Going out of town

[gsdlover91]

Alright, it's just about for sure, so I might as well ask for advice on this well in advance...I am most likely going out of town for work next month for four days...HOW do *I* prepare for this? I have never been away from my baby for more than 12 hours... I feel like he probably will become depressed, I am his life, lol. I am going to miss him sooooo much! Also, I am not boarding him anywhere, my mother and sister will take turns watching him...but how do you guys feel about others who are less experienced (if thats the word?) watching your dog...? Like they don't play with him the way I do (or at all?) They dont know how to feed him (how much, what goes in it, how often etc)...I am just worried that he will be in his crate ALOT more (well he will be ...) and just really depressed.

I work doubles thursdays/fridays, and thursday Ber is always okay, REALLY excited when I get home, but Fridays...oh boy. He pouts ALL morning while I get ready, tries to sneak out to the car with me (as if I dont notice him), and then once I am gone, my mom says at some point in the day he will go lay by the door and wait for me. Sometimes sniff at the crack like maybe I'm hiding outside.? LOL He'll go grab a hoodie of mine and lay with it in his crate. UGH! How are we going to cope with this?!

Not only that, but this will be my very first time flying to a completely different state by myself. I'm a little nervous. Compounding workshop all day for three days yippeeeee...

[gaia_bear]

I'm away right now, Gaia moped around the house for the first day now my boyfriend is telling me that it's like she forgot I even went away.

Although we live together, I'm a little anal about some aspects of her daily care. I bagged and labelled food per feeding even wrote times and dates on them. He had an idea of her daily schedule but I wrote that out for him to. As far as playing goes, I hid her tugs and just left her balls and squeaky cuddle toys out for her.

I worried a lot and miss her tons, I still have 12 days to go but she's doing fine and is going about life like nothing's changed. I cannot wait to get home and be bombarded with her love and kisses.


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[gsdlover91]

Originally Posted by gaia_bear

I'm away right now, Gaia moped around the house for the first day now my boyfriend is telling me that it's like she forgot I even went away.

Although we live together, I'm a little anal about some aspects of her daily care. I bagged and labelled food per feeding even wrote times and dates on them. He had an idea of her daily schedule but I wrote that out for him to. As far as playing goes, I hid her tugs and just left her balls and squeaky cuddle toys out for her.

I worried a lot and miss her tons, I still have 12 days to go but she's doing fine and is going about life like nothing's changed. I cannot wait to get home and be bombarded with her love and kisses.


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Haha, returning is going to be AWESOME for you. You are going to get so much lovin' from her! Oh i'm the same way....when I first started going back to work after I got Berlin, I wrote a huge list of things and smacked it on the fridge. I am definitely going to write everything down feeding wise.......But I just hope they play with him atleast a little bit, and take him on walks...and engage with him.

Oh goodness, and I just realized, his crate is in my room, which is in the basement (I live in a townhouse so not really like a basement though) He's going to be sleeping ALL ALONE down here ! I am probably going to move his crate upstairs to the living room LOL. Wish I could just bring him with me...

No one will notice a little 70 pound fur ball right??

[gaia_bear]

I seriously contemplated bringing her with me, I really wasn't thinking when I booked this trip.

Could you move his crate upstairs while you're gone?


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[Sunflowers]

We are away right now, too. For 7 days!
First time ever that I have been away from him for more that one day, and I cried after I left.

I have someone with him at home, and every chance I got I texted her to ask how he is doing.
He is fine, but I think of him a lot and look at his pictures. I am doing my best not to worry and keep telling myself that a trustworthy person who has known him since I brought him home, and him getting to stay home, are sure better than crying in a crate with other freaked out dogs at the vet's.
I sure do miss him, though.
Reading the forum does help.

[gsdlover91]

Originally Posted by gaia_bear

I seriously contemplated bringing her with me, I really wasn't thinking when I booked this trip.

Could you move his crate upstairs while you're gone?


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'
I could...but...the cats come out at night, and who knows what would happen (we keep them separated). Hmph. I'll have to think about this one.

Originally Posted by Sunflowers

We are away right now, too.

First time ever that I have been away from him for more that one day, and I cried after I left.

I have someone with him at home, and every chance I got I texted her to ssk how he is doing.
He is fine, but I think of him a lot and look at his pictures. I am doing my best not to worry and keep telling myself hat a trustworthy person who has known him since I brought him home, and him getting to stay home, are sure better than crying in a crate with other freaked out dogs at the vet's.
I sure do miss him, though.
Reading the forum does help.

Thats what I was thinking, that having him at home, with his family, is waaay better than having him in a strange place, without his family AND me. I know he will be fine, but I know he wont be acting normal. He spends all of his time with me except for when I am at work or school. I will probably cry too I cant even imagine being away from him OVERNIGHT!

[Carriesue]

Is it possible for him to go to doggy day care during the day while you're gone? I'm thinking that way he can play and get worn out... although if he's not neutered then chances are they won't allow him but could be worth looking into.

And if you find a place that he can go to maybe take him there a few times before you leave so he gets used to it while you're still here. Was just a thought anyways!

Dogs are pretty resilient, he will do fine! My Pom was never socialized so going out really stresses him but he's never had an issue being kenneled. When we pick him up he and the other dogs act as if nothing ever happened.

Maybe make up some extra yummy frozen peanut butter kongs(I also use the big empty marrow bones) filled with peanut butter and maybe some treats or kibble or whatever he likes best. Make up a few of those, freeze them and then have your mom or whoever give him one while he's in his crate. My golden has HUGE separation anxiety issues but when we give him his frozen peanut butter bone, he doesn't give one rats butt that we're leaving!

[Sunflowers]

Yeah, it's tough.
I, too,worried that he will be in his expen all the time... But I keep remembering he sounds coming from the back at the vet's and am very grateful we don't have to put him there.
I am glad you don't have to, either.

I haven't seen Hans since Sunday! Your separation will be shorter!

[gsdlover91]

Originally Posted by Carriesue

Is it possible for him to go to doggy day care during the day while you're gone? I'm thinking that way he can play and get worn out... although if he's not neutered then chances are they won't allow him but could be worth looking into.

And if you find a place that he can go to maybe take him there a few times before you leave so he gets used to it while you're still here. Was just a thought anyways!

Dogs are pretty resilient, he will do fine! My Pom was never socialized so going out really stresses him but he's never had an issue being kenneled. When we pick him up he and the other dogs act as if nothing ever happened.

Maybe make up some extra yummy frozen peanut butter kong(I also use the big empty marrow bones) filled with peanut butter, maybe some treats or kibble. Make up a few of those, freeze them and then have your mom or whoever give him one while he's in his crate. My golden has HUGE separation anxiety issues but when we give him his frozen peanut butter bone, he doesn't give one rats butt that we're leaving!

No doggy day care. He isnt neutered, and all the ones I have looked into require them to be if older than 6 months. Also, not sure I trust day cares.....all those other dogs...and then possibly clueless people (oh Ive read the horror stories!) Thanks for the ideas, i'll probably stock up on goodies for him... (raw kneecaps keep him busy for a while) But it'll be hard dealing with being away from him for the first time ever, AND being away (far away) from home by myself for the first time ever. I hate being in strange places.

[Bear GSD]

When I first left my baby I was a mess. At least Berlin will be at home with your Mom and sister. I would just make sure that you let them know your rules with Berlin.
When I went away, I left Bear with a t-shirt with my scent to comfort him (or me,lol).
He'll be ok, have a fun trip