How long do Staffies live for??

[girlsyearapart]

Have posted before about my 8 1/2 yr old Staff pooing on my floor.

It's getting worse and yesterday he did it in the day after being alone for 1.5 hours and twice in the night.

Vet says it could be old age and to rule out other stuff we'd have to do (expensive) tests.

I thought 8 1/2 not that old really?

He's a bit grey round the face now but can still run fast when the mood takes him.

Can't be clearing up poo off the floor from now until he pops his dog clogs surely?

did you try him on Burns food?

What is Burns Food?

He eats 3 cups a day of Complete dry dog food.

Either Sainmsburys or Bakers. Always been fed the same. Poo on floor never been a problem..

I don't think 81/2 is very old either maybe early retired! I would not like the prospect of picking up in the house after him for ever either!

What have you tried since you last posted?

Has he ever been crate trained?

If the vet has ruled out medical reasons and it is behavioural then there will be a solution so hang on in there.

Does he still poo on his walks?

Hi we took him to vet today.

Ruled out any obvious physical problems, anal glands (urgh) prostate,worms etc and she thinks it's behavioural.

He is now on anit anxiety drugs for 2 weeks to see if that makes a difference.

Yes he poos on walks and in the garden.

Never been crate trained don't think he'd be very much in favour of that!

If introduced carefully and not used as a punishment a crate might be more acceptable to your dog than you think. Certainly it may prevent him from having accidents in the house, partly because dogs don't like to soil their own beds, and partly because the crate should give him an increased sense of security.

Btw, Bakers isn't the greatest of foods, having too many additives and can often result in an upset tum. If this is a concern you want to rule out it would be well worth offering him an additive-free complete food instead.

Best of luck, I hope it is sorted out soon.

sorry, I might have been thinking of another thread where someone was going to try Burns to slow down and firm up poo - it has a good reputation for that

is he on amitriptyline?

Has he ever been told off for doing this? If so, that can create anxiety and the whole thing can become a vicious circle.

I think I would make sure that when he is left he is left in a small area even if not a crate. He may be less inclined to poo if it in is his personal space so to speak.

The tablets are called Zyklene or something like that.

I really don't think the food is a problem as he has had the same all his life and this problem is only recent.

Downstairs all open plan and when he poos it's always furthest away from his bed.

Anyway he hasn't done it since we started the meds.Could be coinicidence but hoping not.

Yes he has been told off by DH who trod in it with bare feet one morning! It had already been going on for a while by then though.