Take a dog to York Xmas Market
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Redkite2, if it were me and I had the time (which I have) I would introduce the dog gradualy to crowded places over the next eight weeks, increasing its exposure more every time, every other day to start with if possible, patience and a lot of reassurance
is needed, but it is doable. When I first had Alfie as a young rescue pup it took me over three quarters of an hour to walk him 100 yds along the road, don't force the dog but give lots of encouragement and treats, don't get flustered or lose your temper.
You have plenty of time to train your dog before Christmas.....
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Any one got experience of taking a dog to York at Xmas. Good Idea or not ? The dog in question is a little nervous at close encounters, I think i know the anser but would be good to get other veiws.
No, definitely not. It was bad enough twenty-nine years ago when we lived in York and I had a young baby in a buggy! Your dog is nervous, there are crowds, narrow streets, noisy 'buskers' or perhaps 'authentic streeet musicians', food smells, and lots of other distractions for a nervous dog.
Whilst Brian's idea is a good one, I think York this year is perhaps not the best introduction to crowds. However, if you follow his advice then by next Christmas you may feel much more comfortable about the idea, and your dog may be relaxed in a crowded, noisy, smelly situation.
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I echo the NO.
It's not fair to a dog to take it into such mayhem. A nervous dog, in particular, could act in an unpredictable way.
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York is horrendously crowded at the best of times and will surely be unbearable for a nervous dog at the Christmas market. But are you thinking of staying at Rowntree/Beechwood Grange for a few days to take in the market? If so you might just find someone
in a similar situation who'd look after your dog for the day, allowing you to enjoy the market relatively stress free, in return for you doing the same for them on another day. We often used to do that when our old boy George couldn't walk far and we were
going out for the day. You'd be surprised how willing folk are to help out in such circumstances.
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Thanks for all your replies, we have been to some busy outdoor places but not a Xmas market. I take the point of gentle customisation to things but after talking to our vet about it, the opinion is that “it’s in the breeding”. Some pedigrees can be a bit funny. Now six years old and still a bit “jumpy”, more so with other dogs. This can be a problem if we can’t give a wide berth or nip it in the bud, will normally respond to command but will depend on the action/control of the other dog. Partly a result of attacks by off lead dogs when a puppy. More than once!
As for leaving with someone on site, a very good idea but not with this one. Not happy with other dogs, not to bad if they are quiet if they are trying to get in it’s space, no chance – need to get away. Has always been in the company of another dog up until July this year when we lost it, so not been a loner. Just a strange (individual) dog. Very much a “Velcro dog” as well.
So as we don’t have a dog sitter at the moment it looks like will have to go to jail ( kennels to us )for a few days. I think it could be dangerous for the dog as well, stood on tripped over, to say the least.
That was my original thought when we first looked to go, as the consensus seems to be not to take it, which is what I expected.
Thanks again for the ideas and input.
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forgive me but I don't understand. You say its a sensitive dog or words to that effect and not good with other dogs BUT your putting it in kennels for a walk around York. !!!
Write your comments here... I tend to agree I'm afraid... Is a walk round a Christmas market worth leaving a nervous, sensitive dog in kennels?
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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.
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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......
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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!
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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!0 -
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.0 -
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.
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Yes, good luck for your York trip - having had a year of hospital visits and cancelled holiday I can appreciate the desire to do things while you can (we're off to foreign Christmas markets, but don't have a dog). You know your kennels and trust them -
fine!0 -
Very good luck with your trip - you have clearly found kennels that suit you dog - I didn't mean to indicate that I was against kennels they just didn't suit my two at the moment. A lot of people have had to make decisions due to illness etc. My son was
in hospital 300 miles from home for 15 months - and I was there most of the time - so I do understand. I was lucky enough to have a friend who took one dog and I kept one with me. I am lucky enough to have a local friend here who comes to stay and regards
it as a holiday - so wont take any money - I am indeed lucky with that!Enjoy - I like the sign I saw in a Land Rover on site recently - "one life - live it"
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We took our dog Penny a west highland terrier to the Xmas market at York last year and she was fine, but Penny goes everwhere with us and is use to busy public places. I am not sure if your dog is timid it would be a good idea. You need to introduce your
dog slowly into crowded places.0
Good luck with your York trip RedKite, hope you manage to visit as planned.
