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Hey everyone! Looking for some advice for Quill.
The second week of April, I'm leaving for a week for a conference. Unfortunately, my SO will also be out of town, which means we need to have someone watch Quill. The only time we've ever had to have someone watch him, he was about 5 months old. I'm worried about it, since he has anxiety when we leave and is a bit fearful of new people. Not as bad as his fear of odd things or new places, but still hesitant when he first meets them. I've only ever seen him remain afraid of one person in his life. Usually it is approach cautiously, sniff, keep an eye on them, then figure out they have toys and treats and love them.
However, I'm worried it may manifest differently if I'm 100% removed. He's been in situations where I'm gone and others have been around, and from what I've been told he's for the most part just mopey (doesn't sleep as much or eat as much, but this was pre-fluoxetine). This winter, he was at my mom's house and I was gone one night, and he was doing well until my brother (who he knows and loves) came in wearing a hood. He freaked out, fear barking, but calmed down once he removed the hood. That's basically the background experience I have with him being alone with people who aren't me or my SO.
Any tips to make this easier for him? He has Xanax that I'm anticipating giving him for the first night and giving the person in case he needs it. I'm planning on having him meet the person at our house by having them over for a dinner, then having them come on some walks with us. I've debated leaving him with said person for a night before I leave for the week to see how he does.
I also have two options. A friend's SO volunteered to watch him for us. They just lost their dog and love dogs. Or Quill's trainer knows a woman who has a reactive dog who occasionally dog sits (said dog is like Quill: reactive on leash, 100% fine with people/dogs off leash). The woman would be willing to stop in and check on Quill, or if he gets along with her dog, keep him at her house. I'm not sure which is the better option. I feel like another dog, if he gets along with her, could maybe make him more comfortable, but also it might be better to have him alone with someone.
Any thoughts or advice or what have you is greatly appreciated! I'm stressing about this...a lot!
The second week of April, I'm leaving for a week for a conference. Unfortunately, my SO will also be out of town, which means we need to have someone watch Quill. The only time we've ever had to have someone watch him, he was about 5 months old. I'm worried about it, since he has anxiety when we leave and is a bit fearful of new people. Not as bad as his fear of odd things or new places, but still hesitant when he first meets them. I've only ever seen him remain afraid of one person in his life. Usually it is approach cautiously, sniff, keep an eye on them, then figure out they have toys and treats and love them.
However, I'm worried it may manifest differently if I'm 100% removed. He's been in situations where I'm gone and others have been around, and from what I've been told he's for the most part just mopey (doesn't sleep as much or eat as much, but this was pre-fluoxetine). This winter, he was at my mom's house and I was gone one night, and he was doing well until my brother (who he knows and loves) came in wearing a hood. He freaked out, fear barking, but calmed down once he removed the hood. That's basically the background experience I have with him being alone with people who aren't me or my SO.
Any tips to make this easier for him? He has Xanax that I'm anticipating giving him for the first night and giving the person in case he needs it. I'm planning on having him meet the person at our house by having them over for a dinner, then having them come on some walks with us. I've debated leaving him with said person for a night before I leave for the week to see how he does.
I also have two options. A friend's SO volunteered to watch him for us. They just lost their dog and love dogs. Or Quill's trainer knows a woman who has a reactive dog who occasionally dog sits (said dog is like Quill: reactive on leash, 100% fine with people/dogs off leash). The woman would be willing to stop in and check on Quill, or if he gets along with her dog, keep him at her house. I'm not sure which is the better option. I feel like another dog, if he gets along with her, could maybe make him more comfortable, but also it might be better to have him alone with someone.
Any thoughts or advice or what have you is greatly appreciated! I'm stressing about this...a lot!