xxlynne
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Bobby Staffie 07.08 Andover DorsetBobby is young, lively, longer legged staffie. This is what they are calling the 'London' Staffie. Bobby is needing a safe loving area in which to explore his energy and develop skills with a keen and loving family. Ask a family to take on a 4 month pup, OK, not too big an issue. Ask the same audience to take on a young 9-14 month dog and try not to blink ... You'll feel a rush of wind and your voice will echo in a now emptied room!
 
 
Bobby wants to meet dogs and probably will play and play, given the chance as his energy is very receptive. He is a little leapy and his first thought of a lead is "this looks exciting let me chew it". If only you could show people the dog in 4 yrs time and the fun they could have in the meantime! Very well meaning, but confused by direction. Treats will win through ... next time I will be going with a pocket full!
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ali12345
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Marie a new walker took Bobby out today, hopefully she will post when she has registered. Getting the harness on Bobby was a little bit of a challenge but we got there - so much energy. He did settle eventually though and was then quite calm. A very sweet boy, very puppy like in his behaviour, but with the right input will improve. His social skills need some work, he was a bit of an unruly teenager around the majestic Tiger Lily, but not aggressive. Another boy who in excitement can chew leads so needs a chain lead for safety until he settles more. Another very handsome boy.
Alison
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xxlynne
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Oh Bobby..aptly named oh how he needs a jogging partner!
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EmmaSemple
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Bobby is undergoing some very intensive training at the kennels. He is the boy that I have asked all staff to concentrate their energies on because this unruly teenager needs some manners!
Bobby likes to boing! He wants to be near to you and has such a rush of energy when being near the thing he loves the most (people) that the only way of him expressing his puppy love is to jump...in front of you...very high...over and over again. What Bobby does not realise is that he is no lightweight and quite a solid boy.
Rachel received the energies of his love on Sunday when he boinged into her face and although he meant no harm, it hurt! This afternoon he jumped into my kneecap on an upward boing and I honestly thought that he had dislocated my knee! All he wants is attention, but he has absolutely no clue how to get it properly!
Bobby does not puppy mouth at all so the rules should be pretty easy to follow...
Bobby is now on a strict training programme. He is no longer allowed to bounce up at people. It is totally unacceptable and he needs to strictly be told 'Stay down!' and 'Sit!'. This has to be done by one hand holding his collar and then other places firmly on his back end. He does actually know the command 'sit' he just chooses to ignore it.
He is not allowed to push out of the gate or through the gate. He has to sit and wait for the gate to be opened and the handler go through first. If he tries to move then the handler will need to go back to the original place and get him to sit again. This may take many attempts, but he will learn that if he doesn't listen then he will be going nowhere!
If Bobby is taken for a walk out of the kennel premises he walks behind other dogs. He is no longer the leader and needs to understand that. At the moment he likes to push ahead of the pack and lead. Not anymore I am afraid!!!
If he is having free run with people in the field then any bouncing gets the same response and that is, hand on collar and sit. He is allowed to play and have fuss but on the handlers terms, not his!
Bobby only gets fuss when all four feet are on the ground. He is not allowed to jump up against people and definately no bouncing off of people. He may find that exercise times are quite boring for the next week or so, but if he doesn't learn some manners soon he is going to do someone or himself an injury...not through aggression but through sheer happiness!
Could anybody who wants to walk Bobby please stick within these guidelines as ALL handlers must treat him the same? The secret with this dog in continuity. He will only learn if he is trained the same by everyone.
Please do not jog with Bobby as this is high energy and at this stage he needs calm.
Bobby can be treat trained, but with low additive treats. No Bakers treats or treats that are brightly coloured. He has been moved onto James Wellbeloved as that food is additive free. Highly strung dogs are like highly strung children. Giving them pretty coloured treats is like giving a nutty kiddie a glass of coca-cola!
As long as all the above is followed then Bobby should quickly learn to become a far easier to handle dog. He is just a baby at the moment and keen to soak up knowledge.
Emma
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EmmaSemple
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Well, it has certainly proved today what I was thinking all along! Bobby is actually bright! 
Since training started yesterday he has come on in just 24 hours. He very meekly came out of the kennel first thing this morning. He glanced up at me and I just noticed his front feet skip up in the air in my direction. The command 'Don't you dare!' is understood by him now. He did a bit of a bounce at the kennel gate (he knows that his breakfast is in there!) and mmediately it was bum on floor, hand on collar and a strict command 'Stay!' Which he did!!! 
When he was released from sit, he slinked off with a slight glare behind him in my direction, but I am made of tougher stuff than that I am afraid Bobby!
This afternoon he came out at scooping time. Before, he spent the whole of scooping time bouncing up like a jack-in-the-box in front of you, but when he saw that I was doing the scooping, it was almost like a frustrated sigh and instead of bothering to try and be face height he proceeded to bound around the paddock in a big circle which was great as he ran off some excess energy.
When it was dinner time, he was told to sit and wait outside the kennel gate before access being allowed and instead of headbutting that gate and covering himself with his water bowl, he graciously sat, waited and was very grateful for the 'Ok' command which meant he could enter the kennel.
Finally all the dogs had a treat today in the form of pigs ears and bulls pizzles thanks to Aunty Dee. Bobby had to work for his and learnt the command 'Leave it!' very quickly. He was drooling with expectation once he realised that a very large treat (a pigs ear) was on its way to his belly. He immediately jumped up in the air in sheer joy towards it...but that is not acceptable is it Bobby???
So, he was made to sit, stay, wait and leave it. You could just see his bum itching to leap onto it, but I will give him his due. This only took three attempts and he was trying every trick that he obviously ever learnt to get this ear! He was rolling over, giving me one paw, giving me the other...every trick that entered his head was trialled for the tasty treat. Finally there it was sitting in the corner of his kennel, he was sitting there, drool falling out of his mouth and there was the command 'Ok!' On it he pounced and I think this may have been the most enjoyable (and hardest to get) treat he has ever eaten!
Emma
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ali12345
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Great work Emma and Bobby!
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marzipanchan
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Bobby, Winnie and Jessie (Jet)Jessie(formerly known as Jet)
I was lucky enough to walk beautiful Jessie on Tuesday (9th June). I walked her with Alfie (Jessica the volunteer walked Alfie). We walked to the cafe and back. Jessie didn't like the traffic very much and probably needs to get used to the noise, so it is probably better to take her the quieter route through away from traffic. She walks well with Alfie(who is also lovely and so gentle and docile!)
Jessie is such an affectionate dog, a real sweetheart and I wanted to take her home! she is full of kisses and love for you, even it is the first time she has met you. She has a very gentle nature and I love her!
Bobby and Winnie
Although both have a lot of energy, Bobby seems to calm down after a bit. Winnie takes a bit longer to calm down and I think she would benefit for longer walks perhaps?
Bobby is very sweet and affectionate. He likes his cuddles and although needs work I think he is a clever boy,. I hope I can walk them again as Im sure with a bit more time and love, they will improve! 
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xxlynne
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Bobby was very quiet in the crate on the journey to the vets yesterday and on the way back. Probably worried, probably had every right to be..but now its done. Snipped and ready for his new life just his family to find now!
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EmmaSemple
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Bobby was all back to normal today and has got over his op. I am happy to say that he did not jump up at anyone even once today. He WANTED to but controlled himself well.
Emma
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newie244
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BobbyBobby boy was my first walk today, not having met him before I hadn't had a chance to read the earlier comments.
He was very keen to go 'walkies' in the kennel, very bouncy, not aggressive at all but just energetic. Eventually with a stern word from Rachel he calmed down enough to slip into the harness, we went out
with Cassie (and Zoe).
On the walk, Bobby was initially very bouncy, trying to chew his lead, when he realised chewing metal hurts he stopped. He kept trying to get Cassie to play but she was the perfect lady and politely declined. After a short time Bobby calmed down and peace was restored, he would 'sit' when there was a possibility of a treat, but otherwise would just stand a look blankly at me, quite the opposite of Cassie, we did sit down and have a nice fuss at the turn round point.
Having now read the previous posts I'll endeavour to stick to the rules and hopefully Booby will be snapped up by someone soon.
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newie244
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BobbyReally lively in the kennel when I approached today, you could see him shaking with excitement.
Responded well to a stern 'sit' in the kennel so it was much easier to get the harness on today. Once outside was jumping up trying to chew the metal lead, out on the walk, which was hot today, was very well behaved, every time he thought about having a chew of the lead a stern 'leave it' deterred his desire.
The heat seemed to dampen his spirit today so we only did a short walk, when I stopped to water him he spent lots of time rolling over on the verge.
Once back within the kennel grounds he suddenly became bouncy again, I was much firmer with him today, and he did seem to understand 'down'.
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xxlynne
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Bobby you were fantastic today. Usual struggle to get over the hyper-emotion of approaching his kennel; going inside with a lead and harness and asking for the tiniest co-operation from him to get him ready ... Sargent Major voice bellowing out at full volume and we've achieved the first part of the mission. Joined Tiger Lily outside and fell into a lively walk which soon became 'lovely' and stayed 'lovely'.
Harness was perfect for him
Bobby didn't jump up
He respected Tiger Lily
He focused on the road
He acknowledged all company but maturely so.
Kate took the reigns beautifully...
all this was going on while I had been priming them to the fact Bobby is your typical boisterious Staffie who has not had clear messages and hasn't learn to 'hear' ... ehh I just stopped talking and double checked in my mind "approaching Bobby in Bobby's kennel, yep, this was definitely Bobby... Emma the lad is coming thru!!!
Oh yes he did meet some Horses. Here he is watching Tiger Lily's encounter and then the gentle touch.
 
Bobby was very curious about them, a few licks ... and then the intensity in the eyes and as I suspected a kiss-nip. No damage done, but horses head removed! He was told No! perhaps another time to horse socialise! Lets head on back to base-camp.
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ali12345
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Yes Bobby is such a different boy out of kennels. Julia walked him on Friday and around the kennel environment he was the bouncy, unfocussed Bobby but once out on the road with good leadership he was so under control. Very trainable lad. Lovely behaviour at the cafe even with the distraction of Buster being a little overexcited and walking past him a few times. So much potential.
alison
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blupu
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I also agree with the stark comparison of kennel Bobby and non-kennel Bobby, having walked him today. Out of kennels he is so calm, still has his fantastic personality which honestly makes me smile so much, he really makes me laugh out of all the dogs and I always enjoy walking him because of that. Even in kennels, you can't help but laugh a bit at how crazily excited and happy he is about the potential of a walk and human contact. I also got to witness the 'Bobby-shake-of-joy'!! But once out (especially in the heat today), he was very calm and laid back and we had a limp lead hanging between us most of the way. Gorgeous, lovely boy.
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EmmaSemple
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Bobby reminds me of a couple of the other long termers that we have in. Chancer, Taz and Rodney come to mind.
When you approach him all you see is a nutty, bouncy boy, but when you actually get to know him and realise exactly what a wonderful dog he is (as with the above dogs) then you get to understand that he is not mentally insane! He is just a normal Staffie who feels the only way to get a persons attention is to jump up and down, bark and demand.
Get him out of that kennel and he is far calmer. A bit of bouncing, but a stern voice and strong body language and he focusses and enjoys himself.
Sadly, as with all of the above dogs, only the rescue people, kennel staff and dog walkers get to see this side of them due to the silence of no enquiries. 
I have every faith in this boy. The person that gets to adopt him will be over the moon with him. He is a very amenable boy and extremely interested in making friends with everyone (people and dogs alike).
Emma
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ali12345
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Julia took Bobby again today and again he was more of a problem in the kennel area than on the walk. He really tried his best to be good walking but Zack was determined to get him into mischief! Zack and Bobby have really hit it off nicely. No photos unfortunately but today Bobby was nibbling Zack's ears, face, neck and licking his mouth at the cafe - really lovely interaction. Needed a little correction so he didn't get too enthusiastic and stand on him. But was polite and waited until Zack had sniffed the wall until he had his turn. Puppy behaviour but real signs of being good with other dogs if he gives it all time and thought. Bobby is a great dog in the making.
Alison
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EmmaSemple
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Bobby has found a brother!
Ernie was returned to kennels today from foster care and him and Bobby had a great time belting round the paddock and having a great time!
Bobby got a little randy every now and then, but this wasn't enough to put Ernie off of trying to sneak into his kennel to try and share his bed!
We are going to work on trying to pair these boys as it would be great for each of them to have company. Its a lonely life in a kennel. 
Emma
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jm
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BobbyTook Bobby out with Ernie today. He behaved beautifully - got harness/lead on in no time, and on return he trotted straight into his kennel. His new mate is obviously a good influence.
He's a lovely, lovely boy.
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EmmaSemple
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Let me show you why these boys were so happy to see each other...
Ernie has the red collar, Bobby is dressed in blue.
Emma
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ali12345
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What a lovely film of these 2 boys having such fun. Bobby was very good today and now we know why! Pure joy to live and play.
Alison
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xxlynne
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Bobby out on his walk yesterday. I didn't witness one jump up..Bobby has come on a treat..look how well he stands, truly a star.
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xxlynne
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Jm comes and religiously walks Bobby every Saturday. It is so lovely to see the bond that has developed between them see above. There she was today equipping the lad which is a feat in itself. On the return we met Bobby and I releived JM of Bobby so he could walk with a interested family. Can't tell you how close it was today for Bobby..but Ernie tipped him at the post by a quarter of a small Kong! Bobby is so ripe for homing..and could easily live with another dog just needs to learn to let them be..he so wants to play or lick their muzzle.
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jm
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BobbyBobby was a bit excited when I took him out on Saturday. he calmed down eventually and we again had a lovely walk. I took him further than usual to give him time to chill. He soon got the hang of negotiating stiles - crawing under the fence on his tummy & waiting patiently for me on the other side while I clambered over. We had a sit in the shade while he stretched on his back against my leg for a tummy rub. Was so hoping that might have done the trick. He is such a good boy
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jm
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bobby
Took Bobby out for a walk on Friday and Saturday. On both days he was very excited initially, but did morph into absolutely lovely Bobby after calming down. He is always attentive once out of kennel mode and walks to heel without pulling. He nudges your leg every so often to remind you that he's there and being such a good boy. On our stop & rest point on Saturday he lay down against my leg again for a tummy tickle, but before long had snuggled up onto my knee.
I managed to get this nice pic of him. (many thanks to my son for showing me how to post it)
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Sharonr - Admin
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Tks jm! Let your son know that I use these posts with photos on other sites and they could be just what gets Bobby his home. Keep them coming and thank you
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jm
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bobby
Walked Bobby today - after usual departure routine he morphed into lovely Bobby. Pic to prove it! He is so loveable.
I lay down on the grass to try to get a better photo, and he crawled right up to me on his tummy to give me some nice wet Staffie kisses.
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xxlynne
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YES Today Bobby charmed his way into Pete's heart and they drove off into the sunset...without a backward glance. Home Jeeves!
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ali12345
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Well done Bobby but Julia is going to miss you!
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xxlynne
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Feedback Bobby has settled amazingly well and enjoyed a long walk. His owners slept downstairs with him last night and he was out like a log!
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jm
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Bobby...The magic potion worked!!!!!
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Dee
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And hot off the press :
Hi Dee
Just wanted to drop a line. As you may remember i collected Bobby from your rescue centre near Croydon two weeks ago tomorrow.
He has settled in really well and is a real character now. He gets three walks a day and loves to chase and fetch a ball.
I am still training him but he will always come back when called, providing he does not have to much to distract him.
He is a very intelligent boy and learns very quickly.
Once again thank you for enabling us to give a dog a good home.
I wonder if poor old Charlie has been taken yet? I hope so he deserves a good home too.
Many Thanks
Pete n Jen
What a wonderful family for our lovely Bobby to be part of. Such a little star. So very pleased for him
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Sharonr - Admin
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Here is an update and photos from Peter, Bobby's owner ...
"I have attached a couple of photo's of Bobby after his last walk today, they are not very good ones, but I now know how to upload better photo's when i get them.
He has made friends with a huge (43kg) Doberman called Duke whom he plays with on his afternoon walk, usually for about an hour; they are both as gentle as lambs and shattered after playtime is over.
Bobby is so good with other dogs. When we go to Wales later in year i will send some photo's of Bobby mountain climbing
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xxlynne
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One loved dog!
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Dee
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Well our Bobby has been off on his hols. Went to the Snowdonian mountains - alright for some, eh?
Can not get over just how stunning he looks, know you will all agree :
And after all that excercise ....
One very happy and loved dog!! Just perfect
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Sharonr - Admin
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A dream come true
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