Does My Dog Think I Abandoned Him When I Board Him?

You hand us the leash.

Your dog watches you walk toward the door.

Then comes the look.

You know the one.

Those big eyes seem to say, “Wait. Where are you going? You're leaving me HERE?”

And suddenly you're halfway to the car wondering if your dog thinks you've abandoned him forever.

If you've ever felt guilty after dropping your dog off for boarding, you are definitely not alone. We see it all the time at Ruby's K-9 Corral.

Owners sometimes have a much harder time with goodbye than their dogs do.

So what actually happens after you leave?

The Door Closes...and Things Usually Change Pretty Quickly

Here's something owners don't get to see.

A dog may be completely focused on Mom or Dad during drop-off. Some pull toward the door. Some whine. Some plant their feet. Others give their owner that heartbreaking stare that makes leaving feel absolutely terrible.

Then the owner leaves.

Within a surprisingly short amount of time, many dogs switch gears.

There's a new place to investigate.

New smells.

People to meet.

Dogs to watch.

Outside time.

Food.

And suddenly there are much more interesting things happening than staring at the door.

We've had dogs whose owners were convinced their pup would spend the entire stay miserable because of the dramatic goodbye.

Not long afterward, that same dog is outside sniffing around, exploring the yard or happily following one of us to see what we're doing.

Meanwhile, the owner may still be sitting in the car feeling guilty!

Dogs Don't Experience Boarding the Same Way We Do

We can't know exactly what a dog is thinking, so we don't tell owners, “Your dog definitely understands you're coming back Tuesday.”

What we can tell you is what we observe.

Most dogs are remarkably good at learning routines.

They begin figuring out:

This is where I sleep.

This person brings my breakfast.

This door means we're going outside.

This is when I get to play.

This is when things quiet down for the evening.

Once dogs begin recognizing that pattern, the environment becomes much more predictable.

And predictability can be very comforting to a dog.

Some Dogs Settle In Immediately. Others Need a Little Time.

Every dog is different.

We have dogs who arrive ready to party.

Their owner barely gets the goodbye out before the dog is essentially saying, “Okay, see ya! I've got things to do.”

They recognize us, recognize the routine and know exactly where they're going.

Then we have dogs who need more time.

A first-time boarder may be cautious. A shy dog may want to stand back and observe before participating. Another dog may eat a little differently at first or need some extra reassurance while adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings.

We've cared for dogs who initially wanted very little to do with us. We didn't force the issue. We gave them time, kept things calm and allowed them to become comfortable at their own pace.

Then something changes.

Maybe they decide to come over for attention.

Maybe we get the first tail wag.

Maybe suddenly they're waiting at the door because they've figured out that door means outside time.

Those little moments are wonderful because we're watching the dog realize:

Okay. I understand how things work here.

What About the Dog Who Seems Sad at Drop-Off?

A dog can absolutely miss his family.

We don't want to dismiss that.

You are your dog's home, routine and favorite people. Being somewhere different can be an adjustment, particularly for dogs who haven't boarded before or dogs who are naturally more anxious or reserved.

But missing you isn't the same thing as believing you've permanently abandoned them.

Rather than trying to guess what is happening inside a dog's mind, we watch the dog in front of us.

Is he eating?

Is she drinking?

Is he resting?

Does she want interaction?

Is the dog comfortable outside?

Is he becoming more relaxed as the stay progresses?

Those behaviors tell us much more than a dramatic goodbye does.

Sometimes Mom and Dad Are the Ones Who Need Reassurance

We've seen this many times.

An owner is worried sick about leaving.

“He's never stayed anywhere.”

“She's going to think I left her.”

“He won't eat without me.”

“She's going to be so mad at us.”

And we're thinking about the dog we just saw happily trotting outside five minutes earlier.

That's one reason we encourage owners not to make drop-off an emotional 20-minute event.

We understand the temptation. You want to hug them, reassure them and explain that you'll be back.

But dogs are extremely good at noticing our emotions.

A calm, positive goodbye can communicate something very different from an anxious one.

Instead of:

“Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! Mommy will be back! Please don't be sad!”

Think:

“Have fun! I'll see you soon.”

Then let us take it from there.

Returning Dogs Often Tell the Story Best

One of the best things we see is a dog who has boarded with us before coming back through the door.

They recognize the place.

They recognize people.

Some know exactly where they want to go.

That doesn't mean they love their owners any less.

It means Ruby's has become another familiar place in their world.

And that's exactly what we want.

We don't want your dog merely stored somewhere while you're gone.

We want them to learn the routine, become comfortable with us and feel secure enough that returning to Ruby's isn't scary or unfamiliar.

And Then You Come Back...

Of course, nothing beats pickup.

The second many dogs realize Mom or Dad has returned, it's game over.

Wiggling.

Jumping.

Happy noises.

Spinning.

Tail wagging so hard the entire dog moves.

Apparently, we're no longer very interesting.

And that's perfectly fine with us.

We know where we rank. 😂

So...Does Your Dog Think You Abandoned Him?

We can't ask a dog what he believes, and we'd be misleading you if we claimed we knew exactly what was going through his mind.

What years of caring for dogs do allow us to see is this:

Most dogs are much more adaptable than their worried humans give them credit for.

There may be an adjustment period. Some dogs need more reassurance and patience than others. But once they understand the routine and realize they're safe, fed, cared for and surrounded by familiar patterns, many settle in beautifully.

And when you return?

They haven't forgotten you.

Not even close.

So go on your trip. Visit your family. Take the vacation. Enjoy the wedding. Go watch the kids play ball.

Give your dog a confident goodbye.

We'll handle the rest.

And when you walk back through our door, we'll happily watch your dog completely forget we exist. ❤️🐾

Ruby's K-9 Corral
Boarding • Daycare • Grooming

Because while you're away, they're part of our family, too.