What a Momma's Boy!
Over the weekend, my husband and I took our pup to a family reunion about 3 hours from home. I thought that it's be fun for Grover because we have lots of kids in my family (I have a HUGE family, my mother has 12 brothers and sisters) and most all of my family loves dogs!
The 3 hour drive down proved to be a bit of a challenge. We have never really traveled that far with Grover. He doesn't really enjoy riding in the car very much, he whines and tries to get out of his seat belt harness and wants to be right on top of me. It can be a fiasco! But we also didn't anticipate all the small stuff, like what do you do with the pooch when you stop for lunch or to go the gas station? I've left Grover in the car for like 5 minutes before while I pump gas or run in to the station to pay. But never any longer than that. And in Arkansas, September is still very much summer time. So that was something I hadn't ever thought about. We ended up getting something to go and sitting at the park with Grover to eat, which worked out fine. But what do you do in the winter when you travel with a pup and need to stop?
The big thing that I really discovered this weekend though was that Grover is a TOTAL Momma's boy. He didn't want me out of his sight! At one point, husband took him around in the grass at a station so he could potty (we made a lot of stops, since this was Grover's first long car ride) and I went in the to pee. Husband said he totally freaked when I went in the store, whined, howled, barked, the whole bit. And then at the reunion, one of my cousins' kids asked if she could walk Grover around for a while. He WOULD NOT go with her.
I've created a big ole' baby! I don't mind it, but I also don't want him to be anxious every time I'm not around. I'm not sure how he got like this either, because he's spends just as much time with my husband as with me...well almost just as much time.
One thing I will say, Grover was a champ at the reunion! He was friendly and well behaved and he didn't even beg for food or anything (big for him!). I even let him off his leash to play ball with us! He came right back to me when I called. But he ate a lot of things I would NOT feed him. My aunts are nuts and if I turned my back for a second they were feeding him ham or a hamburger patty. That was a little annoying, especially since I told them he didn't eat people food. But at least no one fed him cake or sweet stuff. It was just meat and a some cheese. Still way too much for one day.
Grover slept the entire 3 hours home. He was zonked! Have I mentioned that I love having a dog?
The 3 hour drive down proved to be a bit of a challenge. We have never really traveled that far with Grover. He doesn't really enjoy riding in the car very much, he whines and tries to get out of his seat belt harness and wants to be right on top of me. It can be a fiasco! But we also didn't anticipate all the small stuff, like what do you do with the pooch when you stop for lunch or to go the gas station? I've left Grover in the car for like 5 minutes before while I pump gas or run in to the station to pay. But never any longer than that. And in Arkansas, September is still very much summer time. So that was something I hadn't ever thought about. We ended up getting something to go and sitting at the park with Grover to eat, which worked out fine. But what do you do in the winter when you travel with a pup and need to stop?
The big thing that I really discovered this weekend though was that Grover is a TOTAL Momma's boy. He didn't want me out of his sight! At one point, husband took him around in the grass at a station so he could potty (we made a lot of stops, since this was Grover's first long car ride) and I went in the to pee. Husband said he totally freaked when I went in the store, whined, howled, barked, the whole bit. And then at the reunion, one of my cousins' kids asked if she could walk Grover around for a while. He WOULD NOT go with her.
I've created a big ole' baby! I don't mind it, but I also don't want him to be anxious every time I'm not around. I'm not sure how he got like this either, because he's spends just as much time with my husband as with me...well almost just as much time.
One thing I will say, Grover was a champ at the reunion! He was friendly and well behaved and he didn't even beg for food or anything (big for him!). I even let him off his leash to play ball with us! He came right back to me when I called. But he ate a lot of things I would NOT feed him. My aunts are nuts and if I turned my back for a second they were feeding him ham or a hamburger patty. That was a little annoying, especially since I told them he didn't eat people food. But at least no one fed him cake or sweet stuff. It was just meat and a some cheese. Still way too much for one day.
Grover slept the entire 3 hours home. He was zonked! Have I mentioned that I love having a dog?
Comment
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Comment by Alla on September 22, 2008 at 9:50pm
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Hey, Madog, I am sure they think that. The travelers by roads :). I know that for sure, because they come and ask :"What kind of dog is this beautiful cutsie-putsie?"
So, I'd never leave a corgi in a car alone with strangers around, he-he :)
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Comment by Madog on September 22, 2008 at 9:29pm
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Sounds like he had a blast. Practice the traveling. A good traveling dog is a blessing.
When I would go somewhere with my GSD Grunt and then have to go further on without him I would leave him the car keys. I would put them beside his traveling water and food bowls and it totally calmed him. Dummy didn't know I had a spare key.
I can't yet leave Madog in the car. I assume everyone thinks he is as good looking as I do and wants to steal him, "When you're in love with a beautiful dog...".
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I think it was a combination of a new unknown place, and seeing you leaving and going towards the place with a lot of people...
On Saturday, we went to see my son at college, and it was the third road trip for Charlie since I've brought him from the breeder in August. It takes 3 hours to get there.
Same thing - he is completely ok to stay alone at home. But this time he was really worried when I left for coffee at the Service Plaza. Too many people, cars, noise, etc.
Usually when we travel, we take turns to get food. In our climate, it's dangerous to leave pets in a car.
Hope, it helps.
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Comment by Parker on September 22, 2008 at 12:46pm
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Grover is totally Crate trained and he stays in his crate during the day. I don't have any trouble with anxiety in terms of leaving him home alone. And he does fine when I take him to board at our doggy day care. He plays and eats and sleeps just fine. So I think it is only when we are out and about and with lots of strangers. I leave him home all the time, with my husband and alone and he does just fine with this as well. He's also in his second training class and does fine in that class. So I'm not sure I should freak out just yet, what do you all think?
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Comment by Suzanne on September 22, 2008 at 12:29pm
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When I need to leave my guys in the car during the summer, I crate the unreliable one. Henry I just leave loose because he thinks the car is his anyway. If I need to leave the car even for a short time, I roll down the windows, give the guys access to water and always park in the shade. I don't even attempt this if the temperature will be over about 72.
During the winter: I have a microwaveable disc that I found at our local pet shop. (Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Supply-Imports-SnuggleSafe-Heatpad/dp/B00008AJH9/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0113714-0859819?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1222100267&sr=8-2). They come with a flannel sleeve and stay warm for at least 4 hours. I give them room to lay on or off it as they choose. It is hard, but they don't seem to mind the lump.
All I can say about the separation anxiety is "work on it, NOW". It will only get worse. Have play dates with someone you trust. Do as above, just in and out but vary the length of time. They're smart and will start anticipating your return... Leave him in another room for short times. Crate train. Henry is so bad he won't eat or drink if I leave. We're working on it and he's getting better.
As for the whining in the car: It could be being restrained away from you (more of that separation stuff). Some dogs have problems with things whizzing by at speed and appear to do better when they can't see out. My problem child needs a long walk before popping him into the car. Most of his whining is now anticipation. Are we there yet, are we there yet.
Good luck on all!
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Comment by Ziska Childs on September 22, 2008 at 11:10am
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IMO You've got the start of some serious separation anxiety here which could lead to a lot of chewed up furniture (cars, clothes etc.) I assume (because he's a corgi) that he's a tad food driven. My solution has always been peanut butter in a kong. You're leaving- he gets a peanut butter kong (*small* amount of peanut butter or you'll have monster corgi). Don't leave for too long- do this quite a few times (almost like playing peekaboo). Mommy's going- you get treat- look mommy wasn't gone that long!- mommy's back! (no treat- you're the treat). A little more socialization with other dogs and people will help also. He'll always be your puppers but he needs to get used to the rest of the world too.....
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