Vacations happen and although it is usually the most exciting time for a human being, it can be the most stressful for the dogs that are left behind.
We already know that Labrador Retrievers are creatures of habit and have one of the highest outcomes of separation anxiety. So what can a responsible dog owner do when they are leaving on vacation and Fido just can’t go with them? There are a couple of options to choose from before making that trip to some sunny beach without your beloved canine companion.
Kenneling Your Dog
Kenneling your dog is the route that most dog owners taken when they are heading out of town for a while and cannot take their pup with them. When kenneling, family members should heed the following to decrease separation anxiety:
- Kennel at a location that your dog is already familiar such as a veterinarian or doggie daycare that they frequent.
- Provide familiar toys and bedding that have the smell of your home and family members. The familiar scents calm their nerves.
- Keep your dogs together while at the dog kennel. They are already losing part of their pack while you are away. Keeping siblings and other pack members in constant contact will decrease the feeling of abandonment.
Dog Sitting
Both professional and family dog sitting are taking on with great popularity to keep dogs in their home and decrease the possibility of separation anxiety. As with kenneling, there are a couple of ways to increase calmness while the family is away:
- The pet sitter should be someone the dog is familiar. If using a professional sitter, have the person that will take care of your Labrador Retriever come over a few times before you leave to become acquainted with the pup. If you are using someone your dog already knows, have that person come over more frequently, leading up to the time you leave, so the pup can start to feel more relaxed with the person around more often.
- Keep your pups to a schedule. It doesn’t matter who is watching your canine companion; he or she needs to keep your dog on its normal bathroom, feeding and playing schedule as much as possible. Labrador Retrievers love schedules and thrive on them.
Leaving your dogs is one of the most difficult things to do when you go on vacation because they are your children. Therefore, it is important for you to take time to plan what will work best for your particular dog(s) and how you both can have a calm and relaxing time while you are away on vacation.
