Good dog gone bad

Question
My granddaughter recently moved from a house to an apartment with her family and two dogs. The 6 year old lab has begun going to the bathroom on the floor and chewing on the walls removing the paint. She has always been a wonderful dog, never a problem and it upsets me that she is behaving this way. She had been taken from an abusive home about 4 years ago when my granddaughter rescued her. Could it be because the dogs are now taken out on leashes rather then having the run of a small back yard? Is it the move (it's been about 3 weeks and these issues just arose in the last week or so)? Please, any help you can give will be a God send. I hate to see her placed in a new home.    Thank You, Kathy

Answer
I suspect it is probably the stress of the move, and not generalizing house training from one home to another. But I'd schedule a physical exam as well. Check for tick borne diseases, hypothyroid disease (not an uncommon cause of behavior changes in middle aged dogs) and urinary tract infection. If its not a physical issue, I'd make her life as predictible as possible, and manage her so she can't get into trouble (crate when unsupervised) until she gets past this. I am sure that the reactions of the humans when they discover accidents and damage are adding to her stress. I'd start doing some daily obedience practice, supervise carefully, create a routine she can count on. These things tend to help with generalized anxiety. And when the general level is lower, specific anxieties are also not as bad. I might also talk to the vet to see if anti-anxiety medications might help take the edge off. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com