Hi folks, Can anyone tell me the best way to react to my friends Staff. He is about 20 weeks old and on the whole a good dog, the problem is he is ok with her family but goes mad when i visit(or anyone else for that matter). Jumping biting at feet, she insists on letting him sit on the sofa, so he jumps up when i sit and starts biting to get me to move. I do try not to move but when he is biting and ignoring his owners pleas to stop i don't know what to do. He is now getting quite large and strong and to be honest sometimes quite scary.We have tried to ignore him completly but he keeps on until you have to try to do something. We have tried putting him outside to calm down but he starts again as soon as you let him back in. Tried water spray (he likes it). I am very firm with him and don't show fear but as he is going to be a very powerfull dog i need to sort this out. Please help.

In your position Id tell her I wont visit until she has her dog under control and also tell her not to bring him to my house. She lets him rule the roost by allowing him on furniture and to ignore commands - he thinks hes HER boss. You could also give her the number of an approved pet behaviour counsellor available in vets. Hes her dog and she needs to handle it. She may be cross for a bit but Im sure shell be grateful for your support as well.:) Hes still very young and it can be sorted.

Thanks for your reply. She has rang a behaviour therapist who wants to call at the house. She said she'll be 3 hours and will charge £195.00. I think this is all well and good but if the problem is visitors how can this woman sort the prob without anyone else there? I also think it's very expensive.

It sounds to me as if he's being a normal undisciplined puppy - she'd get far better value for money by taking him to a good training class (see the APDT website) - most deal with normal puppy behaviour like this for a lot less money!

Staffys are very exciteable and can be very energetic . I know Gus is always keen to welcome visitors . They are a breed that love people .
I think your friend needs to practise with her dog as they also tend to react like this when their owners come into the house too .
I appreciate it can be a little intimidating when a Staffordshire is bouncing around on you but I would say it is excitement and not through being deliberately naughty .
Does she have a cage she can use for visitors ??
Lel
edited to say the cage is for the dog not the visitors ;)

Hi, No she does not have a cage. She is treating him like a baby and as he is fine with her and the kids doesn't see a mojor prob. I need to get the dogs repect myself as i want him to behave when i say not rely on his owner there to protect me. I do think alot of it is excitment but it will soon turn to aggresion as he is trying it on with me.

Without knowing the dog personally I would still say it would be being overtly friendly and energetic at this age . As you say dogs do know who they can try it on with and who they cant . I have never known any staffy become aggressive with people and the pup wont in time either -but I appreciate they are large and heavy. :( . they can take a while to calm down though .
Although Gus is excited when I come home he is very OTT when my partner comes home and does take a while to calm down .
They do tend to bite when excited too ( by this I mean mouthe not aggressive biting).
your friend could try a crate or put the dog into another room or even keep the dog on the lead when you visit.