Boarding panic!

[5PotatoChips]

For the first time we are going to have to board our three Newfies. Rachel and I are in full panic mode. :shocker: One of us has always been home with them. It is probably going to be 4 days over the New Year.

The behaviorist we used with Coulson does a limited amount of boarding so we are going to use her. She really is the only person we know that we would trust to handle Coulson. While much of Coulson's behavior has been fixed, he still is a managed dog to some extent and when he gets stressed, (and he will), he can regress. We really do trust her, but we have never left them alone before!

Coulson has not been in a kennel since we brought him home 2 1/2 years ago, CK does not handle being confined well, (due to his previous home), and Malka has never been in a kennel.

We are both trying not to freak out, (with limited success), but they're our babies! Any tips or suggestions?

 

[lmfoltyn]

No advice...just hugs...it can be so stressful to leave our babies...I can't seem to do it either...

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I totally understand.

First, you've chosen someone you trust and that's great. Have you toured the place to see where they will be? Typically boarding kennels are not like a crate and dogs react very differently to them. They usually have plenty of room to walk around. Everywhere we have boarded only really had the dogs kenneled at night and meals. There was plenty of exercise and play time.

I'm sure they will be completely fine, especially since they will be with someone you trust to manage behavior.

If you can, you could send them for 1 night, or even a day before the big trip so you all do a practice run and they know you're coming back.

I know it's incredibly stressful. But they will be fine!

 

[shellyk]

Why the panic? It sounds like you have the most ideal situation set up. The behaviorist you have used and trust and she does boarding.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

I understand your pain. I boarded Ella over the summer and got physically sick over it. And now my husband wants to go RVing for 17 days in New Zealand next year. The only way I can leave Ella for that long is if my neighbor who owns a doggie daycare watches her. The only issue with that is that she charges 100.00 a day. However, it's a small price to pay to keep my baby safe. At least you only have to do it for a couple days, but even that is really hard.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Have you considered a pet sitter, at least for your other dogs? Maybe Coulson could stay with the behaviorist, so she can work with him. The others could stay at your home, where they are happy. You could have the sitter come in several times a day, if needed. (I had a pet sitting business, and used to take care of a lot of clients' pets in their own homes. It really is a win/win situation.)

Go here, to find sitters in your area. Interview a few. Make sure they are bonded and insured.
https://www.petsit.com/

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Have you considered a pet sitter, at least for your other dogs? Maybe Coulson could stay with the behaviorist, so she can work with him. The others could stay at your home, where they are happy. You could have the sitter come in several times a day, if needed. (I had a pet sitting business, and used to take care of a lot of clients' pets in their own homes. It really is a win/win situation.)

Go here, to find sitters in your area. Interview a few. Make sure they are bonded and insured.
https://www.petsit.com/

This is a great idea if they are ok being split up. We have a pet sitter that actually comes and sleeps at the house. She stays with them most of the day and spoils them rotten.

 

[mcme]

I used a pet sitter with Caesar, my first Newf. He would be very sad and refuse to eat if we boarded him, but in his own house with a sitter coming by several times a day, he was fine. Every dog is different, though. Dublin actually loves the place where we board him. When he sees me putting his food in Ziploc bags, he gets excited and runs to the door.
I've never had more than one dog at a time, but I would think the fact that they have each other would help, either boarding or with a pet sitter.

 

[5PotatoChips]

We thought of a pet sitter, but with Coulson's issues it didn't seem like a good idea. And with CK and Malka there too, hopefully, that will help him be a little calmer. I guess I'm just struggling with the fact that I know this is going to be stressful for them to various degrees and, frankly, no one can take care of them as well as Rachel and I. Coulson really isn't as bad as I'm probably making him sound, he's made huge strides, but Rachel and I do joke that our boys are on the neurotic side! But we do have someone we trust to watch them, and I need to keep focusing on that.

 

[Jeannie]

I have owned a boarding facility for 16 years. Believe me when I say that leaving a dog is harder for the owner than the dog. I have seen time and time again of a dog acting on their owner's stress. When the owner walks out the door the dog always is more interested in what is going on than his owner leaving. The best thing you can do is to put on a brave face until you have left your dog. Many times owners want to bring their dogs for an overnight stay before the actual vacation. I tell them fine but it is more for them than for the dogs. The majority of the dogs get along fine. I've even had owners bring meds for their dogs anxiety and I don't need use them. The dogs are happy here. Of course I know our boarding facility is unique. Dogs get to run and play. We also post videos to our FB page so the owners can see their dogs while they are gone. Here is a link to our FB page https://www.facebook.com/Pooch-Parlor-127129670666426/?ref=bookmarks or our webpage www.poochparlor.com

One thing I always suggest is the owner bring with the dog a shirt the owner has worn or to put a towel in your bed overnight so the dog has your scent. As long as you have someone who your dogs know I think they will be fine. Remember I rarely see a dog stress while the owner is away.