Top Activities For An English Bull Staffy

Introduction

Ask any owner of an English Bull Staffy what training can do for a dog and you’ll be treated to a long and impassioned explanation of how a doggo bred for fighting can become a loyal and loving family companion. These puppers are super kid-friendly -- though they won’t tolerate tail-pulling, any member of the household that treats them well is a treasured member of their pack. They’ve even earned themselves the title of "nanny dog"!

There’s nothing an English Bull Staffy likes more than spending time with those they love, so be prepared to give these doggos plenty of love and affection -- they don’t do very well on their own! They’re also energetic little critters who need quite a bit of exercise. Read on to find the best ways to spend active, quality time with your canine companion.

Build a Digging Pit

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

2 - 4 hrs

Items needed

Boards

Treats

Sand

Shovel

Activity description

Make no bones about it -- English Bull Staffies definitely love to dig! This means that you should pay particular care and attention to your fence posts, but there are ways to avoid holes in your yard without discouraging the behavior completely. Digging is a totally natural thing for dogs to do, after all!

Making a digging pit in your backyard is a paw-fect way to keep your furry friend happy without sacrificing your lawn or sanity. Sure, you’ll need to put in a little time and energy, but your doggo will certainly thank you for it in the long run.

Step

1

Construct the pit

The first step in building a digging pit is to make sure that the area is clearly marked. You don’t want your dog to dig outside the boundaries! Using some wood, cinderblocks or whatever’s lying around, clearly mark out an area about two to three meters squared. Next, you’ll need to dig a hole in the area. Don’t worry -- you won’t need to go too deep! After this, fill the hole in with sand or loose soil.

Step

2

Direct your dog's digging

Your buddy will need to know that this is the only area they're allowed to dig in, and to do that, you’ll first have to attract their attention. Bury some smelly treats in the pit -- they shouldn’t need too much encouragement to dig them up! Over the next few days, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on your pooch. Every time they start to dig elsewhere, redirect them back to the pit. Throwing a toy in will usually work, but you may have to physically move them. Remember to be gentle with the redirection -- English Bull Staffies are pretty sensitive. Give it a week or so -- your fur-ball will soon pick it up!

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DIY Spa Day

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Dog shampoo

Towel

Soft-bristled brush

Activity description

If there’s one thing that an English Bull Staffy likes more than digging, it’s receiving affection. As you might have gathered, these pups might look tough, but they’re massive softies who need all the love!

An at-home spa day is a furrific way to show your pooch you care. Not only will you cut out the cost of a grooming parlor, but you’ll also have plenty of bonding time and hands-on contact with your buddy. Plus, spending time with a happy doggo is pretty relaxing in and of itself -- you might feel your own stress melting away!

It’s best to set the scene first. Decide on where you’re going to do your treatments -- the bathroom is probably a good choice -- and put on some relaxing music. Maybe even light some candles (but if you do, keep them out of your dog’s reach).

Step

1

Massage

A massage is a pawesome place to start your pampering! First, you’ll need to pet your pup gently all over their body. This is particularly important if you’re massaging your dog for the first time -- it’ll get them used to you touching them, and give you a good idea of any no-go areas. For the massage itself, you can use a circular motion or just rub them the same way you usually pet them, but with a little more pressure. Every pup will have their preference! Start with your buddy’s back and neck first before moving on to the legs and chest area. Pay attention to your pooch's reactions and adjust your technique accordingly.

Step

2

Give them a warm bath

Luckily, many English Bull Staffies love the water, so it shouldn’t be too much of a struggle to get them clean! Investigate the products you use carefully. It’s best to use a special dog shampoo, or to make your own using natural ingredients like baking soda or vinegar (NEVER together). Baby shampoo will do in a pinch.

Step

3

Brush down and towel off

English Bull Staffies have very short hair, so this step shouldn’t take you too long! Towel off your pooch thoroughly -- you don’t want to end up with wet dog smell all over your couch. When you’re brushing your pupper’s coat, using a soft bristle brush or grooming glove is a good idea. Your canine companion doesn’t have a lot of hair to protect their sensitive skin from hard bristles or comb teeth.

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Fetch Race

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Ball

Activity description

English Bull Staffies are active little guys, and they’re going to need an average of sixty minutes exercise a day. Daily walks might just about cut it, but they’ll be a lot happier with something a little more intense! Plus, the more playtime these mischievous fur-balls get with you, the better.

Fetch race differs from classic fetch in one key respect -- you’ll have to race your dog to get the ball! Of course, this will require a little more input on your part. If you’re not really the running type, you may just need to stick to tossing the ball instead.

Step

1

Toss the ball

You’ll need to find a wide, open space for this activity, so if you’re not lucky enough to have a large back yard, be sure to pick a park in your area that’s fit for purpose. Pick your English Bull Staffy’s favorite ball or fetch toy, and throw it as far as you can!

Step

2

Run!

Once you’ve left the ball go, tear on after it alongside your buddy! If you get there first, throw the ball away again. Your pupper might get a little confused the first time that they catch it -- they might not be sure whether or not to let it go. Hopefully at this point, your doggo has a good grasp of the "drop it" command. Give them the signal the first couple of times, and it won’t be long before they get the hang of it!

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More Fun Ideas...

Hiking

Explore nature with your best friend by your side! Just be sure to investigate your state park, open space or preserve of choice to make sure the trails are Fido-friendly.

Puppy Play Party

You might have gathered by now that English Bull Staffies are far more friendly than they look -- when it comes to humans, that is. It can take them quite a while to warm up to other doggos! They’ll require early socialization, and the dog park probably isn’t the best place to start. Why not ask some fellow pet parents to bring their pups to your place? That way, your four-pawed pals can get to know each other in an environment where your English Bull Staffy feels safe.

Conclusion

Some people might find English Bull Staffies to be a little needy, but they aren’t too hard to keep entertained! All they need is your presence by their side and a little exercise. These five activities are guaranteed to make your English Bull Staffy one happy pup indeed -- you'd have to be barking mad not to try them!