We moved....

[mydogrocks]

Last month we were forced to move rather suddenly (about 3days notice) so we didn't have the chance to do much to prepare our 18month old boy. After what ended up being a frustrating and tiresome few days, we went from a 1100sq. ft. apt to a 700sq. ft apt located almost directly across the hall from our old place, we also no longer have a roommate to deal with.

Since the move Ares has been acting incredibly different than he did in the old place. He has always barked when we've had people over and acted very friendly and clams down quickly but now he barks uncontrollably, especially at men and jumps up at them. He barks uncontrollably if a new person leaves the living room area of the house and makes a terrible high pitch whine. Its getting embarrassing to have people over because he's been relatively well behaved with people up to this point. I'm also worried because it seems to be getting worse and worse, he hasn't done anything aggressive yet, but he is definitely trying to intimidate people. I feel like if I allow this to continue then he will only get worse and someone will get hurt.

Some other important things that have happened recently:
- I left for China for 4months and Ares was left with my boy friend
- During the last weeks of my trip he was boarded with our breeder
- We re-homed our cat
- When we moved he went to daycare then an overnight stay, so he left his home that he had known his whole life (since 11weeks) and came back to the same place but a different apt. I really think this is the one that is messing with him

[trudy]

How old is he?? Try using his crate again, he needs security, everything changed and no one told him what else is changing...Amp up his exercise, do lots of obedience, when you have company over either crate him or keep him on a down stay on a leash at your feet, fully under control, NO freedom, or opportunity to react. You must take back the control and when you do he will relax and feel more confident. Good luck,

[KSdogowner]

Originally Posted by mydogrocks

Some other important things that have happened recently:
- I left for China for 4months and Ares was left with my boy friend
- During the last weeks of my trip he was boarded with our breeder
- We re-homed our cat
- When we moved he went to daycare then an overnight stay, so he left his home that he had known his whole life (since 11weeks) and came back to the same place but a different apt. I really think this is the one that is messing with him

Looks like your baby has had to deal with a lot of changes in a short time period and he may feel very insecure right now. I don't know if you have to travel because of work but I would create a consistent environment over this year's period that will allow him to relax and feel safe. He may feel like he has to constantly be on guard because he doesn't know if in a day or so, things will be different again... which would also explain the barking. So, I would keep any changes to a minimum such as who is watching him, boarding facilities, over night stays, etc.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by trudy

How old is he?? Try using his crate again, he needs security, everything changed and no one told him what else is changing...Amp up his exercise, do lots of obedience, when you have company over either crate him or keep him on a down stay on a leash at your feet, fully under control, NO freedom, or opportunity to react. You must take back the control and when you do he will relax and feel more confident. Good luck,

Great post!
And keep in mind that you cannot "feel sorry" for him. That'll only add to the issue.

[mydogrocks]

Ares is 18months and this past 6months has been lots of unexpected changes on our family, normally we have a pretty routine life that and its just gotten crazy. Unfortunately even if everything is calming down again; its not like the "normal" that he has been used to and our lives will never be like that again.

Do you think that he will calm down when he is comfortable in the new place and if we use the methods trudy mentioned? And I will admit, I feel sorry for him a lot and probably let him get away with more than I should, I'm just so used to having a laid dog that this behaviour is really surprising.

[Caitydid255]

When my husband and I moved in together the dogs went through a big change. Aside from the change of locations, both were separated from the other people (our families) they knew and other dogs, on top of that they began living with each other 24/7. For the first couple of weeks we had some issues, boxes destroyed, separation anxiety, refusing to listen and being overexcited with guests, etc. Instead of feeling sorry for them, I increased their activity level and made sure everything was normal as possible. They settled down about a month after the move and have adapted just fine. Although they did and continue to regress when my sister visits...but that is on account of her actions and behavior ( think Elmyra Duff from the cartoons...even the cat hides from her)

Don't feel sorry, just maintain as much normalcy as possible. It is the changes that upset your pup, and your acting differently around your dog makes him worry that more changes are coming.

[KSdogowner]

Originally Posted by mydogrocks

Ares is 18months and this past 6months has been lots of unexpected changes on our family, normally we have a pretty routine life that and its just gotten crazy. Unfortunately even if everything is calming down again; its not like the "normal" that he has been used to and our lives will never be like that again.

Do you think that he will calm down when he is comfortable in the new place and if we use the methods trudy mentioned? And I will admit, I feel sorry for him a lot and probably let him get away with more than I should, I'm just so used to having a laid dog that this behaviour is really surprising.

Mydogrocks, I am not an expert so I may not be correct but I don't think dogs look at this situation the way us humans do. While you may notice a considerable difference between your larger apartment and the one you live in now, all that matters to your dog is having you around. You are his safety, because he looks to you for everything. You could be in a one-room apartment but if you give him the exercise, provisions, care and love he needs, he will be happily sharing that studio apartment and not mind at all.....and that, I assume is still something you can give him and has not changed. So, keep things consistent, spend time with him,etc. I agree with the other posters that your being in charge will need to be established by your not being too lenient because you may feel guilty because all the changes. In other words, don't change the system (obedience) you had in place at the other place when he was more at ease because you don't want him to think that you have changed, too. If he thinks that, he will now feel that he has to play around to find out how that new system works.

[mydogrocks]

Originally Posted by KSdogowner

Mydogrocks, I am not an expert so I may not be correct but I don't think dogs look at this situation the way us humans do. While you may notice a considerable difference between your larger apartment and the one you live in now, all that matters to your dog is having you around. You are his safety, because he looks to you for everything. You could be in a one-room apartment but if you give him the exercise, provisions, care and love he needs, he will be happily sharing that studio apartment and not mind at all.....and that, I assume is still something you can give him and has not changed. So, keep things consistent, spend time with him,etc. I agree with the other posters that your being in charge will need to be established by your not being too lenient because you may feel guilty because all the changes. In other words, don't change the system (obedience) you had in place at the other place when he was more at ease because you don't want him to think that you have changed, too. If he thinks that, he will now feel that he has to play around to find out how that new system works.

I agree that he probably doesn't notice the difference in the apt, it just feels like everything else has changed. Things like we've always had a roommate and suddenly we don't, we always had a cat and suddenly we don't. I think the biggest confusion for him is that we still walk past the old apt every single time we go home.
But I do agree with you and the others that we need to get on a regular schedule with him and I need to not be such a push over about him. Now that you mention it, I do think he's been "testing" me since we moved, he's been trying to get on furniture when he knows he's not supposed to and he tries to pull me when we go on walks.

[KSdogowner]

Originally Posted by mydogrocks

I agree that he probably doesn't notice the difference in the apt, it just feels like everything else has changed. Things like we've always had a roommate and suddenly we don't, we always had a cat and suddenly we don't. I think the biggest confusion for him is that we still walk past the old apt every single time we go home.
But I do agree with you and the others that we need to get on a regular schedule with him and I need to not be such a push over about him. Now that you mention it, I do think he's been "testing" me since we moved, he's been trying to get on furniture when he knows he's not supposed to and he tries to pull me when we go on walks.

This year we moved from one place right across the street to the other. This confused the dogs at first but it didn't take long for the dogs to figure out that this place is now their home. There is a possibility though that, if you experience any emotions such as sadness, etc yourself while walking past the other property, he may pick that up. Wishing you success in helping him find his balance again.