Toileting and barking issues updated

We have recently rescued a our first staffy called Sasha. Sasha was rehomed last year but the couple separated so went back to the rescue where she has been ever since. She was in boarding kennels before she came to us.
She has settled in well (we have had her 3 weeks) but we have had a couple of teething problems.

Firstly, she is going to the toilet in the house when she is left on her own or at night (she sleeps downstairs) and sometimes this happens 3 or 4 times each night/day. She goes out regularly and toilets outside and we have been giving treats and fuss when she goes outside.

She is also barking at night and she goes to bed at 11pm and settles after 1-2hrs and will then start barking at 5-6am. If we go down for a drink, she will start barking when we return to bed. Obviously we are suffering from lack of sleep and dont want it to get to a point when our neighbours are complaining.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Three weeks isn't a long time for a rescue stafford - she's probably still very unsure of herself & is suffering from seperation anxiety.

Do you take her out to toilet just before bed time?

Are you totally against her being in your room at night?

tell me is she crated during the night? The barking may be her way of saying she feels insecure. If yu crate her at night cover the crate in a quilt or blanket. As for the messing in the house give her a bit of time see if things improve its taken us months to sort out one of our rescue dogs

You need to go right back to basics and out every 30 mins. she will have been going "inside" for three weeks in the kennels so that will be her new normal.

If she is to be left alone during the night would you be able to leave a radio on for her, just select a talky station like radio 4, or some quiet music.

May I ask what Sasha is being fed on ?? Sounds like she is going to the toilet a lot of times, or is she just peeing during the night ?

She isn't crated at night. It is something that has been recommended but we weren't sure about it as having been in kennels a lot over the past year or so.

She is being fed on wagg sensitive dry food and is just weeing in the house. She does go out just before bed time and we make sure she goes. We arent totally against her coming upstairs but we have never done that with any of our previous dogs and with her toileting issues its not feasible at the moment.

We are going to try the radio. and look into crating her.

Crating can actually help a rescue dog. They will often seem to feel safe & secure inside their 'den'. If you do vet one, try covering the top & 3 sides with an old blanket or curtain so that it's private, cosy & safe for her.

I only mentioned your room because sometimes an anxious dog will settle if they know you're near. If you have room, you can put a crate in your room so that she doesn't jump up on the bed.

good idea we cover their cages with blankets and they seem to treat them as a retreat where they can feel safe. They love it

How do you go about sizing for a crate? We have just been to the local pet shop to have a look but would have no idea what size to buy!

It really depends on how far you want to take the crating , if you want it long term and think she will be left for long periods then get the biggest one you can afford an what fits in ok , if it's just a sleeping /secure place then you don't need to be as large . She should be able to get up and turn around in it ok.

Don't think the food is a factor in this but Wagg is not really a good food and I would seriously think about getting her on something else , check these out . Personally I am currently feeding my 2 wainwrights from Petrs at home as a decent quality mid price range food that is easily obtained

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dryfood.html

You certainly are knowledgeable on here.
What is wrong with wagg? We are feeding her on this as that was what she was on previously and we didnt want too many changes. Will look into what you recommend. thank you

Wagg is not a good quality food, it's full of additives, fillers and rubbish.

If you do change please do so gradually over about a week to avoid any upset tummies.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Sasha has now stopped weeing in the house but she is pooing every night inside. she wont go when we go out for walks or when she is out in the garden. i dont think its a case of being scared etc but i think its a case of she genuinely doesnt wany to go. we think she goes between 2-5am. any idea how we can change her routine so she goes in the evening?

Crating her at night times if definitely a great way to calm down any anxiety. When I got my pup he was very uneasy when he was left alone at night. I had planned to just let him sleep downstairs assuming he'd just take to his bed like my others have done in the past. I felt that crating seemed extreme thinking "I'd hate to be stuck in that wee thing" but dogs actually find it calming as it becomes a safe place to them. If you try crating her give her a toy she likes in with her and she will take to it quite quickly. Albeit, it might take a few goes it at.

Another thing you could try is go for a short walk just before bed. Doesn't need to be far, 5 mins down the road would do. It'll give her a chance to go to the toilet and make her glad of her warm bed when you get back home.

Dogs tend to not want to go to the toilet where they rest so by crating her the chances are she will keep that area clean. So will get into a routine of when it's time to get up and get outisde etc. But as with everything else it might just take patience.