SoL

Never underestimate the powers of a dog when a girl is in primetime However, from experience the first season does not seem to be as "powerful" (for want of a much better word) as the subsequent seasons and your dog, being only 9mths, has not fully reached maturity (though may be perfectly capable of siring so don't be complacent) and it may be his first taste of a good thang so this season may only hit him when she's in primetime. In which case you will probably have a window of about 5 days tops where he really is a pathetic male and you have to be uberwatchful and you can figure out what works for the next season. Like I said though, don't be complacent about that bit You can't keep them in crates all day - do you trust them to be in a room by themselves without destroying the house? If they are good inside, then keep the bitch inside and keep the boy outside UNLESS your fences are indestructible and your yard is like Fort Knox and then you can play swapsies. I'd also take extra time to run the crap out of him to tire him out so he is less likely to play up. Other than that, give the boy a holiday (you are lucky to have that option!) and yourself a break from what can be a stressful time!!!

Congrats, sounds like you had an awesome show

Well, for me, it's the fact that people are watching and you have a very short time NOT to make a complete dick of yourself (something I fail at!!)

Amen to that

Hey WP I forgot to mention: you're only about 40 mins from me and I have the most awesome muscle man ever - he's a legend around these parts, worked for the Wests and the Balmain Tigers, helps out the Newcastle Knights, all the martial artists around here see him, not to mention all the showies. If you need his details, let me know.

I get horribly nervous to the point that I'm concentrating more on keeping my legs from shaking than I am on teh dog! The only thing that helps is alcohol (not wanting to sound like an alco ) - a little bit of rum makes the world a better place

Thanks SoL - how did they diagnose the ligament issue? We've had xrays and can't see any fractures and they xrayed pretty much his entire body! The ligament issue was diagnosed through flexion tests. I took him to another vet for a 2nd opinion who noticed he carried his head quite low and that prompted him to x-ray his neck.

We've had 2 instances where this has happened to teh same dog. The first time there was something wrong with his testicles, don't know what, even when he was having them chopped off the vet couldn't see anything abnormal but they WERE giving him an enormous amount of pain. The second time he was diagnosed as having torn his supraspinatus ligament (the one attaching from teh atlas going all the way down the spine). A couple of months of pain relief and anti-inflams later and still no improvement so we have him x-rayed and it turned out he'd actually fractured his neck Due to the late correct diagnosis the bone had already started growing over that area so we cannot correct it and it has given him arthritis there, poor bugger. He still crys in pain now if he jolts it or one of the kids pats him in the wrong spot and he's worse in cold weather.

Are you sure you have a "fantastic" male? Can you assess your dog honestly and objectively, with an experienced eye, pit him against the breed standard and say hand on heart that you have a fantastic male specimen of the breed, worthy of being shown, worthy of being bred from? Have you had a fresh, independent pair of eyes assess him? Maybe even a judge? Is he health tested, conformationally sound, of good temperament and is his pedigree worthy of continuing? Only when you know the faults can you progress "for the betterment of the breed". If the first thing you think about when looking to breed is what colour the bitch should be, then I suggest you do a hell of a lot more research before taking that next step. Colour is, as Sandra777 has said, utterly irrelevant and there are a lot more important issues to address first.

Also sardines, great source of calcium and won't bung them up like too many bones can, used in conjunction with Ester C. Also, working them or playing with them on a harder surface, like bitumen, instead of grass, can help.

Staffords are supposed to be boisterous, full of life and vitality, robust, canine cannonballs. Can I ask whether you think it is fair for the puppy to contain him to a life that is sedate, fraught with worry as to whether he is getting too excited, whether he is too hot, what if he gets separation anxiety and stresses out whilst you're not there? Is it fair for your son to go through that too? Not to mention the fact that the pup will probably have to be medicated for the rest of its life which will put a strain on him and probably lead to other medical issues, you and your pocket (ok the last thing you're probably thinking about, but still). As hard as the decision is now, I feel it would be a kinder on all concerned (the pup included) if it is made now. By getting a healthy pup you give your family the chance to grow with a dog that will live for the next 12 years at least, all things willing. Just my opinion.

Our vet picked up a slight murmur at the 6wk check. I find it very hard to believe a grade 3 would have gone un-noticed. You have been taken for a ride. There is no way this pup can have a full and healthy life and it would be fairer on the pup if it was pts. Best it be done now than later when your 6yo has really gotten attached to it. Return the pup, get as much money back as possible and take your time to research ethical breeders who put colour at the very end of their wish list for the litter.

I first of all introduce the babes to some scraped beef mince and let them suck it off the end of my finger. My main weaning food is Advance Puppy Rehydratable, soaked with water and Di Vetelact. It breaks down to a complete mush so it's perfect for them.

After you've had her checked out with a muscle man, I would suggest placing each of her paws in the correct place whilst saying a key word (I use "stand" in a long and low voice). If you have to, place your hand under her, around her tuck area to stop her from sitting down and also holding her jaw up. Treat when you are satisfied. Gradually draw out the time between action and reward. I also make mine stand before eating. This teaches them two things - one that they don't get to eat unless they do as I ask and do it properly; and two that I have control over their food meaning I am higher in the pecking order which reinforces the fact that they should listen to me and do as I ask.

Hi Tobie You've certainly started out on the right track. Asking questions is the best way of gaining knowledge and knowledge will certainly help. A big question is why you want to breed. If it's just to produce pups then I would forget it, but if you have a genuine desire to see your chosen breed as strong and healthy (if not stronger and healthier) in the future as it is now, then IMO that is the right attitude to start out with. Then obviously go sit your exam and take your prefix. Learn the breed standard. This is your bible. It depicts the "perfect" example of your chosen breed and that's what you strive for. Don't kid yourself though, there will never be such thing as a perfect example, there's always room for improvement. Learn about your breed and how to look at the conformation of a dog. Is the stifle too straight? Is the back short enough? What about topline and shoulder angulation? What about the all important bite? How should it be presented at show? How should it be gaited and then stacked? Personally I thinking showing your dog is the only way to judge what you've got in your yard against the dogs of your peers. What health tests should be carried out? You should health test ALL of your stock before breeding. A good mentor is invaluable. They should hold your hand from pointing out how they would choose a show potential pup, to guiding you through puppyhood and show training, to helping you choose mates and teaching about basic genetics, to helping through whelps and even picking potential homes. I am no geneticist and it certainly does my head in at times where I have to sit down and write everything down so I can see it, but a basic understanding of how things work can help you understand what might be thrown in a litter. Patience is golden. You have to understand that you probably won't even get close to your ideal interpretation of the standard for the first 3 generations or so. So you have to think beyond those first litters, plan way ahead and strive to achieve your goal. Be prepared for a lot of set backs as well - nature has a way of throwing curve balls! Objectivity is also key. You have to be able to take the blinkers off. Assessing your own stock, being really critical and picking out the faults is the only way you can strive to breed a better example next time as you pick the mate that best counteracts and overcomes those faults. You have to be hard on yourself too. No use keeping a pup that doesn't shape up, no matter how attached you are to it. You run on show "potential" pups, there are no dead certs and shit can happen along the way. God knows the amount of pups we've pet homed only to find they turned out better than the pup we ran on!!! That comes with experience though. Learn about bloodlines, which you like, which you don't like, which carry health faults, which are sound and reliable, which compliment your lines, which will help you get to where you want to be with the breed. Again this takes experience and time but google can be your best friend with this Have a fantastic vet and some like-minded friends. They will help you through the bad times (believe me there will be tears) and celebrate teh good times (I hope there are many). If you are serious about it, you will invest time, money, blood, sweat and tears and there will be times you will ask yourself why you bother. But it's worth it, I promise. Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it

First I would recommend talking this through with your breeder to see if they think your puppy is a good example of the breed and show potential worthy. Then your pup needs to be on the main register with your State's governing body. You yourself have until the pup is I think 6 months old before you have to be a financial member as well. Then it's a matter of going through the gazette, entering some shows in baby puppy class and training your pup how to present itself for your breed (I know nothing about showing St B's so it might be different to what I know). Good luck

One dog is a pet; 2 dogs have a different dynamic. You may find, having two babies together, they don't actually listen to you, it makes them harder to train; also twice the investment of time, money etc. Stick with one for now and make that pup a fantastic example of the breed and a joy to have around. It's better to concentrate your efforts and be rewarded.

My deepest condolences for your loss. A friend like that is sorely missed. You met for a reason and with a spirit that strong, I am sure you will meet again. Run free old girl.

Well done for sticking this out. It's not easy and it probably won't be easy for some time but a lot of others would have taken a quicker, easier and more permanent solution. I wish a lot more owners were like you. At least this way you can honestly say to yourself that you have given her every chance possible at a normal life. I wish you all the very best of luck with her and her issues. Can I just suggest that you also work with your trainer on your children becoming higher up in the pecking order? She has a very dominant personality and she needs to respect the fact that she doesn't make the plays with anyone in the family. It will be a good chance also to teach your children about reading body language

we had a pup contract tetanus and NONE of the local vets in this area were equipped to deal with it, one even misdiagnosed as an eye complaint, another distemper! Luckily I found a fantastic vet who went above and beyond teh call of duty, specially ordering antitoxin, giving me vials of penicillin and setting up a drip in him at his home after hours. We caught it early but it still took him 6 weeks to recover fully with no visible side effects. It was a lot of work and it was agonising to watch him go through it and if we were in a high risk environment of tetanus then yes, I wouldn't take the chance - I would definitely vaccinate teh dogs.

The only problem I have had with the large plastic lidded boxes is that, if kept outside, they perish and the lid shatters. I also use a lockable garbage bin but you have to keep an eye on the dogs as they think nothing of jumping up on the feed table and trying to knock the bin off it (which effectively unlocks it without opposible thumbs giving them an all you can eat buffet!)

Congrats

First thing I'm going to suggest is professional training. For you (and I mean that in the nicest way possible). I am NOT a trainer but the following is my opinion on what you have written and going from my own experiences. It is good that you are desexing her, but do not expect this to quiet her down in any way. She will not be a calmer girl through desexing, nor would she become calmer through having a litter. Did you have a Stafford before you got Astro or was Astro your first taste of the breed? Staffords are like us in some ways, and without generalising too much no two are teh same, some can be quite laid back, others are boofy canine cannonballs and some are game and up for anything. Regardless of what you say you have in your yard, none will back down if provoked and that is something you should remember and have respect for at all times. Of course she's loving and cuddly with you, she's a Stafford, it's THE most inherent and important aspect of the breed's personality. Do not leave these dogs together when you are not there. Do not leave any toys out in the yard for them to play with if you're not there. NEVER leave food out for them when you're not there. You have already said that general play can escalate so why would you take a chance on that happening when you can't break it up? You say you walk them every day. How long for? I have a boy here with whom 5kms doesn't even touch the sides. Do you walk them together? How do they walk together? Do they walk side by side, in front of you, behind you etc? If Missy has no manners on the lead then I would firstly suggest teaching her by herself where the appropriate place to walk is and how to walk nicely. Do you know much about Missy's history? You have a whole year of behaviours that you need to know about and possibly undo. How was she socialised, if at all? How did you introduce Missy to Astro? What discipline have you instigated? What training have you begun? Is she learning to follow your rules or are you just letting her run free? You have basically brought in a teenager (a teenage girl at that, ugh!). She is trying to find her place in your world but this is also the age where boundaries are pushed and ranking is tested and you being a new owner she probably doesn't look to you for direction too much. You need to change that. Personally, if I'm introducing a dog into the pack, it takes weeks, not days, of them being mostly separated. Some dogs slip into the pack no problems, others take a lot longer. Even then constant supervision is a MUST for even the slightest scuffle could escalate. If I go out, all dogs are put in their own runs. This is the ONLY way to ensure I have all pack members alive and well for when I come back (and my pack generally is quite peaceful). Given Missy's current behaviour, I wouldn't let her off a check chain until she has learned what acceptable social conduct is. I also wouldn't let her rumble in the back yard with Astro as this is obviously a trigger, it hightens excitement which turns into frenzy. You wanted 2 Staffords, you got them. You can't turn your back on Missy just because she's not a carbon copy of your boy. She needs your help and she needs to learn what she can and can't do. As others have suggested, get a professional trainer to train you how to train her I don't think she's in a position to be rehomed at the moment. Sort through her issues and if you still don't trust her at the end of that, then at least you can say she has been retrained to the best of that trainer's ability and make sure she goes to a home where she will be the only dog. I wish you all the very best of luck with her.

bloody hell! now that is die-hard!

Damn, was hoping they'd called it off. I was entered but listening to teh constant rain since last night, decided against it. It is really unfortunate, butchya canna book the weather!