Travel with dogs

[TJRN]

I'll be traveling with my 2 large dogs next month. Finding housing through my recruiter hasn't been a problem. Now I am starting to worry what I am going to do with these furry beasts while I am away for 12 hour night shifts. They are not used to apartment living and I suspect that there will be some howling and barking while I'm gone.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how the best way to prepare them for this new lifestyle? BTW, one is a newfoundland/border collie mix with epilepsy and the other an aging lab/doberman mix.

[AmandaWIRN]

TJ, one thing I can tell you NOT to do- do NOT use those electronic bark collars. We tried one for our dog- it's supposed to give a little static shock when your dog barks (similar to the static shock given by electronic fences), but our dog got open sores on her neck from the electronic bark collar! I felt absolutely horrible- they healed within a couple weeks of getting rid of the collar, but I will NEVER put any kind of electronic collar on my dog again. Now, if we have to leave her alone, we put her in our bedroom, give her a blanket to snuggle with, and leave a radio on for her- she seems to do OK with that.

[TJRN]

TJ, one thing I can tell you NOT to do- no NOT use those electronic bark collars. We tried one for our dog- it's supposed to give a little static shock when your dog barks (similar to the static shock given by electronic fences), but out dog got open sores on her neck from the electronic bark collar! I felt absolutely horrible- they healed within a couple weeks of getting rid of the collar, but I will NEVER put any kind of electronic collar on my dog again. Now, if we have to leave her alone, we put her in our bedroom, give her a blanket to snuggle with, and leave a radio on for her- she seems to do OK with that.

Thanks for the advise. I personally would rather have their vocal cords removed than to use those type of shocking devices. With my spoiled brats, I could only see it making them worse, out of fear. I did get 2 dogs because they tend to keep each other company. The down side is that they strategize on garbage raids and other assorted mischief-nothing destructive, just annoying.

By the way, noticed that you are ED. Any suggestions for good, pet friendly, decent paying, future assignments around February?

[AmandaWIRN]

The down side is that they strategize on garbage raids and other assorted mischief

HAHA- too funny


I do not know of any assignments right now that would have a February start date- it's kind of early for that yet. I would start looking for Feb. starts about 4-6 weeks ahead of time- you should have some luck if you talk to recruiters closer to that time. Have you chosen a company yet?

[artwife]

TJ, I have the same concern for my babies. I am going to be working day shift and have researched the local area to find a pet service that will come and walk the two spoiled brats twice a day. If I had to work night shift my solution was to send them to the kennel overnight. Same pet service and they had activity time before tucking the dogs into bed. There are some real wonderful companies out there that are focused on keep pets happy. It might be a bit more expensive, but this way the dogs are exercised and all the pent up energy is somewhat resolved before I get home. I see one of your dogs has epilepsy....some places even will give your pet meds and feed them. Just a thought. Where are you going?