Leaving My Dogs While on Vacation

[GermanShepherdMama 146]

Ok, so, my fiancé and I are planning a trip to Orlando for next July. I’m having some serious anxiety about leaving my puppers for so long (5 days maybe). Like I’m to the point that I don’t want to go! I have a place that I trust to board them, but I’ve only ever been without them for one night. Talk about human separation anxiety.

Any thoughts?

[MIZ60 1,291]

We have had to leave our beloved mini Schnauzer a few times when we take a cruise or a motorcycle trip. The longest we have been gone so far is 10 days. Our friend who owns and operates the kennel literally sends us a text update with a picture or short movie of Bella every day. She loves it there which makes it easier but I do miss her very much. The first time I took her I burst into tears as I was leaving so my husband takes her now.

I don't know if you are familiar with The Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) but he states that dogs do not really have a concept of time and one day or ten days is the same for them. She is always super excited for about 5 minutes then back to normal so I hope he is right. She also gets super excited when I come home from the grocery store...

[Matt Z 4,140]

1 hour ago, GermanShepherdMama said:

Ok, so, my fiancé and I are planning a trip to Orlando for next July. I’m having some serious anxiety about leaving my puppers for so long (5 days maybe). Like I’m to the point that I don’t want to go! I have a place that I trust to board them, but I’ve only ever been without them for one night. Talk about human separation anxiety.

Any thoughts?

We always left our pups with family or friends. Not a fan of boarding kennels personally.

[MargoCL 677]

I stopped using boarding kennels because of the cost and stress. I now use a petsitter, used to use a pet sitter service which was actually about the same cost as a boarder. .

Home pet sitting is much more healthy for the pet as well, they are not stressed about being somewhere strange.

[Bhageerah 161]

All I am going to say is that I love my boy and there are several times that I do feel bad about leaving him, but just know and trust that your pups will be ok. I do believe that the main thing is that you have someone that you trust to take care of your pups. I know that may be hard to do but once you find someone you trust and you get out of town and enjoy yourself then the fear will disappear. Have them send you pictures of how they are doing especially when they are having good time, that should also help to calm your nerves.

[elcee 3,343]

I have a bigger problem. We currently have 2 horses , 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 ducks. My kids used to housesit when we were away but now they have their own homes and pets so that isnt really an option anymore unless its for a day or 2. Planning a big overseas trip next year so I may have to start looking at housesitting options.

[Joshua020 0]

On 10/31/2018 at 6:18 PM, MIZ60 said:

We have had to leave our beloved mini Schnauzer a few times when we take a cruise or a motorcycle trip. The longest we have been gone so far is 10 days. nolah Our friend who owns and operates the kennel literally sends us a text update with a picture or short movie of Bella every day. She loves it there which makes it easier but I do miss her very much. The first time I took her I burst into tears as I was leaving so my husband takes her now.

I don't know if you are familiar with The Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) but he states that dogs do not really have a concept of time and one day or ten days is the same for them. She is always super excited for about 5 minutes then back to normal so I hope he is right. She also gets super excited when I come home from the grocery store...

Motorcycle trip ?

[MIZ60 1,291]

Yes, we take motorcycle trips all over. Have ridden cross country twice (Texas to Wisconsin and Texas to Colorado/Wyoming) and also quite a few shorter weekend trips.

[sillykitty 10,789]

My late GSD LOVED being boarded. She'd actually be disappointed when I came to pick her up .

She loved all the attention from the employees, the play time with other dogs, the potty walks.

So don't assume this will be a negative experience for your pups, they might not want to come home!

[NagathaChristie 95]

This is a great question. I am too attached to mine to leave them. I try to go on vacation where I can take them along. One day I would like to go on a cruise or something but I am not sure if I would have fun or just miss them.