Not only were we gloomy today because it was our last day with Cooper but it was also raining. Cooper didn't want to have much to do with the rain and preferred to be inside most of the day.
I think we've really worn him out this week. He loves lounging around. When he first came he seemed a little more anxious. He was scanning the perimeter looking for ways out and, when that didn't work, he'd go inside and scan the perimeter inside the house. He would interact with me and the dogs occasionally but it didn't seem a big draw for him. But now, it's a different story. He's playing with the other dogs a lot and really wants to snuggle up when he wants to relax. I haven't noticed him looking for his escape route at all today.
So, in cases like that, where a dog is not wanting to be confined and drawn to wandering, it's important to get them keyed into people. It makes it a challenge though, when that dog also has separation issues. So it's a fine balance between getting him more focused on his handler but also feeling confident enough to be alone. So that means trips to other rooms without a shadow following behind you, refraining from petting or touching him too much, and really low key exits and entrances.
Short departures and a low key return will help him to relax more. Finding things that he LOVES and can do unsupervised will help him too.
And maybe as his confidence builds and he feels more settled his wanderlust will subside. But for now, he must wander on back home. One thing is for certain, he will be missed here...
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