Resolving Behavioural Issues: Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are wonderful dogs for both families and solo pet owners. One major concern that most first-time dog owners have is the potential behavioural issues their dog may develop. Thankfully, Staffies aren’t any more prone to behavioural problems compared to any other dog breed. 

However, that doesn’t mean that they’re immune. Dogs may develop behavioural problems for a wide variety of reasons. Most of these are down to natural puppy behaviours that eventually get resolved. Puppy training is one of the keys to eliminating unwanted behaviours such as barking, biting, and toilet issues.

Resolving Staffy Behavioural Issues

The first thing to remember is that most behavioural problems have a distinct cause. Many of the aforementioned common issues are due to an unresolved need that your dog has. Addressing these needs are a good starting point toward fixing behavioural issues.

1. Excessive barking 

This is one of the most common issues that dog owners face with any breed. Barking is one of the main ways that your dog will communicate what they’re feeling. It’s unrealistic to expect that your dog will never bark, but there is a point where it becomes too much barking that becomes unproductive or unhealthy. 

Your Staffy may be doing one of the following types of barking:

• Territorial/alarm barking
• Attention-seeking barking
• Greeting barking
• Social barking
• Frustration barking
• Compulsive barking

Most of these by themselves are not problems. However, you can train your Staffy to reduce the amount of barking that they do. Once your dog starts barking, allow them to bark a couple of times and then give them the “quiet” command. 

If they stop, praise and reward them for following your command. If they don’t, tell them “no” in a stern and confident voice, before trying the “quiet” command again. Repeat this every time your dog starts barking until they learn how to be quiet. 

2. Biting and mouthing

Dogs, especially puppies, only have a few ways with which to interact with the world. Their mouths are one of the main ways, and they make the most out of it. Dogs will bite, nip, mouth and lick all sorts of objects as they explore. A little bit of biting and mouthing is expected, but is a behaviour that can be trained or redirected to “safe” objects, such as dog toys.

Whenever your Staffy starts to bite or place their mouth on something that they shouldn’t be biting, get their attention with one of their toys or treats. Wave the toy or treat in front of them until they start biting or playing with the toy, then praise them to drive home the lesson that they should be biting their toys instead.

3. Toilet mistakes

One of the biggest issues for dogs is learning how to go to the toilet in the proper spot. Puppies will naturally want to go to the toilet as far away from their food and sleeping quarters as possible, but they don’t know that they should be doing it outside. Your Staffy may be doing their best, but if they aren’t taught to prefer the outdoors, they’ll make do where they can. 

Whenever your Staffy has an accident, immediately interrupt them and quickly take them outside to their designated toilet spot. Punishment is not the answer here – yelling or getting frustrated with your dog will only make them fearful of going to the toilet! 

If they continue and finish their business in the proper place, reward them with both treats and praise. This solidifies the connection in their brain that going to the toilet in the proper area will mean that they are rewarded. It may take a while for them to learn to do it consistently, but after a few weeks, most dogs will prefer to go to the toilet outdoors.