Tips for helping anxious 7 year old dog adjust to new house

[Anonymous]

We just moved from a condo (2 floors and no backyard) to a SFH (4 floors, including the basement, with a fenced-in backyard). It's the first time our terrier mix, who is 7 yrs old and pretty anxious (barks a lot, runs around constantly, and gets spooked by things), has lived in a place this big. He's also never had access to a backyard before. We put in a doggie door and have encouraged him to go into the backyard. He'll go outside, but is really hesitant about it. This morning, he was in the backyard while we were out running errands, and when we got back we found him out there whining. He wouldn't go back inside until we coaxed him back in.

We've only been here for a week, so should we just give him more time, or is there something we can do to help him feel more comfortable? We were hoping he'd like having a backyard, but he's never been in a situation where he can go outside without being on a leash, and we're thinking maybe he's confused by it.

[Anonymous]

Maybe his anxiety is exacerbated by your absence in this new home. I would not leave him outside, ever. Because its not good for him and also its against the law.

Play with him, maybe, outside? at least until he acclimatizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe his anxiety is exacerbated by your absence in this new home. I would not leave him outside, ever. Because its not good for him and also its against the law.

Play with him, maybe, outside? at least until he acclimatizes.

It's really against the law to let a dog go into a fenced-in backyard when you're not home? He can go in and out of the house at will through the doggie door. He isn't trapped out there.

[Anonymous]

Set up a small crate for him, keep the door open, put a blanket over it. He needs safe place

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe his anxiety is exacerbated by your absence in this new home. I would not leave him outside, ever. Because its not good for him and also its against the law.

Play with him, maybe, outside? at least until he acclimatizes.

It's really against the law to let a dog go into a fenced-in backyard when you're not home? He can go in and out of the house at will through the doggie door. He isn't trapped out there.

oh yes that's fine - as long has he has access to inside. It would be illegal to have him tied up outside, but I am guessing every state is going to have their own variations on that...