Barney is holding me hostage!

[barneysmommmy]

We are on vacay. This is the first full day at our condo. Our particular unit is dog friendly, but the condo really isn't. No other renters have pets. Barney, who I leave home alone all the time, is flipping out when we leave the unit. This morning, I stood outside the door for about 5 minutes and he calmed down. I've been walking in and out the door a lot so he gets that it's no big deal and I'll be back.

We started to leave about an hour ago and he started whining/barking again. I stood outside the door to listen for him to stop and I hear a man coming down from an upstairs unit yelling at him to shut up. Mind you, he had just started barking and I wasn't about to actually leave the condo until he calmed down. The man and his wife rounded the corner to see me standing there and I said, "I know he's annoying, but he's much better than a yelling human!" They just kept walking. So now, I feel trapped in the condo. I don't want to make the other people here miserable. What do I do? This morning it stopped after a few minutes.

[Harrysmum]

Ohhhh, you poor thing - I can feel your kind of fear and embarrassment from over here...and wondering how you can solve it all....

Have you been to that particular place before - or is it new to you all?

A couple of years ago, we took Harry to a 'self-catering holiday home' over here, on our Norfolk Broads - it was a fabulous, hundreds-of-years-old converted windmill - obviously on the water.

We had to go and do some groceries shopping, so Andy and I hopped on our boat and left Harry 'in charge' of the windmill. As we sailed away, I could hear what sounded like a banshee x flock of geese x cat-being-murdered Obviously sound really carries on the water.... People were actually circling and staring, trying to find the source of this rare breed....

I must admit, it did take him a couple of days to get used to being left (and I'm only talking an hour or so - whereas at home he's fine, as little Barney is). Really, all you can do is do what you're doing....but I truly know how you feel, and hope it sorts itself out soon...good luck, and hope you manage to be able to leave him with a peaceful mind soon xx

[barneysmommmy]

Thanks for the encouragement, Harrysmum. Honestly, I was more upset with the buffoon yelling than I was at Barney. Today Barney is acting much more like himself. But I am still nervous about leaving him. The beach is just beautiful and the water is perfect. Fortunately, we are right on the beach so I can still sit and look at the beautiful water from the deck. We found a great place that does carry out. So we ate our dinner on the deck last night and it turned out pretty nice. My husband and I take turns walking out to the beach.

However, I would really like to go snorkeling with my husband at least once this week. Maybe Barney will eventually let up.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

Thanks for the encouragement, Harrysmum. Honestly, I was more upset with the buffoon yelling than I was at Barney. Today Barney is acting much more like himself. But I am still nervous about leaving him. The beach is just beautiful and the water is perfect. Fortunately, we are right on the beach so I can still sit and look at the beautiful water from the deck. We found a great place that does carry out. So we ate our dinner on the deck last night and it turned out pretty nice. My husband and I take turns walking out to the beach.

However, I would really like to go snorkeling with my husband at least once this week. Maybe Barney will eventually let up.

Oh, exactly - I was worried that one of our 'passers by' might break in to the windmill and report us to our RSPCA!!!

Of course you're nervous about leaving him - but it sounds like perfection apart from that? I truly hope that you can enjoy the rest of your holiday....I know - Barney's got to learn how to snorkel, too?!!!?

This has got nothing to do with anything......but are dogs allowed on the beaches there in Summer? It's just that 'over here' the months that they're allowed is very limited... xx

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Oh, exactly - I was worried that one of our 'passers by' might break in to the windmill and report us to our RSPCA!!!

Of course you're nervous about leaving him - but it sounds like perfection apart from that? I truly hope that you can enjoy the rest of your holiday....I know - Barney's got to learn how to snorkel, too?!!!?

This has got nothing to do with anything......but are dogs allowed on the beaches there in Summer? It's just that 'over here' the months that they're allowed is very limited... xx

Unfortunately, no. Dogs are not allowed on the beach here. I get it though. So many people do not follow rules and ruin it for everyone else. It is evident that someone with a large dog stayed somewhere near here recently.....as this dog's poo was left outside in the grass. The sign clearly says to pick up after your dogs.

Aside from Barney's antics, the pups have all been perfect. So, I should just enjoy my trip. It may not be exactly as I had hoped but it is great.

[CouversMom]

I'm so sorry this is happening. I know the feeling. Hubby invited me to join him on a work trip in Seattle, but it would be at a hotel. My pups do not like being left and I could never leave them in the hotel as they would bark the entire time. I have chosen not to go and get some things done at home instead.

Have you tried turning on the tv for some white noise and giving him treats so he realizes that when you leave he gets yummy things? It's crummy not to be able to enjoy the beach together...

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh bummer! I'd get a bark genie maybe? Or an automatic bark genie type thing...

[barneysmommmy]

We have a bark genie (got it for Anna) and it's great when we are here. It's not automatic so unless I'm here to use it, no effect. My husband found some great treats today and we tried one out on Barney. I was able to walk right out of the condo and he paid no attention whatsoever. So this evening, we're going to give it a try. I got to swim for a while this morning and my husband enjoys fishing in the evenings. So it is working out ok to take turns. Eating dinner at the condo is kind of nice too. We'll see. This is a very small condo. 4 units on top level and 4 on bottom. We have met our neighbors on each side and they are so nice.

On the upside, the view is amazing and there are very few people on the beach. I counted 7 total this morning. Anna, who normally is a bear around people, has been perfect.

[Jkpal]

Are you kidding me?! I love your style and you are right on...a little barking dog is much less annoying that a yelling human! You should hold your head up and be very proud of yourself...!! As I live in a duplex, I do understand though. Piper is calm and quiet when I go to work, but if I leave her to get my nails done, though quiet when I leave, she is barking when I arrive home 45 minutes later and I wonder if she's been barking that whole time...?

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Are you kidding me?! I love your style and you are right on...a little barking dog is much less annoying that a yelling human! You should hold your head up and be very proud of yourself...!! As I live in a duplex, I do understand though. Piper is calm and quiet when I go to work, but if I leave her to get my nails done, though quiet when I leave, she is barking when I arrive home 45 minutes later and I wonder if she's been barking that whole time...?

You know, I had always kind of taken where I live for granted. There are definite downfalls--it's very rural and can be a pain at times. But wow, I think I would go nuts if I had to worry about the barking all the time. So, my hats off to you. I doubt she barks the whole time. She probably just gets excited when she hears you coming.

[wigglewomyn]

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

You know, I had always kind of taken where I live for granted. There are definite downfalls--it's very rural and can be a pain at times. But wow, I think I would go nuts if I had to worry about the barking all the time. So, my hats off to you. I doubt she barks the whole time. She probably just gets excited when she hears you coming.

I agree with what barneysmommy said, Jkpal. My Little Miss Elliot doesn't bark when I am away from the house but the minute my car pulls in the driveway, she starts barking her head off and doesn't stop until I let her out of her crate. Then she dances all around and waits for me to pick her up so she can kiss me. After that, she is happy to go about her business.

[Jkpal]

I love you guys! What you say makes sense; I think my neighbors would let me know if my Piper carried on for too long--

[MaggieMaysMommy]

Awwww, that is hard, I would feel just as torn as you do! In the condo, is there a room further away from the front door you can put your pup in? Maybe a bedroom with his bed and toys and a TV on? I know when we travel Maggie barks anytime she hears someone walking down the main halls (joy), but at our beach condo if we put her in the back room she can't hear anything and is fine. Maybe give him a yummy long lasting treat to distract him initially, like a frozen kong? I hope you are able to enjoy your vacation - but I totally understand your wanting to be respectful of your neighbors. Good luck!