A puppy was rescued after being kept in a cellar for the first four months of his life.

Husky Staffie cross-breed Bear now suffers from separation anxiety after his cruel start to life.

He was kept in a kennel in a cellar during his puppyhood, before being rescued by the team at Thanet RSPCA last November.

Since then, an animal behaviourist who specialises in separation anxiety has been working with the team at the RSPCA Kent Isle of Thanet branch to help with Bear’s issues.

He is now looking for a forever home.

Hannah White from the branch said: “We’ve been working on Bear’s separation anxiety, which has come about because of the sad reality of living in kennels through major developmental stages of his life.

“We’ve had help from an animal behaviourist who specialises in separation anxiety; she has agreed to continue to help and support new owners as he learns to settle at home, he absolutely has the ability to improve and relax.

“With continued training, we’re confident he will learn that he can relax on his own for a while.”

Bear, now just over one year old, was previously adopted but was returned to the branch as he can be too bouncy for young children.

Hannah continued: “All of us at the branch love Bear and we just can’t wait to see the day he goes off to his forever home.

“Bear loves playtime and is very food orientated which makes him very responsive to training.

“He really enjoys interacting with different types of enrichment toys, and he’s well socialised with other dogs.

“Like any young dog, he’s interested in everything so his attention span can be short, but he loves enrichment games and learns really fast - he’s aced so many commands at dog training classes.

“He’s just so rewarding to work with.

“We’re looking for an active home for Bear with adopters who will be really committed to having fun, training Bear and taking him on adventures.

“He has been rehomed before now, but sadly was returned to the branch, as he can be too bouncy for young children.

“We’d love to find a home with children of secondary school age, or just adults, for Bear this time, and would be open to him being fostered initially.

“He might also be able to live with another stable dog that he can learn from.”

Those wishing to find out more about Bear can contact Thanet RSPCA 01843 826180 or email info@rspcathanet.org.uk.