I heard that Siberian's can experience separation anxiety, but I wasn't expecting me to get it. With my new pup - I've noticed that I don't like leaving her at home. Does anyone else have that issue?

Obviously, she doesn't come to work with me - although I'm sure my students would love that - but on the weekends I try to include her as much as possible. Last summer we went to the beach (8 months old) - and I had to take her. She loved it and my favorite part of the trip was walking her on the beach in the morning/evening. This summer my husband, my dad, and I are planning a trip to Utah to do some hiking. We've never been to Utah and my husband wants to fly. I was originally thinking of driving (from PA) with my dad, but flying seems more reasonable. Now that I've been looking at plane tickets, I keep getting this bad feeling in my stomach - can I really leave Timber for so long (10-15 days)? Is this normal or am I being ridiculous?

Should I consider taking Timber and driving? Any advice?
Thanks!

I get separation anxiety from Bode. Just this weekend, we took a trip up North skiing and Bode stayed with my mom for two days. I literally said every day "I miss Bode!" He really does contribute so much to the laughter in my day. I know that he probably doesn't care about me when I'm gone because he gets spoiled with my mom and gets to play with their dog!

I definitely don't think you're being ridiculous. Timber would probably love to go hiking with you, but if flying is more practical, it is just more practical. Where would Timber stay while you are gone?

Utah Resident here: #1 - We get it too. #2 - Where do you plan on hiking? A lot of Utah hiking destinations are no-dogs-allowed. If you plan on going to any of the state parks or watersheds you will want to leave the pup at home. It's surprising how many places here are not dog friendly for how outdoorsy the state is.

You can always fly timber out with you. My cousin came out for christmas from TN and brought her 90lb lab and they flew him out. Would be cheaper than driving and he would be able to come still He would love to play in Utah.

I know the feeling you're going through. I'm leaving to Spain on tuesday and I won't be coming back until late May. I'm already missing my pup but I know he will be in good hands while I'm gone.

I left Juneau at home with my boyfriend while I was out of state for 9 days. I missed her and she missed me (boyfriend said she would look in the bedroom for me lol), but once you come home, she'll come running for you and give you hugs and kisses!

You're definitely not alone in feeling separated from her - I get the same thing.

My husband and I seriously CANNOT go on vacation without our two. Not because of their anxiety- they'd do fine being kenneled or staying with any of our friends, they adapt easily- but we can't handle it. We'd be biting our nails the whole trip feeling anxious! We are going to AZ next month for his birthday, and only have a 4.5 day window to be there- turning it into a 2.5 day trip as the other 2 days will be the hours clocked driving so the dogs can accompany, haha.

I think it's usually the humans more worried than the dogs, though obviously they miss you.

With 11 dogs at home, obviously we can't just load up everyone and go...at least not until we get the full conversion done on the truck...but we do travel on occasion, and when we do we have a trusted house/pet sitter that watches everyone for us. They call us or text us daily with updates. Though I miss my dogs when I'm away it's nice to get away once in a while too. And coming home we have quite the welcoming committee

I USED to have a mild form of "separation anxiety" when we had to travel without our dogs. I don't have this problem anymore although I do of course worry about them very much. Luckily in this age of technology we can easily pick up the phone and call, text or email about how they're doing, and receive instant updates along with photos to put our mind at ease.

For us, if it's a trip that we can drive then that's what we do and we take the dogs with us. However if it's a bit too far to drive and we need to fly, then we make arrangements to leave the dogs somewhere with family or a boarding facility.

I noticed a comment on flying pets with you and I would STRONGLY advise against it. We did that once with our sibe when we flew from Seattle, WA to Orlando, FL (and back again). It was a 2 week long vacation for us and I couldn't bear to leave my sibe, so we flew him in cargo. And while he made both trips alright, I have since learned a lot more about flying pets in cargo and knowing what I know now, I would never fly any pet in cargo unless absolutely necessary such as moving and not leaving the dog behind. A vacation, however, is not what I call an absolutely necessary reason for flying a dog.

PA to Utah is a long trip, one that if we were in your shoes we'd fly it and just make arrangements for the dogs. This past summer (2012) we flew from Charleston out to Seattle and drove 4 hours each way to drop off our dogs with my mom in FL before our trip so that I wouldn't have to board them. Then when we got back we drove another 4 hours each way to pick them up.

Huskyluv wrote:

I noticed a comment on flying pets with you and I would STRONGLY advise against it.

I dont know anything about flying pets Val so i will differ to you, i just brought it up because i know it was an option. But i just drive everywhere and never fly so my puppies usually go with me. There are only a few people i trust to take care of them if i leave them. Have to make sure whoever you leave them with will keep up whatever training you are trying to imprint on them.

The last two winters I've flown to Utah to ski and was gone from Bodhi for a week.

I have felt no anxiety leaving Bodhi since we discovered a wonderful doggy daycare.
Bodhi used to stay in a kennel that was like solitary confinement, no interaction with other dogs and humans for only a half hour walk each day. He'd be hysterical when we picked him up.

But now that he can stay overnight where he can interact with other dogs, he is almost nonchalant when we pick him up.

TimberWolf wrote:

I heard that Siberian's can experience separation anxiety, but I wasn't expecting me to get it. With my new pup - I've noticed that I don't like leaving her at home. Does anyone else have that issue?

Obviously, she doesn't come to work with me - although I'm sure my students would love that - but on the weekends I try to include her as much as possible. Last summer we went to the beach (8 months old) - and I had to take her. She loved it and my favorite part of the trip was walking her on the beach in the morning/evening. This summer my husband, my dad, and I are planning a trip to Utah to do some hiking. We've never been to Utah and my husband wants to fly. I was originally thinking of driving (from PA) with my dad, but flying seems more reasonable. Now that I've been looking at plane tickets, I keep getting this bad feeling in my stomach - can I really leave Timber for so long (10-15 days)? Is this normal or am I being ridiculous?

Should I consider taking Timber and driving? Any advice?
Thanks!

Depending on what you drive and the cost of airline tickets, driving may be alot cheaper especially if you take the dog with you. My wife and I are going to Colorado this summer and pricing everything out right now, it will cost $1300 to fly and rent a car including baggage fees and only about $700 to drive my corolla and that includes 2 nights in a motel each way. And as said before, I would never subject a dog to flying. There are too many horror stories of dogs dieing in cargo bins during the summer. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if that happened.

All of this discussion might be moot. Where are you hiking? Most hiking destinations in the state don't allow dogs.

rileyflorence wrote:

All of this discussion might be moot. Where are you hiking? Most hiking destinations in the state don't allow dogs.

We were planning on touring the southern part of Utah - visiting several national/state parks. I definitely want to see Arches. I am surprised to hear you say that it isn't pet friendly. I wonder why that is - any ideas? How do I find out what trails are pet friendly?

I don't think I would consider flying Timber - I think she would be terrified. She doesn't like being left alone when she unfamiliar with a place.

Good points about separation anxiety - I hope I grow out of it the longer I have her. My decision would be easier if I didn't worry about her so much. If we fly out, I plan on leaving her with my mom. It's free, which is a positive. Plus, I know Timber will be treated well. The only thing I worry about is that my mom thinks that she can just leave Timber outside without putting her on a leash. They have 30 acres, but when Timber gets her freedom, she takes advantage of it.

National Parks only allow leashed dogs on paved roads and short paved trails.
You can't hike with a dog even leashed on trails.
Big fine.

It's good to worry about Timber at your mom's.
Don't think he will just stay around off leash because of your relationship.

Possible solution. Drive. Take Timber. Stay in pet friendly motels or campgrounds.
Then when you hike in Arches, put him in a doggy daycare nearby that you have researched beforehand.

Utah is stupid anti-dog. Southern Utah is basically dog-prohibited in general. Every National park in Utah only allows dogs in the campgrounds, paved roads, and parking lots. You can't even have your dog in the car with you in the backcountry. And don't plan on leaving dog at the campground while you go hiking. Not allowed.

BLM Public Lands they can go in generally, but not all.

State Parks are a by-park basis, but are generally allowed ... sorta. According to the statepark.gov website it says they are, but most of the parks I've actually been to have weird restrictions on "this trail yes, that trail no, sometimes this one."

I'd leave the pup at home unless you are willing to miss the best hikes in Southern Utah.

Michael's Daycare idea is a good idea if you are willing to put up with the expense. (lots of daycares in Southern Utah for that reason).

Puppy Daycare ~ not a bad idea, I will keep that in mind from now on. Sounds like the best bet would be to leave Timber at home and just fly. I just need to find the best solution for her staying at home.

Thanks for the advice! I am really looking forward to seeing Utah.

You should be excited! We just took a quick weekend trip to Southern Utah - it was glorious. Had to get away from these 15º high days...