Pets with Separation Anxiety
No matter how loving or wonderful a boarding facility may be-- private or commercial-- some dogs just need to stay in their own home environment. Elderly, sick dogs and dogs with anxiety issues may do better at home with a pet sitter visiting them several times in a day than in a new, foreign setting. Finding themselves suddenly in an unfamiliar home or facility can be overwhelming for the pet with anxiety.
Most little dogs are thrilled to have the companionship of other little doggies and the love and attention of The Doggie Nanny! However, we have found for a small number of dogs, a change of environment can bring out anxiety, aggression and destructive or nervous behaviors that overwhelm the dog and the care provider.Though it is the exception, in 6 years of providing home boarding for small breed dogs, we have had three dogs here that would have been better off remaining home. My first experience with severe separation anxiety was with a male dog that whimpered and cried for two and a half days...all day and through the night. He also pee'd incessantly all over the house. The second dog just acted crazy, pooped everywhere and walked it all over our home as well. I went through a lot of bleach that weekend! The third was simply in a state of panic for most of her visit with us and constantly tried to escape. Throughout their visit, these three dogs suffered and exhausted me with all the extra cleaning I had to do! They shook, cried, peed and pooped. I was unable to console them.
