Need advice.. new here ..

[Melissa b]

Hi I came on here as I was looking for advice on my dog.. Long post sorry... I have a staffy cross jack Russell .. Max... I got him from a dogs home 5 years ago he was one then.. Anyway I've been having problems for a while but more so no hardest thing every buy I'm contemplating having too get rid.. When I got him he didnt even have a name and wasn't trained what so ever.. He'd never had an owner... We've trained him quite well I think... Anyway. He always stayed in our bed which is our mistake.. I'm currently six months pregnant so we've had to make a few changes I.e shutting our door at night. And putting a baby gate up in the living room to get him used to sleeping in the hall way .. We live In A flat... He's got used to sleeping there cryed at first but now he's fine.. Although we wake in the morning and he's peed on the floor.. Even though we let him out before we go to bed.. Its like he's doing it out if spite.. Because he's not allowed in the bedroom... When we go out I have to put a bin bag down on the floor as he used to pee and poo.. He's stopped poking now for at least a year... Although he is still peeing everytime were out.. He does it in the same spot every time... We go out and he howls for about an hour... Then gets the hint and sleeps... My carpet is stinking because of him I'm constantly scrubbing it.. Me and partner have been thinking of getting rid for a while now.. I know he will be fine with baby I have no doubt about this.. He's so loving... He is a good dog just very giddy... I don't want to get rid because I love him so much it will break me.. I just can't see any other option especially with a babynin the way... He malts all year round too this is also getting me down.... Other than that he's fine... Me and partner have said we will wait till the baby is here and if he even dares too pee up Moses basket pram etc he's out.. Wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can stop him peeing.. I'm prepares to put up with the hairs as I have done for five years.. And I know a lot of this isn't his fault as he never had any owner etc.. I just can't see any other way around this.. I think he has separation anxiety I know this but I've tried all sorts.. Thanks for any advice given and I hope someone replies as I'm desperate

 

[Melissa b]

This is Max

 

[Raven oaktree]

HI, what a heartbreaking post ..

Ok first things first, you need to clean the carpets with something that removes the smell properly as if he is peeing and pooing in the same spot he can still smell it.

I sounds like he does have separation anxiety..think of it from his point of view..he has been sleeping on the bed, allowed the run of the home, now he isnt and he dosent know why.

I dont think not having an owner for the first year will really make much of a difference now as you have had him 5 years. Staffies are sooooo loyal and loving to their owners, i would imagine these problems are worse because of the changes you have made and he just dosent understand...

You say he is 'giddy' is he walked enough? how long is he left alone?has he been neutered?

With the toilet training it sounds like you may need to start from scratch again, i can assure you he will not be weeing 'out of spite' because he cant come in the bedroom, its is more likely he is distressed at being seperated from you .

As regards the shedding..well dogs shed ..he has shed for the 5 years you have had him ..the joys of living wih dogs eh ?

You could try adding raw unprocessed coconut oil to his food, this can help with shedding. Both my dogs shed alot, my old boy is staffy/terrier/collie mix and my youngster is GSD x i brush them when we go on our walk so that gets rid of a lot of fur and i vacuum every day. A very good quality food can help with excessive shedding too.

http://everydayroots.com/pet-stain-and-odor-removal

 

[goldenbear2013]

Hi Melissa,

Having owned a staffy myself in the past this is clearly a case of seperation anxiety. He has been glued to you since you have had him and all of a sudden, you have removed him from you and his bed, which has caused major anxiety and stress, hence the peeing.

My advise would be to crate train him. Buy the crate and make it lovely and cosey with a blanket over the top so its like a den and he will feel safe and secure in it.

To introduce him to it, leave the door open all the time, pop a treat in there for him to chew on for a little bit until he sees that this is a positive place to be. Then close the door and leave him in there; staying in the room all the while.

Repeat the same process with the door shut but leave the room for a little bit, then a bit longer and so on. everytime you come back in the room and he hasnt soiled in his crate give him lots of praise.

Then it's bedtime practice. You may need to do this straight away if he is messing everywhere, so adopt the above method during the day and try this of a night time:

Crate in the bedroom, all nice and cosey next to your bed, door locked. He may whinge to start off with but he will settle so just ignore him. Do this for 2 weeks.

Then move the crate into the hallway outside your bedroom door so he can still see you but he is a little further away. do this again for 2 weeks.

Then keep the crate there and shut the bedroom door. again 2 weeks

Then, move the crate further down the hallway, but this time open your bedroom door again. Again do this for 2 weeks.

Then the same again but shut your bedroom door- 2 weeks

Then put his crate in the room where he will sleep permanently, bedroom door open and maybe a night light with him being further away from you, or a lamp; bedroom door open. do this for a week.

Then finally lights, off, bedroom door shut and that should be that!

If you want to keep your dog then I feel this is the way (in my personal opinion- having a rescue staffy who suffered massively with seperation anxiety i understand the struggle your having). You must stick to this schedule exactly as instructed if you do decide to take my advice, and you should see a big change but one baby step at a time.

Changing a dogs routine regardless of breed is always a massive shock to them, as they love routine. Dogs react in different ways. Some urinate and foul in the house, others cry, others become destructive, so slow and steady wins the race I say!

I really hope that you do not get rid of your dog because of this as i genuinely feel you can fix this.

I wish you the best of luck and please do let us know how you get on.

Staffies are difficult breed sometimes, but when happy, healthy and balanced they are one of the best

Sophie xx

 

[ladydogwhisperer]

Hi.

Sorry for late response but I agree with Sophie. Crate training can make such a difference for you and also for your dog as he will feel safe there and is less likely to wee in his crate. You must give him opportunities to go out for a wee wee . By that I mean take him out every hour or so and wait for him to go. Tedious I realise but well worth putting the effort in. Give him lots of praise when he toilets outside. This WILL take some time and patience. Do not shout at him if he has an accident indoors as this too reinforces the behaviour. Just say nothing and take him straight out to the garden. He sounds like he needs to relax and the crate with his toys and treats will give him that opportunity. A space of his own.

I urge you not to use the crate as some sort of punishment and lock him away. he needs to feel that it a safe and happy place that he can go to at any time. so lots of good associations with it must be made by putting treats in and soft bedding and his favourite toy ands let him explore it for himself until he takes himself off to it on his own.

Please also get your dog vet checked incase he has a bladder infection or some other ailment that is adding to his unwanted behaviour.

On the baby coming. Please please never leave any dog alone in a room with a young baby or child. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck