were doing...
If I were to raise my hand as if to hit them, they wouldn't know what I was doing because I have never hit them with my hand.
So no... newspaper does not make them afraid of you.
Everyone's training methods are different and as long as they aren't actually 'hitting' the dog and hurting it there is no right or wrong.
Every dog is different, and every dog responds differetnly.
Sorry to disagree Shazamataz and I hope my doing so doesn't offend but in my opinion a dog who is hit with a newspaper does not become afraid of the newspaper, they become afraid of their owner when they are holding a newspaper. Dogs are intelligent enough to know that a newspaper will not hurt them by itself and that its when you are holding one they need to be fearful. If you or your husband finish reading a paper and leave it on the coffee table, do your dogs slink past it until it is moved? I doubt it very much because they know the paper will not grow legs and chase them around the room without a human holding it (not suggesting you chase your dogs with one of course!) Do you need to hide all your newpapers so that your dogs won't become nervous? In the nicest possible way, I'd be interested in your thoughts on this opinion. Of course I may be wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by shazamataz
Not getting into it again... I've already had this argument once and it resulted in members being banned so I'm staying away!
I both agree and disagree. I'll leave it at that.
Sent you a PM sajjw ;)
Saves everyone else getting in on the act lol
I don't want to be ganged up on :p
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