i have got a beautiful rescue staffy (annie) she is like my shadow, ihad to go to hospital yesterday couldn't take annie, kept her busy with her dinner while i slipped out. when i got back 3hr.later she was in a right state panting and out of breath.how can i get her to stay at home at times.

i use a crete with my younger staffs it makes them feel secure

This is called seperation anxiety, and is not uncommon in rescue dogs.  Your slipping out actually probably didn't do her any favours.  As far as she was concerned you had simply disapeared.

She needs to learn to cope alone and to trust you will return.  This is done slowly by leaving her for  short periods of time when you are at home.  Baby gates can be used so that she can see you but not be with you all the time.  It is a bad habit to allow her to dog your steps constantly.  Stat with times when she is already sleepy or relaxed, say in ehr basket, and leave the room briefly, not long enough for her to start a fuss.  Return but do not fuss, her.  after a few seconds if she remains on her bed relaxed, just a short word of praise.

The idea is to work up the time and keep leaving and especially returning low key.

If she is ecstatic on your return wait to greet her until she has calmed down.  Ignore her overtures until she has calmed, the greet her gently but without too mcuh emotion. 

The idea is that there should not be a huge difference for her whether you are there or not.  that way she will cope on her own with a Chew, bone, toy etc and youyr leaving and returning are no big deal.

The idea should be to never make the distredded behaviour rewarding by consoling her, and never return to the room until she is quiet.

I agree with Brainless, good advice.  A rescue dog is always that little bit more worried about the new owner leaving as they've already been 'left' permanently.

Always let her see that you are leaving, never sneak away - that's much worse for the dog who thinks you've vanished into thin air, and immediately panics.

Something that can help enormously is the Bach Flower Essences - they work gently on the emotions and help to release fears etc.  I'd start with Star of Bethlehem to help her release her trauma.  3 or 4 drops 3 or 4 times daily on a bit of bread or something, make out it's a big treat.  They can also go in the food and water.  Also you can rub a few drops in to the top of her head between the ears, it's absorbed that way.  Give until you see a difference or the bottle's done.  They're available in a lot of chemists or health food shops, only about £5.  If you either buy or order from your library - it's in stock- Dogs Misbehaving by Martin J Scott and Gael Mariani, you'll be able to learn loads about essences and how they work, it's an excellent book.

It can take a fair bit of time to make a rescue dog feel secure when left alone.  My current girl could not be left at all for a few months - I initially got my friend to come in and sit with her when I had to go out, even for a few minutes, but after a while I was able to leave for a few minutes without her stressing herself and barking herself hoarse, and gradually increased it until I can now be away a couple of hours leaving her alone and she's fine.

Also, leave a radio on quietly so she feels less alone, and leave an item of your clothing that you've worn recently with her so she has your smell close to her if she wants.

thanks muriel, iwill try that. hope my posts are alright i'm new at this computer lark.Ialways leave the tv or radio on and put my old cardy in her basket she just can't bare me going out in the car without her.

What happens if you don't go in the car?  What if you just walk down the road?  Is she OK if you pop next door without picking up all the normal things you take with you (handbag, keys etc.)  I wonder if it's all these things she is picking up on, and if you get her accoustemed to you doing this WITHOUT going out, it will break her anxiety....

thanks brainless the biggest problem is when i go out in the car without annie.as she loves going in the car.

Hi Fuschialady,

How about trying going out to the car, turning on the engine, then turning it off again and coming back in???  Again increasing times, then driving round the block etc...  I take it the car is just outside the house??

Glad you already thought about radio and clothing with your smell on.:-)

Yes, your posts are fine, don't let technology freak you!  I'm new to it too :-)

With a rescue dog, you just have to be patient and kind, it does work out in the end, I promise!