Undersocialised 7 month old Staffy

[Sazzabex]

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Hi all,

Completely new here and first time dog parent (although been around them most of my life). Sorry this first post will be a bit long!

I bought a 7 month old female Staffy puppy called Ronnie a week ago from a breader in a different part of the country to me. I'd been in touch with the breeder, spoken on the phone, asked (I thought!) all the right questions. I knew she wasn't vaccinated, but was assured she had a great nature, and had spent a lot of time around other dogs and family members including children. She was extremely nervous when I picked her up, but given she was leaving home for the first time, I didn't think too much of it. A week in, and it's now becoming evident that she's very undersocialised. The vet even commented on it when we went in for her first jab. She's extremely nervous around people and new situations, and very anxious in the car (and gets very car sick).

I'm now feeling very overwhelmed at the task ahead of how to socialise her, especially as it's just me and we're effectively under house arrest until her second jab in a month. I've also really been struggling with puppy blues. I was hoping anyone might have some advice, or any suggestions on what I can start doing now (including any tips for entertaining a puppy in the house / garden!) to help her prepare for the world?

Thank you!

 

[Shalista]

Whoooo boy I coulda written this post ten years ago. I picked up an eight month old rat terrier that I eventually learned had almost certainly never left the house before. He was absolutely terrified of EVERYTHING but ESPECIALLY people. Yes you’ve missed most socialization windows but don’t give up hope. Bax took every training class under the sun and ultimately was one of only two dogs to pass his CGC certification and he served faithfully as a therapy dog at the local nursing home for many years.

It won’t be easy but the bond you will have with your dog by the end will be incredible.

 

[JoanneF]

The ideal window for socialisation is the first 16 weeks of a puppy's life as the brain physiology changes at that point, and new experiences are harder to deal with. So to be honest, another few weeks won't make much difference now.

Take it slowly - let her set the pace. Socialisation isn't about flooding her with loads of experiences, it's about exposure to different things, not interaction with them. If you have a front door, or a front garden, you could sit there with her, just watching. That would be a good start and you can do that straight away.

 

[Hemlock]

Do you know if she has had a season yet? Ladydogs often are much more grown up once they have had their first two seasons. The first one makes big positive changes, but is not necessarily the same as subsequent seasons, so the second should be regarded as the benchmark for future ones, and if you plan on her being spayed, ideally hold off until after the second season..

FWIW, I know a person who breeds Staffords in a very small way, rears them with every care, and has had two that were very nervous, although friendly once they get to know you. It seems to be in the genes of some - so be happy with whatever you get in behaviour terms rather than setting your sights on a specific result.

 

[Sazzabex]

Thanks all for your replies. I'm really struggling and seriously thinking I'm not the right person for her, especially as I'm feeling so anxious and overwhelmed myself at the moment. I'm realising just how 'easy' all our previous family dogs have been, so I really don't have experience with anything like this. She seems to have regressed and is afraid of the garden again, so we're now having toilet accidents which is just compounding my feelings of overwhelm. I've contacted a trainer to see if they can do a home visit and offer some advice, just on what I can start working on with her and how, and whether this is really for me.
She hasn't had her first season yet, although imagine we're not far off. Fingers crossed it might make a difference!

 

[JoanneF]

Right now, I'd only work on building a bond with her, and maybe some pattern games to build her confidence - look up Pattern Games, by Leslie McDevitt, there are plenty of resources online depending on whether you prefer reading or watching a video.

 

[JudyN]

I just want to add that taking on a dog with issues when this isn't what you had planned, particularly if you're not experienced, can certainly be very challenging... but can also be the most rewarding thing you have ever done. It can also affect your social life, where you can go on holiday, who you can see... If you decide that this is more than you feel prepared to do, there is absolutely no shame in handing her back to the breeder.

Obviously I'm hoping that you will persevere, because this poor girl needs a caring owner, which you clearly are, and we are here to help you every step of the way. But please don't feel guilty if you decide it just isn't going to work.

 

[Tinytom]

I wonder why she kept her for 7 months before selling her ...
I would keep everything quiet and wouldnt even take her out until she feels settled...if she has always lived with other dogs she must be feeling overwhelmed being an only dog....as others have said if you really feel she is too much it maybe best asking the breeder to take her back ...she also maybe picking up on your anxiety...staffys are usually very in tune with their humans....makes me wonder if this dog has been rehomed before .....

 

[Sazzabex]

Honestly can't tell you how much I appreciate the support from this thread!

I've been in touch with the breeder who is adamant she's been socialised, but also says she never left the house / garden. She says she was socialised with the breeders family and their other dogs and thinks that's fine, and is trying to say it's my fault for only giving it just over a week for her to settle in.

The thing that's overwhelming me is that the getting to know you / settling in phase is now tip of the iceberg based on the fact she's not socialised. I knew and was prepared for the fact that getting a dog is a massive life change, but this now feels like so much more than I thought.

 

[JoanneF]

To be honest the breeder doesn't sound very helpful. Socialisation is about a lot more than she describes.

You may find she will never be a gregarious social butterfly - and that's okay, most of us would rather have dogs that are more engaged with us than with other things around them.

But it is do-able, if you choose to keep her we can offer support.