FACT: Staffies are without doubt the best dog breed.
If you’ve just welcomed a Staffy into your home, you’ve probably just made the best decision you will ever make: congratulations!
OK, as a Staffy owner I may be just a little biased, but I stand by my statement: intelligent, energetic, strong, confident, loving, loyal, handsome, sociable… and the list goes on. What’s not to like?
Training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a joy, as long as you put in the time and effort.
This guide will set you off on the right path and ensure you end up with a Staffy as perfect as mine (who is, by the way, officially the best dog in the world).
Basic Training Tips
Training Staffordshire Bull Terriers is normally quite easy as they’re really smart. If you stick to these four fundamental pieces of advice at all times, your little bundle of joy should have no trouble understanding what you expect of him.
Be consistent.
If you want him to get it, you need to do the same thing, the same way, every time. For example, if you don’t always want him to sleep in your bed, never allow him in your bed. Changing the rules on a daily basis will only confuse him and leave him wondering what he’s done wrong.
Reward good behaviour and ignore bad.
If it is something that cannot be ignored, a stern look and a verbal “No” will normally be enough. Failing that, a quick touch that surprises him will often make him forget what he was doing too. At this point getting him to do a quick sit / lie down / roll over combo, or something else distracting, will make sure.
Always reward or scold in the moment, never after.
Even a delay of just a few seconds is likely to be enough for him not to make the connection with what he was doing.
Be patient.
Staffies are very headstrong and will try to push boundaries, so you will need to keep your cool and never react with anger – even if he’s just chewed up your brand new shoes. “I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed” is the message you want to convey.
Breed Information
[Note: this article is about the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT)]
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are descendants of nineteenth century fighting dogs called “Bulldog Terriers”, which in turn are descended from bull fighting dogs. When dog fighting was banned in 1835, the breeding focused on making the breed more sociable so they would be more suitable as a family dog.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was officially recognised as a breed by The Kennel Club in 1935.
A Staffy will normally live for about twelve to fourteen years.
They mature quite late mentally at about two years, but will remain active both physically and mentally until late in their life.
They can be brindle, red, fawn, tan, liver, black or blue, any one of these colours with white, or pure white. They are have a smooth coat and are very muscular, have great stamina and are very sporty.
The average weight for an adult dog is 13-17 kg (28-38 lbs), and they are normally 36-41 cm (14”-16”) at the shoulder height. Bitches are 11-15.4 kg (24¼-34 lbs).
Temperament
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have kept the courage, fearlessness and determination inherited from their ancestors, but are now affectionate and loving, especially with children – so much so that they are now known as the “nanny dog” and make wonderful family pets.
They love human company and are very sociable and loyal.
They are very intelligent and can be easy to train, as long as you can keep their attention and they know you’re in charge – otherwise they can be very stubborn!
Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Dangerous or Aggressive?
Despite what the media may lead you to believe, Staffies are not naturally aggressive dogs. Mine is about as dangerous as a cuddly toy.
Unfortunately, they have this bad reputation as it is common for them to be brought up as fighting or “trophy” dogs, often with little in the way of even basic dog training other than that needed to make them aggressive.
They are targeted as a breed because of their physical attributes, not their temperament.
When these dogs are then left unsupervised and attack somebody, the media more often than not chooses to simply blame the breed rather than the person behind the dog. A Golden Retriever or Yorkshire Terrier would do the same thing if mistreated this way.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers lack aggression and have a good temperament, which is why they make bad guard dogs.
The only time aggression is likely to show naturally is between two male Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
So if you start training him while he is a puppy you should be fine. If, for whatever reason, your dog is aggressive you should get some professional dog training. Residential dog training isn’t cheap, but sometimes it is necessary.
“My kids are around pit bulls every day. In the ’70s they blamed Dobermans, in the ’80s they blamed German Shepherds, in the ’90s they blamed the Rottweiler. Now they blame the Pit Bull.”
– Cesar Millan
Choosing a Puppy
Your training will be more effective if you begin when your Staffie is a puppy.
Notice I said more effective, not easier: training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy will still require a lot of time and effort!
But if you do decide to get an older Staffie, maybe a rescue dog, I certainly won’t dissuade you from doing this as there are a lot of unfortunate dogs that could use your help. Just be aware that he may already have issues from his previous life that you must be willing to work through with him.
Make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.
There are many dishonest dog breeders who care very little for the dog’s welfare. Do not support them.
Any saving you make on the price of the puppy will cost you many times more on vet bills as they will often develop serious health problems, both mental and physical. Ask your vet for advice on reputable breeders near you.
Multiple Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Other Dogs
If you are going to keep more than one Staffy, it’s best to avoid having two males.
There is a good chance that sooner of later they will have a “difference of opinion”, and after that point they may not get on well again. If you do have two males, don’t leave them alone unsupervised.
They normally get on very well with other dogs and animals, as long as they are properly socialised.
Mine is about the friendliest dog you’ll ever meet! Cats don’t seem to like him so much when he tries to say hello though…
Puppy Training
Training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy requires a lot of patience.
It is important to be consistent when training pups, especially Staffies. Catching bad habits young is key.
Many adult dog problems can be avoided by imagining your puppy exhibiting the same behavior when fully grown.
For example: he may be a cute little puppy dog jumping up at you now, but do you want him doing this when he’s fully grown and covered in mud? I made this mistake, and it took me a looooong time to reverse it!
Start puppy potty training as soon as possible and remember to be patient with your Stafford, no matter how much mess he makes over your nice new carpet…
A tip learned from experience:
Don’t get a new carpet just before starting puppy house-training.
Especially not a cream one.
Dog Training Club or Residential Dog Training?
It is unlikely you’ll need a professional obedience trainer if you put in the time and effort with your training.
Joining local dog training classes is recommended though as this will allow your Staffy to socialise with other dogs. He is likely to learn a lot from his classmates about how he should behave when interacting with his fellow furry pals.
Getting puppies used to meeting and greeting other dogs as soon as possible will help to avoid many behavior problems later on. Socialising an unsociable adult dog can take a lot of time.
Of course, if your dog is aggressive you should immediately contact a private dog trainer.
Feeding
Food is power! Especially for Staffords: they really love food!
You are in charge of the food: you tell them when they can eat. Have them sitting silently while they wait for their food.
Don’t tolerate any whining, barking, jumping up etc. If they do this, simply wait until they stop and are behaving as they should be. The first few times this may require a lot of your time and patience, but it is necessary or you’ll only encourage the bad behavior.
My puppy used to whine for food. He also used to pee on the floor. I let one problem solve the other.
Every time he whined while I was preparing his food, I would take him outside as if it was time for a bathroom break.
He soon realised whining was actually delaying the food getting to him, and he learned how to tell me when he needs to take care of business.
Give him space to eat.
Don’t stand too close by, touch him, or even worse touch his food, as he may perceive you as a threat which can lead to food aggression. Once you’ve given the food to him, it’s his until he walks away.
If you do need to be nearby while he eats or he’s already protective of his food, throw an extra treat in the bowl now and again so he knows you will provide more food and are not a threat to what he already has.
Train him to eat straight away.
For Staffies, this isn’t normally a problem. But if he doesn’t eat his food after about fifteen minutes, take it away until the next mealtime; don’t leave it sitting out all day.
He will learn that food is scarce and he should eat when it is available. This will also give treats a higher value, and make training him much easier.
Type of Food
Ask your vet what type of food would be best for your particular dog, especially if you have a puppy. Of course, it’s also important that your furry friend likes it!
For an adult dog, I can highly recommend Eukanuba Sensitive Skin Dry Food. My boy loves it (although, to be fair, he loves all food!) and it meets all his dietary needs, but that’s not the main reason we’ve stuck with this brand.
Staffies often have skin problems, and this food definitely helps. Mine started scratching constantly, so much so that he started to get bald patches.
Our vet advised us to try this food, and his coat was noticeably shinier within just a few days, he stopped itching, and the fur soon grew back*.
It’s not the cheapest, but still quite reasonable. I have a subscription for this through Amazon which keeps the cost down a little.
I would advise staying away from the very cheap brands in any case.
I once had some with lots of mould growing all over it, but luckily I managed to spot it before he wolfed it down. (The company responsible offered me some more food by way of apology, which I declined…)
They also tend to work out more expensive as your dog will need to eat more to satisfy him versus a good quality brand.
*I also used PetNat Dermacton Cream to soothe his itchy skin – this stuff works really quickly, plus it smells lovely too!
Leaving Your Staffy Alone
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are separation anxiety prone dogs as they love human company.
Get him used to being left alone for just a few minutes at a time at first, then gradually increase the duration. Do not make a fuss of him when you leave or arrive home until he is used to being on his own.
Exercise him both physically and mentally before you leave.
This should help avoid boredom and he will be more likely to take a nap than misbehave.
If possible, check what he is doing before he knows you are back and make sure he’s calm. If’s he’s doing something he shouldn’t when you arrive, he may think this behavior is what caused you to return and try it again next time.
Exercise
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have lots of energy, so you need to make sure your pal gets plenty of exercise. Your dog needs to be taken for a walk at the very least a couple of times a day.
Mental exercise is important too, and dog trick training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a good idea. Start slowly though, one trick at a time, making sure he has it before moving onto another one. Practice all the tricks he knows regularly to keep your dog trained.
Don’t overdo it though – if his attention starts to waver or you start to feel frustrated he isn’t getting it, stop and try again later. It should be fun for you both!
Over time you will get a feel for what he enjoys doing most. I trained my dog to play fetch, but he basically ran it like a business: as soon as I stopped giving him treats for bringing the ball back, he stopped doing the work and let me go and get it myself. Clearly not his favourite game.
He LOVES playing tug though! Be warned playing tug with a Staffie – it can easily last up to an hour, and you must win every time so he knows you’re the boss. Make sure you train him to drop it on command in case you do need to stop abruptly, but don’t end the game like this too often. Tell him to let go at regular intervals while you play then go straight back to it.
How To Calm a Staffy Down
Like all dogs, Staffies can get overexcited while playing, either with you or other dogs, and start behaving like the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character – especially when he’s a puppy. Most of the time you won’t need to do anything: simply wait for him to tire himself out.
If he’s being a nuisance, there are some things you can do to get him into a calmer state. Distraction is key here.
Go through a little training routine with him. For example, getting him to sit, lie down, then roll over, but keep him waiting for the next instruction for a few seconds, increasing the duration each time you go through the routine. Treats may help if you’re struggling to get his attention initially.
You can try holding him still until the manic phase passes, if even the treats don’t work. This should be more like a hug, and slow, firm strokes will help. Lie him down if necessary. As you feel him start to relax a little, repeat the word ‘calm’, or an alternative of your choosing, along with a gesture that represents this word.
You must be calm yourself for this to work. Concentrate on your breathing.
Do this consistently whenever you need to slow him down, and over time he will understand what you want him to do without you having to hold him. Being observant and learning to spot the excitement building before it gets out of control will be tremendously helpful too.
Dog Training Guides
To ensure your training is successful, it is essential to have a good dog training guide. Having a good training guide – and using it! – will ensure that you’re not that helpless, embarrassed person with the out of control Staffy.
I’ve read many guides and books, but my favourite is Brain Training For Dogs. It covers every aspect of dog training, from basic puppy training right the way through to some very advanced tricks. Plus the support is amazing if you do get stuck.
As Staffies are intelligent dogs, it’s perfectly suited for them as there is a strong focus on mental stimulation.
But the thing I really love about this system is it only uses gentle, force-free techniques. You will never be recommended to cause distress to your dog in order to train them – something not all dog training programs can claim.
Find out more on the Brain Training For Dogs Website or Read Our Full Review.
Staffy FAQs
Are Staffies hard to train?
Staffies are generally easy to train as they are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them good students and they should master basic training in no time. However, they can be quite stubborn if they don't want to do something, so when it comes to teaching them tricks and games it can be hard to get them interested without the promise of a treat. Luckily they love food!
Be aware that if you've bribed them to learn something they may well decide it's not worth doing once you stop paying them... Don't worry about this too much though - for every trick or game that doesn't appeal to them, there will be ten others that they will enjoy.
Do staffy puppies bite a lot?
All puppies bite a lot, and staffies are certainly no exception. It's very unlikely that this biting is a sign of aggression though - your pup is either just being playful or using his mouth to explore something the same way you'd use your hands. While you shouldn't be concerned, you'll need to teach him that he can't go around biting everyone, particularly if there are no other dogs around to let him know. Plus puppy teeth are sharp!
Here's what to do: when he bites you, yelp like a dog, turn your back and pay him no attention. Be consistent with this and your little bundle of joy will soon get the message.
Are Staffies good for first time owners?
Staffies are great dogs for first time owners, providing you're willing to put in the time and effort. They're smart and therefore easy to train, but you must keep your staffy mentally stimulated or he will get bored and start causing mischief! Play games and train him daily. You also have to be a good pack leader to a staffy, particularly with a male. Make sure you're consistent with his rules and training, and always remain calm, or he may decide he's better suited for the job. As they are quite energetic, he will need walking at least two times a day, ideally three.
Are Staffies obedient?
A well trained staffy who respects you as his leader will be very obedient. If you put in the time and effort with them, staffies are perfectly behaved dogs.
Staffy + training everyday + plenty of exercise + calm owner = dream dog
Feature image by darolti dan
