Help, info and advice desperately needed

[Doubleminttwin]

My sister and I are students at college, we live on a type of campus housing. We HAVE to leave on breaks, there is not other option. We had arranged to stay with our friend for most of the break go home and visit our family for the holidays and then come back, leaving Baya with our friends. Our friends just lost their house last week They were forced to move in with one of their fathers, who does not like pets, they have two dogs and a slew of other animals. So now we can not stay with them. Our mom lives with her fiance, she has a st bernard and he has a acd. She is happy that we have a dog and loves german shepherds but today she said that we could not have Baya at their home because Ben (the saint bernard) has grown EXTEMELY agressive towards other dogs that are not Bitzer (fiances acd) ever since Bitzer got attacked by the neighbors husky. He attacks puppies, males females, every dog thats not BItzer is in danger. We suggested we could keep Baya in our room, OR their house seperates the big dinning room, a huge hall and he garage with a door. THrough that door is the only way to get to the other part of the house. We said maybe we could keep the doors seperate, she refuses to do that because she thinks Ben will be in a constant state of turmoil and agression. Its their house I know this but she will not compromise at all, she says Baya CAN NOT be on the property, she will have to be boarded or maybe stay w/her fiances sister the entire time. I don't want to do this, its not fair for Baya at all and I don't feel comfortable bording her for a week and then a month, I just wont do it. I think it would be fine w/the door between the two parts of the house closed but she wont compromise or even try it Ben is a HUGE dog, I understand that he def poses a danger to Baya and would not risk it if I thought he could get to her but he can't. I don't think it will be constant agression at the door either but she wont listen. Training would be out of the quetion, they don't think that his behavior can be fixed and will not work on it, they justkeep him seperated because they live sooo far away from everyone that its not much of an issue. I am frustrated but I will not argue with her because it is her house and her right to do with it as she pleases.

Does anyone have sugguestions or help on how to deal with this situation. Giving up Baya is not an option and will not be considered. ANy information that might help get our mom to be more open to atleast trying to keep them seperated or any thoughts on alternatives? Basically anything about anything would be extremely appreciated, I am at a loss as to how to fix this situation and would appreciate an outside opinion!

[onyx'girl]

Instead of trying to change your moms mind, I would find a nice boarding place near where you will be staying and visit her~ take her out as often as possible, if you get her use to the same place, she may be just fine.
If the St. B is as she says, I wouldn't take the chance.
I have a friend with a Briard( she travels constantly) and she uses her groomer for boarding as her dog is so comfortable with her and her other dogs. The times the groomer can't do it he goes to his breeder's.

[allieg]

As much as people here disagree about boarding it may be your only option.Not sure how much time you have till your first break but I would start looking now.Also you'll have to be utd on shots and have had the kennel cough vaccine.Places are different so you'll have to see there policy.

[Doubleminttwin]

Right now we are in school in Va, she lives in Pa, RURAL Pa, we would be looking at ATLEAST an hour drive for a kennel probably more, and I just wouldn't trust the places around us. I can not stand the idea of not seeing her everyday for an entire month especially when she is going to be changing so much and is so suseceptable (haha yea I butchered the spelling to that one) to environmental influences. Ben would be a bad influence but it is possible to keep them seperate at all times. She needs to be worked with on a regular basis. Not to mention we had to switch her to a raw diet because she does not do well on kibble, she wasn't gaining weight and her stool was constant diarhea.

Thanks for the suggestion though I really appreciate it, and we will do it if that is what it comes down to but I would rather find a better solution for us and Baya.

[ebrannan]

I would consider boarding close to where you are staying also. When I was active duty, I had to go to Fort Benjamin Harrison for a 14-week school. I kept my GSD at a local GSD boarding kennel and went there every day. She and I would go to the local lake, where we would walk, play and then I would sit in the car with her and do my homework.
It worked really well.

[JakodaCD OA]

I like Jane's suggestion,,OR another couple of options would be, check with your vet back in PA to see if there are any reputable pet sitters in that area that take in dogs,,again, you could see her everyday, maybe they could just keep her overnite,,,sometimes vet techs do outside petsitting for clients.

Another alternative is to find a pet friend motel/hotel near your mom's and stay there vs go to their house..Since she is adament on not having Baya there, I would just work on finding a different solution vs trying to persuade her..Good luck
diane

[middleofnowhere]

" I am frustrated but I will not argue with her because it is her house and her right to do with it as she pleases.

Does anyone have sugguestions or help on how to deal with this situation. Giving up Baya is not an option and will not be considered. ANy information that might help get our mom to be more open to atleast trying to keep them seperated or any thoughts on alternatives? Basically anything about anything would be extremely appreciated, I am at a loss as to how to fix this situation and would appreciate an outside opinion! "

So you won't argue with your mom but you want us to???

Sounds to me like boarding is your option. Another thought would be to find a place to rent short term.

Having a dog isn't always easy or convenient and relatives cannot always accomodate us.

[Tbarrios333]

What about crates???
When you people have two dogs that don't get along they rotate them right?

Suggest rotating their time with the family. One is in the crate in another room and the other out and vise versa in a couple of hours.

Or you can send her to me She's a cutie.

[Doubleminttwin]

THanks for your suggestions and I get boarding would probably be the best idea for most but this is during Pa winters, our mom lives way out of town on a mountain, there are times when our car doesn't get out of their driveway for 3 weeks. I just wouldn't feel comfortable with that. We have already located a possible place but this would be last resort!

Boarding is something we are already considering but we were hoping for anyone that might have alternative ideas. Specifically dealing with agressive dogs. I'm sure other people have had aggressive dog issues before, keeping Baya off the property entirely can't be the only solution. We are far from rich and we can't work on breaks so money is very tight. In our area I would also be concerned for the quality of boarding available.

Middleofnowhere: I am not asking you to argue with our mom, I was asking if anyone might have some alternatives I could present to her. I don't know if you are being rude or your wording just makes it sound that way but its not appreciated. I wish we could afford renting or a hotel but we are not rich. If you have any suggestions on dealing with aggressive dogs, or have any experience with ahving two dogs that don't get along in the same household that would be awesome. Till then pls don't try to start something when I am in such a desperate situation because it will not be received very well right now.

[katieliz]

it does sound like you're looking for some magic formula to "persuade" your mom. definitely give that up...sounds like you're part way there already on an intellectual level.

the idea of convincing or changing anyone's mind should be totally put out of your mind, and you should spend all your mental energy working out the best alternative realistically available to you.

take good care, good luck, many blessings.

ps...the most fearsomly aggressive dog i ever knew was a saint.