Hi we recently got a staff cross bitch from a rescue home, she really has had a hard time, we were originally told she was 12 - 18 mths but my vet says she is about 3. She was under weight and she has had a skin problem which has left her bald in some places but with a wash that the vet gave us is her coat is growing back thick and fast. The only thing is that at some point she has either banged her tail or bit it and now she keeps licking and biting it which makes it bleed the vet said it would heal with time but Tia isn't letting it can you give me any advice on how to stop her doing this?

Thanks Gemma

I've got a rescue staffie who was in the same condition as yours sounds, and she's about 4 or 5 too.

I don't know about the tail thing, but I can tell you that my staffie suffered a lot of anxiety attacks which would start a lot of problems off, and once she settled in all of them disappeared... so I guess it could be psychological and she just needs some time :)

Hi Gemma

Staffs are very persistant and can be very focused on something that is bothering them. Distraction isnt easy. You may have to resort to a head collar (lampshade thingy) when the dog is left on its own.

Regards Mick

Thanks to both of you I will leave her for a little while longer and see how she goes, she has had pups at some point aswell as her teats are still down so I guess she just needs a lot of love at the minute