Max

[urocyon]

Campbell McRichie--a.k.a. Max the Staffie--is here. We went to Grays to get him this evening. His previous humans were OK with Ingvar's (very reasonable) stipulation that if he and the cats have not made good progress toward getting used to each other within a week, Max goes back.

So far, not too bad. He's excitable and needs to learn the pack setup here. He did some dominance barking at Mirrors and chased Punkin earlier, when she came dashing through. I had to retrieve Mirrors from a curtain rod, but at least he does not seem to be feeling betrayed because we brought in the barky beast. He's been getting extra attention, which probably helps. Feist and Punkin are making themselves scarce for the moment, and Mirrors preferred to go outside after the last barking incident.

From what I've seen so far, the situation should settle down with a little acclimation and training. *crosses fingers* We were, of course, very careful observing before Max went off his lead--and I'm continuing to watch closely. He went back on the lead, after the barking. For the moment he's roaming at will, with it dangling. (Actually, right now, he's snoring in the hall.)

Good thing I've had some experience dealing with hyper and spoiled. :) He's still a bit unsettled, and has been whining some. Before bed, we get a longer walk, to tire him out and calm him some. We may try a crate for a couple of days--just to err on the side of caution, while he gets used to the idea of the cats--if he is not settled in better tomorrow.

Comments

[imafarmgirl.livejournal.com]

congrats on the new dog.

[urocyon-c.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think he'll be a good one, once he calms down some.

[gipsy-dreamer.livejournal.com]

Staffies are absolutely adorable! They're very good natured and gentle and so everything should settle down soon - I suspect the cats might take longer to settle than he will, but they'll get there :)

[urocyon-c.livejournal.com]

Yep, they're hard to resist. :) I got fond of them from living with B.B., who's a Lab/Staffie cross, but all Staffie in personality. Max is pretty nervous and hyper, but that can be dealt with. He seems to be a sweetie otherwise.

[gipsy-dreamer.livejournal.com]

I didn't know a lot about Staffies until we started staying at the B&B we favour in Cheltenham; the couple there had an elderly, doddery, soppy old sod named Bertie who had a really loud bark but didn't fool anyone (he tried to sound tough but the wagging tail gave him away)! He used to sit near anybody eating bacon in the breakfast room, and give them those big sad eyes that dogs are so good at - and he once managed to move a chair with a very large man sat on it because the man dropped a mushroom and Bertie wanted it (apparently even the man in question laughed).

Sadly, Bertie had to be put to sleep last October, but the couple who run the B&B decided to take a trip down the Animal Shelter "just for a look" and "accidentally" ended up with a young Staffie named Toby who will lick you to death as soon as look at you. Poor little fella is displaying behaviours that prove he was abused by his previous owner (how could anybody do something like that???) but he is a really sweet, loving dog and he's young enough that the couple can train him to settle down - and he loves meeting the guests (I got my face thoroughly washed last time we were there).

We don't have space for any pets at all here, but if there's ever a chance to have a dog then I think it would have to be a Staffie without question. They're so gentle and personable and I absolutely adore them :)