Do Tell: Make Pup Comfy When You're Away

April 8, 2008

Tell me, when you're ready to get up and go, what do you do to make your pets feel as comfy (and uninterrupted) in their routines as possible? I already shared my packing list but do any of you have other items I've forgotten, or special tips, to keep Fido and Fluffy as happy as possible.

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Travel Do Tell Get Up And Go Golden Retrievers

13 Comments

Renees3 5 years 5 weeks

I tried the rescue remedy and I didn't see any difference sadly. He's just a crazy boy I guess

atlchick 5 years 5 weeks

My dog went through a phase of destroying anything and everything that he could get his mouth on whenever he was left alone. He seems to have outgrown that or just gotten used to being left alone. When we travel or he has to go the kennel, he always has his blankie that was knitted for him, a tennis ball, his stuffed cow, and bones for him to gnaw on. A little while ago I took him to the kennel and they would not let me bring that stuff in, but he got so sick due to stress that now they have agreed to let him have his blankie and toys. It saves them money because their policy is to comp things that are the result of boarding, which includes fluids and stomach medication when he gets violently ill. When he travels with me, he has a striped dog bag so he knows when it is being packed with his favorite toys that he gets to go on a car ride (his favorite thing to do other than swimming and going to the dog park).

runnergeek 5 years 5 weeks

usually max is not alone in unfamiliar places. he is in one of two places, my house or my parents and he's pretty comfy there.. both places have plenty of toys for him and we have a walker who comes and walks him, who he loves to pieces. he used to love this octopus toy that he destroyed. we bought him a new one, same exact toy, he won't touch the new one..

Dollylo 5 years 5 weeks

nothing special: I make sure hse got some fresh water, her own pillow on her couch and when I leave her alone at night, I switch a little blue light on ! ;)

ILovePugs 5 years 5 weeks

Oh, and I also found he is more calm if I don't say bye to him or make a big deal about leaving. I usually ignore him for at least 20 minutes before I have to go, and I don't pet, talk to or make eye contact with him before walking out the door. It's so hard because I want to give him a big hug before being away from him for the day, but I know it's best for him and has resulted in a pup that doesn't have any seperation anxiety (Phew!).

ILovePugs 5 years 5 weeks

Like fleurfairy, I walk Chase before he's left home alone so he's tired. I also leave the radio on (though I don't know that it actually helps!), and I leave him with something to do so that he is busy and stimulated while I'm gone. Sometimes I hide treats around my apartment for him to find, or use a "puzzle ball" with some of his kibble inside for him to roll around. A Kong full of peanut butter that has been frozen also keeps him busy!

wren 5 years 5 weeks

Like Renee3, nothing makes my dog ok. I've been using a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) plug-in product, but that doesn't seem to really work. My dog is in a crate while I'm out, and there have been huge messes lately when I've come home. :(

fleurfairy 5 years 5 weeks

I just make sure he has plenty of water and all his toys are out where he can find them. Usually I walk him before I leave so that he's tired out and just sleeps when I'm away. If I bring him with me, I bring some treats and his toys so he feels familiar.

fuzzles 5 years 5 weeks

Renee3, You might want to try giving B-Bop (cute name!) a few drops of Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy. It's a calming herbal/flower essence that you can find at almost any health store or natural grocery store. Make sure to ask for the children's version if you try this...the "adult" version has alcohol!

linb 5 years 5 weeks

Thankfully my dog is hardly ever left alone. If I have to leave the house, she goes to her grandmother's. They spoil like as if she were a real child - she has more toys and treats than she knows what to do with. And they have cats, so my dog has a couple of friends to play with. I actually think my dog enjoys spending time at her grandmothers house more than she does at mine.

Renees3 5 years 5 weeks

There is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING that I can do to make B-Bop okay home alone. I work from home and he's NOT used to being alone. He won't eat or drink while we're gone, just sits by the door and pants. If he ate right before we leaves, sometimes he barfs it up. I've tried all the separation anxiety stuff I read, but nothing works. So when we're going to be gone for a while (like along day trip) I take him to a friends house. He doesn't have anything he really needs to sleep or be comfortable with, maybe I should work on something like that. I did see a dog at the dog park yesterday that had a towel in his mouth the whole time. I asked the guy about it and he said it's her blankie. It used to be a full towel, but it's been loved so much it's more hand towel sized. He said she doesn't leave home without it!

Phasekitty 5 years 5 weeks

Brando has a "baby" that we bought him the day we brought him home. It's just one of those white fluffy person/star looking snugglies. It's the only soft, stuffed toy that he hasn't torn to pieces and ripped the stuffing out of, thus it goes with him on all overnight trips. I nearly lost it when our doggie day care woman returned him without it- I was so mad she made an extra trip and came back the next day having found it.

fuzzles 5 years 5 weeks

Unless I am expecting house guests, I always leave "my side" of the bed unmade and open for Oliver to sleep on. That is his favorite spot to be a lounge lizard! When I drive to my parents house and stay for a day or two, I always take him with me and line his carrier with an unwashed t-shirt. And I bring his favorite toy, a catnip-stuffed banana that he loves to spoon with and use as a body pillow. :)

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