Moving Anxiety?

[larz78]

Hi All,

It's been a while since I have posted, but I could use your thoughts!

My husband and I have bought a house with a fenced in backyard and a gunite pool for our little bear. Lukin is an active teenager (10 months next week) with no issues so far (fingers crossed it stays that way.)

Just this evening he was completely fine until we began packing some boxes and started "decluttering". Our little boy whimpered a bit and started limping when we called him over to comfort him. He did play with his "girlfriend" (a flat coated retriever that is much faster than him) this afternoon, but has been fine until the boxes opened.

For those of you that have moved, has your Newf ever presented physical anxiety symptoms? Are we just nuts to think this is a possibility?

We will obviously monitor this and take him the vet tomorrow if it persists, but we know our little pup is quite smart and this is a huge adjustment - is he really upset/nervous/concerned? Or perhaps it's an attention grab?

Thoughts appreciated!
Lara and Bob

P.S. CharlieInNJ - Bob was driving behind you the other day on Tauton Blvd and kept wondering who had the Newfs on Board!

 

[nsmarlis]

My dogs know something is going on when they are downstairs & I'm packing a suitcase upstairs.

 

[Thehallk]

I dont have experience with physical symptoms, but I gave Gilly a raw meaty bone while we packed our stuff into the van and when she came out of her bone stupor and saw that all the entire apartment was suddenly empty she freaked out. On looking back it probably wasn't a good idea, but I didn't think she would be so into the bone that she wouldn't notice us lifting boxes and furniture around her. When we packed everything into boxes she was very helpful ripping up packing paper and tearing corners off boxes and otherwise unconcerned, but was also only about 5 months at that point. Sorry, no help!

 

[larz78]

Thank you both for your responses! Lukin definitely has "helped" with biting corners off of the first boxes. Might I also add that 1. He was standing on all fours for his frozen yogurt dessert and 2. He was perfectly fine on his walk this evening!

He has been sleeping all night in his crate, which he typically doesn't do. I think he might have gotten his parents "acting" skills!

And Liza, I love your idea of the distraction bone and the fact the Gilly had no idea what was going on around her. . .you are definitely a BIG help! Thank you!

 

[Bojie]

I moved cross country with Bojie. I found that he was most anxious if he wasn't with me. All the major packing/moving I tried to have him in the car (a familiar spot) with his bed, and some bones and his stuffies. Once the major stuff started to be moved, is when he started to exhibit signs of anxiety. Never limping. But panting, pacing, generally an overall worried look about him. I did the same thing when we moved into our new home. Large furniture went in first, but really what was first was his bed, and stuffies. Our house was totally empty except for his bed and his favorite toys! I find he gets upset if he sees me carrying large boxes or furniture, almost like he feels like they might be hurting me or attacking me in some way so I try to put him in the car in a comfortable spot for that if I have to be present for it, if someone else is moving the things for me, I take him for a walk to distract him. The biggest thing I've found out about moving, is the dogs settle in much quicker than the people! As long as you are with him, he will feel safe, and his calmness will help you stay calm

 

[BeauTux]

As soon as our 1 boy, "tux" sees the suitcases pulled out, it's instant anxiety with him, we just moved 2 and a half months ago, and you could visibly*see how worked up he was getting watching all the furniture being carried away. Although I must say having 2 other newfs or (accomplices which i like to call them) helped him a great deal. Maybe it's time for a new addition?

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

How is Lukin this morning?

 

[larz78]

I moved cross country with Bojie. I found that he was most anxious if he wasn't with me. All the major packing/moving I tried to have him in the car (a familiar spot) with his bed, and some bones and his stuffies. Once the major stuff started to be moved, is when he started to exhibit signs of anxiety. Never limping. But panting, pacing, generally an overall worried look about him. I did the same thing when we moved into our new home. Large furniture went in first, but really what was first was his bed, and stuffies. Our house was totally empty except for his bed and his favorite toys! I find he gets upset if he sees me carrying large boxes or furniture, almost like he feels like they might be hurting me or attacking me in some way so I try to put him in the car in a comfortable spot for that if I have to be present for it, if someone else is moving the things for me, I take him for a walk to distract him. The biggest thing I've found out about moving, is the dogs settle in much quicker than the people! As long as you are with him, he will feel safe, and his calmness will help you stay calm

Wow, I give you all the credit in the world - we're just moving a few miles! We will definitely use your suggestions when we move in. There are two resident dogs there now, so I'm sure Lukin will be looking and sniffing for them as well. He is in full "I'm 10 months old and not nutured mode," which I'm sure doesn't help either. Thank you!

 

[BLCOLE]

My dogs know something is going on when they are downstairs & I'm packing a suitcase upstairs.

Marlis:

I remember when I moved from Mt. Pleasant, SC to Williamsburg, VA. I had Zeus at the time. He DEFINITELY got whiny and velcro when the movers came. He was physically trembling as I was getting ready to put him in the car for the trip.

When we finally got the furniture straight in the new digs, he gave out a loud "Woo Woo" and cuddled up against the movers...

 

[larz78]

As soon as our 1 boy, "tux" sees the suitcases pulled out, it's instant anxiety with him, we just moved 2 and a half months ago, and you could visibly*see how worked up he was getting watching all the furniture being carried away. Although I must say having 2 other newfs or (accomplices which i like to call them) helped him a great deal. Maybe it's time for a new addition?

Thank you for this post - these puppies are SO smart. They amaze me! While Lukin is pretty familiar with suitcases (as I travel a lot for work and it means alone time with Dad,) he actually started barking and "showing symptoms" when we moved the cat condo. Like, "how could you possibly throw out my brother and sister's things?" Perhaps he thought we were getting rid of the cats? (Who knew he liked them so much?) Or, more likely, he thought his things were next!

In any case, I'm sure my husband got a kick out of your "time for a new addition line!" It is tempting, at least when Lukin is sleeping.

 

[charlieinnj]

P.S. CharlieInNJ - Bob was driving behind you the other day on Tauton Blvd and kept wondering who had the Newfs on Board!

Just seeing this now...Yes! That was me and I did see Bob behind me. I had one of those, "Should I stick my arm out and wave to him behind me..but what if he's not looking and thinks there's some crazy person in front of him, etc" moments. :icon_stupid:

But getting back to Lukin, they definitely do sense "change" and/or perhaps it could be a sound the boxes make when they're being opened....or are you using that moving tape and it makes that screechy noise when you tear off a length of it to secure a box? Sometimes, it's the oddest things. Emma has a fascination with cardboard boxes....I gave her one once when she was a puppy and ever since, she gets all besides herself when she sees one. :devil: She thinks she's gonna get to play with it and tear it up.

So jealous of your gunite pool! Is it Lukin-proof?

 

[champagnebrkfst]

Hey Charlie,

I was going to put my arm out of the window as well, but I had the same thought as you. HA! HA!

The gunite pool is always open for Oliver and Emma.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

We moved in August, and tried to make it as easy on Elvis as possible. He has SUCH a routine and doesn't do well if it get's messed up. We knew all summer we were moving, so we packed up a little bit at a time to get him used to the boxes and things disappearing now and then. On the actual move day we had to put him in his crate (he kept trying to "help" the movers by licking them and sticking his head in every open box). He didn't like that and voiced his concerns, but there wasn't anything we could do about it. After about 15 minutes he settled down and just watched quietly.

Once we were in the new house, he wouldn't come in the kitchen for a few days. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but that's where we wanted to keep his food and water bowls. He wouldn't eat or drink unless we heavily bribed him and stood next to him the entire time. We easily fixed that by accident on day 4 by actually cooking in our kitchen! He couldn't handle all the smells and had to come check it out. It's been smooth sailing ever since.

 

[new_2_newf]

When I start packing the car for a trip, Sulley will sometimes act out...he will rip things up, get into things he knows he's not supposed to be in, general attention seeking behaviour. Sometimes he'll lay downstairs and cry or yelp while i'm packing upstairs...I used to fly down the stairs to see what's wrong and he'd be there, just fine and all wags. Now he's learned that when I tell him that we are getting ready to go to 'grandma's house', he's coming with me and that seems to calm him.

 

[smy0527]

Once we pack the car for trips, Sophie will stay near the door and bolt out to jump in the car. She doesn't do this any other time, even though we are in and out many times a day.

 

[Jeannie]

Many of my customers bring their dogs in for boarding before they pull out the suitcases.

When we moved here we had it made. We brought the dogs here for 6 months before we moved in. Jan - April we were remodeling my shop so they just hung out. May 1-July 1 we were fixing up the house. I started grooming here on May 1 so I brought the dogs with me each day. Even fed them lunch here. When we finally moved, over July 4th, the dogs thought nothing of it.

When we moved things we would bring a bit out at a time, put it away and bring another load. We were lucky to be able to move things slowly. We didn't sell our house in town until about 2 months after we moved.

 

[larz78]

Thank you for all of the great stories, keep them coming!

You are definitely making these new "parents" feel better. I am happy to report that the mystery limp was gone this morning and despite more packing tonight, it has not resurfaced. Thanks again!

 

[charlieinnj]

Thank you for all of the great stories, keep them coming!

You are definitely making these new "parents" feel better. I am happy to report that the mystery limp was gone this morning and despite more packing tonight, it has not resurfaced. Thanks again!

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