My dog has never been alone at night. Either I'm there or someone else is there. I'm planning to take a trip to Galveston this weekend (leaving Friday evening) and hired a dog walker to come 3 times on Saturday, then I'll come home Sunday morning to take her to the dog park for a couple hours, and then the walker will come again Sunday evening and Monday morning (returning Monday afternoon). Unfortunately I can't take her with me. Simple question, and it's just been buggin the hell out of me - do you think it's cruel to leave a dog alone for 3 nights in a row? I'm racked with guilt over causing bad separation anxiety.
It's somewhat cruel if the dog is always used to you being there and is totally dependent upon you. It's always nice to have family members or close friends who the dog is comfortable with and you could have them check in or keep the dog at their place for a couple of days. What kind of dog? Don't say Jack Russell.
If I wasn't going to have so much company over this weekend I'd offer to take care of your pup for the weekend for free. I have three dogs and they LOVE company and I also live fairly close to you.
He'll be fine as long as someone comes over to feed him. Don't worry, dog's can't differentiate wether you leave 5 minutes or 5 hours. Just bring him back a bone!
I have a Thundershirt for my dog, it's supposed to mimic the swaddling effect and help with dog anxiety. I don't know how effective it is because I'm not around to observe, but people swear by it. http://www.amazon.com/Thundershirt-...8&qid=1369261479&sr=8-1&keywords=thundershirt <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mkp9rGZ6_bA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I don't know about cruel, since she'll still get walked and you're going to drop by, but it'll be sad for her. You may want to leave the radio or tv on, so something is going on and she doesn't keep thinking you're coming in every time she hears something. Have the walker tire her out and maybe that'll help her sleep through the night.
Leave an old jacket or shirt (undershirt - shorts) that has your smell on it in the kennel with the dog, That will give it some comfort. It might be well chewed by the time you get back so make sure it is not a loss.
this is ironic considering I am going through the same dilemma. We are leaving him with our neighbors though. Our dog is way too close and I just feel really ****ty at his first impression which will be "My owners left me." I hope he somehow understands since he is going to be a walking distance from where he lives.
Why not drop her off somewhere? We used to take our dogs to Molly's Mutthouse in The Heights and they loved it. That way she won't have to be alone and will get a chance to play with other dogs while you're gone.
I was gone for a week on a vac, we had a friend come by and give food and water, play with her. She was pumped to see us, but I never felt bad, I just missed her. That thundershirt owner looks like a slob and a bad owner, btw.
an opportunity for him to appreciate your presence... i take my dogue whenever it's feasible (depending on hotels, respect for hosts, quarantine requirements, etc...). I get off on his pleasure on my return.
