we have got two staffs both boys and the youngest on who is 2yrs and 6 months has been messing in the house when he is left during the day and at night when we are alseep. could this be due to seperation anxiety? if so how to we combat that

If i rememeber right when Leo was 5-6 months he was still needing to go out in the middle of the night for a toilet break (His nearly 10months, should remember, not THAT long ago! LOL) How long is he left alone for? Sounds like he just needs more frequent potty breaks (And of course lots of priase when he goes in the correct spot) And having set feeding times helps a whole bunch, you can then get them into a schedule (Just like babys really )

Got the below info from http://www.bigpawsonly.com/puppy-house-training.htm
At 3 months, they need to go out at least every 2 hours during the day. For the first few days of house training, you will have to wake up a couple of times during the night to let them out, however, puppies usually get the hang of sleeping through the night and you wont have to worry for too long. Just keep committed, he will be house trained! At 4 months of age, they normally need to potty every 4 hours. 5 to 6 months, about 6 to 7 hours. All dogs regardless of age need to relieve themselves every 8 hours or they could develop bladder infections. For those that work during the day, that might mean hiring a dog walker.

Puppies always need to potty first thing in the morning when they wake up and following any naps they have throughout the day. Anytime he or she wakes up, first things are first – and that’s to go outside.

Puppies will also need to go out after eating. After they have breakfast it’s on to go potty before they start the rest of the day – which is usually going right back to sleep. They sure do have the life. Finally any excessive emotional moment such as the puppy getting scared, hurt, or a super rowdy rough play session, make a short trip outside for good measure.

Hi, I seem to have the same problem with mine, she will be 3 soon, never done anything like this at all before, I have changed her food lately so Im wondering if its this food thats the problem. But she has never done this before, even as a puppy.
I dont know what to suggest, but it will be interesting to see what other people suggest for a dog this age.
As it is quite a problem, are the two boys seperated for some reason now?

Hi the boys are seperated during the day while we are at work, buster who is the one we have problems with does follow us everywhere round the house so we have just started to make him stay so he doesnt go everywhere with us to see if this helps.
he used to sleep right through the nite with no messing but not now it is driving my husband mad as he gets up in the morning to clear up mess then when he comes home again at lunch and maybe even when he gets in at 5

Ops, read that wrong. Thought they were 2yrs and 6 months (2 seperate dogs)

is it just the 6mth old one with the problem??

or is the youngest 2yr 6mths? with the problem? this seems to be a problem when you spend alot of time with them when they are young then have to leave them when they are older. not always easy to fix as everyone has to go to work etc. if this is the case my only advice is to take him out for 40mins in the morning before going out then the same as soon as you get in and the same or as long as poss before going to bed. make lots of fuss of him even if he only gets slightly better. if he does improve keep on at him praise and show youre not happy when he does wrong. not as easy as it sounds when you have to be out at work but even a slight improvement is the right way to be going.

thanks for the help the one we had problems with is the youngest one and he is 2 and a half years old the eldest one has never been any problems like this.

they are left from 8 in the morning till midday when my husband comes in takes them for a walk and has a play with them then they are left from about 1.30 till 5 when we get in for the evening