Tips for our 7year old rescue Staffy Bull Terrior doesn’t like to be alone.

Any ideas would be very welcome. We have had him for 3 weeks now and he has been a joy. We are a retired couple so we are home a lot. He is very needy and constantly wants pats and cuddles. I have been trying to let him be by himself a few times a day by putting him outside for an hour and he seemed to have been OK.

Today we had an appointment and knew we would be gone 1-2 hours and thought this would be a good test for him.
We came home to 2 police vans and an ambulance and police and ambulance people in our backyard.They were going to break into our house as apparently the dog had been making some un godly choking noises and barking which I haven’t heard him do and one of the neighbours thought we must be in trouble and needing help?. I haven’t heard these noises but are thinking of going out tomorrow and parking my car down the street and walking back to hear this un godly choking noises and barking.. Any ideas around this would be welcomed. We take him for a walk every day also.
Many thanks

It can take a long time (months) for Sniper to settle in. He's getting used to his surroundings, new noises, smells, people etc. Sounds like he might have a little separation anxiety which is common in a lot of breeds, Staffies' however particularly love human interaction and attention.

I had the same experience with the call out. I had the RPSCA at my door because it sounded like i was beating my dog. The noises were unimaginable all because he was left alone. I set my laptop up and recorded him and WOW, what a commotion!

I would try leaving him for much smaller amounts of time, start with 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins etc daily. Create his own space, a crate with blankets on, more den like, so he has a safe place in case any particular noises scare him. Leave treats/toys that stimulate the mind such as a kong so it takes his mind off you leaving the house. Dont make a fuss when your leaving, just go. And when you come back in, give lots of attention and fuss. Has there been any mess in the house or destructive behaviour?

A tired dog is a happy dog, how long and how often are you taking him for walks?

Nikita

Certainly sounds like separation anxiety to me! You need to start slowly just leaving the room for a couple of minutes at a time. Return to the room but don't make a fuss of him. If he's ok start making it a bit longer always returning with no fuss. Give him things to occupy his time, Kongs or other treat toys.
It will be a slow progress but he needs to believe you will always return.

Very good advice already given.
I think the choking noises are the same as my Opium, whenever she gets over excited, she starts to choke as if she was being strangled. It’s very surprising but you just need to get the stress levels down again.

Distraction during one of those choking fits helps get over it - showing a favourite toy or even just asking something, to get them to focus on you again instead of whatever is working them up.

Staffies are known for being very sensitive to separate anxiety and it sounds as if your boy might have a heavier past. He’s certainly needing to set his marks and set into a routine - that will help him settle too.

Definitely have that “safe place” for him as his reference point.
My girls both have their travel case in a corner of the room WITHOUT the doors on. They are not allowed into the other’s case and when they are in there, no one (human or other) is allowed to go and bother them.

To help them feel comfortable about being in the case, I slip biscuits through the air vents. Each time they go in there, a biscuit reward. A biscuit followed by peace, the case soon becomes a good place to be. You can also use one of your old t-shirts in his bed to reassure him with your scent.