Please calm me down!!!

[stressedpupmom]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some reassurance please. I know I'm probably being ridiculous. It's been a tough year and a very stressful few weeks with work etc. Myself and DH are going away out of the country for 6 days. We have a 7 month old pup who is quite small (3kg) - have had him since 12 weeks old. A relative that he loves is staying in our house to look after him whilst we're away, but he has to go to work during Monday (7am - 7pm). For that 12 hours our pup is going to be with a local dog sitter who has 2 dogs of her own. Her dogs are both large (poodle/schnauzer size) - even though one is 6 months old and the other is 2 years old.

Our pup had a meet and greet with them in their garden yesterday. At first he seemed a bit overwhelmed- barking and running away from them, but after a few minutes was playing with them, running up to them and chasing balls / drinking water together. He did give one a growl and nip when it cornered him playfully and he obviously felt uncomfortable - and it jumped back and gave him space. Dog sitter says they're very friendly dogs. Our pup is very confident and feisty, so I hope he'll be ok but I'm just feeling so so worried. Is this a terrible idea? I'm worried he'll get hurt. If they all seemed friendly for the 30 mins they were together, is it likely they'll carry on getting along?

Thank you in advance for replies!! Hope you all have a great bank hol.

I think he needs a safe space of his own at the dog sitters to retreat to for when it all gets too much. Young puppies are easily overestimulated.

Will the dog sitter have a room set aside just for him? Is he going to be given time on his own and time just him and the dog sitter?

Alternatively, can he stay at home and have the dog sitter come and keep him company and take him for a short walk for a few hours each day?

Thirdly, a mix of the two options might be better too.

@Basilbrushgotfat thanks for your reply. Yes the sitter says she will take him into another room by himself if it looks like it's getting too much for him.

I don't like the idea of leaving him in his pen alone in the house for too long, even if it's broken up with walks and the sitter coming round. She would only be able to make one call, so the 5 hours either side of that is probably too much for him.

If only for the one day I'm sure will be fine. They adapt to different situations when needed. Enjoy your trip!

I mean, its difficult for me to give a conclusive opinion as I think there are a lot variables based on trust.

I did the same with my old boy but he was a bit older than yours. He loved it and had a great time, he was the same size as the other dogs though.

Send him with a blanket or soft toy smelling of home that he can snuggle up to when he needs a break away from the others.

I'd want lots of reassurances about how often she'll give him breaks alone and think at that age they should be regularly scheduled rather than just when he looks like he's had too much. I'd say a break for an hour or two on his own every day.

I'd also want to know how she'd deal with it if he got snappy from being overstimulated. Would she understand and take supportive action or would she decide that your pup is aggressive and can't look after him anymore?

I think he should meet the other dogs at least once more beforehand as well.

Don't forget, he's not only going to be with them but he'll be in their territory and one he doesn't know. It's a different dynamic to meeting outside and ought to be treated like introducing a new rescue dog into the family home.

@Aria20 thanks Aria 😊

@Basilbrushgotfat thank you! Have just sent a long text asking for specific break times away from the others etc. He's only there from 7am - 7pm for one day, not the whole week. Great idea re. the blanket and soft toy.

Oh sorry, I thought he was there for 12 hours a day every day for a week!

Agree, for one day I'm sure he'll be fine :)

@Basilbrushgotfat haha no I don't think I'd be ok with that!! Thanks for reassurance :)