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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Holiday care for nervous dog

23 replies

nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 17:17

My dog is a bit nervy. She hates cats and is frightened of some men. Also, there are a few dogs on her walk she is scared of. She can't be let off the lead either as her recall is unreliable. We've done lots of training since we got her from previous owners, but these issues seem here to stay.

Since we got her we either booked dog friendly hols or had a family member stay in our house. But that isn't an option anymore and we want to go abroad. So...where should we look to put her whilst we are away? Would kennels be best? Do they take nervy dogs?

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daisygirlmac · 15/02/2017 17:20

Home boarding might be best. My dog walker looks after dogs in her own house or in your house so is there anything like that? Your dog might be better in her own home. Any good home boarder will want a trial night to see how they get on but I know my dog walker would do all she could to accommodate a nervous dog.

Ilovecaindingle · 15/02/2017 17:22

I put my 3 dogs into kennels last year. . Nervy dog was fine-staff were aware she was anxious. Friendly dog had a great time. And bad attitude dog is banned from future stays unfortunately. Staff really got to know each dog and spent time with them until they were more settled.
2 booked in for this year and BA dog is grounded and 'home alone' (ds is staying to dog sit instead)
We visited before actually booking - at staff insistance - and were not disappointed with the care they all received.

Costacoffeeplease · 15/02/2017 17:27

A house sitter?

Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 17:28

Daisy A home boarder would have to stay overnight in my house as dog would get scared at night(I presume) - do they do that?

ILoveCain I'll be honest when I visit the kennels then. I want them to interact with her like ball throwing to make her feel at ease. What worries me is that she'll freak out and either bark all day or cower in the kennel. Or both. Or escape and get in a fight with another dog/cat.

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/02/2017 17:28

We have a dog/house sitter. It works really well.

Costacoffeeplease · 15/02/2017 17:31

Someone staying in your house overnight is a house sitter. A home boarder would keep your dog in their house overnight

Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 17:33

I also worry that a boarder or house sitter might take her for a walk and she'll react to a cat or a big dog and they'll not want to have her stay. I guess that's what trials are for though....

I'm just not 100% sure how she'd react with someone she doesn't know well in a situation where she meets something she's frightened of. Or being in kennels with all the sounds/smells in strange surroundings.

I'll look at the kennels around about and also speak to some dog boarders and maybe a house sitter and just be honest about her needs.

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Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 17:35

Where do you find a good house sitter - is there a website/group?

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/02/2017 17:37

I have a dog aggressive dog, who therefore isn't easy to walk. We use two house sitters; they are brilliant with him as that's their job. Just make sure if you go that route, they are experienced and happy to work with your dog and her problems.

It really is fantastic to have someone staying in your house who you feel you can trust. Mine do as good a job as me!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/02/2017 17:38

I found mine word of mouth. Start asking around. One of those has a website, but I didn't find her that way.

Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 17:43

Thanks Through, I'll ask in the local pet shops and vets - see if they know of any sitters. Hadn't thought of that!

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Bazookapie · 15/02/2017 17:48

We are in the same position. Ours has been to stay with home boarders for the last 2 years but has to stay at one where she is the only dog, the first one was fine but gave it up to work full time, looked long and hard for another and this year she has also given it up! There are also problems with short notice availability etc if they only take one at a time and due to family stuff we may need her looked after a few times this year.

So, last week we went to visit a local kennels and had a chat with them and they suggested taking DDog into reception a couple of times to meet them, then take her again (with her vacc Certs) so they could take her through to the exercise area for a sniff round. If she seems happy with that we will do a weekend trial. They were very honest and said they do occasionally get a dog that won't settle but fingers crossed ...
Perhaps something similar would help your dog?

daisygirlmac · 15/02/2017 17:48

Mine will stay overnight at your house yes.

Ilovecaindingle · 15/02/2017 17:49

We also requested an escape proof environment for our husky and they were able to provide one!!

Wolfiefan · 15/02/2017 17:51

Do you work with a dog trainer? They may be able to recommend someone.

Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 18:07

Ok, I have emailed a couple of kennels that have exercise facilities - I'll try them too and maybe take her in for a sniff about and then maybe gradually leave her for longer visits at a time. My dog trainer knew of one lady but she had her own dogs so it was a no go.

I'm finding it a bit stressful Bazookapie - but this info has given me hope. Sometimes feel like my dog is the only one like it but good to know there are others too and that the kennels will have probably dealt with it before. Fingers crossed too. I'll try kennels first but at same time look about for a house sitter in case it all goes pear shaped at the kennels!

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Original poster
nachogazpacho · 15/02/2017 18:08

Huskies are proper Houdini's. My dog likes to eat fences.

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ErrolTheDragon · 15/02/2017 18:16

Try Holidays4dogs. They run a 'home boarding' company. You tell them all about your dog, his likes and dislikes, they will find someone appropriate to take him for the hols. Ours has been to stay with a few different people now- all lovely experienced dog-lovers. You take your dog to see them before booking so you know where your dog is going and they can decide if they want to take him. One of them had a dog of her own, which we weren't sure about so they did a trial night when we weren't on holiday to check it was ok.

SallyGinnamon · 15/02/2017 18:41

We do the pet passport thing and drive through France to Spain.

France is really dog friendly. Lots of hotels accept dogs and some even let them into the restaurant. When we went to the Loire Valley there were chateaux that let him in too!

(We only left DDog in kennels once for my sisters wedding. He was hoarse the next day from all the howling so we couldn't bear to do it again).

Crispbutty · 15/02/2017 18:48

Look up rayvon kennels. They are the only place I would use for my staffie who was very scared of other dogs.

They were brilliant and did training with him each day too (extra £ but worth it), and also emailed videos and updates while I was away so I could see he was ok.

Crispbutty · 15/02/2017 18:48

Look up rayvon kennels. They are the only place I would use for my staffie who was very scared of other dogs.

They were brilliant and did training with him each day too (extra £ but worth it), and also emailed videos and updates while I was away so I could see he was ok.

Original poster
nachogazpacho · 16/02/2017 08:40

Holidays4dogs was very comprehensive - it led me to a couple of potential boarders. Royvon looks great with lots of training options. Website is a bit weird so waiting for info on costs from them.

I have lots of options!!

We will be getting her a passport at some point but whilst the dc are young it makes it tricky to find dog and child friendly activities together, but yes the barking til she's hoarse thing worries me too.

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ErrolTheDragon · 16/02/2017 08:54

Oh, good. I need to get on and make my own bookings for the summer!

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