Staffordshire Bull Terriers can look quite intimidating. In spite of their appearance, however, these dogs have a very exuberant and loving nature. And just like any other dog breeds, they can be loyal to a fault. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are sometimes trained to be fighting dogs, but they can also be wonderful to raise as family pets. It is very important that you take the proper approach to Staffordshire Bull Terrier training because this dog breed can be very strong and energetic despite being small. The good thing is that these dogs are also quite intelligent, thus making training a relatively easy task.

Why You Must Keep A Routine

When you begin Staffordshire Bull Terrier training, you will have to establish a routine and be sure to stick to it. Your dog has to be fed, taken for a walk, and put to bed at about the same times each day. These dogs thrive on routine and tend to get nervous when their routine is disrupted. Staffordshire Terriers love taking food from a person's hand, but they sometimes snatch at the food as a sign of dominance. You will have to curb this behaviour at the earliest opportunity and teach your dog to take food gently from your hand.

Leash Training Is Key

A leash can be very useful in Staffordshire Bull Terrier training. As previously mentioned, these dogs can be very strong, which means that they can actually injure you or drag the leash out of your hands when they are full-grown. That is why it is very important to leash train your Terrier while it is still a puppy. A chest harness is the best choice of leash for your Staffordshire Terrier. It is very comfortable for the dog and gives you a lot more control than a standard collar and leash.

To Play Or Not To Play?

Dog toys are also very useful in Staffordshire Bull Terrier training. This dog breed loves to chew things and they are likely to chew on clothing and furniture unless you give them their very own chew toys. In choosing chew toys for your dog, make sure that they are durable. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a very strong jaw, which can destroy fragile dog toys, leaving your dog in danger of choking on the pieces. Issue a firm NO when you catch your dog chewing on furniture or pieces of clothing and then give him a chew toy. This should help him understand that there are things that are okay for him to chew and those that are off limits.

Socialization

Socialization is also an important part of Staffordshire Bull Terrier training. That is because these dogs can be quite aggressive towards other dogs, even when they are very friendly and gentle with people. You'll have to teach your dog that the presence of other animals is normal and not something that they should get overly anxious about. When your dog shows the first signs of attacking another dog, immediately give a sharp NO and then pull him away. In the same way, reward him immediately if he sees another dog and remains calm. When trained properly, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can definitely become the kind of pets you can be proud of.