I recently boarded Sam for 6 nights. I have only had him for 4/5 months, and he was really anxious when I adopted him. He has since settled in, but I was worried that boarding would cause him to become very anxious all over again. I found a place near my home that did boarding, AND doggie daycare, where he could play with other dogs instead of being isolated. I dropped Sam off for doggie daycare several times before we actually went on our trip. I did several half days and one full day.
When I dropped him off, I pretty much ignored him-no tearful goodbyes! When I picked him up, same deal-I just ignored him. (I told them I was going to do this and why so they would not think I did not love Sam!
) They said he seemed most anxious the first day, but then not so much after that.
He actually gave himself two major hotspots two days before I was supposed to leave :grrr: so I had to drop him off with meds, sprays, and an e-collar, and they had to keep him separated instead of in with the other dogs like he was used to. He barked and barked when I finally left him for my trip-I think b/c I had to leave him in a different room, and he was stressed/itchy due to the huge hotspots. However, when I came home, he was calm as can be, and they said he had done fine. He even ate his food every single day (when I adopted him, he did not eat for 5 days!). He came home, settled right in, and displayed no anxiety. I was so pleased. It was well worth the extra expense of a few days of doggie daycare to keep his anxiety level low. I shudder to think what it would've been like to drop him off somewhere sick that he had never been before with total strangers.
Best wishes finding a place for your boys. :nod:
Marie
