I have been told by a couple people who have dog-sat (mom and girlfriend) for me that Inara is a totally different dog when I'm gone. She's calm, doesn't pester the cats, and just is quiet. What am I doing that makes her so much more relaxed when I'm gone? I don't think I'm an obnoxious dog owner - I don't follow her around, I'm not constantly petting or talking to her unless she seeks it out, etc.
My other thought though was that maybe she's a bit anxious and shut down when I leave? She has anxiety in new/different situations. If she can see me leave and she's not crated, she totally flips out and throws herself at the door, barking and having a fit. So she doesn't like it when I leave. So maybe she's shutting down when I leave her around people she doesn't live with?
I don't know. I'm just confused. (big shocker, I know!)