This is really silly but I'm worried about leaving our dog

[ComeAlongPond]

We have to go away for the weekend. Leaving on Saturday, back on Tuesday morning, so not as if it's ages. Even though he's 9, we've never really left the dog before, we always take him with us on holiday or have managed to have family come and stay. But for various reasons this weekend he is either going to have to go to kennels or to a friend's house.

Obviously we would only put him in good kennels. And the friend who has offered to have him is very nice and has taken care of dogs before for family. But two things are really bothering me.

1- they live on a main road and the dog isn't used to traffic. This isn't that big a deal because they do have a gate, have looked after a dog before, and would be very careful not to let him out. But it's worrying me.

2 - this is the main thing that's getting to me - what if he thinks we've abandoned him? Whether he goes to the kennels or to the friend's house, he won't be in his own home and I'm just worried that he'll think we aren't coming back for him or that he's not our dog anymore!

I know it's ridiculous! But it's making me a bit tearful

Anyone have any advice?

[Jennytailia]

No real advice here, but just wanted to say your lovely!!

It's nice to hear someone really caring about their dog.

I should imagine it's a bit like leaving a child, the thought of it is always much worse than the actual event.

[GailPro]

Someone once told me that dogs have no concept of time...which explains why our dog greets us equally exhuberantly whether we've been gone 15 mins, 5 hours or 5 days!

I too have only left him in kennels once (and cried my eyes out). Now we leave him with a dog sitter who also has dogs so it's like a holiday for him. he gets really excited when we pull up to the house and runs through the front door without so much as a 'see you later master'.

Back to the time thing, he won't even realise you've been away for a 'whole' weekend...cut yourself some slack go and have a good time!

[osd]

I agree, what a lovely think to be worried about your pet. But 9 years is a long time and i love my dog very much also.

So 2 things but may not make you feel any better as you love your dog.

1)Anthropomorphising, putting your feelings onto your pet, we all do it but its a word which may help you to understand your why you feel how you do.

2) Cesar Milan or the Dog Whisper look him up he will tell you how your dog will think. He always say dogs live in the moment and have no recognition of past and present. And that they don't store memories like humans do.

Enjoy your holiday and just make sure everything is in place for your dog so your mind is at rest as much as possible and perhaps arrange an evening phone call to see how he is and leave a hotel number in case they need to contact you.

[Jaynerae]

I totally understand how you feel OP! we are going camping for two weeks in the summer hols, our CKCS and Beagle are coming with us, but we do want some dog free days to enjoy beach with DC's as this will be their first beach holiday (we normally do forest holidays).

So we have found doggy day care near campsite and we have decided to put them in for two days each week. My real worry is CKCS, we adopted him in January and he is besotted with me, follows me every where, stares where he last saw me till I reappear! I don't know if this is his nature anyway or if he is worried I will leave him like previous owner, so although I want to hav csome dog free days I am really worried he will think I am not coming back.

Beagle loves me but is independent and won't care as there will be other dogs to play with! But my little boy is precious and fluffy and gentle and I am worried about what he will think!

[emptyshell]

We're going away in November - a concert we've literally been waiting years to come over from the US and Japan's coming to London and we've got tickets. I'm dreading leaving the dog(s) already!

[ComeAlongPond]

Thanks all. I'm sure he'll be fine really, it's just sad to think of him feeling abandoned.

[Ephiny]

I hate leaving mine too. I wouldn't leave him in kennels because he gets so anxious and clingy in unfamiliar places - I'm convinced it comes from his experience of being rehomed, after all his previous family who he thought loved him and would never abandon him, oneday took him to a strange place and left him and never came back :( Maybe I'm 'anthropomorphising' but he really does change dramatically from being a happy confident dog if we try to leave him somewhere unfamiliar - even on holiday he's not happy about being in a different room from us, whereas at home he's fine in the house on his own for a bit.

We have left him with the ILs for a day/night, and he was fine, but then at least it's familiar surroundings and he's with people he knows, and they give him cuddles and attention etc.

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

Apologies for hijack, emptyshell is that the Distant Worlds concert at the Albert Hall?

ComeAlongPond I'm not a dog person, but I feel the same about leaving the Cat, even though I know she doesn't care It's a good thing to care!

[puffylovett]

I don't believe that about memories, my poppy used to shake whenever we went near kennels, and would refuse to get out of the car.

She had an amazing time staying with a friend who boards dogs though, it's a world of difference. Your Pooch will be absolutely fine without you if going to a nice place. It will be you who misses her more!

[puffylovett]

Him, sorry

[Wolfiefan]

Can you leave something that smells of you and home?
Could friend stay at your house?

[SistersOfPercy]

Zombie thread

[TheCrowFromBelow]

Yes Fionaoxted is resurrecting many zombie threads in blatant self-promotion of her blog.

[Matthews51]

I know how you feel if I have to leave my dog for a short while I panick ,so to leave her in kennels I don't think I could but if your friend is used to your dog then I think that is your best option I am sure it will be ok .
Don't do what I did and cancel as you will never make the effort again after all if it comes to the worst and your dog doesn't settle at least you will know.