behavior after boarding

[adrienne40]

I boarded my 18 month old female rotty for 4 nights.....now she is growling alot at me (closed mouth, no teeth showing)...I was definitely the alpha prior to this boarding. My gut says she is testing me.....Today is the third day that I've had her home now and it continues. Is this typical after boarding?

[Rottlva]

What are you doing when she growls??

[adrienne40]

It's when I am petting her & going near her food (which was never a problem).
Now, I am starting to think she isn't feeling well.

[Judi W]

The second that happens, on goes the leash and collar and on goes some quick, snappy and precise heeling and sits and downs and sits and down stays.

[damp]

Nope it’s not typical. All my dogs have been boarded at different age and for different length of times and every time after a good vacation I picked up “exactly the same dog” I boarded 2 or 3 weeks earlier.

When I board a dog, I only order a safe kennel, food and water, vet care (if necessary) and a “doggy door” or outside places to do “business” and I point out… even I trust the kennel owner, his staff and all their expertise, I DON’T want my dog exercised, walked, playtimes or interaction with other dogs. MY dog has VACATION too and so far they have all survived!!!

[seldown]

We are boarding our almost two-year old next week for the very first time. I was wondering prior to your post if I would have to do some extra work with her once we are all back home and back into our routine. I almost posted a thread asking if I should expect some bumps in the road once we are home.
I am interested to see if more posts respond and if it is normal to expect some transition time once home.

[Judi W]

You shouldn't have any extra work when you get back if you don't let anyone muck around with her during the boarding. I'm with Damp, I don't want anyone, no matter how well-intentioned mucking around with my dog. Feed, allow dog to relieve itself and leave it be.

[seldown]

Thank you for the input and the original post which started the topic. I will leave specific instructions tomorrow when we drop her off.

[adrienne40]

Now that I've read the posts I remember picking her up and the girl that gave her to me said, "Oh we love Roxy....she's so much fun..." This was my first time boarding her and I never ever thought to tell them not to do anything with her other then food, water, pee, poo. The prong collar and short leash went on her this afternoon....went for a long walk in which she worked her but off for me. She's improved alot. Funny thing is that she was normal with my kids. Maybe she was mad at me!

[chewys mom]

Until you know for sure what is going on be very careful with the kids just because you never know.
I would concider calling them and asking them questions like did anyone mess with her while she was eating ect... NOt saying they would be honest but it might give you a clue.

Here is just a thought is it possible for her to have gotten food aggressive just because of the stress being away from home with other dogs around. Their instint tells them to protect their food.

[trackermom]

Originally Posted by chewys mom

I would concider calling them and asking them questions like did anyone mess with her while she was eating ect... NOt saying they would be honest but it might give you a clue.

Here is just a thought is it possible for her to have gotten food aggressive just because of the stress being away from home with other dogs around. Their instint tells them to protect their food.

It is possible that the food response is due to being kenneled next to a food aggressive dog, And having that dog turn its attention to her and she felt the need to guard hers, Or that She was offered her food, did not eat it and it was removed from the run to be offered back to her later. ( which she may have challenged the staff over, and they backed down when she growled) you never know until you ask but do not get on the phone and accuse anyone of anything. I would not automaticaly believe that anyone would MESS with your dog. If you did not like the kennel or its staff then don't leave your dog there. Many of us work very hard at making our kennels a safe environment where dogs can hang out and await their owners return. Please do not assume someone would be messing with your dog.

[frontierrots]

We manage a big kennel and even the dogs that go out into the exercise yard alone find it so mentally stimulating that they are often very tired for 3+ days after going home. Often they sleep that whole 3 days, sometimes they are grumpy and sometimes they get diarrhea if there was a change in food

Keep in mind that dogs in a home typically sleep most of the day while the owners are gone and they don't sleep at all during the day (or very litle) when at a kennel because there is so much to see

[wattew]

Hi ... i put my 2yr old rottie in the kennels over xmas last year when she came out i noticed a chance in her moods she didnt really want cuddles or loves she wanted to be left alone. Thankfully it only lasted about 4 or 5 days then she returned to normal.

[Lorrie]

I will say that whenever I travel for business and then come home .. Frankie is beside himself when I get back then turns into a grumbly ass with me (especially when being petted). The first time it happened I was shocked and very concerned.

Now I just ignore his spoiled self when I get home and any interaction is in the form of some obedience work. It usually settles in a few days.

Franks is very much about trust and routine .. he is obviously stressed about me being gone .. in his case I do not believe it is about dominence .. there is a fear/trust quality to it or that is the best I can describe it as.