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08-19-2015, 07:18 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Portland Maine
Posts: 159
| Post-boarding depression??? Hi ya'll - I feel like I have been posting so many questions lately! Thanks in advance for all the responses! This post is a long one! Part venting about a situation, part seeking advice on the aftermath! So...I had never boarded Maggie, she travels with us and I work form home so she is with me most of the time. She is a 5 yr old amish mill rescue and we have had her for a year (for the regulars here Im sure i sound like a broken record on that point but I always feel its important to note her past when I am looking for behavior help!). Anyways, over easter she displayed aggression towards my small nephews (ages 5 and 1) and for that reason I had to look into a plan B for future occasions when we travel to see the kids. I tried a local pet sitter who watches pups in her home. We did a meet and greet and all went well. So I scheduled Maggie go for a full day to practice and get to know the sitter and her dogs. Maggie sat near the front door the whole day but was quiet and perked right back up when I returned. Then I did an overnight about a month later. She came home very stressed out with diarrhea. The vet checked for parasites etc and we concluded that it was anxiety based IBS. So she's been on a daily probiotic and also has a low dosage xanax to take only when away from me in a new setting. So I felt like to the best of my ability I prepared for her comfort with the sitter when we went on our yearly beach vacation last week (which I would totally typically bring her on but the nephews were staying in our condo and it wouldn't be safe - also, I considered having someone come to MY house to let her out and feed her but she gets very amped up when people enter our home). I brought her to the sitters and despite the positive meet and greet, and overnight stay, for whatever reason the sitters large dog lurched at maggie and I (I was holding her) and Maggie lurched back (fair enough!). After 15 minutes of trying to get the two to play nice I decided that this was not a safe environment for my already anxious fur baby. So off we drive the 5 hours to the beach with Maggie in tow. I was frantically trying to think of a new plan...I found a highly rated pet resort near our condo. I have NEVER boarded her nor did I ever intend to, but this place was highly rated, very clean and new, no crates, the dogs all have suites, the play area was beautiful the staff was so nice, and I could watch her all week on the webcams if I wanted. I felt like this was the best new option. I filled out the papers while crying hysterically, and returned to pick her up a week later (the place opened at 7am and I was there at 6:50am!). She was so excited to see us and seemed in good spirits! She snuggled and napped the whole 5 hr ride home (tuckered out I am sure!). She looked a bit thin but the amount food remaining in the packages seemed right and I know she was out playing more than she would at home. No IBS issues, or weird behavior. So here I was feeling REALLY good about things after all the drama and my own personal anxiety leaving her. But we have been home for 4 days and everyday she seems...depressed? I know its normal for dogs to sleep a lot after being boarded but she seems sad too. Not her spunky circle running self. She just seems to be going through the paces of her routine and sleeping every moment in between. She eats and drinks fine...just seems depressed. Any thoughts on this? Maybe she's being reflective and has decided to be mad at me now?
__________________ Corey Anne, mommy to sweet Maggie May. Last edited by MaggieMaysMommy; 08-19-2015 at 07:22 AM. |
Welcome Guest! | |
08-19-2015, 07:58 AM | #2 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I wish I could give you advice in this area.....everytime I ever left my dogs at any boarding facility, regardless of all the great reviews and recommendations, my dogs never came home the same....and the LAST event where they almost drowned my little boy during his bath, well, that was the end of me not only trusting people at boarding facilities, but paying a HUGE amount of money to get my babies back "not quite right".....thank God they can not talk, I would probably be doing prison time! If I were in this position, I see only two satisfactory outcomes for me.....I dont go where I can not take my dogs and/or I take my dogs and keep children away. I just explain to small children "my dogs are old and set in their ways and dont appreciate the joys of small children, so you just can not play with them, they dont appreciate children." Then I would just police their activity to be sure they did not pester the pups. It was just easier for me to not travel and visit, but I dont have grandkids! Just tell them they can not play with the dogs because the pups do not like kids and they will snap at them. At least the dogs will be with you and you will not be worried about what is going on with them where ever you left them. Just have to watch kids around them! After a day or two, kids will hopefully loose interest! |
08-19-2015, 08:26 AM | #3 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| It's possible that she is just relieved to be back with you and in her home. When I am separated from my boys (not even a whole day in my case, but that is an eternity to my guys because that is all they are accustomed to), they go crazy when I first return, but then they sleep. I believe it is relief and contentment to have everyone back together. If Maggie is still not herself after a week has passed, or if she seems lethargic, then I would be more concerned.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
08-19-2015, 09:11 AM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Portland Maine
Posts: 159
| Thank you both. I know...I really prefer taking her with me. She is such a great traveler and really enjoys it. And my husband and I have so much fun treating her to fun beach walks and lunches on dog friendly patios. She loves adults and other dogs. Its just those pesky kids! She even perks up and gets anxious if a baby is crying on TV. I think moving forward i won't think twice about bringing her with me and telling kids that she is a cranky pup and to ignore her. But for my nephews, my sister in law is a bit intense and would have freaked if I had Maggie with me after the attempted attack at easter. I don't blame her, but in the future I think we will need to just stay at a pet friendly hotel instead of the family condo. Now that I think of it, the cost of a hotel room vs a kennel stay will probably shake out to be comparable! LOL. Then we all win. I am just afraid she thinks the kennel was punishment or something. And I agree - if she doest perk up soon its off to the vet we go. Thanks for the 2 cents!
__________________ Corey Anne, mommy to sweet Maggie May. |
08-19-2015, 09:22 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chessington, Surrey, UK
Posts: 5,062
| Quote:
On a personal note, we have a Harry-sitter, we take him to her house (not often, maybe 3 nights per year) and he does adore her. But even 'Huge Harry' comes home absolutely exhausted - nor sure if he's worn out with all the 'different' walks + smells, or whether it's an emotional thing. BUT within a few days we are all back to normal again. I truly hope all future visits go more smoothly for you, and sweet little Maggie May gets over her doggy-hotel-visit very soon xx
__________________ Sally x | |
08-19-2015, 09:31 AM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Portland Maine
Posts: 159
| Thank you Harrysmum!
__________________ Corey Anne, mommy to sweet Maggie May. |
08-19-2015, 09:48 AM | #7 | |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Quote:
On the sister in law, she needs to chillax. What if she had a special needs child or someone who had behaviors that were challenging and inappropriate? You'd probably be the first to understand and be compassionate. She, in return, can choose to be accepting, accommodating, and compassionate toward your situation too. Goes both ways, with all family members, right??!! In future, you could either stay at a hotel like you said and/or bring along an x-pen or Iris Pen (Amazon or Walmart) to give her a safe area to be when you can't be right with her and/or hold her.
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° | |
08-19-2015, 09:58 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,931
| I am going to stretch real far on this thought, since you never checked the webcam at the pet resort you don't don't if she played with other dogs, if she did, maybe this is what she misses, playmates. If you requested that she not be allowed around other dogs, then that theory is out. If you don't know if she was with other dogs perhaps you could call the resort and ask. or Being away from you for an entire week she could have thought you abandoned her. Stress can knock ppl out, has the same affect on dogs. You wrote she looked a bit thinner but the amount of left over dog food look correct, that's telling you she didn't eat well for the time she was away from you. I agree with Maximo, give her a week, if you see no improvement it's vet time. One last thing, never think you are asking to many questions, there would be no YT if ppl didn't ask, and, for every question asked and answered at least one person will gain knowledge from it.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog |
08-19-2015, 01:14 PM | #9 | |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Quote:
I wish you luck. I know how stressful it is. I honestly hate to leave Jackson and I don't trust anyone really except my dad to watch him for longer periods of time. Longest I've left him was like 6 nights and that was WAY too long for me! lol
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier | |
08-19-2015, 02:51 PM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Portland Maine
Posts: 159
| Thank you Joan and Wylie's mom - if feels good to know my concerns and intuitions are correct. I just love her so much and want her to be so happy after her rough start in life. And your right, I always learn so much asking questions and I hope other people do too! I just fed her and she didn't wander over to her food for about 15 minutes and she usually zips around the room like its the first meal I have ever offered her, lol. So I am for sure keeping an eye on her. Poor baby! I took her with me to the bank drive through today so she would feel included again. Small steps!
__________________ Corey Anne, mommy to sweet Maggie May. |
08-19-2015, 03:08 PM | #11 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA
Posts: 2,505
| Boarding I know what you are talking about re. the boarding issue. I have found that my boy adores the cage free boarding I occasionally take him to. He does not want to leave when I pick him up!! He does seem to be depressed for a while when he comes back home and misses the furry buddies he was with. He also had a small tummy upset for a day, but soon got back into the old home routine. I think the feeding schedule and different environment does stress them out and it takes time to adapt to new situations. I would love to take my furbutt everywhere I go, but unfortunately that is not always possible. It is always hard for me to leave him, but he seems so happy playing with other dogs and the constant activity. So,yes, I do think that they do get stressed when left in another place, but luckily dogs do appear to adapt very quickly. |
08-19-2015, 03:09 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,931
| If it's as hot by you as it is here on the mountain it could also be the heat. My boy who LOVES to eat, the last two days has not vacuumed up his food as he ALWAYS does and has been leaving 1/4 of his kibble in his bowl also just laying around, not like him at all, it's the hot weather we have been having. So could be a combo of tired from a stressful week and hot weather, just food for thought.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog |
08-19-2015, 05:06 PM | #13 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Quote:
Excellent!!! Loving this solution!!! I always stay at La Quinta....very dog friendly motel....it aint the Hilton, but it works great for me and my babies!! I get the big double room, with a kitchenette....the HUGE, extensive breakfast buffet every morning has scrambled eggs for ALL of us.....gosh, I am getting the "Wanderlust"!!! HAPPY TRAILS!!!! | |
08-19-2015, 05:29 PM | #14 |
YT 1000 Club Member | I was wondering if she played with the other dogs as well. She may actually miss having doggies to play with. I would give her extra attention and try to play with her and see if that helps. There are times when Teek seems depressed for short periods of time. He always bounces back after a day or two though. I usually take him for a walk with just him and I. There are 4 dogs at my house, so one on one time is precious around here. I also have to deal with nightmares. Teek has nightmare's and I just pull him close. I never heard a dog actually cry until he woke me up just a few nights after we got him and we let him sleep with us. Although they happen less and less frequently, I do wonder what he dreams about that he cries in his sleep. I just pull him into my arms and snuggle him close and whisper to him that he is safe with me and he usually settles against me and goes back to sleep. Poor little guy. The days I am away from him most are the day he is most likely to have them, or the first few nights at a new place (with me) he has them. Good luck with her. I hope things get back to normal for her. It could be stress from missing you and hopefully she will get back to being herself soon.
__________________ It's raining Yorkies here! LOL Teek ,Rowan , Raksha (Grand Puppy) , Raelyn |
08-20-2015, 05:05 AM | #15 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,663
| Quote:
Duchess is fine now but it had me wondering if I should get a playmate for her. Of course if she wasn't allow around the other dogs then she is probably just decompressing getting used to being back home. Last edited by yavenay; 08-20-2015 at 05:07 AM. | |
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