Dutch Shepherd Forum

So I am currently on vacation and H is left alone in the house with our trainer/dog sitter coming over 4 times a day. This is H's first time truly alone. The first 24 hours was basically hell as by the third visit H refused to kennel for the dog sitter. Wouldn't even consider it. Nothing he or I did (via FaceTime) did would get him within 10 feet of his kennel. Out of pure desperation the dog sitter, on my okay, put H in my room and locked the door (since he knows how to open the doors and the house was not fully doggy proofed before leaving). Needless to say I was wracked with worry as H has never been left in my room alone (always in the bathroom).

My friend went over to pick him up as we knew things would get worse so we decided to just move him into a more comfortable place. I was convinced she'd be walking in on pure chaos and pee everywhere in the 6-7 hours between her arriving and the doggy sitter leaving. Well, wouldn't you know it she walked in on.... Nothing. No damage that she could see. No pee. No nothing. Not only had he withheld himself from chaos he had also withheld him pee for the longest I've ever seen him. I'm so proud of him! And now am cutting my trip short so my friend can't go crazy with a kitten, a wild pup (H), and older dog, and a trouble maker cat. I have a feeling I need to show up with a LOT of alcohol.

i would not have gone in the crate, either. good for H.
and congrats on an intact bedroom; he knows what he is supposed to do.

i think they usually behave so much better than expected. at least that has been my experience. the only [minor ] trouble-making ANY of mine have ever done indoors is when i am home and not noticing; they must look at it like they are taunting me to get my attention. even puppy Tracer got left for three days recently [ with Saki as company and being checked on, fed, and allowed to run 2 or 3x/day] and it was a complete non-event. strange thing was there was less commotion when i got home than there is when i return from grocery shopping! i expected a bit more of ''WE MISSED YOU!!!'', but no - not much of anything!

TraceDog pulled off all sorts of outrageous and outrageously funny shenanigans when left alone when he was young, but never did harm.
the foster Cain i always worried would break through an outer wall or whatever it took to escape - his separation anxiety was so bad - but any harm he did was to himself, not house or belongings.

anyway, H is GROWING UP so nicely. soon he will be off to college or something.

I know! I can't blame him - this has been a big concern and something we've been working towards since the vacation was on the books long before he came along. I was hoping with all the toys and treats and bigger crate I bought it wouldn't be a big deal and certainly better than the kennel facilities we have here. But, he's chilling with his best friend Jakai for a few days and I am so proud of him as previous tests we did he destroyed something. I'm hoping this is the slow journey to trusting him alone in the house more, as I know he and I would prefer that more when I travel.

That's awesome!