Hi everyone,

I've just become a member of pet forums as I really need some help. In September last year I finally made the big move to get a dog. I was blessed with Monty, a 5 month old schnauzer mix, from the local dog rescue. I live in quite a large flat in Ibiza, Spain and decided to get Monty in September as I was coming to the end of working the summer season on the island. This meant that I could spend all my time with him whilst h was very young. I've become VERY attached to him and so has he to me. We basically spent 3 months joined at the hip. Now I'm having to start work and I'm finding it very difficult to leave him alone. I never leave him for more than 4 hours at a time but when I get home he's so distressed that I'm finding it harder and harder. I'm trying the advice of ignoring him for a time before I leave him and until he calms down when I get home but this doesn't seem to be working. I've tried leaving him with family but they say he cries the whole time and drives them nuts. So, I've just found a dog kennel where it's cheap to leave him for the day. He has lots of space to run around and the people seem very friendly so I should be ok with this however, I'm not. I've just picked him up after his first day and I feel guilty and trapped. Nobody I speak to seems to understand and they say 'he's just a dog'. I know he's a dog and that I'm treating him as if he has the full range of human emotions but I'm worried that by leaving him during the day at the kennels he'll be worse off than if I were to leave him alone at home. It's obvious that he has separation anxiety and I know that it's my fault as I've fostered a very tight attachment to me.

People tell me that HE has to fit into MY life and not the other way around but I'm finding this very difficult and so far I'm feeling like a prisoner in my own home. I have to work as I've run out of money so I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If anyone could give me some advice as to how to deal with this I would be very grateful.

Thank you!

Oh dear this is very hard for you i can tell.
You have bonded very well and it hurts to leave him. I worked in kennels and we often had dogs that just came for the day. At first it might be abit stessfull for you both but after a few weeks he will look at it as part of the routine and settle down.
Do they exercise the dogs together as we found that the dogs we had looked forward to coming and ran in through the doors once they had got used to the routine. I think they looked forward to seeing who was in.
Don't feel guilty as you have to work and he will benefit from meeting other dogs and people.

I know it all seems hard now but persevere and you will find that the dog will benefit by being with others rather than left on its own.
The other alternative is to hire a dog walker

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Grandma to Jinja Dog, Mum to Tilly the Cavalier, Tattycat, Moomy, Choo, Sonic, Niven Mc Twisp and Lawna the rabbits and 1 guinea,17 budgies, 4 Cockatiels, 8 Goldfish.

Thank you so much for your swift reply! I feel a little better already so thank you. I do just have to persevere and think it's better for him to be at the kennels at least 3 days a week as he'll be with other dogs and people.

Thanks again.

If you are going to continue leaving him in a kennel environment, can I strongly suggest that you have him vaccinated for kennel cough. Do you not have dog walkers in Spain? That may be another alternative for you.

For a dog to have his owner virtually 24 hours a day can be a huge problem when left for the first time. Ideally, it is better to leave a dog for very short periods and gradually building up over time. That should stop him suffering separation anxiety.

He is a lucky dog however, only to be left for 4 hours a day, since most working owners are gone far longer

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The kennel cough vaccine only works on the strain that is prevelent at the time. There are different strains and it can be traumatic on the dog as it goes up their noses.
kennel cough is like a human cold and is more dangerous to old and very young dogs. Normal healthy dogs can usually shrugg it off.

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Grandma to Jinja Dog, Mum to Tilly the Cavalier, Tattycat, Moomy, Choo, Sonic, Niven Mc Twisp and Lawna the rabbits and 1 guinea,17 budgies, 4 Cockatiels, 8 Goldfish.

Thanks for the advice. I'm actually now leaning towards keeping him at home for the following reasons:

Although at the kennels he gets to see other dogs and run around a yard, he isn't taken out for a walk.

He came home today really smelling of mud/dirt.

He was extremely distressed when I picked him up which in turn really distressed me. He still seems upset even after a few hours being home. Can this be possible?

It costs 10 euros a day and right now I'm really struggling financially.

So, I think I'm going to leave him at home tomorrow. I have a large bathroom where if he barks my neighbours won't complain. I read somewhere that dogs prefer to be in smaller spaces so I thought this would be good. I can leave the tv on in the lounge and he can hear it. So if I take his bed, a toy and water he should be ok no? I may have to leave him for 5 hours tomorrow. Someone posted that most working dog owners have to do this. I know it's not ideal but will it lead to him being unhappy? I'm so worried about this as I absolutely adore him.

Kennel cough is extremely nasty when caught whatever age and good kennels or crèches, will insist that your dog has this vaccination before excepting them.

Luika had it before going to see the Specialist and did not turn a hair. I would never take the chance.

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As someone else said, it would easier on the dog (and you) if you just leave him for short periods first instead of being with you 24/7 then suddenly being left 4 or 5 hours a day............

Maybe on the days you are not working you can start leaving him for short periods and building up - even tho he still has to stay for 4 hrs on his own when you are working, he needs to get used to you coming in and out and not being there all the time then suddenly disappearing for 4 hrs............. Maybe leave him several times a day for short periods when you are not working.

Hope it works out for you, you have to be the strong one unfortunately cause the dog will be picking up on your anxiety!!!

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Proud owner of Rocky the Yorkie, born July 2008, who came to live with us at 8 weeks old

Aw, sorry to hear that. I am sure you could find him a loving home xx

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Are you suggesting I get rid of him? Not very helpful if you are.

Thanks anyway.