Emmy, Queen of Niskayuna, is not what you’d call a well-socialized dog. We got her from a shelter, where she was an owner turn-in due to allergy problems, so the only time she’s been around other digs was in the shelter. I think the technical term for her reaction when confronted with another dog is “total freak-out.”
As a result, when we go out of town, we can’t just leave her with family, because my parents and Kate’s have dogs of their own. And when we put her in a normal kennel, it takes about a week for her to calm down after we get back. Which means that we end up paying a pet-sitter to come in three times a day when we’re gone, to feed, walk, and play with her.
I occasionally think that this is a little excessive, but today’s New York Times has a story about luxury dog boarding that makes this seem positively frugal:
At Mazzu’s Canine and Feline Hotel in Philadelphia, Jenee Mazzu offers a luxury pet hotel for “the discriminating pet owner.” A night in a suite costs $155 to $185, depending on the size of the room. (The largest is 7 feet by 7 feet.)
The daily rate includes the “personal suite, platform bed, comforter, toys, TV/DVD, two walks, one 40-minute jaunt to the dog park, feedings, unlimited bottled water, climate-controlled facility, daily maid service, 24-hour on-site care,” the Mazzu’s Web site says. For an additional $25, Mazzu’s will serve the dog a filet mignon dinner.
Nobody tell the dog about this, OK? She thinks she’s got a good deal, sleeping in her own crate and eating her usual kibble…
Have you checked out Ceasar Milan’s book entitled “Ceasar’s Way” or seen his show on the National Geographic Channel, “The Dog Whisperer?” He runs a dog rehabilitation center in LA. Most cases are resolved with OWNER training!
The fellow demonstrates absolutely jaw-dropping insights and control of dogs exhibiting the most violent or disfunctional behaviors you can imagine. I raised over eleven dogs through my teens, and even so, learned a tremendous amount through his show and book. There is a whole sections on managing just the types of issues you describe.
Good luck!