Boarding your dog (vets, skin, diarrhea, adopt)

[cleosmom]

You've been given some sage advice regarding your fears. Your dog feeds of of your emotions, yes you'll miss him nothing wrong with that, however if you take him in all rattled, he's going to want to tend to you. Chin up, walk in allow him to go into the kennel and then you can react

If it's any consulation I've worked at a pet hotel for over 6 years and I miss my guys when I leave, but I know they are in trained hands and I'm only a phon call away.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Chin up, walk in allow him to go into the kennel and then you can react

And the sobbing begins...

Originally Posted by cleosmom

If it's any consulation I've worked at a pet hotel for over 6 years and I miss my guys when I leave, but I know they are in trained hands and I'm only a phon call away.

Thank you.

[Keeper]

I had to leave my Harley who is fine with the dogs here but not too fond of other dogs. I took him to the kennel due to a death in the family and I could not take him with me. I felt terrible leaving him but I had no other choice.

When I went to pick him up he was lounging in the yard with the other dogs. The ladies at the kennel found he liked their dog who came to the kennel every day with them. They made sure they put him out in the yard with their dog because he liked their dog. He did fine with the other dogs too. I took his 'baby' stuff toy and he didn't even bother with it..

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by DandJ

And the sobbing begins...




Thank you.

Well I hope you don't start all that sobbing stuff when you get there, because I find it irritating. I have clients who linger and linger and make a big fuss which just makes more work fo me because the dog becomes more anxious and whines. Is this your first dog?

[stan4]

If you're really worried, do what we do - have someone take care of him at your home or leave him with a dog-educated friend/family. I've never had to board my dog (she's 7 yrs - had her since she was 5 weeks), and I never intend to.

But if you take your dog to the kennel and see that he is happy and able to interact/play with other dogs, maybe that will ease your mind, too.

[Fontucky]

Dogs live in the moment. They don't miss us a particle as much as we'd like to think they do. When I have to leave my girl at the local pet hotel, I set her up with an old jacket of mine to lay on, and leave the rest up to her.

We're the ones who complicate dogs' lives. For times like this, I have a saying that I borrowed from the Christians, and then put a dog twist to it: "Let go and let dog".

Which is another way of saying: our dogs do fine without us, as hard as that is for us to admit.

[DawnMTL]

Keeper -- sweeeeet! I hope my guy has the same type of experience. Thanks!

Raggy dee Ann -- look closer; it was in response to Cleosmom who said to take him in, then leave, then I can react. Because God forbid I irritate YOU. By the way, this isn't about YOU. It's about me and how to deal with the fact that I'm with my dog 24/7 and the fact that I'm worried that it will be a difficult transition for him (as it is for me). I had a dog as a kid but I was a kid then -- I didn't care as much.

Stan4 -- we do have a sitter, but she wasn't available. I will definitely work around her schedule next time if I see the kennel isn't a success; but I do hope the kennel is a success. Thanks!

Fontucky -- thank you for easing my mind!

[Fontucky]

DandJ, I forgot to add that I too am with my Pit girl 24/7... I work out of the house in semi-retirement. We're like two peas in a pod, Nanners and I.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

DandJ, I forgot to add that I too am with my Pit girl 24/7... I work out of the house in semi-retirement. We're like two peas in a pod, Nanners and I.

Then you totally get the attachment, on both ends. And you'll understand that I haven't been to the bathroom on my own since May of 2007. LOL!

He really is VERY attached to me. He had a rough puppyhood and then, when he was in a good home, he lived with someone who wasn't home a lot. (She was gone at least 9 hours per day, during which time he was in a crate.) Since he's been with me, and gotten attention and freedom and love, he's become a much more well-behaved dog, so I think (no, I know) I've added something to his life.

He's lived in at least three homes in his five short years (he just turned five this month) and I don't want him to EVER think he's being rejected again.

Thank you for understanding my fears, my worries, and my concern. I just want him to have a good life and never ever be in fear again that he's being deserted.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Keeper -- sweeeeet! I hope my guy has the same type of experience. Thanks!

Raggy dee Ann -- look closer; it was in response to Cleosmom who said to take him in, then leave, then I can react. Because God forbid I irritate YOU. By the way, this isn't about YOU. It's about me and how to deal with the fact that I'm with my dog 24/7 and the fact that I'm worried that it will be a difficult transition for him (as it is for me). I had a dog as a kid but I was a kid then -- I didn't care as much.

Stan4 -- we do have a sitter, but she wasn't available. I will definitely work around her schedule next time if I see the kennel isn't a success; but I do hope the kennel is a success. Thanks!

Fontucky -- thank you for easing my mind!

Lucky for me I have my work cut out, by that I mean I have regular clients and rarely need to take on new clients for myself. All the new clients go to my sitters all over the city. I stay clear of difficult owners and their difficult dogs, why punish myself?

People have to deal with YOUR dog, the one that YOU make anxious. Do you know how upsetting it is to hear that constant whinning of the dog and watch him/her pace up and down the hall way or watch him plant himself by the window looking for it's owner to come back? Get real. Dogs are a hell lot more resiliant than we think they are. Spend enough time in a shelter or transporting rescue dogs and you'll see what I mean.

Let your dog be a dog.