Take a dog to York Xmas Market

My opinion, don't go to York but stay home with the dog.

Agree with you, Dave. Part of responsible pet ownership is doing the right thing for the dog. In this case it's clearly not right to take the dog to the York market and neither does it seem right to put a nervous dog who dislikes other dogs into kennels.

We always adopted the approach of if the dog can't go then we don't go. We even gave up using the MH for a while when he became old and couldn't cope with travelling any more.

Didn't realise your dog was six years old, also with other problems. If you have asked your vets opinion then why ask others? Surely you take the advice of your vet.

I'm sorry, but puttiing a nervous dog in kennels, to me seems cruel and will only compound the poor dogs anxiety.

I am also from the school that says if my dog can't go then neither can I......

Not fair on a nervous dog to take it to any busy markets.  Nor is it fair to stick that dog in kennels. The dog's welfare has to come first.  Stay at home with the dog.

K

Another alternative, (if there are two of you) which many of us have to do is take it in turns to visit somewhere.

Another alternative, (if there are two of you) which many of us have to do is take it in turns to visit somewhere.

That's exactly what we do when visiting NT properties etc. Gives the dogs a double dose of exercise too so everyone's a winner! 

Do you really both want to go around the market.  I know my OH would hate it, where I love it.  I would go on my own, leavin the dog with my OH in the caravan, to go for a long walk, chase rabbits, play in the river, or whatever they both enjoy doing!  Then we could meet up for a nice pub meal afterwards, whilst I fibbed about the price of things I'd bought!

My dogs are fairly robust and I left them in day kennels near York it upset them enormously, I would rather leave them in the car or caravan than go through that again.  They are never upset in their own spaces.  My trip to York was a day conference but I would rather get a sitter in at home if I had to do it again.

Wow,I seem to have got all your leads tangled up. OK let’s try and untangle.

I am in agreement with almost all of what you say, and very laudable that you do everything with your dog and never put them in kennels.  I hope you can continue to do so, unfortunately some of us can’t for what we would term legitimate reasons.

For instance family be it birth, death or anything else in between. Flying abroad again for any reason, Family overseas.

All could be at least one overnight stay where dogs were not allowed What do you do then, can’t go?

We have had a bit of a bumpy year with health, family and hospital visits. The worst early morning doctor visit then all day spent in the hospital for various tests, more visits for more tests. Still waiting for next appointment, very scary, tends to concentrate mind to say the least. Makes you realise you may not have the time you though, so what comes first. The human or the dog try for both but can’t always  work. I am sure other will have had similar experiences, If you haven’t be glad and I hope  you don’t. Enjoy the time you have got.

As for the kennelling of the dog, we have since it was a pup. To get it used to going, in the company of the other dog we had then. Because I can’t always take it with me, for the above reasons. I think quite a few other owners will be in the same position. The kennel we use are quite small all the dogs have a separate space and are all exercised separately. So it is a controlled environment with no other dog contact, to keep it as safe and secure in it’s self as possible. The owners are very good we did have a problem  with our old dog when it was there,  they took it to the vet (our one) and only charged a small fee to cover the cost of fuel. So I am happy (just) to leave the dog there when I must. As the dog is now used to going.

The trip to York I don’t know it’s still to be decided. Waiting on various things to happen or not. Unfortunately although I don’t like doing it, I may have to use the kennel.

If you asked my other half who comes first. - The dog would be the reply. Causes the odd grumble. Don’t think I can say more, Just try and do the best you can. Things change normally not for the better.

If your opening post had mentioned births, deaths and hospitals then I'm certain you would have got different replies. But York xmas market!

Ask a question on here and you get many answers, some you won't want to hear and some are helpful, that's forum life. Good luck with your York trip RedKite, hope you manage to visit as planned.