Traveling and leaving my yorkie. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Amberrae · 11-14-2010, 08:41 AM

I have a question I have never left my yorkie for a long period of time except for 2 days but it was a fam member and all she did was cry as I was told and would not eat. I will be leaving to germany for 3 weeks next month. I'm not able to take my dog ( I wish I could

) but the airline doesn't let my dog travel with me as a carry on luggage so my dog will have to travel solo for 9 hrs I don't think I can do that. Since for some reason she gets scared easily, so I'm leaving her with my brother once again. My question is : Can it be true that a dog can die from sadness , she is only 2 years old and the most I've left her alone is 8 hrs which is when I go to work which she is use to since I've done it since I got her.

FlDebra · 11-14-2010, 09:06 AM

The idea of whether or not dogs perceive time the way we do has been debated but some people have truly studied the concept and how it differs between aminals and humans. I do believe dogs differ from the way they perceive time. I do not think they know the difference if you are gone one day or 10. I'll give you info from William Roberts, one such researcher to help explain.

His well-accepted ideas say that animals live "in the moment" and have no real episodic memory. They cannot think backwards or forwards -- they are stuck in the present. They do have learned responses but they cannot remember where they came from. This researcher compares it to young children who hae learned how to do a great many things by age of 4, but they normally do not have memories of learning them prior to that time. Animals stay in that sort of phase. They cannot tell how much time has passed. When you come home, they are glad to see you. But if you come home from work today, or come home 3 weeks from now, they still are just glad to see you. Mine get excited when I come back from the mailbox!

Some may say -- but they learn when we come home from work, when the school bus is going to stop in front of their house, when to eat, etc.... He explains all of that as not really a memory of what happened before, but animals using internal biological rhythms and circadian oscillators to determine event prediction. It is really pretty interesting!

You might want to read through what he has to say, I think it will help relieve some of your fears about leaving for a longer time. Here is a short take on his research: HowStuffWorks "How a Dog's Memory Works"

FlDebra · 11-14-2010, 09:11 AM

I just realized I did not really answer your question.....but because of what I wrote in the previous post, I do not think she will get so upset as to actually die. She may not eat well for a while, may lose a little weight, but I think with daily love and attention from your brother, she will be fine.

I have heard of older dogs that stop eating and drinking when their owners died. But I don't think a young one would ever do that. The will to live is very strong in a young, healthy dog. I would try not to worry. I know you will some, she is important to you!

DvlshAngel985 · 11-14-2010, 09:33 AM

It would help if your brother is able to follow the same routine you follow at home with her. Even if it's just a night out with bf, I ask my little brother to set Kaji's food down at the exact same time I would if I was home. When I went away for the weekend, my little bro did our same weekend routine. It really helps to have someone willing to follow your routine.

Yorkiedaze · 11-14-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amberrae

I have a question I have never left my yorkie for a long period of time except for 2 days but it was a fam member and all she did was cry as I was told and would not eat. I will be leaving to germany for 3 weeks next month. I'm not able to take my dog ( I wish I could

) but the airline doesn't let my dog travel with me as a carry on luggage so my dog will have to travel solo for 9 hrs I don't think I can do that. Since for some reason she gets scared easily, so I'm leaving her with my brother once again. My question is : Can it be true that a dog can die from sadness , she is only 2 years old and the most I've left her alone is 8 hrs which is when I go to work which she is use to since I've done it since I got her.

I'm sorry the airline your going to go on doesn't let dogs in the cabin, because most do. Could you switch airlines?

Reese1 · 11-14-2010, 03:35 PM

My Mom and I went to Europe recently for 16 days and it was hard leaving all three, so I understand what you are facing.
We left them with my Dad, so it's someone they live with anyway, so of course that made it easier.
I'm sure you trust your brother though and I would make sure to leave written instructions on her schedule, so she can stick with her same routine!
Just tell your brother to give her special attention & love!

Amberrae · 11-15-2010, 04:47 PM

Thank you all for the feedback.

I can't change airlines because it was gift from my boyfriend. I decide to leave her with my sister in law, she recently had to her dautschen ( sp might be bad ) put to sleep and she was the one who gave me my yorkie as gift , so I know she knows how much attention and love a dog needs.

11-14-2010, 08:41 AM	#1
Amberrae YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachussets Posts: 8	Traveling and leaving my yorkie. I have a question I have never left my yorkie for a long period of time except for 2 days but it was a fam member and all she did was cry as I was told and would not eat. I will be leaving to germany for 3 weeks next month. I'm not able to take my dog ( I wish I could ) but the airline doesn't let my dog travel with me as a carry on luggage so my dog will have to travel solo for 9 hrs I don't think I can do that. Since for some reason she gets scared easily, so I'm leaving her with my brother once again. My question is : Can it be true that a dog can die from sadness , she is only 2 years old and the most I've left her alone is 8 hrs which is when I go to work which she is use to since I've done it since I got her. __________________ (Lucy)

11-14-2010, 09:06 AM	#2
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	The idea of whether or not dogs perceive time the way we do has been debated but some people have truly studied the concept and how it differs between aminals and humans. I do believe dogs differ from the way they perceive time. I do not think they know the difference if you are gone one day or 10. I'll give you info from William Roberts, one such researcher to help explain. His well-accepted ideas say that animals live "in the moment" and have no real episodic memory. They cannot think backwards or forwards -- they are stuck in the present. They do have learned responses but they cannot remember where they came from. This researcher compares it to young children who hae learned how to do a great many things by age of 4, but they normally do not have memories of learning them prior to that time. Animals stay in that sort of phase. They cannot tell how much time has passed. When you come home, they are glad to see you. But if you come home from work today, or come home 3 weeks from now, they still are just glad to see you. Mine get excited when I come back from the mailbox! Some may say -- but they learn when we come home from work, when the school bus is going to stop in front of their house, when to eat, etc.... He explains all of that as not really a memory of what happened before, but animals using internal biological rhythms and circadian oscillators to determine event prediction. It is really pretty interesting! You might want to read through what he has to say, I think it will help relieve some of your fears about leaving for a longer time. Here is a short take on his research: HowStuffWorks "How a Dog's Memory Works" __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

11-14-2010, 09:11 AM	#3
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	I just realized I did not really answer your question.....but because of what I wrote in the previous post, I do not think she will get so upset as to actually die. She may not eat well for a while, may lose a little weight, but I think with daily love and attention from your brother, she will be fine. I have heard of older dogs that stop eating and drinking when their owners died. But I don't think a young one would ever do that. The will to live is very strong in a young, healthy dog. I would try not to worry. I know you will some, she is important to you! __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

11-14-2010, 09:33 AM	#4
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	It would help if your brother is able to follow the same routine you follow at home with her. Even if it's just a night out with bf, I ask my little brother to set Kaji's food down at the exact same time I would if I was home. When I went away for the weekend, my little bro did our same weekend routine. It really helps to have someone willing to follow your routine. __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

11-14-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
Reese1 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,304	My Mom and I went to Europe recently for 16 days and it was hard leaving all three, so I understand what you are facing. We left them with my Dad, so it's someone they live with anyway, so of course that made it easier. I'm sure you trust your brother though and I would make sure to leave written instructions on her schedule, so she can stick with her same routine! Just tell your brother to give her special attention & love! __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

11-15-2010, 04:47 PM	#7
Amberrae YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachussets Posts: 8	Thank you all for the feedback. I can't change airlines because it was gift from my boyfriend. I decide to leave her with my sister in law, she recently had to her dautschen ( sp might be bad ) put to sleep and she was the one who gave me my yorkie as gift , so I know she knows how much attention and love a dog needs. __________________ (Lucy)