Yeti on vacation!

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

We took Yeti up north this weekend and we all had a blast! He seemed to love the cabin and all the new smells! Thing is, he had trouble sleeping. Woke up in the middle of the night Friday and Saturday crying a couple of times. He doesn't typically do this at home unless he is sick. I took him out both nights and he peed a bit but not a lot which leads me to believe he wasn't crying to go potty. We came home last night and he slept fine throughout the whole night.
Anyone experience this? I'm not sure what was up but he seemed otherwise pretty happy.

[Stacy]

Katie went with me on two vacations this year. We went camping and then we went to the lake with my extended family and we all shared a cabin. 

We had an amazing time. I always have a better time, if not more relaxing, when my dogs are there. I will say that we don't get very restful sleep on vacation. Katie has always been reactive to noises in the middle of the night. So when my very young nephews, who were sleeping downstairs, got up in the night she felt the need to bark at them. And sometimes she thought she needed to go see what they were doing. I took to having her sleep with her leash on so at least I could keep her with me. I wish I knew how to keep her from doing that. I shush her and tell her to quiet. But I can't convince her that she doesn't need to let everyone in the world know she heard something. 

When we first moved to this house, about a year ago, she was a disaster. She had to tell me about every car that drove down the street. She's better now, but she still barks at the people walking their dog at 6am. My solution is to scream and hide my head under the pillows. It's just beyond my training skills. 

Maybe that's what was going on with Yeti too? He heard something weird in a weird place, and just needed to tell you about it?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I find that most dogs really feel safest and most comfortable with familiarity and a fixed routine, and knowing what to expect from their people and their surroundings. Sometimes, it seems to discombobulate them when you just re-arrange the furniture. They just want everything exactly where it's always been, and the way it's always been, lol. A lot of dogs will get visibly nervous when there's a new object in a place where they don't expect it. That might have been why Yeti had trouble settling in at the cabin. 

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

Stacy I totally agree I just felt so good about having yeti with us. You guys are both right I'm sure! There was probably a creek in the wood (settling ... it happens all the time) and I'm sure it spooked him. I should have tried to have him sleep with us instead of in his kennel. I can tell when he is uneasy about changes Karen! Were hoping to move in the next couple of years so hopefully he will take it better being a adult.

[BG and Gavin]

Despite Gavin spending all summer at the cottage, he was restless there this weekend. I think it is because there was next to no one around. Also because it was so quiet, the wild animals were coming in closer. We saw a deer and a bear on the ride in. Soon as we got out of the truck he was on alert, sniffing the ground and the air. He woke up barking both nights which is unlike him. Come join our cottage group and post some pics! http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/cottagedoodles

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

Thank you so much BG I should have known there was a cottage group here on DK!! I'm glad yeti isn't the only one on high alert. I suppose I was nervous because the only time he has cried like that in the middle of the night is when he was having bad diarrhea problems. Thankfully it wasn't the case this time but I did feel kinda bad for the little guy. I wish I knew of a way to calm down. I went over and talked to him quietly a couple times which helped a little but he did end up crying and crying again. Perhaps we will have better luck another time! I wonder if maybe bringing a little radio to turn on by his kennel next time may help!

[Kat and Winston]

Glad he had a blast. Even as a human I always wake up way more, and my kids say the same, when we go on vacation. Often after a day or two, we are so tired from all the activity that we sleep better, but I'm sure it was just him feeling lonely or a bit anxious in an unfamiliar place. 

As much fun as traveling is, there is nothing better than sleeping in your own bed after coming home from vacation.

[DonMarie and Picco]

Yeti probably needs more experience away from home. Woohoo, a good reason to do more trips!  They always love to find new smells in different places. 

I take Picco's quilt whenever we go anywhere, and set out his little space and he seems to be content.  It's funny that when we are away he doesn't do his paw licking at night or fuss about, and never needs to go out during the night.  He must take after me - I love to be out on the road, and unless the bed is uncomfortable, I sleep fine.