Why are ataffie's so mental??

[I love Tiggy]

I have a 20month old staffie who is completely mental! Why do they just charge around and how are they able to jump such distances and height??

[happy_face]

So you mean to say you haven't yet discovered the little springs attached to their legs???...ha ha ha

Basically they are just little bundles of energy. It also depends a lot on what food you're feeding, how much exercise and mental stimulation he/she gets.

I've got two and I love them dearly, they have their moments with their zoomies but mainly they're calm... that is unless it's play time of course.

"Staffies Rule"

[I love Tiggy]

She usually has IAMS or meat as she often doesn't eat much.

I do also give her frolic or Schmackos, but then she's awful spoilt and gets chicken also.

She has the tiniest ankles ever it just amazes me what a bundle of energy she is, and how curious - crikey i've never seen anything like it!

[divegirl]

When you buy Iams...this is how they spend your money!

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

Lisa x

[andrea81]

Staffies are my favourite bread. I had a staffi when I lived at my mothers, but my mother fell in love with her, so she now lives with my mother and father as I have now moved out. I have to say, I miss her, but she was quite mad!

I read a lot about that bread and knew it would be a while before they calmed down (they say 3 years) and got out of that 'excited' faze, but unfortunatly Rosey is 7 now and is still as mental! They are fab and would love another, but don't have the time for the amount of attention they need!

[andrea81]

Oh another thing....

staffies like consistancy with their food, dry complete mixes and don't change brand. Also, don't walk them far too yung as their muscles need to develop correctly before too much excersize. But you have to be very firm with them, they will test you but you have to be boss or like Rosey, theywill run rings around you!

But don't worry I'ma soft touch and rosey still get her own way with me!!!!!

[happy_face]

I personally feed my two on Burns. It's Holistic so not full of those additives that can make dogs hyper and I don't want to support animal cruelty by feeding any of the Iams, Hills, Science Plan, Pedigree, Purina (the list goes on) products.

But each to their own.

Glad you're enjoying your pup, they really are the funniest breed ever

[I love Tiggy]

Thanks Lisa for letting me know about IAMS, thats awful!

Happy face - where do you get Burns from - don't think i've ever seen that one

[divegirl]

Disgusting isn't it!!!

I too feed Burns....http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/

Their helpline is free and you talk to trained nutrionists, I found them really helpfull

Lisa x

[I love Tiggy]

Thanks for the link, just looking at it now.

Taa
Caroline

[lankeela]

Oh Lisa, change the record, that story was discredited years ago.
It was put out by PETA the organisation who kill animals wholesale when they supposedly collect them from shelters to rehome them.

[lankeela]

Here's a link for you to read - then decide if PETA are an organisation to be believed!

http://www.advfn.com/news_peta-kills-animals-- official-virginia-state-records-show-group-has -killed-over-1_11632658.html

[lankeela]

Sorry Tiggy for hijacking your thread.

Staffies are a breed that are bred to withstand a lot of exercise and if they don't get enough physical and mental stimulation they expend their energy in other ways.

Try obedience or agility training, or even Heelwork to Music (I have seen a brilliant Staff doing this).

[happy_face]

Lankeela, we all have our different views and beliefs about dog food. I have seen evidence with my own eyes about the cruelty done by many animal food companies and that's the main reason I choose to feed a different brand.

Second reason is that a majority of the well known brands use so many additives, preservatives, colourings that animals don't need, just to bulk up the food and make it look more interesting to the HUMAN eye.
All these things are a major trigger in behaviour and energy levels. 'I love Tiggy' - if you need convincing try feeding your pup on boiled chicken and rice for 3 weeks and you'll soon see a different dog without additives.

[I love Tiggy]

Thanks all.

She'd love the chicken thats for sure. Pity chicken didn't come cheaper!!

[taperface]

My Staffies are the best dogs I've ever had (parents bred all sorts of other breeds). They're naturally boisterous, and adore being round people and made a fuss of. I feed mine on organic meat & vegetables, and they're very healthy and happy. I find toys hard to find though, as even Kongs get blitzed in next to no time! Then I discovered these hard, nylon-type "bones", with essence of chocolate or vanilla in them (Wilkinson's - 69p. each). Now they won't be parted from them. Brilliant!

[lankeela]

I sell pet food and toys, and I get really fed up when Staffy owners ask for toys that their Staff won't destroy, then when I offer them the hardest wearing toys we have they say, oh that won't last him two minutes, as though I sell inferior toys, its not my fault they bought a dog thats so manic it chews everything up. Now I just tell them to buy a brick.

[jules77]

no offense, but half the SBT owners around me are mental let alone the dogs - and I feel like shooting half of them, dogs and owners!!

[I love Tiggy]

Pity the dogs then, you always get a few chavs having them as a status symbol, as if to say 'look at my hard dog'.