Boarding Dogs When There’s Household Changes
Dogs are creatures of habit. They are most happy when they are familiar with their surroundings and daily schedule. They know what will happen, where it will happen and when it will happen.
There is a lot more to a dog’s life than meals or relief times. There are occurrences you are barely aware of. Dogs know the time of day their pet parents, and other people in the household, tend to be there. They know when guests are in the house and often recognize them from past experiences. There is a rhythm to daily life.
What happens when something disrupts this daily routine? Dogs develop anxiety. For example, their food dishes are moved to make space for a repair, or their bed is displaced to make room for a guest. Their schedule is thrown off due to a family move or someone in the family is gone for a while. It does not take much of a change to cause many dogs’ psychological distress.
When a dog is part of your family you should always consider them when planning for any household disruptions. This can include:
· Major household repairs and renovations
· A long-term guest
· A beloved family member being away from home for an extended time, especially someone with whom the dog is highly attached.
· The arrival of a new family member, such as a baby or another pet.
Dogs manifest stress in many ways, none of which are pleasant for you.
Depression
Sensitive dogs may become depressed. They hide in a dark corner and don’t wish to socialize. Some lose their appetite; others vomit and yet others have diarrhea. Those who may have gastrointestinal reactions may appear normal to the people in the household, until there’s a stinky mess all over the carpet.
This reaction normally occurs when the dog’s favorite person is not home when they are expected. Be it the end of the school day or workday. Or, gone on vacation, having left the dog with a dog-sitter or walker.
While many dogs do tend to fare better left at home when their pet parents go on vacation, many do not. They are so set in their daily routines and being with their human pack that they develop severe physical problems.
Destruction
When dogs are anxious, they need to chew and dig. This activity helps them alleviate pent up nervous energy. You are unlikely to appreciate their means of soothing themselves as household items such as windowsills, couches, pillows or remote controls may be destroyed.
Where some dogs do this to get your attention as you are not offering them their normal attention levels, others do it because they are anxious about the household changes or commotion.
Clinging and Aggression
Many fearful dogs can become very clingy when upset with household disruptions. They hide behind their pet parents and remain attached to their legs as they move. They don’t want to go outside to relieve themselves as they are feeling very insecure and don’t wish to leave their source of security.
These dogs end up with accidents in the home.
Some can become aggressive to the repair people who are working in your home. For example, a journey man comes near the pet parent and the dog barks loudly in alarm or bites their leg. The dog may not normally behave in such a manner, but the stress of new people and noise within their environment causes them to lose control of their inhibitions. This is fear aggression.
What to do?
Repairs, renovations, vacations and houseguests are part of life. Ideally, you want your dog to accept, and even enjoy, these events but that may not be possible with many dogs.
Dogs are emotional creatures. There are ways to teach them to easily adjust to changes when they are young, such as training and socialization, but not every dog has enjoyed a perfect childhood, or has perfect genetics. Accepting their individual personalities will help prevent stress in their lives.
Short Term
If you have home repairs that may be disruptive to your household, such as minor repairs, or a day guest in which your dog is unfamiliar, consider sending your dog to daycare or asking a friend, with whom your dog is familiar, to take care of them for the day.
A busy dog is less likely to be stressed with a day trip than a dog who is watching strangers move through their house, causing loud noises, using loud voices and interfering with your dog’s daily routines.
Even if your dog welcomes the commotion, they’re likely to get in the way of work that needs to be completed within a specific time frame. Or, if the people working on your home go outside, your dog can accidentally get loose, which can be dangerous.
Always make plans for your dog before the scheduled repair day.
Long Term
If you plan on major renovations, travel away from home, long term guests or having to get surgery, consider a longer-term plan for your dog. Dogs often become stressed when their pet parents are gone for longer than a day, or two. Some become very stressed when there are strangers in their home for an extended time.
A well-trained dog will have an easier adjustment period to long-term guests than your being gone for a period. A dog who has not received appropriate early learning is more likely to have anxiety with long-term guests and your long-term absence.
Before any of these situations occur prepare your dog by introducing them to a boarding situation. Engage in some local research to find a facility that you believe will offer your dog the best care when you cannot be with them.
Let your dog stay there for a couple days before the long-term visit. The familiarity will help your dog be more relaxed the next visit.
Here are a few suggestions for a quality boarding facility:
· Clean smelling, clean building and clean exteriors
· Spacious accommodation
· Ability to move between indoors and outdoors space at will
· Temperature controlled indoors
· Daily disinfection
· Health requirements such as current vaccinations.
· Regular picture or video posting; webcam so you can “visit” your dog while they’re gone.
· The proprietor has high quality credentials, such as experience and knowledge of canine behavior.
Boarding your dog with a high-quality facility will give you peace of mind, enabling you to better address the reasons you will be away from home. If you are on vacation, or a business trip, you can relax knowing your dog will also have fun. If your house is getting a big renovation, you can concentrate on getting the work done. Or, if you must get surgery, you can relax a little and concentrate on improving your health or that of a family member.
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