Does this make me a bad dog owner?? :(

[hellohellooo]

Hello all

Honest opinions much appreciated

My lovely dog is a very well cared for boy
We have. Had him for 7 years and he is by my side at all times
Sleeps at my feet in the bed
Two walks per day
Lots of treats

Anyway
We are away for a week at Xmas and I'm considering a highly reputable dog boarding facility
Is this the right thing to do?
He gets really upset when I'm not around

It's 6 months away
I have paid a small deposit as they are so popular but I don't mind losing this deposit

Will send lots of treats and a blanket that smells of me

What should I do??

Try a house sitter? Always works for us.

No, I wouldn’t put a clingy 7 year old dog into boarding kennels, I think it would be very stressful for them.

Gosh that's an eye opener

OP, I work as a dogsitter. I'd recommend getting a sitter rather than taking him to boarding. Most dogs are happiest in their own home and with their own routines, toys etc. Good sitters do get booked up quite far in advance but you will be able to find someone. Feel free to DM me if you need a recommendation.

This. He needs to learn that you come back. The place you’ve chosen sounds great, and clearly a very conscious choice. He’ll probably be very pleased to see you back, maybe a bit kore clingy afterwards, but yes, if you can do a bit of prep leading up to it, I think that’ll help.

Dogs are very adaptable. When you’re away, take comfort in that you’ve chosen well and that he’ll be cared for. It’s only a week.

My dog has SA as is rarely left totally on her own. Opportunity to leave her is very slim too due to our home situation. But she settles eventually in her crate, (camera to monitor), and is fine. I’m contemplating a companion dog… or cat, or both!! 😂

It doesn’t sound like boarding kennels like there used to be though, it sounds like as close to a family home as one can get. Dog might enjoy the socialisation? 🤷‍♀️

😂

I hate leaving my dogs for the one week we go on holiday a year but it is our only downtime and we have them stay with family. Completely normal to feel like you do but it in no way makes you a bad owner. Enjoy your week away.

Not silly. It comes from a caring place, but notice when it tips into disproportionate worry from your own anxiety. Your boy will pick up on your anxiety, so try to be mindful of that.

It may not hurt to start leaving him a little here and there so that you are not loosing out on too much life unnecessarily. Yes, dogs are a lifestyle and a commitment, but there needs to be balance too. He could live another 7years!!

Have a lovely time away!

I can vouch for this approach! For the last few years we've booked our velcro dog into a home from home boarding place for 2-3 weekends a year in readiness for a two week stint in the summer. I felt so bad the first few times as he chased our car and was scrabbling to get back in 😔Now it's a different story- he arrives and greets the pack like he's a long lost pal and wanders off with the owner. I feel guilty when we get back because he's had two weeks of roaming the Devon countryside living the farm life and I'm worried we not "enough" for him 🤣

Do you tell your dog what's happening and when you'll be home? Both dogs & cats, like babies, understand much more than we think we do and I've always found telling them simply helps.

I don't have dogs anymore but in your shoes I would also do the following - I know this is barking (!) - but I'd also look at hiring an animal communicator to also explain and to ensure my dog felt comfortable.

I know it's very woo, and I've not used one before, but I would try anything if I was concerned he'd be unhappy.

I'm in the same situation(ish). I have a rescue Romanian that very rarely leaves my side so I have been doing my utmost to leave him. Not for long, just a few hours here and there, occasionally 4, to hope he'll learn. Next step is a trial at a kennel for a night. What harm can he come to? I love him to bits but I do want him to be a bit independent. I'm sure he will.
I probably will get flamed for this but I'm not going to overdue the fuss when I leave him either. Just a quick pat, a 'good boy' and walk away. Love bombing him will only make him anxious.
You could also trial a house sitter but I'm a bit uneasy about that really.
Then I'm off on a short holiday. 😁

Hands off to pet owners!

I could never sacrifice my holidays for a dog. It’s a big commitment and there are some lucky dogs out there to have such caring owners

thank you alll

So so much

I'm so bloody confused now 😝😝🤦🏼‍♀️

It will depend on your dog.

I am going to have to put my dog in quarantine for 10 days soon and it's a ghastly prospect. She's the kind of dog who crawls into my lap when we visit someone as she gets overwhelmed and doesn't want to be left behind. But needs must and sometimes you gotta bite the bullet and do what you gotta do.

I know !!!!

Plus it may all work out fine

In the one being an idiot

I agree with this , also see if they will let you leave a item of clothing that smells of you or his blanket.

Thanks all

All our kennels are have heat lamps and are inside independent buildings. Other kennels may vary but ours are definitely not cold in the winter! It's actually nice to get into the buildings when your hands and the bowls are like ice!

Whatever you decide, you'll know from the dog which setting suits him best on trials.

You won't believe the amount of parents that leave in tears on their first stay like dropping children off at school. It's even worse when the dog doesn't even give them a backwards glance because they are being fussed over 🤦🏼‍♀️

Of course it doesn’t. Leave your dog, they’ll be fine.

Hrft but this worked for us, even with a particularly looney tunes dog.

Also serious respect to the lovely dog owners on here

These crazy dogs really do take over in the best possible way 😝😝