Leaving your dog question

[BeverlyC]

My husband and I are suppose to go on a (sort of) business trip to Las Vegas in mid October for 5 days. We have never left Lothar with anyone since we have gotten him. He has been many places but never spent the night away from us. My main problem is my trainer boards dogs in her house and I was going to use her but she is pregnant now and doesn’t think she will be able to handle Lothar because she has been very sickly. So I have been looking at other places and haven’t been too impressed with their facilities. Most have a problem with him not being neutered and with his raw food.

I really want my husband’s ex-wife to keep him, because she is the one who owns his brother Roddick and he is very comfortable with her and loves her to death. My husband doesn’t want her keeping him because she has an older rescue female (Georgia) who is 5 (I think). He is scared she will hurt Lothar, but I think with a proper introduction that shouldn’t be a problem, should it? His ex just recently divorced her newest husband, who had a dog when they met and there were no problems with him, and she brought Roddick in with her and they get along great. I know you all don’t know by this, but do you think it could be possible for them all to get along? If I don’t find someone to keep him, we will have to cancel the trip, and I love Vegas!!!!

[Patty1231]

Does her dog have dog aggression issues? The age difference between the two and different sexes shouldn't be an issue. In any case, she could keep them separated since it's only for 5 days. If she's willing, I'd say have her watch him and enjoy yourself on your trip, unless your husband has other issues with his ex (you don't want to cause problems between the two of you over this).

[diddybopper04]

Surely somewhere in that Metro area there is a boarding kennel that will keep your intact fellow and feed him his food. I have had several places that fed raw for me. I have also boarded dogs and allowed them to have kibble during that time. I figure hey, it's probably like a vacation for them. Processed food. Other dogs to sniff. New people. LOL

A few days on kibble won't hurt him at all, my dogs have done this numerous times without issue.

DO NOT MISS THAT TRIP!

LOL

[BeverlyC]

I really don't want to miss going, we got married there and I just love going back. Patty- no there are no issues as far as the ex thing goes, we all get along really great. His ex and I actually took 2- 8 weeks training sessions together with our dogs. Most people think I am crazy for hanging out with her, but she is really a nice lady. Also, Georgia is very laid back no aggression, her only problem that I know of is she doesn't care for men too much. But I know if she had to be kept away from Lothar, that wouldn't be a problem, like you said, 5 days isn't long. I just know that the ex can handle Rotties and knows Lothar very well and I think it would be ideal.

Diddy- Lothar is allergic to everything (well almost everything). He has to eat exotic meats, no yeasts, grains and a whole host of other things. I have one place that I liked the lady and she would be able to do things I requested, but during the day she lets all of the dogs run in open fields together and I just think that could get dangerous and be a situation I don't want to put Lothar in. But I am going to keep looking, in case I can't talk the husband into the ex keeping him. Just curious if you all thought it could be done with an older female.

[groupieindenial]

I just went away for 3.5 days. I didn't know what to do with my pup, since I got in an argument with my folks about it, I figured I'd find someone else to sit for me. Well, I called around, and found that i either got the "if he's not fixed, he will not be socialized", or dead air when I said he was a rottweiler, nice. They only offered basic feeding, letting out to pee anywhere from 2x - 4x a day. I dont' get it, whats the difference if I left my nieghbor the key and told her to feed him and let him out a few times? I had a hard time finding a place that would let him be socialized, but I did.

This lady has a place out in the country. Her downstairs is set up like a play room for dogs, with built in sleeping quarters, and even a crate for that dog that only gets into a crate. They get to be in her house with her, and play outside supervised with the other dogs. She doesn't overcrowd though which makes for safer situations. WHen I dropped him off she was only boarding this old shepherd, and she has 2 dogs herself. She also was willing to give meds (the shep needed them) and any special feeding/supplement requests. She found she had the same situation anytime she was looking to board her dog, and she got her dog fixed just to have him boarded at this really popular place in town, to find that they locked him up while all the small dogs got to play. WHen she asked why they said that he tried to attack a dog. Right. I met the dog, what a sweetheart. They locked her up because it was bigger than the little runts that where there. Same place I got the dead air when I said Rottweiler, and that they would not socialize him cuz he's not fixed, period. This was the reason for starting her business.

Anyways, if your opting for a place that is willing to socialize your dog, you need to bring your dog out there first. I went the Saturday before I left, and let my dog play with first one of her dogs. Did good, she brought her older dog out. They all played good. Then she brought out 2 shipoos, and they all did good (the shipoos were wimps though, anytime a dog zoomed by running "yelp", just got startled). SO basically my dog was analyzed with old dogs, small dogs, etc. He did good with all of them. Picked him up just this morning, and she didn't want him to leave! lol They thought he was such a character but had no probs whatsoever. Her husband wanted to keep my dog! She jokingly said she lost my dog when I came up to the door. Ha ha, right lady. She even took pictures of him, (boy does he look like he's smiling), and gave them to me with the kennel name and address on it.

ANyways, I was just glad he got socialized, and lots of people interaction too. It was like camp for him!

[BeverlyC]

That is exactly what I am looking for. I have been getting the same dead air when I say Rottweiler too, then a quick NO when I get to the intact part of it, it has been discouraging to say the least. I just can't let someone keep him in a crate for 5 days straight except for like you said, 4 or so potty breaks a day. He would go nuts; he is so used to lots of exercise and interaction with people. I have looked into the pet sitter, but my husband doesn't know if he wants someone spending the night in our house. That is the only way I would do a sitter was if they would stay the night with him. I think he would be better in his own home in a crate than in a strange place in a crate all day. I did talk to one sitter, her son owns Rotties and she was very familiar with them and she would come to the house 4 times during the day then get there at 6 pm and leave at 7 or 8 am. She was an option for me, but like I said, the husband is not to keen on her staying there for some reason. I don't argue, just move on to the next option.

Well wish me luck in finding the perfect place, I have 23 days and counting to find it. I am glad groupieindenial you found someone good to keep your dog, it must have made for a nice vacation to know he was in good hands.

[Judi W]

I don't see where socialization should be so critical for a dog that is only going to be there for less than a week. The critical things are secure housing and kennels, cleanliness, fresh water and proper nutrition. The lady who is willing to do your feeding according to your wishes and assuming she has secure kennel runs sounds like a find and all you have to do is instruct her not to include your dog in the group run amucks.

[BeverlyC]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I don't see where socialization should be so critical for a dog that is only going to be there for less than a week. The critical things are secure housing and kennels, cleanliness, fresh water and proper nutrition. The lady who is willing to do your feeding according to your wishes and assuming she has secure kennel runs sounds like a find and all you have to do is instruct her not to include your dog in the group run amucks.

I will go talk with her again and see if something can be worked out, especially if we don't go with the husband's ex. I just assumed it would be better on Lothar to keep him on the same type schedule he was accustomed to. Thanks for your advice. I appreciate it.

[SonnyRott]

The ex-wife sounds like the perfect solution. You like her, she likes your dog, your dog loves her.

Don't wait until the last minute. Take Lothar over as soon as you can to see how the pack dynamics work out. Better to know now if an arrangment can be made. It will probably help your wallet also and your peace of mind.

[Judi W]

I would also suggest that dogs do not keel over and die if they are not kept on a schedule. My dogs eat when they are fed, not when a hand touches a certain place on the dial. sometimes early, sometimes later depending upon our training schedule and our road work timing. Sometimes (about once a week) they miss a meal or have a day's fast.

Raw feeders tend to be quite attentive to natural, however fail to acknowlege that wild canides might only eat two or three times a week when they can catch something. Relax a bit. The dog's foundation does not melt away if it is not watching TV for a week or doesn't get to lie at someone's feet. The core is built and if it is decent at all, easily survives a week or less of living in a kennel. Have whoever you feel will keep the dog safe be your sitter for the time you are gone. Whether you husband's x wants to take care of the dog or whether you use a responsible kennel. All will be just fine. Personally I am disinclined to have someone take the dog unless I am going to be able to return the favor. Paid boarding leaves no unpaid debts to be settled.

[macho rottie]

I finally found a dog sitter in my town. She comes and stays (sleeps here) the whole time we are gone. It's so nice to have someone come in and care for them in their own home. No stress, no stuff to lug over to the boarding kennels and the big plus no doggie smell from the kennels. PS...she also cleans the house, waters the plants and takes in the mail. Plus writes a diary of what the dogs and her have done every day.

[chivas]

I work for a pet sitting business part time. We do NOT stay overnight in the client's house. We come over as many times a day as the client contracts for for 30-45 mins at a time. Look into that, see if someone does it. I never board my dogs at a kennel, I have always used pet sitters and then went to work part time doing it myself. In this area, it is a VERY lucrative business. I could work 24/7 if I wanted too but i have a full time job and cant.

[chivas]

BTW Bev, when are you going to Vegas?? Cause Im going in Oct too! LOL

[damp]

I agree 100% with both of JudiW’s posts.

[JoJo]

I was a nervous nilly willy about boarding my dogs.....until I did it.
Check out different kennels, find one that you are comfortable with and then just bring the dogs and go do your thing. My Reba has a bad leg. I was so worried about her thinking that the kennel wouldn't take good care of her and that she would have a problem. Boy was I wrong! Dogs are tough. It is us humans that get traumatized!!

JoJo