Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just adopted a 3 year old AmStaff. He is the coolest dog and I want to make sure he is treated well. I live in a second floor rowhouse apartment in Baltimore City. I take him out 4 times a day. First thing in the morning(7:00am), then feed him and take him out before i leave for work (8:15am). Yesterday I drove home(30 min) to let him out at 1:00pm, but i was told you can let older dogs go longer between bathroom breaks. I was thinking i would let him out when i get home from work(5:30-6:00pm) then feed him, go to the gym, and walk him again before i go to bed (10:30-11:00 pm) I was told they need to go to the bathroom first thing in the morning, 30 minutes after a meal and before bed. How does my schedule look. it really doesnt leave alot of time to just mess around with him during the week. i kinda feel guilty i cant spend a whole bunch of time with him. he seems bored, but most people say thats what dogs do, he isnt bored. can some people comment on my schedule and my mindset and set me straight please!?!? Thanks a bunch!

Hi Jeff, welcome to the DogHobbyist. I post on the Shiba Inu board but look around at the other breed sites from time to time.

Congrats on your adopting your AmStaff. I'm sure he will provide you with many happy years. Your schedule looks okay, but I think you might have to make some extra time for some additional excercise and playtime. I say this because you note he seems bored. While most people do work and their dogs are left at home, they also need something to keep their minds active and also for socialization purposes. Is there a dog park or fenced in area near you when you go on your walks? That would be a great time to let him run off leash or play ball with him. During the week it wouldn't have to be an every day thing maybe 2 or 3 times a week, then on the weekend give him some special alone time with you.

As for the bathroom breaks, yes an older dog can hold it longer than a puppy and if your guy hasn't had any accidents then you may be safe. You can try it and see what happens, however if he did have an accident you must remember not to scold or yell at him as the damage is already done and he wouldn't know what he was being scolded for.

I'll try to remember to come back here from time to time and hopefully this board will pick up some other new AmStaff owners.
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BOB
EMAIL SHBOOM
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Hi guys, well its been a couple weeks since I've had Shavo. The first week was good. I left him in the house from the time I went to work to when I got back. There were no accidents and I could let him run around my apartment with no worries. Recently (past 4 days), he's been peeing in my kitchen and pooping on my carpet and in my bed. It was really bad yesterday when I got home from work. It has been as bad as me in the kitchen and he just lifts his leg on my cabinets. He knows he shouldnt do it, is he marking his territory for something? I took him to my parents house where my moms dog and sisters dog were. He didnt like them too much, does he think they are around? I also had the unfortunate mistake of letting one of the feeder mice for my snake get out. Its hiding under the cabinets and Shavo spotted it yesterday and has been hunting it. It just seems like he let go of everything he knows...I take him out right when i wake up and before i go to work, right when i get home from work, when i get home from the gym and before we go to bed...it is pretyt
frustrating.

PS - Are there any good techniques for getting him to go allat once on a walk instead of saving some up for each tree to mark? I am going to do some research, thanks for your help!

Hi Jeff, I received your email. I am going to post a link to your problem on the shiba board. There are posters there who will have some great advice for you, I think we may have some seperation anxiety issues going on here. In fact you can go to the shiba boards and read the threads posted by Ovi. She has been getting some excellent advice.

Okay, first I have to ask, is Shavo neutered? If not you should have this done. Number one, it could help with the marking issues. Number two, it will head off any potential health issues in the future.

Has Shavo been to your vet for a checkup since you have had him? If not make an appointment for a complete checkup just to make sure there is nothing medically wrong going on with him.

Now I have to wonder if you have stuck with your original schedule? I know everyone has time constraints, myself included, but quality time has to be set aside for our dogs. Shavo may be developing some seperation issues and you will need to nip this in the bud as quickly as you can. Your schedule is pretty regimented and there is a thread at the shiba board recommending to the poster there to alter her schedule and departure times.

Also since you mentioned that Shavo is lifting in the kitchen when you are present, he may be testing you. AmStaff's can be pretty headstrong and sometimes housebreaking can be difficult. Since he did so well the first week you had him, I am still leaning to the fact that he needs plenty of excercise and playtime to keep him active and also to tire him out a bit.

You may have to go back to the beginning with Shavo. Do you own a crate? If not I would buy one or borrow one. This not a punishment tool but more of a training aid. Shavo maybe testing you, you have to establish yourself with positive reinforcement that you are the top dog.

Regarding your mother's dog. Amstaff's are very loyal and protective dogs and with proper socialization are very loving. However they may perceive another dog as a threat so you should always have him on leash and under control. This also goes for walks to a park, if there are no other dogs around you can let him run and play, but if there are other dogs around, it may not be a good idea.

You have a good dog, but Shavo needs plenty of excercise and a firm, but gentle hand to guide him. Please post back with any questions and hopefully some others can offer you some good advice to help you.
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BOB
EMAIL SHBOOM
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Rescue dogs tend to be prone to seperation anxiety- especially when their new owners pay more attention to them than their previous owners. That can cause a huge emotional surge when you leave and come home. That surge makes them "loose their brain" a bit and things can happen.

My boy Taiko we got when he was just under 2 years old. He came from a great home, but he was a kennel dog so coming into a family of 3 with another dog was a big adjustment for him. From day 1 he showed signs of seperation anxiety. He missed his old regimented life and had to adjust to the odd routine we lived with. Today, I have to manage him carefully. When I leave, he is kenneled. My other dog is not because she doesn't destroy things when left out. Yet, Taiko has not earned that right yet. Minimally, your dog should be confined to only one room when you are gone. That makes the mess more bearable and actually makes the dog feel more secure.

Also, you need to provide a distraction while you are leaving and for up to at least 15 minutes from the time you leave. I use large "Greenies" and frozen Kong toys. I fill the kong toys with soup stock and kibble and freeze them overnight. I also have used peanut butter, but my dogs don't like the flavor as much so it doesn't work for the duration needed. Kongs work the brain and teeth. You don't want them fixating on your departure.

When I go, I just leave. No 'good bye pups" or anything. When I return, I let Taiko and Kita outside to do their business and check the mail, check email, do a load of dishes, I don't pay attention to them right away. No matter what they are doing to grab my attention. Both know it's not really worth their efforts to try for at least 15 minutes from my return.

Also, tired dogs are good dogs. My dogs get 30 to 40 minute walks almost every single day. I'm not sure how much staffies need, but I'm guessing they need some outlet for their energy. They are high drive dogs that want to use their brains and body. By the way, tiring out the brain by teaching tricks and such wears them out more than even physical excerscise. SO, my two go to weekly obedience classes as well. I figure it lets them use their brain for good and not evil.

THere's a book called "I'll be home soon" you can get from www.dogwise.com that should help a bit. Yet, just getting out and working the dog will help a lot as well. You might oddly enough consider getting a second dog to help you out with this one. It's not always the best fix. Yet, it can help. They both will still need attention, but they can entertain each other too. Instead of going ot the gym, is there a way you can go out jogging with this pup at least 2 nights a week? I think that would help a lot to relieve the excess energy he's got being penned up all day.

Hope that helps a bit. Keep writing if you have more questions.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles