BREED GUIDE
YOUR STAFFY PUPPY
Staffies are people dogs through and through, affectionate, funny and strong for their size, with a bulldog and a terrier in one body. They get a lot of bad press they don't deserve, and the things that matter most early on are calm greetings, careful meetings with other dogs and a loose lead.
WHAT I'D START IN THE FIRST WEEKS
OTHER DOGS
PICK THEIR PLAYMATES
A Staffy puppy who learns that rough play with every dog is normal can find other dogs hard as an adult. A few calm, well-matched friends do far more good than lots of strangers.
GREETINGS
CALM HELLOS
They love people so much that hellos can get very wiggly and jumpy. Give fuss only for four paws on the floor, and teach a sit or down for greetings from the start.
MUZZLE
MUZZLE TRAINING, JUST IN CASE
Teach your Staffy to love a muzzle before they ever need one, for the vet or for rules where you live. Treats inside the muzzle, a few seconds at a time, make it a game rather than a fight.
