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Pet Owners
Kristin saying she thought Declan was having separation anxiety reminded me: we think Xena is having some serious stress over moving. I need advice on how to handle it (if there is such a thing.)
She's been over there twice: the first time, she just stayed outside and being the scaredy cat she is, had her ears pinned down and tail tucked between her legs, quivering because it was a new place. The second time, we took her inside and she ran around smelling the place. I told Greg we needed to keep an eye on her (and thank god I did!)... Greg thought she was in the room with him but she was, in fact, alone in the living room. (The stress had gotten to her; I didn't get to her in time to take her outside so she could "do her job." 
) So we've limited her time going over there because she freaks at it being all new and we can't watch her nonstop while doing stuff.
She's also been REALLY naughty lately. We've been working on the fact she growls/barks every time she sees lights through the front door (we live in a corner - it happens ANY TIME someone comes down our road.) That's gotten worse. Like... almost all night, nonstop even when there aren't lights. (I assume it's a protective/territorial thing.)
We can't take her outside without a leash anymore. AT. ALL. Because she takes off running through the neighborhood and won't listen.
We've been paying extra attention to her, loving on her, and take extra care with our tones with her so she doesn't think we're mad at her.
Any suggestions?
Re: Pet Owners
I can't for the life of me remember how our dog did with the move. I'm sure she was a little weirded out but I think she accepted it fine (probably because she didn't have to deal with my MIL as much)
Sorry, I wish I could offer more suggestions but I think the best thing to do is stick with routines for now and once she realizes nothing much has changed besides the neighborhood, she should get back to normal.
When we got Nellie she had seperation anxiety. Make sure if you leave you crate her. We've actually had to start doing this again because she is flipping out, we think due to things being different with the pregnancy. Make sure you get her something she can snuggle with while you aren't there, maybe it will smell like "home", Nellie did tear up a blanket though so don't make it something you want to keep! Crates are a really good tool to use, I don't know if you guys use one or how often. We let Nellie out without her leash and it's never been a problem. But if she does go across the street and we catch her she has to go to bed and we won't love on her for the rest of the night, seems to help.
I hope she is just going through a stage and things go back to normal soon!
I was curious how you guys handled it. Mishu is a collie/shepherd type breed, isn't she? (So she has those herding instincts?) I think this is where Xena is showing her border collie tucked away under the GSD exterior because I've never seen a GSD so frightened/panicked by a new environment!
Xena is typically kennelled daily, Crystal. She actually ENJOYS it and seeks it out for her safe place. As far as moving some of her things there, maybe we'll try and take her favorite ball or something next time so she has that to focus on instead of the "new smell"; we can't really move any of her stuff there because that would mean her kennel, the futon (which she'd then miss at our current place), or the couch/love seat (again, she'd miss it at our current place. Yes, she's spoiled. LOL) She has two beds, but rarely sleeps in them now that she's allowed on the futon.
Thanks, Kristi!
Mishu is a border collie/Australian Shepard mix.