Leaving my Dobes for a week

KyJustice · 03-31-2008, 09:54 PM

The Ms. and i are going to be out of the country for a week and we are leaving the dogs with their grand dog parents. My folks are coming here to the dogs turf so i hope that will be a good start to relaxing them. Is there anything else I can do to make them comfortable while we are gone and keep their anxiety down. my female is very sensitive and I expect her to take it the worst. I appreciate all the ideas you might have.

Michelle's-Draco · 03-31-2008, 10:21 PM

Give them something that smells like you maybe a shirt you sleep in the night before.

dobes4us · 04-01-2008, 01:13 PM

Make sure you notify you vet, we do it in writing that says your parents have the ability for you in your absence to make decisions.

sorthund · 04-01-2008, 01:18 PM

Make sure your folks know the rules of the house, so they don't teach them bad habits. Same goes for food, so they avoid upset tummies.
Have a great trip.

dobesanddragons · 04-01-2008, 01:40 PM

double

dobesanddragons · 04-01-2008, 01:41 PM

We have done this also for a week. We are very lucky, as you are, to have family come in and watch the animals. We have various animals but I will just focus on the dogs.
I agree with dobes4us.
Also, leave your vet numbers in an easy place, both normal clinic and emergency clinic. We have magnets on the side of our fridge. I also print off maps on how to get there from the house, both places. I keep the dogs rabies copies in an envelope just in case it is needed, also one in the car. I communicate with the people watching my animals that if they think they might need to go to the vet for any reason, don’t hesitate to take them. They also all have binders with their records; I put these on a shelf and let them know where it is just in case. To make meal time easier I measure out all portions (since I feed homemade and kibble) in small baggies and place them in the fridge labeled with names. I have to do this since I have an allergy dog and it would be detrimental if that dog was fed anything but their strict diet. I also type up a sheet with other small things, for instance, one of mine will throw up on the carpet yellow bile that is hard to get out if not fed a snack first thing in the am. The old little dog takes a pill for allergies sometimes so I let them know where the meds are and I cut up the dose just in case the dog should need one. Things like that. I make sure the dog seat belts are by the door hung up on the leads and collar area and all the treat jars are filled to the max.
My family thinks this is funny, but you know at least I can rest a bit easier knowing I covered all my bases. It helps a bit, as I miss my wild kingdom so much while away.
Have a nice trip!

dobesanddragons · 04-01-2008, 01:45 PM

There is also a thing called DAP, might help your female to relax a bit more. Medi-Vet - D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Product Information

You might be suprised though, as many dogs I have found act differently once their owners aren't around and adapt quite well to the new flow of things. I watch my families dogs from time to time and think it is funny the big difference.

**sebsyd** · 04-01-2008, 05:53 PM

I think D&D summed it up very well!! It will be far less stressful for them to stay at home, even though you are gone. I would just suggest that their schedules are adhered to. Have a great vaca!

**DoberDukes** · 04-02-2008, 01:13 PM

agreed just leave a paper(s) that say how much to feed each dog at what time of day, what treats to give them and what they get treats for. where they go to the bathroom basically what dobes and dragons said.