First I want to say that I remember Ed and Cindy giving a warning about pet dog discussion. I felt that this was a legit behavior problem, but if it is too much on the pet side I apologize.

The problem has been going on since November when we moved to a new house. It hadn't been that bad and was ignorable. I would ignore the mopey behavior and give attention when he was in a good mood and the behavior seemed to mostly subside. If you have read my other recent post he just got over being pretty sick and got alot of extra attention then. We went on vacation recently and he was perfect there. Here the past 2 weeks have been horrible though. He's fine if we are exercising, playing, or getting food. The rest of the time he drops his head and tail and follows me around. He has also been barking at me more when he wants something and has been anticipating my next move alot. He used to be(before the move) happy all the time. I have racked my brain to try to figure out what I have been doing different that could be triggering this behavior or if I have some how been reinforcing it and can't think of anything. I've thought about going back to some of the groundwork so as to remind him and me what our routine is. I've also thought about maybe taking him to my mom's for a week so he can get away from me for a little while because I know I am probably part of the problem. It seems like he has completely forgotton how things are around the house and everytime that I move and it isn't to get a toy or food that he is let down and the pouting commences. Any ideas to help me brainstorm would be greatly appreciated.

I think it might be anxiety about the move, and also maybe your distracted attention to setting up house, etc.

But no matter what it is:

I don't think having him be in yet another place for a week is a good plan..... JMO ..... no matter how much he might like the other place.

Here's what I think:

Motivational obedience is a good confidence-builder and a good bonding activity. My own opinion is that it doesn't matter whether you have done it all or not. I would get Video #302 from Leerburg and I would do every command, working a little bit every day (because a couple of minutes several times a day is MUCH better than an hour once a week).

I would make each session upbeat, starting and ending on a command you know he knows and can be praised and rewarded for.

Also, the groundwork for pack leadership is good to review. That work is forever, rather than do-it-and-it's-done. So it can only be good to review it all yourself and then incorporate it all in the daily routine.

IMO, the best attention is the praise and pleasure from training.

Has your scheldule or routine changed in your new place? It sounds like he's a little anxious to me.

I'd try to maintain a consistent routine and add a little more time spent with training and excercise if possible.

P.S. He is all better, right? Did the consultation happen OK?

I agree with Connie, I would not take him to your mothers for a week, a dog loves to be with his pack, changing territory is a "a change " for your dog.When they show wolves being relocated ,they always notice a change in the packs behavior.So my guess your dog is behaving normal to what is going on.He'll adjust and he'll get used to it, play with him often, games in the house hide his toys , play tug , whatever game you both play to re-affirm your bond and pack structure..But he will adjust.You can't change things just for the sake of him being a little different,make him adjust to the changes and pretty soon it will be the norm, the "routine".
Let the changes happen , don't try to add or fix too many things.He'll be fine..

I would only add that you be sure not to reward unwanted behaviour by trying to soothe him. Ignore whiney dog, reward quiet, relaxed dog. Arf.

Thanks all. Could he still not be used to the new place even after this long? Should I initiate training, exercise, or play when he is mopey? The past 2 weeks it has been kinda hard to catch him at a time that he wasn't. I have been afraid to do too much with him while he is in that mind set because I didn't want to reinforce it, but like I said it's hard to find a time when he's in a good mood. My schedule has been pretty consistent. It seems like he is constantly let down during our time together because when I get up to go to the bathroom or kitchen he jumps up thinking we are going to do something. I can't even cough or scratch my head without him jumping up and looking at me and heading to the door. We run or walk in the morning and evening and play on and off when I get home from work. Tonight I ran (he ran, I rode the bike) his short legged but a mile and a half and couldn't get him to breath hard

Connie, I just couldn't afford the consultation at this point in time. Tom Lonsdale did email me back. He said he didn't feel comfortable giving detailed advice since he doesn't know my particular case, but he did say that HGE would just be a passing event and wouldn't need any special precautions in diet unless I found something in the diet to be a trigger. I have given him some meat and RMB's in the THK and have given him some meals put together like I used to. As far as being better he is back other than the extra mopiness here lately. He is 3 pounds lighter than he was. After seeing his energy and stamina now, I think I had him overweight and am going to keep him at his new weight.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

It seems like he is constantly let down during our time together because when I get up to go to the bathroom or kitchen he jumps up thinking we are going to do something. I can't even cough or scratch my head without him jumping up and looking at me and heading to the door.

Have you considered that maybe your dog isn't depressed, but is instead bored, or underexercised? I know you do exercise with him, but the above quote sounds to me like a dog that needs a little more physical and/or mental exercise. He's a JRT, right? I've never owned one personally, but the ones I've worked with are major go-go-go dogs!

Just something to try. Good luck and I'm GLAD he's back to good health!

I am very pleased and surprised that Tom Lonsdale answers emails from strangers. He must be as cool as his book suggests.

Your dog sounds bored and under-exercised, don't you think?

Maybe it's a combo of the new house, increased energy from weight loss, whatever.......

If he is constantly looking at you with "now what? now what?" on his face, then I'd give him a little more to occupy his mind.

Back to training. Training uses doggy brains as well as muscles, and that tires out a dog much more than just physical exercise.

The morning and evening exercise is great. I'd take him for walks, too. I know you might think "What good is a walk gonna do if running isn't even enough?" But frustrated energy and boredom will respond to changes of scenery, training(!), and fetch. You could be throwing something and never moving from a lawn chair or porch step while he trots back and forth.

I would not reward annoying behavior with any kind of attention or walking or anything -- meaning that if he's staring at you and whining or whatever, you don't reward that.

You decide when there will be training, walks, etc.

Your post wasn't there when I started typing, Amber. We posted almost word for word.

There you go, Michael -- independent opinions that agree exactly.