House moving problems

Good morning all,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on an issue I have been having.

I have a very lively young man who we rescued a couple of years ago, he was castrated at the time and has always been a pleasure to train and walk.Well, he used to be.

We relocated 7 months ago and he now is a very different dog. He used to be walk confidently at my side (off a lead mostly), play with other dogs dogs with no problems, be around other dogs and not care and just chase his ball, and be okay with me leaving the house or room. The only issue we did have with him was incessant licking of other dogs.

Since we have moved, he has become very nervous - jumping at sounds; he cries if I am not home and just my partner is; he will follow me everywhere to the point of trying to jump on my knee if I go to the loo; he is very clingy of me in general; he is also odd around some other dogs, especially if he is on the lead with me, he will growl/ bark at and the hackles are up. He is fine however, with dogs he knew prior to moving.

To clarify, he has never been aggressive before, he and I have been attacked by a German Shep and he hid behind me and did nothing.

He just isn't the same happy character.

I would be really grateful for some training advice on how to get through this, I would like to have the confidence to let him off around other dogs again.


Many thanks in advance.

Kirsty (and Alfie the dog)

Sorry Kirsty I've no experience with this I'm sure some one will be along shortly who can help is his routine the same in the new house as it used to be, have a read through this it may help. http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/separation_anxiety

It sounds like the attack from the German Shepherd may have knocked his confidence/trust in you a little bit. He needs to know now that you are there for him and that he can count on you in any situation.

Try to reassure him when you are out together that's it's Ok for him to play and interact with other dogs. Do you know anyone with a dog that he can play with off the lead to build his confidence up again. Just let him play with one dog at a time so his isn't taken by surprise by another dog.

Are there any other significant factors related to the house move . or is it just really same basics different place ?? They are very sensitive creatures to say the least which is why all the bad press is often laughable

Noisier environment ??
Same exercise routine ??
More time alone in the house ??
Loss of garden ??

Was the attack after or before the move? It sounds like he wants to protect you. Is he like that only with you or with your partner as well? Maybe there was a situation at the move that made him act like that.

We moved five weeks ago and Chiquito, though not as severe as what you have described, has had some similar changes in behaviour.

He very rarely barked at our previous house, but since the move has begun barking at everything (noise, car, person, noise or imagined noise). In reverse to your lad, he initially became quite un-inclined to have a snuggle and has taken to sleeping on the floor rather than in the bed with me and yet was very sooky/anxious otherwise and would come looking for me if he couldn't see me .... I couldn't go to the loo alone either. He has settled some since the move, but the behaviours are still present and I do think that they will be for some time yet.

Personally I used a lot of ignoring, keeping in mind that my responding to his sooky behaviour/anxiety would simply reinforce it. I also shut the toilet door when I went to the loo, and ignored the 'oh my lord I thought you had gone forever' response I got when I opened it. I have also given lots of positive reinforcement for behaviours that I am looking for (to reinforce these), and kept to his usual routine as much as physically possible to give him that security.

As Dave said above, they are such sensitive souls our little staffs. I think that they often just need our reassurance - especially after something that causes as much upheaval and human anxiety (which they pick up on) as a move

Thanks for your responses

Kathy, the attack was long before we moved and he played happily with other dogs after that. He plays with a lab he has know for years off the lead fine and seems to have more issues with dogs on leads.

Dave, his environment has changed completely, we were in a maisonnette in central Watford before with a shared garden and regurlar walking routes on week days. It was a loud and busy place. We have moved to a house in rural Gloucester where he has a garden, more walks and less time alone. So I have no idea

Thanks for your responses

Kathy, the attack was long before we moved and he played happily with other dogs after that. He plays with a lab he has know for years off the lead fine and seems to have more issues with dogs on leads.

Dave, his environment has changed completely, we were in a maisonnette in central Watford before with a shared garden and regurlar walking routes on week days. It was a loud and busy place. We have moved to a house in rural Gloucester where he has a garden, more walks and less time alone. So I have no idea.

Kirstytheballthrower wrote:Thanks for your responses

Kathy, the attack was long before we moved and he played happily with other dogs after that. He plays with a lab he has know for years off the lead fine and seems to have more issues with dogs on leads.

Dave, his environment has changed completely, we were in a maisonnette in central Watford before with a shared garden and regurlar walking routes on week days. It was a loud and busy place. We have moved to a house in rural Gloucester where he has a garden, more walks and less time alone. So I have no idea.

Did he have some some really good doggie friends that he saw all the time before you moved ( walking groups etc , maybe missing his buddies ?? )
No other incidents that you can think of , there is generally always something to trigger this and may be really really small , that small that you haven't considered it

Sometimes leads can make dogs a bit nervous incase they get tangled up in them.

The only other thing I can think of is that within a few days of moving he got into a scrap (another dog went for him and he snarled back) when he was being walked by the dog walker.