Advice needed on family and dogs

[rosemarythyme]

Since you said they don't live that far away, I agree that the easiest option when going over to their house is to leave your dog at home and schedule breaks to go home to let her out. But since she does have anxiety issues, have you ever tried having her in your car as a "crate"? It was something my trainer suggested because it still smells like you, but isn't the house itself, and some dogs with separation anxiety handle being "crated" via car better than being left at home if you know you'll be gone a while.

If they're coming to you for any events/holidays, ask them to leave their dog in their car since it seems they're willing to do that much, but not willing to keep it leashed.

Ugh I might have to deal with around Christmas since we have a dog that pees when unsupervised, but we don't live that close to the relatives, so she may need to stay in the car for the visit.

 

[Mimi13]

Im starting to think its for selfish reasons, i.e. watch your dog for you when you go on vacation. Which they do, a lot. And she complains she has to pay more for a hotel to take the dog with

You know, unfortunately that is the price you pay when you have animals, especially farm animals. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been on an “actual vacation.” I can’t take my 4 dogs, 3 cats, 6 horses, and 37 chickens with me. But that’s okay. I have the life I’ve chosen and I love it.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Since you said they don't live that far away, I agree that the easiest option when going over to their house is to leave your dog at home and schedule breaks to go home to let her out. But since she does have anxiety issues, have you ever tried having her in your car as a "crate"? It was something my trainer suggested because it still smells like you, but isn't the house itself, and some dogs with separation anxiety handle being "crated" via car better than being left at home if you know you'll be gone a while.

If they're coming to you for any events/holidays, ask them to leave their dog in their car since it seems they're willing to do that much, but not willing to keep it leashed.

Ugh I might have to deal with around Christmas since we have a dog that pees when unsupervised, but we don't live that close to the relatives, so she may need to stay in the car for the visit.

Ive been working with her on the crated car but its only when she gets to go "bye bye". Shes not very good at it. She paces back and forth until I return

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

You know, unfortunately that is the price you pay when you have animals, especially farm animals. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been on an “actual vacation.” I can’t take my 4 dogs, 3 cats, 6 horses, and 37 chickens with me. But that’s okay. I have the life I’ve chosen and I love it.

I'm fine with it too. We rarely take actual vacays...too expensive. We took one last year because I was so frazzled with work I thought I'd go insane. Our neighbor was nice enough to watch the chickens but we did not have Duchess then. Because of her past issues with aggression I'm not sure I would trust anyone to watch her until shes bulletproof

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ive been working with her on the crated car but its only when she gets to go "bye bye". Shes not very good at it. She paces back and forth until I return

That's unfortunate, but at least you've tried it so you know the result. Definitely wouldn't want to try it for the first time during a holiday get together!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

That's unfortunate, but at least you've tried it so you know the result. Definitely wouldn't want to try it for the first time during a holiday get together!

I've done my best to make it positive (she gets dairy queen if she's good in the car) she just hates to be away from me. It took a very long time for her to be ok with the crate though. Now she will go in it on her own just to hang out. But we have had her 6 months now.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Congratulations!!!

My husband says Muggs’ new favorite movie is Home ALONE...LOL

 

[Chicken Heel]

You know, unfortunately that is the price you pay when you have animals, especially farm animals. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been on an “actual vacation.” I can’t take my 4 dogs, 3 cats, 6 horses, and 37 chickens with me. But that’s okay. I have the life I’ve chosen and I love it.

My wife is a saint because we haven't been on an "actual" vacation since before we were married in 1993. Our idea of a vacation is sitting in our back yard listening to the chickens and watching the dogs and cats play. That along with hearing the wild birds sing is enough for us as we now live on the home place property that my Dad grew up on and has been in the family since 1900.

 

[BGcoop]

My wife is a saint because we haven't been on an "actual" vacation since before we were married in 1993. Our idea of a vacation is sitting in our back yard listening to the chickens and watching the dogs and cats play. That along with hearing the wild birds sing is enough for us as we now live on the home place property that my Dad grew up on and has been in the family since 1900.

That sounds like a perfectly fine “vacation”! I used to like going camping as a kid, but now I live on my own 10ish wooded acres, can have a campfire in my backyard any time I want, can sleep in my own bed at night....who needs to GO anywhere for a vacation if you love where you are?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

That sounds like a perfectly fine “vacation”! I used to like going camping as a kid, but now I live on my own 10ish wooded acres, can have a campfire in my backyard any time I want, can sleep in my own bed at night....who needs to GO anywhere for a vacation if you love where you are?

Maybe if you dont love where you are? I know last year I was extremely unhappy at my job. I came home one day and just as I was starting to relax my boss called me...just to yell at me for forgetting to do something before I left. As soon as I got off the phone I just shouted that I wanted to be as far away from this place as possible. Being away was necessary. And it also gave me some perspective: I needed to quit. Sometimes people really do need to get away from it all.