I feel genuinely sick to the stomach at the thought of leaving my pooch to go on holiday. What to do?

[EverestsEdge]

Our little dog was bought just before lockdown number one; unfortunately he missed out on puppy classes and training but we tried our best to socialise him.

He’s been to multiple training classes now and overall he is a lovely dog. He is castrated.

However he does have flaws, he can be reactive on lead (not aggressive but he ‘air snaps’ and then goes in to a play bow), he can be annoyingly yappy when playing but this is settling down as he’s aged (he’s now 2). His recall is brilliant when he’s on his own but when he sights another dog, he becomes immediately tone deaf so he is only off leash in secure, private places.

In spite of much training on how to greet people, he still gets overexcited and jumps up. We are working on this.

We rarely have visitors to our home but on the odd occasion we have, he has been an absolute sod. Barking for attention, nipping at clothes for attention, jumping over our guest (thankfully a dog lover!).

For these reasons, I don’t think he would be suitable for a home from home boarder which means the only alternative is kennels .

He has frequented various kennels for day care when we’ve needed it but never overnight. I hate leaving him as I know it distresses him however , I feel as it’s only for a few hours in the day it’s manageable.

DH has downloaded holiday brochures and I haven’t slept for 2 nights as I feel so anxious about leaving the dog .

I’d be happy to holiday in the U.K. and take him with us but DH is of the opinion that our DC would miss out on travelling abroad.

Suggestions ?

I’d be happy to holiday in the U.K. and take him with us but DH is of the opinion that our DC would miss out on travelling abroad

Off topic but Seriously?! No child misses out by not going abroad. I didn't leave the country until I was 23 as my parents didn't have overseas holiday money. I have lived and worked in 4 continents and speak 3 languages. I currently live and work 12,000 miles from my home town. The idea that a week in a hotel in Majorca provides all the cultural exposure a child needs is daft.

I don’t think any dogs are perfect. I adore our boy but he too has his flaws and I’ve been worried about leaving him. However , I seem to have found the most lovely lady who is a home boarder and we are starting some sessions from March so she can assess him and we can work to get him settled before we go away in July. Keep looking I’m sure you will find someone.

We are hopefully off to Australia in October (my DS1 is out there and obviously we haven't seen him for two years)
We've never left our dog and I'm dreading it..she's a total Mummy's girl.

Also a little bit tricky at times!

We introduced her to a friend of my sons..he now walks her once a week for me when I'm at work, and he's going to move in for three weeks.. (paid of course) mind the house, and be company for the dog. We'll keep her regular days with her other walker so she has routine, and he's just have to do morning walks and be company for her . My DD2 will also pop round every couple of days.
I'm still dreading the thought of leaving her, and how depressed she will be... but I also know I can't NOT go..and a dog does not have a true sense of time. She'll miss us but she will be safe and cared for in her own home with someone she knows. Would this sort of thing work? Find a friend who can stay at yours?

I am in the exact same position op. Sleepless nights thinking what to do for the best. I have spent a lot of time researching options online and still not sure what to do

@sweetheartyparty

Sorry to hijack this thread, but would boarding be suitable for intact dogs too?

I guess it would depend on the boarder but our boarder has no problem having my intact dog. She's amazing and he absolutely loves staying there, he's chomping at the bit to get in when I drop him off 😆 OP why not look for an experienced boarder now and try him for 1 night to see how he gets on? We did 1 night, then a weekend to get ours used to it before we went on holiday

We have a reactive dog as well and as such have never even tried to use a home boarder, especially with other dogs in the house. We have found some outstanding kennels who are just amazing with her, the staff are so understanding and empathetic, and have been able to look past her behaviour around other dogs and see that she's an absolute sweetheart when with people. The kennels we use have won multiple awards, have a few different secure fields for group play and for dogs who need to exercised separately, and I can't believe how happy and excited our dog is to go there when we pull up.

I think it's always going to be nerve wracking but if you can find somewhere where you trust the staff, and where you can see they do their due diligence (i.e. we had to answer a questionnaire about the dog before leaving her there) then you should be fine! First time we left ours I kept expecting to get a call to come and get her as she's such a nightmare - no such thing happened! Just in case you're located anywhere near us, we use Country Boarding for cats and dogs in Baldock.