Hi
My 6 yr old male stub nosed staffy (Zeus) has developed separation anxiety, I am currently looking after grandkids 2/3 times a week for 4/5 hours at a time, prior to this I was home most times, I also have a 14 yr old female staffs (Blue) who doesn't seem to mind, he grabs my clothes/boots when I'm leaving, I just wondered if I could do more to help him, he won't eat or play with anything when I'm away, I make sure he's had a good walk etc before I go - any ideas

A lot of excerise before you go might help as he'll want to sleep and recover. An hour to an hour and a half. Other things are feeder puzzles, stuffed Kong toys.

If dog theft wasn't such a problem I'd hire a dog walker or even borrowmydog. But with dog theft at the moment I wouldn't risk it

Thank you
I'll try more excercise but he's a big dog (not fat but police came to check him out that he's not a pit bull !!) he tires quickly, i let him stay on my bed when I'm away, should I be firm with him or not?

> should I be firm with him or not?

No.  Just my personal view but I feel that would exacerbate the problem.

Just some ideas, a two way pet camera is cheap and it might help for you to chat to him whilst you are not there.  Is he interested in a large kong that is filled with nice stuff to eat, grapple with?

I agree with jeansw. He may be wanting to be on your bed for comfort as it smells of you  and I dont belive being firm in this way will help.
  you say he doesn't eat or play when u are away 
I doubt many dogs do either I know.mine tend to snooze when I am out. 
What makes u think he has developed separation anxiety ?
Perhaps practice leaving him for very short periods.even just putting in your coat and popping out the front door for a few minutes and then build that up to longer and longer until he is comfortable again may help

Thank you, will try gradual absence and sometimes come back after a couple of minutes and then not, he seems to understand when I say I'm going out for biscuits and is quite happy when I come back with a treat, I'll build on that

Mine always get some biscuits when I go out but  not when I return 
Also ignore him when u come back dont make a fuss just come in and get on with whatever u want to do so he sees it as life is normal

Thanks, that's a total change to what I've been doing, will give it a go

Good luck hope it helps

It sounds strange,but in a way you need to cool your relationship a bit and teach him to be more self reliant emotionally.

So ignoring him atbtimes when you are there, keeping interactions less exciting, so the difference between your presence and absence is less extreme.

So no fond goodbyes, and rapturous welcomes.

I would also restrict him from your bedroom, and have him in a room with the Radio or tv playing, and a comfortable place of his own.

Have a towel that you can sleep with so it has your scent and put that in his bed.

You can sleep with a fresh one each day so the scent is fresh, and wash thebused ones.

Is there any reason you can't take him with you sometimes when your babysitting for longer than a couple of hours, as 4 or 5 hours plus travelling is a bit long to be left regularly without company or access to garden.

Get a softcrate with the above towel in it. There is probably somewhere you can put him in it where he can be let out from time to time, and be supervised or seperated from the children, but still around you.

I'll take all this on board and agree he's needs to be more independent, when I'm out he has access to outside, very secure, no danger to him or others, he is like a shadow, where I go he does, let him bring a stick inside yesterday, which seemed to keep him happy for a while when I was out, lots of mess but it's a small price to pay

As if could get any worse, he was attacked by 3 collies, she opened her boot and they came flying out, blue (my 14 yr old) was knocked over, Zeus (6 yr old) stood his ground, mine both on lead, he's got cuts on his nose and a slit on his ear, blue sleeping it off, her hip seems to be a bit more tender, feel this knocks him back when  trying to show him positive things

That's awful , I really wish people would be more careful. It causes so many problems

My poor dog, he is avoided because he's so big, I have pedigree papers, he's moody blue (blue staff) but we have like many, keeping indoors, think it's affecting him, not socialising like you should, this knock for him, I want to get him over it and would like help with this, I'm not going to leave him till I know he's ok

Sorry he kept nudging me lol

When available again I would take him to training classes, so he can be around other dogs in a controlled environment, and keep him at a distance where he is hapoy so he can gradually gain confidence.

The training will also increase your control, so you can get him away from situations without him needing to kick off.

It will be good for both of you.

Yes I think he has become a dog that shows frustration/anxiety through aggression, this collie thing seems to have made him on high alert

I'm not scared of him, he is very obedient

I think what brainless means is that if u can get to some training classes, when we are able to, the mixing with other dogs in a safe group even at whatever his comfortable distance is will help to build his confidence around dogs  and along with that any worries u might have of him being stressed will reduce

Yes Furriefriends
you hit the nail on the head that's exactly what I meant..

Unfortunately I had mine on the lead, they got attacked, how do I show them it's a safe place to be

The lead doesn't matter uts about showing him that other dogs are not to be feared .
Yes u had a most unfortunate situation and nothing can prevent the unforseen but teaching your dog that every situation with a dog isn't going to be scary is very important.
I totally get it as i have one that is nervous around most dogs and appears aggressive in her case  so I have spent a lot of time learning from behaviourists and practicing how to get over it

Going to vets, blues had a seizure

Oh no fingers crossed he is ok

I know your thinking how can I be texting with this going on but I'm waiting

She's old I know 14, just would like her to enjoy a bit more

No we arnt at all. You have shot down to the vet to get her help and yes there is lots of waiting especially as u cant be with her atm .

It's playing on mind that the collies knocking her over brought this on, she was shivering, not responsive, got the vets here in 20 mins

You have done the right thing . Try not to over what happened earlier

I know what you're saying, this thing started about my 6yr old, who is amazing, he's a bit lost without the matriarch, we all are, 14 yrs is a long time, vet asked me what quality of life do I want !!

Don't feel guilty.

My last 3 girls went this way, and they were 1 nearly 14 the others over 15, and fit and active going for walks the previous day.

It meant they'd lived life to the full to the end, no illness.

Lost her

I am so sorry janey. Its so hard losing one whatever their age . Rip blue x

So sorry to hear this JaneyC

Rest well Blue.

So sorry for your loss JaneyC.