Claireb

Have a look at Robson's comments on the sufc website after every game, I'm sure they just change the name of the opposition and stick the same 'we need to put a run of results together' post up! Funniest thing was Beattie saying today they are still hoping to make the playoffs??!!!! Listening to Radio Sheffield it sounds like our fans are getting behind the team tonight, but it's hard when your watching rubbish like they're producing at the minute, it's about time they give the fans something back

I have a 5 month old staffie pup and he is already very strong! You can't take the power of staffies for granted, they are a pure muscle and can easily knock you over or drag you along if they're not controlled properly. They are very quick learners, but you need to teach them who's the boss from day one or they'll walk all over you! Max is very good around other dogs as we've socialised him from as early as possible, and he is playful but gentle around kids. There is no chance I would leave him alone around kids, but I wouldn't leave ANY dog alone with kids regardless of the breed and it's wrong to judge any dog on that kind of thing, any dog can turn on someone and any responsible dog owner would not risk it. So many people have asked me if Max is a pit bull or 'one of those dogs who attack kids', lots of people look down their nose at him, or even at ME sometimes when I am walking him, and its such a shame. All Max wants is to cuddle and kiss you! I can understand it when you see all the chavs and idiots who bring them up to be agressive - I saw some bouncers in town a few weeks ago with one and when I said how gentle they are one hit the dog across the face and said ' well this ones going to be a killer' and laughed. All I can say is please judge a dog on it's own merit and not on it's reputation, there are lots of very responsible staffie owners out there who are raising well behaved, well adjusted family dogs, and I'm so proud of Max when he proves everyone wrong! x

Sorry I've not been around to reply, but thanks so much to you all for your help. We have had people at the house all weekend and he's not been too bad, but I feel a little bit better now I know I'm not on my own! I think most of my panic stems from the fact he's a staffie - I can just see that everyone is looking at him like he's going to be the most vicious dog ever when he's grown up, I am constantly telling my family that he is only a baby! People can be so judgemental of staffies

I hope someone can offer me some help or support cuz I'm getting a bit worried! My 12 wk old staffie puppy bites me and anyone else he comes into contact with almost constantly. I know he is still only very small, but I am mainly concerned that I'm not doing enough (or the right things) to discourage this behavior, as he is getting stronger (and his teeth sharper) by the day! He is now capable of giving you quite a nasty nip, as my 11 yr old nephew found out this afternoon when he bit his arm. I'm obviously very keen to get him out of doing this asap, I certainly don't want him to think he can do this as an adult dog. Up to now I have tried tapping him on the nose when he bites, tapping him on the bum, ignoring him for a few minutes, firmly saying no, and tonight I've had to put him in his crate for 10 minutes to calm down cuz he was really going for me (although in some of the books I have it says not to do this?). A friend of mine has 9 month old staffie bitch (mine is a dog), and she seems to think this is normal and he will grow out of it soon, but I'm not sure she realises how bad he actually is! Does anyone have any advice, or can anyone reasure me that this is actually normal and he will grow out of it?? Apart from the biting he is a dream and we don't have any others problems with him at all. Thanks xx

Geckos now sold thanks

2 x adult leopard geckos for sale, 1 male and 1 female - £70 Comes with: 1) large light oak effect vivarium (approx 35" long x 15" high x 15" deep) 2) light 3) heat mat 4) food & water dishes lots of accessories inc. care book, large bark tunnel and a cave for them to hide in, thermometer and some sand and substrate for the viv plus some other bits, these alone are worth quite a lot. The geckos are all ready to go and you won't need to buy anything else for them, they will just need some fresh crickets and meal worms to feed them, that's it! They are great pets and are very easy to look after, they are an excellent pet for first time reptile owners as they are quite tough too. PM me your email address if you would like to see some photos

I have just got a staffie puppy (he's 10 wks now) and spent a week or so weening him off the crap cheap food he was on when we got him onto Pedigree chum puppy pouches (and a few of the harder Pedigree puppy biscuits mixed in). He has basically gone mental since I gave him this, he is ridiculously hyper. This has only started since he's been on this food so I'm more or less sure it's down to that. I just wish I'd read this thread before getting him onto the pouches - I thought he would be ok with Pedigree but Ive basically got to start from scratch with something else now as I'm sure this is not doing him any good at all, god knows what rubbish is in them! I will try one of the better foods above and see how he goes with that.

Thanks everyone for your help, I really appreciate it! In answer to a couple of questions, I personally would consider a slightly older dog, but I think I would be even more concerned to leave them alone if they had already had some kind of routine in place, might this be even more of a shock for them? Also, I would also consider cats but I am allergic to them, so I can't do that! (for some reason I'm ok with dogs though, weird?!) I could also have the option of coming home at least once in the day and could possibly be flexible with my hours as I only work 5 minutes in a car away from home

Thanks for your advice Lotti, there is nothing better than help from people who have experience and know what they're talking about 'in reality'. The last thing I would want to do would be to put the puppy through any stress, and I will try to get hold of the book. Thanks x

Thanks, I have spoken to lots of people and done quite a bit of research, and most people have said that if the puppy is on it's own from the start it will be fine and won't know any different. If there was any way I could get round leaving it alone I would, but unfortunately I can't give up my full time job to look after my dog, and my circumstances won't change any time soon so it's this or nothing! Thanks for your advice

Hi, after some very careful consideration (of about 2 yrs!) I am on the verge of getting a boxer puppy. I know this is not ideal as I work full time, but I feel me and my partner still have a lot to offer a dog in the evenings and spending time together at the weekends. There are a few senarios I am considering for the hours the dog will be left on it's own, e.g having a kennel and run in the garden, leaving it alone in the house, and possibly having a dog walker, plus my sister may also be around some days to spend some time with it. I know most people will probably think that I shouldn't get a puppy if it will be left on it's own all day, but I am interested to find out what people think the best thing to do would be if I did go ahead?? PS. I can't consider an older dog as my partner is only comfortable around dogs he has know from pups

Hi DD, Shell's talked me into some tickets, she did her best puppy dog eyes!

I listened to Toby for the first time this morning, was laughing at the Daniel O Donnell fans! I've been to see him doing stand up twice, once at Leeds festival and once at the roundhouse and both times he cancelled, I think his wife was in labour both times?!

I used to work in the Mulberry before it closed down, I didn't see that much trouble but then I didn't have much fear at 18! The Cross Keys at Handsworth went down the pan a bit over the last year or so - not that it was anywhere near as rough as some places - it's closed down now, not sure if there's any plans to re-open it though?

Dead mans shoes really affected me for ages after I watched it, I don't think I could watch it again. Sounds stupid but the story line with Ben and Stella in Eastenders is upsetting me a lot at the moment, she is vile! My stomach physically tightens up when she comes on the screen!