I think I'm the one with sepration anxiety when we leave! I just hate it!!
Anyway, we have a lady who comes and house/dog sits while we are away. That way, someone is always with them, and they are in their own surroundings.
I keep the suitcase hidden, or set it out a couple months before so it is a "fixture" during the last days of the hustle and bustle of preparing for a trip.
Jul 31, 2010 Rating
Anxiety by: Michele
I have the same problem with my 2 1/2 year old Springer. She hates for us to leave for any reason, though she does seem to understand that we do go to work each day and she'll go right to her blanket, but she's hanging her head and shuffling the whole way!
We have been lucky in that we have found a great kennel in our area. They do not have cages and are all about socialization and playing. When we have to be gone for longer than a day we take them there and they love it! There are always several people on staff and many other dogs. On occasion there is another Springer and they automatically gravitate toward her. They stay so busy there they don't seem to realize we're gone. And what's great about this place is they offer 'doggie day-care!' So, just to keep them familiar with the place I will usually leave them there one Saturday per month.
Anyway, if you could find someplace like that in your area I think you'd see a big difference in their anxiety. If not, maybe you have a friend that has a dog or two who wouldn't mind keeping them for you....I know how hard it is to leave them behind, especially if you're worried about them.
