Hotel Horror !!!

[schatzie]

I think I am still shaking over this past weekends ordeal! My husband, Schatzie and i went away to Hot Springs AR to see the horse races, we do this yearly. Well, this was Schatzie's first time over night in a hotel and I was so excited that the place we always stay at welcome's pets too!

Come to find out shortley after arriving and heading downstairs for dinner, we left Schatzie in her kennel in the room. Oh my gosh, instantly we could hear her screaming in the hallway. She loves her kennel at home, she never minds being left alone at home when my husband and I have to leave. However, no way did she want to be left alone in that hotel room.

We stayed in the hall for over 15 min's just outside our room door listening to her to see if she would settle down. NOPE! So, we ordered room service. That night, brought her into the lounge with us for a few drinks (I needed them at this point)

The next day was the big horse racing day. She screamed as we left and was still screaming when we returned a few hours later. So, again room service in the hotel room that night. For the rest of the weekend (we arrived on Thursday afternoon) I stayed in the hotel room with her.

I left the room for 15 - 20 min's at a time and came back with treats just to see if she would settle down, never did she. Infact she seemed to have made herself ill with runny watery stools so we bathed her 3 times over the weekend.

It didn't matter if I stepped outside that room for a minute or minutes on end, each time she seemed to feel that i was never going to return and I just feel horrible for her.

She is so wiped out she has been sleeping at home all day on the couch and is out of it.

I never would of thought that this would happen? Anybody else ever go through this?

She has experienced seperation anxiety at it's worst and now I have to work on this. It just seemed odd that she's been alone before and been fine, but oh so much did not want to be in that hotel room alone. We even had the tv on, tried to cover the kennel, made it dark and secure, etc....She was only happy when I was in the room with her. We even thought of leaving her out of the kennel. But when we closed the door behind us her screams were followed by legs and paws poking out underneith the hotel room door.

I guess I will have to find a place to board her for like a half day at a time so she gets accustomed to being alone, I just don't know what to do. ??

I feel miserable thinking maybe I have like traumatized her for life???

[yorkieagility]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. My yorkie did the same thing when I first started to travel for tournaments. Unfortunately, I don't remember how I got her to stop. It might be that she was too tired after several days of running at one of these events to cry when I'm out of the room.

However, I don't think you traumatized her for life. I think in a few days she will forget.

[fasteddie]

It could be the foreign place that terrified Schatzie maybe? I think she really loves her Mommy and Daddy, have you ever left her alone at your home before for a long time, like 4-5 hours? Yoda absolutely hated being home alone at first, he would chew up the wallpaper, and tear up anything he could get his little paws on. The more he was left at home for a bit at a time, the more he got used to it. Now he just sleeps when we're gone.

Another thing could be is to let her do something that occupies her, be it a Greenie, or a bone or something she likes as a treat that she can chew on for a bit. Another suggestion may be a warm heating blanket, or those heartbeat devices that simulate a heartbeat. Hope this helps a bit...

[aimee]

Awww, I have no constructive suggestions, but I'm so sorry your weekend went like that. I'm sure you haven't tramatized her for life, like FastEddie said, it may have been the strange enviroment that spooked her? I hope she gets lots of rest today

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by fasteddie

It could be the foreign place that terrified Schatzie maybe? I think she really loves her Mommy and Daddy, have you ever left her alone at your home before for a long time, like 4-5 hours? Yoda absolutely hated being home alone at first, he would chew up the wallpaper, and tear up anything he could get his little paws on. The more he was left at home for a bit at a time, the more he got used to it. Now he just sleeps when we're gone.

Another thing could be is to let her do something that occupies her, be it a Greenie, or a bone or something she likes as a treat that she can chew on for a bit. Another suggestion may be a warm heating blanket, or those heartbeat devices that simulate a heartbeat. Hope this helps a bit...

Thanks Fasteddie. Yeah, she's been home alone for half a day last October during a motorcycle blues fest my husband and I went to, she was fine. I think as you said, the place was foreign to her. She was left with every chew item imaginable, treats, etc...She just wasn't left with me, and that's what she wanted.

Im really going to start working with her on this. Our friends we went on the trip with offered to babysit her for a few hours now and then to get her accustomed to different places etc.

Saturday during our weekend we were outside downtown walking all day. She loved it. She was a huge hit with all the other people out and it was great having Schatzie get used to people walking up to her and pats on the head etc...She needed to learn that living a sheltered life as we do here isn't all that great for her. She needed to be amongts new sounds, crowds of people etc and actually she enjoyed all that cuz she wasn't alone, ha ha..

Yep, training in progress for sure...As she only has till June till we head to Jamaica and Schatzie will be staying with her breeder for almost two weeks.m

[fasteddie]

Hmm, I wonder how she would react if you had a videotape (or homemade DVD or CD) of you and your husband gently talking to Schatzie. I'm sure she would realize you aren't in the room with her, but maybe your voice and perhaps image may soothe her a bit? Just a random thought I had just now.

[Carters Mom]

Schatzie's Mama:

I feel so badly for you. I wish I had the answer because one day, I may be faced with the same situation.

When Carter was a pup, he would cry and cry and eventually get out of his area by climbing the gate when we would leave. Now, his area is our sunroom. If we put him in the sunroom and we're inside, he cries and cries but . . . if we go outside from the sunroom and confine him to just that area, he curls up on one of his beds and crashes. Funny how furbabies are!

[lvgirle]

sorry about the bad experience!

i had a simliar one in chicago during biggie's 1st hotel stay as well. the problem wasn't when we were away is was when we were there!!! when we left during the day we would stay in the hall to see if he would cry and he was fine, just like at home. but all night long, everytime he heard someone walking outside or just his imagination he barked and howled. my boyfriend had to hold him the entire night... and if my bf fell asleep, biggie would run away and start barking at the door. on a side note, biggie couldn't poop in the room and if he did it was a VERY VERY little one. we actually brought him to navy pier (a big tourist area) and as we were walking all of a sudden biggie decided he had to poop in the middle of the walk way!!!! very embarassing with all the people and it was a huge poop. i'm not sure why he couldn't poop in the room because he used his peepee pads with no problem.

as for advice... like another person said: keep her occupied with a toy. it's probably hard because i know biggie wouldn't pay attention to any toy if he felt separation anxiety?! since it is her 1st experience... you should try again so she'll get used to it! good luck in the future.

[debi_s]

Like everyone else I am at a bit of a loss to suggest anything other than what has already been mentioned......

Glad to hear you are going to work on this and maybe get her used to different surroundings.

Maybe you could try going to a motel EVERY WEEKEND......(sounds like a great idea to me!!)......if you could just go somewhere locally....same motel and all....just for 1 night.....

Apple & Lil Bit have a FAVORITE toy....one of those Baby Kong toys with the flavored stuff squirted up into it.....and frozen. WHen they get these they are both totally tuned out to the world. They lick and lick and chew like they are in a trance. I use these when I have visitors and the activity level has gotten out of control.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

[lilbumbleybees]

DOGGIE DAYCARE DOGGIE DAYCARE DOGGIE DAYCARE

I can't stress that enough. You're baby needs to learn that being away from you IS ok and she won't die and you will return. Find a local doggie daycare or petsitting service and contact them about your baby. Bouncer goes to doggie daycare 3 days a week and it does WONDERS for him. I would also suggest putting Schatzie's crate in your bedroom or another room and leaving her in there for an hour every day. Shut the door. If she screams, completely ignore her. Opening the door and letting her know you're there just lets her know that, "hey if I scream Momma comes back!" After an hour, come back. OR as soon as she has settled down, give her afew minutes then come back. Eventually she'll learn that if she doesn't carry on and cause a racket, you'll come back for her. Hope this helps. It may take awhile. Good luck!

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by lilbumbleybees

DOGGIE DAYCARE DOGGIE DAYCARE DOGGIE DAYCARE

I can't stress that enough. You're baby needs to learn that being away from you IS ok and she won't die and you will return. Find a local doggie daycare or petsitting service and contact them about your baby. Bouncer goes to doggie daycare 3 days a week and it does WONDERS for him. I would also suggest putting Schatzie's crate in your bedroom or another room and leaving her in there for an hour every day. Shut the door. If she screams, completely ignore her. Opening the door and letting her know you're there just lets her know that, "hey if I scream Momma comes back!" After an hour, come back. OR as soon as she has settled down, give her afew minutes then come back. Eventually she'll learn that if she doesn't carry on and cause a racket, you'll come back for her. Hope this helps. It may take awhile. Good luck!

Thank you Lilbumbleybees. Annabelle our Schnauzer went to this doggie day care for half a day - I picked her up "early" so I could "drop in" to see them run their business in action. Long story, but let's just say I was NOT pleased with this company in the least. We are limited here where I live for such places.

But what I have planned is taking Schatzie to visit her breeder both with me there and away...Then we plan on doing a couple over nighter's with Schatzie left there.

Also, I have another friend who said she will babysit at her house a few hours now and then to introduce Schatzie to "different" surroundings.

Schatzie is very comforted in her kennel "at home", has never had a problem with it. It's the "unknown places" she seems to have stress w/ or so I found out. She is fine with being home alone, thank goodness...She also is fine with being at the groomers, but again she is "familiar" with it.

It is hard since I am home with her all day and she is just so darn velcro'd to me, LOL.

So, hopefully with a little work at "being babysat" by other's she will learn that strange places can be stress free..

Thanks again!

[lilbumbleybees]

I'll agree. I've seen a few "unsuitable" (I'll be nice) daycares here as well. Luckily the groomer I work with has a good friend who just opened the most wonderful doggie daycare here. I agree that having someone "babysit" Schatzie is the definately the next best option. I bet you can cure her. hehe You can always think of it this way, you're baby REALLY loves you! hehe