Good Afternoon, everyone! Just this past Saturday (April 23rd) I adopted a dog from a rescue. Her owners didn't want her anymore and gave her to the pound where she was on death row when a lovely lady adopted her and found me to place her in my home.

Missy is the best thing in my life right now. I absolutely adore her, and she's perfect on being polite and listening to me. Her foster mommy told me it would take weeks for her to adjust and be good to me. However, it only took her 2 hours to become attached.

Now, Missy follows me everywhere. It's her 5th day here, and she still can't stand it if I leave. If I make a step, so does she. I can't even go to the bathroom without her attacking the door. If my boyfriend goes to hug me, or even sit by me she becomes very protective. Her protectiveness has caused a strain on my boyfriend and I's relationship. And her constant need of me has even gone so far that she's harmed herself jumping and trying to escape to find me.

What can I do to help this? I understand it's a process she'll have to get used to, but I'm afraid she'll hurt herself again. She won't listen to anyone, she won't let anyone walk her, and all she does is howl when she can't get to me. My boyfriend describes it as She Needs Me As If I'm Her Arm.

HELP!?! She's a Toy Australian Shepherd / Chihuahua. Body of a very tiny Australian Shepherd, but the face and ears of a Chihuahua. It sounds awkward, I know but she's amazingly beautiful!

Hello! It seems your friend is a little territorial. To help with the tension between your boyfriend and her, try to get him to pet her or give her treats. If she loves toys, let him spoil her. I think him creating a bond with her will help her "share" you.

If you have trouble going to the bathroom/leaving the house try and ease her into being alone. Step outside for only a second and then step back right away before she can become upset. Keep doing this and increase the amount of time you are away from her.

Take her on lots of walks. Long ones, so she's tired at the end. This sounds pretty silly, but I would run with my dog for 45 minutes or so and he'd be so pooped he'd just flop on the floor for a bit.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you.