[NLXTACY]

This guy was at the West Valley Animal Shelter and was there for almost two months. He was put on the "list" on Saturday when we walked in that afternoon. Put our name down and wanted to make sure we were covered for insurance and that our HOA didn't pitch a fit. We were golden so we just brought him home today.

He's 61# and a pure bred blue American Staffordshire Terrier. He was the runt of the litter and since all the other dogs kept picking on him, they dropped him off at the shelter.

Since he was there he was attacked by two other dogs. When we picked him up today we were told he was in medical to have staples put into his face.

He has a great personality. Doesn't bark. Full of licks and kisses. Loves my son to death. And isn't phased at all by the cats. He looks at them like they are furniture...with claws.

Now I've never had an AmStaf before...any pointers?

EDIT: We have a name!!!

NIETZSCHE

It was recommended to use a name that is 2 syllables ending in an E or Y sound.

[bpassmore]

Joey,
that is great. I am still on my search. I bet your boy is psyched. Very cool buddy.

[youmustbecrazy]

great looking dog, rescuing is always cool! I've got 3 rescues - 2 male chessies and a female beagle

[NLXTACY]

I need to back in two weeks to get these staples taken out.

[mophisto]

Get em a REALLY good chew toy quick... once he gets accustomed to "home" the chewing will most likely start. Ours always really liked the rubber balls that have a hexagonal pattern to them.

something like this - they're like, $12 at petco

[NLXTACY]

Good to know, we bought a TON of chew toys and jaw exercise toys to hopefully keep him from tearing apart the things we like :(

[jessewmcgregor]

great looking pup! am ter are working dogs so keep them busy or they will find their own entertainment (see eating shoes, furniture, ect..) a buddy had one and it was a very cool dog.

[NLXTACY]

Originally Posted by jessewmcgregor

great looking pup! am ter are working dogs so keep them busy or they will find their own entertainment (see eating shoes, furniture, ect..) a buddy had one and it was a very cool dog.

This is what is worrying me. We have a townhouse to no backyard. Looking for activities...

[Miss R2FJ]

Very pretty dog! Good for you for the rescue...rescue pups are the best.

Remember what the dog whisperer says: exercise, discipline, affection and food in that order!

[ed97fzj80]

Originally Posted by NLXTACY

This is what is worrying me. We have a townhouse to no backyard. Looking for activities...

I hope you like to run or you have a bark park nearby, because he needs about an hour a day of blasting around to keep from going stir crazy. He looks pretty mellow now, but once he gets comfortable, he'll have all kinds of energy. Oh, and X2 on the chew toys. My mutt loves the Kong toys, and no tennis ball is safe.

[NLXTACY]

Yeah my son just joined the cross country team so he is planning on going on his runs with the dog. There is a dog park about 5 miles from me but man its small. Too small. We'll see.

[3DAMAN!]

Good looking bulldog!
My dad raised bulldogs. I've been around 'em for all of my 51 years. Three here at my feet now ( and the Jack Russell I rescued 4 weeks ago). Only breed to have ,in my eyes anyway.
Takes a lot of patience when they are pups, but they learn fast.
A wrapping paper inner tube is the best discipline device made. Dont have to beat 'em with it, just make'm think your going to.

[3DAMAN!]

Re-read the orginal post and thought I might add this also: the only thing needed for a bulldog chew toy is a plastic milk jug. Mine prefere the pint, and quart jugs. Will naw on one for hours. Cheap entertainment.

[NLXTACY]

We have a name!!!

NIETZSCHE

It was recommended to use a name that is 2 syllables ending in an E or Y sound.

[eventhough]

Good job! That dog looks like a sweet Pit and your boy looks psyched!

x2 on lots of chew toys and exercise for the dog. I have to buy the Nylabone toys which I have found are the only true indestructible dog toys.

[D'Animal]

Congrats on the Rescue!


My BIL has one of those, his name is Bo Jack. I can't tell you enough about chew toys. When Bo Jack turned 3 yo he could carry a basket ball around in his mouth. still inflated.

His "treat" is a highway roadcone.

[whodat]

paging NoaH, paging NoaH...

[eventhough]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

My BIL has one of those...His "treat" is a highway roadcone.

LOL!

[sirenmoses]

Congrats. Can't wait to see pix of him in a couple months, once he knows that he is 'home' with you.

Agility is a great sport, even if you don't compete.

Careful on the runs. Build up speed & distance, and watch his paws -- the pads can blister, & then you'll be carrying him outside to do his biz.

I prefer Kongs to Nylabones: had a doberman obstruct on the latter. $$$$

[NLXTACY]

Ok so one steamer and 4 warm, yellow puddles later and I think I finally figured out his schedule!!!

He just needs to be walked......every futher mucking hour!!!!!!

:(

[TrailDiva]

Get the poochie bells and teach him to ring the bells to go out. Welcome To Poochie Bells
They are quick and simple to teach and they work like a charm.

Also, our terrier loves racquet balls, throw them up the stairs for an indoor workout.

[k9crazy]

With the jaws on an Am Staff, you gotta get some pretty heavy duty chewy toys. He'll kill a kong or something like that and obstruct and then you are in for big surgery to remove it from his intestines. Stick with things that are hard rubber, not hollow, and that he can't get a tooth on to pick it apart. That's the danger. For playing, tennis balls and all that are fine, but don't let him use them as chew toys.

He's really pretty. My suggestions as a former rescuer and rehab person of bully dogs...

Get a crate. Teach him to use it. It will serve you well and he'll like it.

[ed97fzj80]

Originally Posted by NLXTACY

Ok so one steamer and 4 warm, yellow puddles later and I think I finally figured out his schedule!!!

He just needs to be walked......every futher mucking hour!!!!!!

:(

Yup. Give him a few days to settle in and it will go to every two hours, then soon it will be just a couple or three times a day.

[D'Animal]

So how is this working out for you?

Has he found his place in the family yet?

[NLXTACY]

OK so here is what I have learned about him so far:

• He will NOT stop trying to lick our faces (ugh)
• He came to us needing to be housebroken
• Our house smells like piss and shit and I would be a LOT happier if it was my piss and shit
• Fabreze, Lysol and other "doggie odor" sprays can suck my ass
• He is slooooowly getting to the point of whining when he needs to go
• He started throwing up last night and eating grass...awesome
• He wants to eat our two cats...badly
• He starts dog training on Sunday....at 8am....on a freaking Sunday! Did I mentions 8am on a Sunday?
• He got his staples out two days ago, he's fine now
• While walking him on Monday down my block, I passed by a crotchety old woman in her 60s. She was walking passed me with her two piece of shit, yapping little terd dogs. She feels at this time she needs to comment to me, "Thats a pit bull isn't it? All of those dogs should be destroyed." To which I reply, "Oh really? Well I think all old people should be euthanized and maybe someday we will both get our wish."
• He is comfortable riding in the truck and getting in and out
• The leash is like kryptonite to him. Its weird. Take the leash off and he is jumping around like a little rabbit and being goofy. Put the leash on him, NOT connected to anything else, just hanging there, and he gets totally mellow and stays put!!! I was amazed and love that nicety.

[socalsuv]

Congrats on the pup. We have two rescued Am Staffs as well.

They are great dogs. They only toy that has really lasted for us is the kong. As others have mentioned, exercise is a must. I take my one dog running with me. I'll do up to 8 miles with her and she is right by my side the entire time. If you don't have the time for a long run or walk, get the dog used to running next to a bike. You can have your son take the dog out with him on his bike for 15 minutes and the high intensity really tires them out. Introduce the dog to being next to a bike slowly otherwise it will spook and could cause an accident for whoever is riding the bike. If you don't like the bike idea, get a dog back pack and put some water bottles in it for added weight. Just a few suggestions if you don't have over an hour a day to exercise the dog.

Without going in to too much detail, be careful with the cats. No matter how confident you are that the dog and cats get along, don't leave them together unsupervised. Even years later, something can happen and you won't forgive yourself. These dogs are classified as "terriers" for a reason.


On to the fun part.....they are not bulldogs (3DAMAN!). They are more commonly lumped in to the group called "pit bulls". Lets just call a spade a spade because others will do it for you. Prepare to be scorned and looked down upon. People will make stupid comments while you're out walking him. They will give you nasty looks. They will grab their children and move them to the other side of the road no matter how well behaved your dog is. Its unfortunate, but its the truth. So get your dog some obedience training (they train very easily) and let him be the good dog on the leash and enjoy him.

edit: just saw your last reply. some of this you already know now. get used to the licking, its not just a puppy thing. 5....4....3....2....1.....you know why they lick? they are just tasting what they are about to eat. figured I'd just beat someone to it.

[ed97fzj80]

Originally Posted by NLXTACY

OK so here is what I have learned about him so far:

• He will NOT stop trying to lick our faces (ugh)
• He came to us needing to be housebroken
• Our house smells like piss and shit and I would be a LOT happier if it was my piss and shit
• Fabreze, Lysol and other "doggie odor" sprays can suck my ass
• He is slooooowly getting to the point of whining when he needs to go
• He started throwing up last night and eating grass...awesome
• He wants to eat our two cats...badly
• He starts dog training on Sunday....at 8am....on a freaking Sunday! Did I mentions 8am on a Sunday?
• He got his staples out two days ago, he's fine now
• While walking him on Monday down my block, I passed by a crotchety old woman in her 60s. She was walking passed me with her two piece of shit, yapping little terd dogs. She feels at this time she needs to comment to me, "Thats a pit bull isn't it? All of those dogs should be destroyed." To which I reply, "Oh really? Well I think all old people should be euthanized and maybe someday we will both get our wish."
• He is comfortable riding in the truck and getting in and out
• The leash is like kryptonite to him. Its weird. Take the leash off and he is jumping around like a little rabbit and being goofy. Put the leash on him, NOT connected to anything else, just hanging there, and he gets totally mellow and stays put!!! I was amazed and love that nicety.

ROFL to the old lady.

Have you tried Nature's Miracle for the accidents? I've had pretty good luck with it, Petsmart has it between the dog food and grooming stuff.

[NLXTACY]

Originally Posted by ed97fzj80

ROFL to the old lady.

Have you tried Nature's Miracle for the accidents? I've had pretty good luck with it, Petsmart has it between the dog food and grooming stuff.

I'll try it. The PetSmart by me is going out of business so I need to check out the next closest place.

[NLXTACY]

another nicety:

• To dogs...peanut butter slapped onto the roof of their mouth with a spoon, is a gift that keeps on giving

[calphi27]

I have been on the band wagon for awhile. We have a 7 month old hound mix that we got 3 months ago and just added this gsd/husky mix female. She is 3 months old and picks on the hound.