I am so stressed

[Caddy]

I just need to let this out somewhere. This should not be a huge deal but it doesn't take much to shake me these days.

I live with my dog who is 2 yrs old and very active. He gets to go to a 'daycare' facility to play 2 days a week for fun and because he needs the activity... I've been taking him there for 6 weeks since I started my temp job. Well both days this week they told me he had some bad behavior. Now he is on ''probation" and although he can still come back they may decide to not let him come if he does it again. They want me to pay for extra training. I don't have the money, and I am already spending a lot of money on this dog.

None of the bad behavior is happening outside of the daycare. I guess he needs more exercise- he has a lot of energy.

So I will try to get up early and start exercising him. If I don't he will get kicked out and then I will have a very frustrated dog. I thought I had this part of my life figured out- that things were in place. Now I don't. I feel angry that they want me to spend money I don't have on a problem that only happens when he is there.

My head hurts and I want to cry. I love the dog but it sure is a lot of effort- I've never had to take a dog to a daycare before, and I do a lot of other things for him too.

I can't even handle this.

[Christy]

Wow, I've never heard of a daycare for dogs before.
What exactly is the dog doing wrong?

[Caddy]

Hi Christy, he is overly aggressive but in a playful way with the other dogs. They say they had to break up a few fights between him and other dogs but he isn't intentionally starting fights he is just wild and out of control and plays rough.

[rara]

It makes sense that it is a huge frustration...look at how much it affects...your rest, your finances, the condition of your home if he gets frustrated while left at home, etc. I think it makes sense that it's a big deal.

Doggie day care is expensive! At least in Chicago...so yeah...more money for training on top of that...our expensive furry children:\.

You might want to try dog parks...see how he does when he plays around other dogs...and work on any behavior problems yourself. If you don't see any, then sounds like the day care is trying to take you for a ride.

Sorry...I know how it is to love a dog that much...and I think it makes sense that this is a huge hassle!!!

[Christy]

What type of dog is he?
When our puppy was like that, we let her play with bigger dogs and they put her in her place. Not in a bad way, just to let her know who's dominent. It worked for us.

My dog stresses me out some days, to the point where I don't want her anywhere near me. But other days are good, when I'm stressed I try to focus on the positive things about her - she loves cuddles and is very playful. I hope you can work things out.

[Carmichael]

I'd get a book on home-training difficult dogs. There are some really good books out there.