Gopherhawk

Obvious disclaimer: working from home has likely resulted in changed behaviour/I notice things more. I've had a Grey for about 9 months now. She just turned nine and is very, very well-behaved. Only has messed in the house a few times, and seemingly always as a result of a disagreeable treat or something similar. She has not gotten into anything she shouldn't, and she has not destroyed anything at all. I work from home much of the day, but even when I am home after work or on the weekend, my Grey just sits and stares either at me or off into space the majority of the time. She has no interest whatsoever in chew toys, but I can't just give her feeder toys all day and she's only good for about an hour of walking a day. She refuses to get on the couch for company, and she sighs a lot like a creature expecting me to be entertaining or do something all the time. Now, when I take her to my parents house (1-3 times a week), which is a bit bigger and has more windows, she is all smiles ear to ear almost non-stop except when she wears herself out with happiness and crashes in the basement. All good there. Near as I can tell, this type of behaviour in my house is pretty normal, but I just wanted to get some thoughts on whether or not she is bored or doesn't like my house. I know that's a pretty amorphous inquiry, but does anyone have insight on this? I've spent a ludicrous amount of money on thing to keep her occupied, but she seems to have only walking and treat drives. I simply want to make sure she is having a good quality of life, and being bored is not a part of that. Thanks much, Gopherhawk

Hi guys, newbie here. I adopted just three days ago, and finding help with this issue has been darn near impossible online. I don't think the verbal advice has been the greatest from the adoption agency or fosters either, so here's what's going on: I have an 8-year-old former racer. I rent a basement right now, and use the walkout slider to go in and out with her. Backyard is fully-privacy fenced. She definitely knows where the gate is. The problem is that when we are done with our walk she just freezes in the driveway and wont return to the back yard. A couple times I've gotten her 10 feet from the gate and she just wont go further. I don't want to push her the rest of the way anymore for obvious reasons, and I'm not thrilled about having to carry her to the gate from the driveway. Is there any way I can fast-track her adjustment to this new situation? Not sure she has fully realized where "home" is. Thanks so much Elliot K P.S. One recommendation was to get a harness and to lift her using the straps on it so I have control over the front of her body. Still, I'd rather she just be comfortable going through the gate. Other doors are not an option as we have crazy stairs leading to my living area. P.S.S. I am the rookiest of all rookie dogs owners. Going bold with the racer as the first one.