THE AMSTAFF EXPLAINED

FAQ
Questions and Answers on Buying, Showing, Training and Breeding

Q. I see American Staffordshire Terriers advertised for $200. If I only want a pet why shouldn't I buy it instead of spending a lot of money.

A. Who says it IS an American Staffordshire Terrier. The smarties know the Trading Post will not advertise Pit Bull Terriers so advertise them as Amstaffs. Most Councils will insist on doing a property inspection and will advise you that you are not able to take a Pit Bull into a public place (the street) without a muzzle. It is a dangerous dog. Again the smarties say it is an Amstaff to avoid this. All dogs and semen imported into Australia came with registration papers. All progeny sold from those dogs were sold with registration papers. If the owner cannot produce the papers for both parents or the papers for the dam and an official signed Service Certificate from the owner of the sire then you are not getting a purebred American Staffordshire Terrier. If you buy such a dog you can be legally liable for the consequences should it attack anyone. That person could be your child.

Q. What about health testing?

A. Some breeders are health screening their dogs but generally speaking, the majority of dogs imported are not carrying any health problems as the parents of the progeny were already health screened. Some breed faults are cosmetic only and while they affect the show career of an animal, they do not affect their value as a pet. It is not my place to state here which lines have defects but I will be more than happy to discuss in private any particular health faults you may have heard about should I be able to assist. If you are looking for a breeder in your area please contact the American Staffordshire Terrier Club The dogs I am breeding from have not as yet been health screened but there has been no history of any genetic disease in a six year stud career of the father of my bitches. On the other hand I do know some people who have had their dogs health screened clear of certain diseases and had other problems. In many breeds there are genetic markers which can be located in the animal and it can then be stated categorically that the animal is free from a particular disease. There are no such genetic markers in Amstaffs so health screening can only be used as a guide.

Q How do I get my pup to come when it is called?

Puppies naturally crave human company. They love affection. This is the easiest one of all. Get some food say the pup's name followed by the word "Come" The puppy will come running. Give it the food. Walk away and repeat the process. After a few days your puppy will be trained. Do this in the house first then in the back yard, then in the street. A few days now will save you a lifetime of headaches.

 

Q How do I go about house training and getting my Amstaff to behave ?

A. Most Amstaffs are very strong willed and need you to be strong willed as well. Amstaff puppies are very cheeky and like naughty children will push you to the limits to see what they can get away with. Being a bull breed they also have a high pain tolerance so giving them a light smack will do them no harm but will sent a message. Having the privilege of raising two Amstaffs from puppyhood has taught me that perseverance and a stern attitude are required. Using positive reinforcement alone does not work. The Amstaff pup needs to know it has done wrong when it does so. Having said this I have seen dogs that have been ruined by excessive discipline. This I do not advocate. Start with firm words. Say "NO" or "Bad Dog" when the pup misbehaves and make sure you start from day one. If the pup continues, say No again and remove them from the environment. If it is toilet training, again say bad dog, Show them what they have done and take them out side. They will either associate that they should 'go' outside or that doing wrong will mean they end up outside. Each time the pup does well, give them heaps of affection and say "good dog" Hopefully they will soon learn, however, if stern words are not enough then you will need to increase the incentive and give them a light smack on the rump as you say "NO" In most case this together with the positive reinforcement will see your pup house trained and hopefully not chewing what they shouldn't be chewing in no time.

Q. I see a lot of ads for dog training schools. Do they work?

A. The feedback I have is No! Most people complain they were offered a one, two or three week full time course and told their dog will be trained in that time. This is rubbish. Most come back worse off as the dog is immediately stressed from being taken from his familiar loving environment and and given a new set of commands which differ from those the owner has been using. They are also very expensive. Young pups respond best. Train them from the moment they get home a few minutes at a time and they will learn quickly. As they mature they will become more strong willed and it will be more difficult to train them. Still, as with puppies, short sessions repeated several times are better than long sessions. There is no way you get your money's worth by a trainer having your dog full time as most of the dogs time is spent locked in a run and that is definitely not worth paying for.