Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As a university student, I need to work this summer to be able to pay for school next year. I found out I can get a job at the plant where my dad works that pays insanely well. However, this will mean moving back to my hometown from May-August. I'll be living with my parents again since it makes more sense than trying to find an apartment.

Matt has to stay here because he has school. Matt's program is very time intensive and he'll almost never be home except on weekends. I'll be at work 8 hours a day Mon-Fri but there will always be other people home at my parents' house as my mom is an author and works at home and my brother and sister will be on summer holidays from high school for July and August.

How can I expect this will affect Kaiser? Obviously it makes much more sense to bring him with me. Besides, I'm his primary caretaker right now so even if Matt did have the time, I would want to bring Kaiser anyway. He'll have his crate and everything and when we stayed there for a week a while ago he got along extremely well with the dogs, so that's not a problem.. We'll probably come home a couple of weekends every month to see Matt, but will it affect him horribly to spend 4 months away from Matt? Will he still be as closely bonded to Matt when we come back in September?

And then there is the problem of my sister. We are working with his aggression and he is making progress fairly quickly but he hasn't seen her for a couple of weeks. Karen says to see this as a chance to give her and Kaiser some more time to work things out and she gave me some tips and ideas on how to teach Kaiser that because she's weak she needs protection. She says that she's done this before and had very good results. Basically it appeals to his need for a job to do, basically. We teach him that her weakness doesn't make her a target but rather that it will be his job to be her friend and bodyguard of sorts. She explained the problems that we'll come across and the work that we'll need to do but it sounds like our best option..

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas or has had similar experiences I'd like to hear about them. I'm worried about losing the close bond that Kaiser and Matt have right now but it's looking like if I don't take this job I may not be able to afford school next year.. I'm also concerned that he'll get used to there being people around *all* of the time and then develop separation anxiety when we come back here in September and he's alone for about 3 hours a day. Would putting him in his crate for short periods of time even though people are home help prevent that?

I'm just afraid because I know I don't have a choice but I don't want to undo all the training we've done so far..

thats alot of issues to deal with just as Kaiser is improving, you still have through May right? I have no ideas except just 'read' your dog & give everyone as much opportunity to interact with visits, as you've been doing. the more familiar the routine is, familiar objects (crate, etc) that Kaiser will not get stressed over, the better. With the foundation you are building, he will have a better chance at adapting, but remember he is still not really through his 'adolesence' yet. you'll get lots of good ideas from the others. happy for you that you got the job!

Thanks.. The job is really great, pays so well..

We'll be moving probably at the beginning of May. I think he'll be pretty comfortable because he's been there a few times before and the last time was a week long.. I think he was happy to get home but seemed perfectly happy there too.. It seems so far like he already sees it as kind of a second home.

I know it will be a huge adjustment but I'll be there most of the time and all his toys and his crate and everything will be there.. Even Matt might be there sometimes..

Right now they use an electric fence for May so I can't let him off leash.. Most of the yard is already fenced though and it will only take another 10' of fencing to block it in completely so we're going to do that.. I'm sure he'll love that.. We go jogging all the time but I don't think I've ever seen him run off leash outside.. They live in the city but have a huge lot, the back yard that will be fenced in is an acre.. Maybe he'll see it as more of an extended holiday

Oi, so much work I'm already starting to see the results though and I'm pretty confident he'll be a well behaved dog in another year, maybe 4.. As well behaved as any dog is going to be, anyway..

Please-- give your dog more credit! Dogs have remarkable memories (unlike myself! L'ing!) and they remember places they have been and people they have been with. And if it has already been established that he gets along with your mother's dogs, he will remember that and all should go smoothly. As for your sister, I don't know if there has been a problem previously but spending more time around her will most likely help Kaiser overcome whatever fear or difficulty he might have had. You are making the right decision, imo. Kaiser will not forget Matt esp. if there are visits evry couple of wks. I believe it takes alot more to break a bond between dog & human that a few wks. apart!
Mostly,though, I advise that you do NOT try Kaiser off lead!!! It hasn't been that long that you have had him and it often takes a couple of yrs. for a dog to be totally trustworthy off lead if not more or if ever. It just isn't worth the chance! My BC, who is completely bonded with me, was not allowed off lead until he was at least 4yrs. old and quite possibly 5. Yes, some of that may be my paranoia, but most of it was just common sense. If they find something more interesting than you are (and they all do at some point) they will take off to find it. So please, for Kaiser's sake, don't give him the opportunity to screw up cuz it often means serious injury or their life.
Nancy

No, no!!! I would never let Kaiser off lead in a regular situation.. By that I meant off lead in a completely fenced in back yard... I am very againt any dogs being off lead in most situations but if it's safe, contained, and on your own private property I think it's okay..

I live in a townhouse right now so except for when we go jogging he doesn't get to run a whole lot.. That's why I thought letting him go in my parents' back yard with the other dog would be good..