No, not at all commenting about the combination, springhill. Rather, that both breeds are - in different ways - inclined to be strong natured: therefore they need to be well trained in order to be a polite member of your household and when out in public.
The Border Collie is a working dog so needs to have the challenge of 'a job to do'.
If not trained, they can become escape artists in order to chase cars, people, other dogs, anything. The Staffy is less that way inclined but can sometimes really dislike other dogs so you need to watch for any aggression and curtail it.
There are different views about puppy classes. Personally, I'd never put my puppy in them because they are usually pretty unstructured and the puppies are encouraged to roll around and play with one another. Now, you might think, hey that's a really good thing for their social development, but you have to balance that up against the puppy getting the idea that it's always good to rush up and engage with every other canine creature it sees when you begin to take it out in public. This can be very difficult to counteract and will depend on your puppy's basic disposition.
Example: I've had German Shepherds for 35 years. They are usually a pretty reserved breed and as a rule have much more interest in their owner than in other dogs. Consequently they are pretty easy to train. However, my current girl has been quite the opposite and is immensely social. So I've had a really hard time discouraging her from a determination to make friends with every person and every dog she encounters.
You might think that it's really nice that your dog is so friendly, but many other dog owners simply do not want your dog pestering their dog. You will find plenty of opportunities for your puppy/dog to play with dogs belonging to your friends etc in controlled circumstances.
You want to train your dog to walk calmly at heel beside you, knowing he/she will not suddenly rush off to meet another dog/chase a bird etc. Apart from the obedience factor, an impulsive dog can cause harm to itself or others.
With apologies if you already know about pack structure, this is fundamental to your relationship with and training of your dog. The dog is a pack animal and absolutely requires a pack leader. So far this is its mother. When it comes into your home you have to become the pack leader and set boundaries for it.
You need to decide where the puppy will sleep. In a cosy basket, or padded dog bed in your bedroom will help the puppy settle. If you're not comfortable with this, make a warm and comfortable place in the laundry or other suitable small room. Hopefully you won't want to put the puppy outside by himself. Be firm about where he sleeps. He shouldn't be allowed to decide for himself e.g. that he will sleep on the sofa!
Do not allow the puppy on your bed. This is in his mind elevating him to human status and will be a powerful message to him as to his status if you let it happen.
And yes, it's really difficult to resist this with that cute, cuddly little thing.
I'm assuming the puppy is going to be in the house with you.
If you have carpeted areas, the easiest thing is to get large pieces of plastic and lay over the carpet, anchoring firmly with furniture. Until you get the pup trained, he will simply go when and where he feels like it.
If you don't do this and he does go on carpet,
do not get angry with him, especially if it's after the event. If you see him about to go or starting, say a very loud NO! and just pick him up - midstream if necessary - and take him outside and put him down where you want him to go.
I have an area covered with smallish stones, about 3 metres or so square and this is the dog's toilet area. It's easily hosed down and avoids those hideous yellow patches on your lawn if you have one.
The puppy's bladder is very small and he will need to go about every two hours.
He will also usually go when he wakes up and after eating and drinking.
So, decide where you want him to go and just pick him up and put him on this area with whatever word you decide to use, e.g. "toilet, Rover". Let him sniff around and wait for a while, but if he clearly is not going to go, go and do something else with him and then put him back there in half an hour or so. Keep doing this until he does go. Then, in a hugely delighted, high voice give him heaps of praise and maybe a small food reward.
Don't ever have a conversation with your dog. They don't understand English and you don't understand Dog. What they respond to is your tone of voice and body language.
A good example of this is when a dog is afraid of thunder. Many owners cuddle the shaking, terrified animal, making what they think are soothing, comforting reassurances. e.g. "it's all right, Rover, it will all go away soon, you're quite safe here with me". Do not do this. The dog just perceives your 'reassuring' tone of voice as your approval of what it is doing and you will further cement his reaction to storms.
Instead, act as if nothing unusual is happening, adopt a bright, cheerful tone and divert the dog to something else. e.g. get a toy out and play with him, roll a ball along the floor etc.
There's a bloke I walk past often who stands outside his house with a miniature Dachsund on a lead. When we approach, my dog is calmly walking beside me, not going anywhere near the small dog. The small dog, however, barks furiously.
The owner says "it's all right, ratface, the nasty big dog isn't going to hurt you, daddy is here looking after you" and other such garbage.
What that owner should be doing is saying to his dog a very loud NO! and then giving the dog a command to SIT and then enforce it.
His nonsensical murmurings to the dog are totally reinforcing its current behaviour.
If you are consistent and patient with your puppy in the above toilet training, he will catch on quickly and will be trained for life to go when and where you want him to.
This, particularly if it's a male, is way better than having the dog stop at every lamp post when you're out walking.
There will be accidents inside the house. Do not get cross and do not punish the puppy for this. Just clean it up without comment. If he does go on carpet, just blot immediately with plenty of paper towels. Do not rub. Then saturate the carpet with soda water, blot with fresh paper towels to absorb but leave area wet. It will dry with no stain and no odour. Do not use bleach, detergent or carpet shampoo.
I have even got liquid diarrhoea type poo off cream carpet with this method.
Sorry to probably give you more than you ever wanted to know, springhill. Hope it's useful. I'm pretty passionate about dogs being properly trained.
And you can start training him right from the start to get the idea of walking at heel.
Put a little soft collar or small slip chain on him and for just a few minutes at a time encourage him to walk at your left side, staying level with you, not pulling ahead, and then when you stop walking gently push his bottom down while saying "Sit". They learn this easily and it's setting the foundation for having an adult dog which walks calmly beside you, off a lead, automatically stopping and sitting each time you stop walking, ignoring all distractions.
Keep us posted on how you're going. Puppies are gorgeous, such fun. Just remember that you are the boss and that is what they need. This co-exists perfectly with giving your puppy all the love and affection it needs.
There's a great little book called "Who's the Boss" by dog trainer Val Bonney.
You can order it from Val at
http://www.bonnies.com.au/
PS Do not take your puppy out to public areas until he/she has had the 12 week vaccination. Not safe from parvo etc until that time.
All the best
Julia