We've spoiled our doggie!!

timeou

We have a lovely little JRT, female who is now nearly 2 - a little gem, really placid & quiet, rarely barks etc

She is rarely left on her own as DH & I are usually home alternately so she always has company and is usually found curled up alongside one of us - she seems to adore a human alongside her..

I couldnt face putting her in boarding kennels whilst we were away last year so I found a lovely home boarder who can take up to 5 other dogs - she came home fine, clean, well fed etc and the owners said she was fine.

She's been there twice now, once for 2 weeks and once for a weekend and I've booked up again for this year.

I took her along today though to pay the deposit, hoping she'd be delighted to see the owners etc but she wouldn't enter the house, cowered away from the other dogs and generally looked cowed & terrified. She shot out of the house when we left.

I am gutted. I pay £240 a fortnight for this home from home care (not very MSE), where she can go on the furniture, have a human with her all day, free access to a lovely garden, walked twice a day etc and feel guilty about leaving her here!

I wish I could make her understand that the alternative is a concrete kennel block alongside lots of barking dogs and one daily walk!!

Anyone else have this! This pooch rules our lives! x

elsien

What was she like when you picked her up last time? And what did the people say today when they saw what her reaction was? Does she get separation anxiety when you leave her with anyone else?

I'm lucky in that mutt will go anywhere with anyone (not a faithful bone in her body), but if I were you I'd be concerned enough about what you saw to ask a few more questions - without wanting to worry you too much, I wouldn't assume it was just a spoiled pooch not wanting to be left again without a bit more information.

david39

Perhaps all is not as well at the place you are boarding her as you think. Maybe something happened there last time that has frightened her so much that she does not want to return.

Could be a problem with a fellow inmate or even with the people running the business.

timeou

Oh Dear, I hope she was ok there - when I collected her the last time she was just looking at me through the baby gate with the other dogs but it wasn't until I picked her up that she really realised it was me - she went crazy - soooo excited to see me I felt really guilty for leaving her then!

Today she went up to the owner & wagged her tail for a pet as I think she recognised the owner but all the other dogs (5) were at the baby gate having a nose and a bit of barking was going on. She looked afraid and tried to make herself as small as possible in the corner. The owner lifted 2 dogs that she'd met before (other terriers) over the baby gate for her to see them but they were a bit 'in her face' and she growled a little.

She looked as though she couldnt wait to leave, I have the feeling that its the sheer number of dogs (5) all in the same place and she feels a bit trapped. The last time I took her they all crowd around for a nose and a smell and she's just rooted to the spot until after about 10 minutes she finds her feet and she's fine. I had pics taken whilst I was away and she looks relaxed and happy and came home clean & well fed, no strange behaviour etc.

I've never left her with anyone else - I think this is the problem - she's been a bit spoiled as she's with us 24/7

Byatt

It may be down to fear that you were going to leave her there. Does she normally get picked up and taken there or do you always drop her off? Maybe consider someone who only homes 1 or max 2 dogs at a time.

Pm me if you want to know the person I went with. (they have franchises). My dog gets so stressed and ill in kennels it costs me more when she comes out as I have to take her to the vet for various issues. Also peace of mind is priceless.

edited to add: we posted at the same time. I would find her somewhere where there is only 1-2 dogs. Can you do that now or is your holiday soon?

My dog is very spoiled; I love her to bits. I don't think it's because she's spoiled. All dogs are different. Mine is a boxer but soft as butter!

elsien

timeou wrote: »

Today she went up to the owner & wagged her tail for a pet as I think she recognised the owner but all the other dogs (5) were at the baby gate having a nose and a bit of barking was going on. She looked afraid and tried to make herself as small as possible in the corner. The owner lifted 2 dogs that she'd met before (other terriers) over the baby gate for her to see them but they were a bit 'in her face' and she growled a little.

That's more reassuring, reading what you've written. If she was happy to see the owner today, then it most likely was just the sheer number of dogs all crowding round and feeling overwhelmed.
How many will be there when you leave her next time, and how does the owner plan to manage it if she is upset by too many new friends at once?

If she was fine last time, then odds are she'll be fine this time. A bit like kids - piling it on with a trowel when you're there, and forgetting all about you the minute you've gone!

Mutt came back from the dogsitter more spoiled than she is at home - she was allowed on their settee (totally banned from mine) and had clearly been petted 24 hours a day. Her nose was well out of joint when I had to keep telling her to sod off and leave me alone.:rotfl:

peachyprice

I too would try to find another dog carer who has fewer charges. I've used three, two only had my dog, the other had a max of 3, but never for the whole time my dog was there, she was my dogs favorite carer (sadly she died).

Your vet should have the details of some on their notice board, that's where I've always found mine.

HTH

catkins

If I were you I would use the dog sitters this time but look for others in future. It could well be that 5 other dogs there are just too many if your dog is used to being an only dog.


My dog goes to a dog sitter even though he is fine in kennels. He is used to me being home with him almost all day and if me and OH go out for more than, say, 3 hours we have someone come and sit with him (he is definitely spoilt!) and I prefer to think of him having company instead of being alone in a kennel.

The couple he stays with only take him and have no pets of their own. He loves going there and the couple love having him and I know they give him lots of walks and cuddles.

My dog does not always get on with other dogs but even if he did I would prefer him to go somewhere where there were no more than 1 other dog.

timeou

Looking at the terms of the booking I can cancel within 2 weeks of date of boarding & get my deposits back. I have £160 wrapped up in deposits for 2 boardings but If she's not happy there I won't leave her. I think I'll find an alternative with less dogs....

foreign_correspondent

Blooming heck.... £120 a week and five dogs at a time.. I am in the wrong job!