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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 32,331,159 times
Reputation: 28890
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Hi!
I think that I'm actually writing this question so that you guys and gals can ease my mind and tell me that what I'm doing is NOT a terrible thing.
My dog and I are together 24/7. (I work from home.) It's been this way since we got him in May 2007. He's 5 years old, and we're inseperable. When he was in his previous home, his "Mommy" would leave him with friends when she had to go out of town.
Fast forward to now... We are going out of town for a week and we cannot bring my dog with us. (I wish we could.)
I don't have any friends that would be able to "babysit" for my dog. He's never been boarded. I've done a lot of research and found the BEST boarding place (as per recommendations, etc...) but I'm still dreading leaving him there when my husband and I go away.
I suspect that this is going to be more traumatic for me than for my dog (I'm the one with separation anxiety, for sure), but...
... how traumatic can it be for my dog?
... do you think he has any gauge for the length of time?
... is it possible that he'll feel sad the whole time, and rejected? (that would kill me, if he thinks that I won't come back to get him)
... what's the likelihood that he'll be angry with me afterwards?
I don't know, maybe this is so silly, and I'm projecting my own separation anxiety on him, but really, the thought of boarding him makes me physically ill, to the point of tears.
What are your thoughts on this? I'd really appreciate your feedback.
Edited to add: This isn't going to feel like "camp" for him. Although there will be other dogs there to play with, my guy is not a fan of other dogs. So it's not going to be fun away from home. I wish it were.
Edited to add: This is the super kind of place the facility is: Each dog's "room" has a run out back where they can be on their own outside. They also have doggie playtime every day, so that the dogs can play with each other (although my dog will just lunge and bark at all of them until he's dragged back to his room, I know that ). The rooms are shielded from each other in that each dog has his privacy. The owner said that he's still going to take my dog for playtime with the others and that if he really is a monster, he's going to work one-on-one with him. Really, it's a fantastic place. I just don't want my little guy to think that I've deserted him.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 32,331,159 times
Reputation: 28890
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viralmd
Make sure you visit this place. And visit UNANNOUNCED so you can see how it's really run. If they don't let you in, find another place.
The place isn't the problem. I'm the problem. The place is fabulous. I've seen it, I've spent time talking to the owner (who is also a trainer/behaviorist). The place is terrific -- I'm the basketcase.
Definately, research exactly where they keep the dogs. My mother used to board her dog where the owner would meet you at the driveway. I ask to see where the dogs would be kept. He had travel kennels in his garage. That was the end of that. Otherwise, dogs don't have any relationship to time. When you leave to get your mail, or leave for the whole day, your dog reacts the same way. Just leave a well-used clothing item of yours with him. I wear an old coat to the kennel, take it off and lay it on the floor with him. He'll sleep on it and I'll be with him in smell. That's one of their most acute senses anyway. He'll be fine.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 32,331,159 times
Reputation: 28890
ESFP -- really, the boarding facility is A-1, an absolutely fantastic place. I know that they will take wonderful care of him. But I'm freaking out anyway. What a terrific idea, though, about the well-worn piece of clothing. I'll definitely do that! Thanks!
World Citizen -- it really is. Each dog's "room" has a run out back where they can be on their own outside. They also have doggie playtime every day, so that the dogs can play with each other (although my dog will just lunge and bark at all of them until he's dragged back to his room, I know that ). The rooms are shielded from each other in that each dog has his privacy. The owner said that he's still going to take my dog for playtime with the others and that if he really is a monster, he's going to work one-on-one with him. Really, it's a fantastic place. I just don't want my little guy to think that I've deserted him. Thank you for the reminder that they really have no concept on time, but mostly thank you for the last sentence in your post.
Your dog will be fine. You just need to wrap your mind around it. It's like taking a kid to school or daycare for the first time -- the parting is hard on you and weighs on your mind but you're not aware that 10 minutes after you left, your kid becomes interested in the new surroundings and activities. You've done your part in making sure the kennel is an excellent place.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 32,331,159 times
Reputation: 28890
Quote:
Originally Posted by teatime
Your dog will be fine. You just need to wrap your mind around it. It's like taking a kid to school or daycare for the first time -- the parting is hard on you and weighs on your mind but you're not aware that 10 minutes after you left, your kid becomes interested in the new surroundings and activities. You've done your part in making sure the kennel is an excellent place.
I think that I'm actually writing this question so that you guys and gals can ease my mind and tell me that what I'm doing is NOT a terrible thing.
My dog and I are together 24/7. (I work from home.) It's been this way since we got him in May 2007. He's 5 years old, and we're inseperable. When he was in his previous home, his "Mommy" would leave him with friends when she had to go out of town.
Fast forward to now... We are going out of town for a week and we cannot bring my dog with us. (I wish we could.)
I don't have any friends that would be able to "babysit" for my dog. He's never been boarded. I've done a lot of research and found the BEST boarding place (as per recommendations, etc...) but I'm still dreading leaving him there when my husband and I go away.
I suspect that this is going to be more traumatic for me than for my dog (I'm the one with separation anxiety, for sure), but...
... how traumatic can it be for my dog?
... do you think he has any gauge for the length of time?
... is it possible that he'll feel sad the whole time, and rejected? (that would kill me, if he thinks that I won't come back to get him)
... what's the likelihood that he'll be angry with me afterwards?
I don't know, maybe this is so silly, and I'm projecting my own separation anxiety on him, but really, the thought of boarding him makes me physically ill, to the point of tears.
What are your thoughts on this? I'd really appreciate your feedback.
Edited to add: This isn't going to feel like "camp" for him. Although there will be other dogs there to play with, my guy is not a fan of other dogs. So it's not going to be fun away from home. I wish it were.
Calm down it's ok. I deal with clients like you all the time and y'all are toxic to your dogs. YOU make them nervous and anxious. Are you leaving him in a "camp" where he is put away at nights into caged area or will he be home boarded as in someones house?
I find some dogs adapt within minutes and are running around with my dogs once they've sniffed each other out and some spend their time whining by the front door or looking through the window. Eventually they settle down but a few never. These are the ones who owners are super anxious like you. What I do for very anxious dogs and their owners is tell them to drop the doggy off for a few hours over a number of weeks for day care, to ease them into it and I find that helps. It also gives me time to access the dog. Your dog will be just fine.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 32,331,159 times
Reputation: 28890
Raggy dee Ann -- I realize that it's my problem, but I try my best not to let him see that I'm anxious. I've left him in our house with a sitter for a weekend, and he was great. This time, though, he has to be boarded because she's not available. And I'm concerned.
This is the super kind of place the facility is: Each dog's "room" has a run out back where they can be on their own outside. They also have doggie playtime every day, so that the dogs can play with each other (although my dog will just lunge and bark at all of them until he's dragged back to his room, I know that ). The rooms are shielded from each other in that each dog has his privacy. The owner said that he's still going to take my dog for playtime with the others and that if he really is a monster, he's going to work one-on-one with him. Really, it's a fantastic place. I just don't want my little guy to think that I've deserted him.
It's just that it's the first time -- for both of us -- and we're so used to be together all the time, so... I'm concerned.
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). The rooms are shielded from each other in that each dog has his privacy. The owner said that he's still going to take my dog for playtime with the others and that if he really is a monster, he's going to work one-on-one with him. Really, it's a fantastic place. I just don't want my little guy to think that I've deserted him.
