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The doghouse

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Original poster

Has anyone left their dog for an extended period of time - how did it go?

18 replies

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 10:44

DH has an opportunity to do an amazing job abroad for 9 months before we return back to the uk. Our kids are young enough that it won’t be disruptive (pre school), we have friends out there so I won’t be lonely, overall we’re really excited.

Except for one thing - our beloved dog! My mother has offered to look after her while we’re gone (my mother is lovely), and my mother also has a little dog (our dog’s cousin) so I’ve no doubt our dog will be happy there - they’re all well bonded.

But I’m worried about how sad our dog will be. And how she’ll feel when we return.

Has anyone done something like this? How did it go?

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 31/07/2022 10:48

The dog will probably be a little sad/unsettled at first but will soon settle.

ThreeB · 31/07/2022 10:49

I know a few military families who have left dogs with family/friends during deployments but many take their dogs with them on a family posting. Is taking your dog and option?

Letsnotargue · 31/07/2022 10:49

I love dogs and would worry about doing this with mine. However, dogs are amazingly adaptable. If it already knows your mum and gets on well with her dog then the chances are that all will be fine. I foster dogs from a local rescue and they quickly settle in, and then equally as happily go onto their new family. Im far more bothered about it than they are.

You would need to consider what you would do if it stopped working out while you were away. Is there a back up plan? Two dogs living in the same house is different to one dog just visiting.

Original poster

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 10:53

We have looked after my mother’s dog for two weeks at a time before (maybe three or four it times), and vice versa, and both dogs are great together. They tend to sleep in the same bed!

i’m very worried about our dog being sad. But I’m also worried about our return - how unsettling that would be too.

Taking her isn’t an option - I think it would be too distressing for her for only 9 months (we’d be going to Sydney and Australian rules are quite strict and quarantine- heavy!).

OP posts:

Chasingsquirrels · 31/07/2022 10:55

Yes, we went abroad for a 2 year contract (stayed for 2&1/2).
We'd only had our dog for 9 or 10 months when we went.
My parents had her, they'd always had dogs when I was growing up but didn't have one at that point.

We came back for a holiday about 9m in and she was ecstatic to see us and my mum said she just lay on the doormat waiting for us for a few days after we left.
The same when we had another visit just over 2 years in.

When we returned I said that if they wanted to keep her, we'd completely understand, but they didn't - although we're perfectly happy to have her for holidays etc.

WoolyMammoth55 · 31/07/2022 10:56

OP, we did this and it was fine. Our lovely dog stayed with my sister for 6 months while DH worked a contract abroad, it was time-limited so we knew the date we'd be reunited and we didn't want to put her through the stress of long-haul travel. We also couldn't find dog-friendly accommodation overseas and the climate there wouldn't have been great for her, which made it an easier decision.

She settled well at my sister's place, where she'd visited often and knew everyone. She enjoyed the country life and being spoiled by my sister's kids! When we saw her again she was overjoyed and it was like we'd never been away.

She is well attached to us and very soppy but it went brilliantly. I did miss her but I think more than she missed us! I'd do it again if the situation repeated itself. Best of luck.

Original poster

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 11:00

Oh thank you! This is so good to hear!

My dog and I are very attached, she’s 3, and I am already feeling quite emotional about leaving her - despite how much we all want to go!

It’s so good to know your dogs were eventually happy when you returned and were glad to have you back. Part of me wonders if my dog won’t want to come back after living with my mum’s dog and mum, who lives in the countryside and does a lot of walking!

OP posts:

Original poster

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 12:48

How long did it take for your dogs to settle into their temporary home?

And how long did it take for them to settle back with you?

Were there any problems with separation anxiety?

OP posts:

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 31/07/2022 13:41

The dog will be just fine - dogs settle much quicker than we do, IME.

My concern would be that your mum becomes really attached to the dog and the routine of having "two" that it causes problems when the dogs get separated again.

What happens if, for example, the dogs bond and develop anxiety when they become "onelies" again?

Original poster

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 13:55

What happens if, for example, the dogs bond and develop anxiety when they become "onelies" again? I didn’t think of that - that’s a good point. They’ll be in each other’s lives still a lot (we see my mum once every fortnight at least) but that could happen!

OP posts:

FizzyLizt · 31/07/2022 14:04

My worry would be taking your dog on again when you get home. Your dog might like living with your mum and another dog. I'm not sure it would be fair to split them up. Perhaps bear that in mind, just in case it becomes an issue. I have more than one dog and none of mine would be happy as single dogs, it is very different being an only dog household.

Original poster

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 16:05

That’s a good point! She’s 3, so has had lots of time an “only”, so I’m hoping she’ll be able to adjust back…

OP posts:

Minisarerustbuckets · 31/07/2022 16:10

Wouldn't do it for 9 months or any longer to be honest. Would mix the dog up on return. Dogs are for life.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 31/07/2022 16:13

Turningstreets · 31/07/2022 13:55

It does happen. It's why lots of owners with two dogs end up getting a third when the oldest is "getting on", so the youngest never has to be an "only", iyswim.

She may be three and used to being alone now, but she'll then have nine months in a new home, with a new routine and lots of company - to go from that to being an "only" again could be quite unsettling.

PugInTheHouse · 31/07/2022 22:10

I'd rather let DH go on his own for 9 months than leave the dogs lol. Although no one would take my 2, Pug who has really bad separation anxiety and 27kg 5 month old pup who is a breeze but is huge!

AlwaysLatte · 31/07/2022 22:14

I have had experience in the opposite way in that I looked after my mums dog while she was in hospital for 4 months and then for another few months while age recovered at home. Her dog settled with us just fine and settled back with my mum very quickly.

Beamur · 31/07/2022 22:21

I think it would be fine. My Grandparents took our family dog whilst we lived in rented accommodation which didn't allow dogs. They got very attached and were reluctant to give her back! We did finally get the dog back and she was lovely and soppy and happy to be home and also delighted to see the GP's too when they visited. Although we had to pat them down when they left to make sure they weren't smuggling her out 😄

WinterMusings · 31/07/2022 22:26

I'm sure your dog will miss you, but will settle in with Nana & cousin (I'd have thought Aunt/Uncle?!) and is most likely to be just fine coming home when you get back. But You can see what's best for both dogs, your mum & your family when you get back.

I've done it with cats, which is different (obviously) & I missed them terribly, but it was ok as I knew Nana & Grandad were spoiling them terribly! They were all over me when I came back & all over my parents when they came over.

Go, it'll all be ok 🐾

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