Sorry, man. That does suck.

Inev, I think at this point you need professional help from a trainer, but even that won't be able to solve the crating problem in a week, and that's assuming you could even get an appointment with someone - they are all booked up, just like the vets and kennels. Can you find a crappy motel that allows dogs near where your family is staying?

Thanks imaginary friends. Her appointment is in a couple hours. Hoping for the best, expecting the less than best.

Even with the most aggressive treatment (removal of her tonsil and lymph nodes plus chemo) they think at best we're buying some time. Usually 4-6 months but in her case they cautiously estimate 6-12 months. I just don't know. This sucks.

Figured out how to upload some pictures. https://imgur.com/a/QQreWcG

Right now we are in a pickle. He was initially fine with being crated sometimes but now he hates it— like full panic trying to dig his way out and expressing his scent glands until the whole apartment stinks level of bad. So we are starting over very slowly, trying to get him to spend time in there with the door open by putting a lick mat in there, etc. The problem is, we are not sure how he’d do home alone with access to the full apartment, and we are going on vacation in a week. A friend will be dog/house  sitting but I’m nervous because obviously she needs to be able to leave sometimes, even if she works from here. Of course, every boarding place we have checked so far is booked up, although I can keep looking for a place between here and where we are going in NC (my parents rented a beach house which doesn’t allow dogs)

1. Only two rooms in our apartment have doors, the bathroom and our bedroom. Which is full of vintage furniture my GF got from family
2. We tried putting up a baby gate in the hallway, so that he was limited to the hall and the kitchen. Kitchen cabinets were secured closed, he had water and a distracting snack and a bone to chew on, his bed was in there, etc. After a few minutes he got bored and jumped right over the gate. The next day we tried again after zip-tying some panels on top to make the gate 42”… and he jumped it again.

We are just not sure how he’d be if he had free reign of the living room/ kitchen / hallway… even if we move the plants behind a door, I’m nervous he’d find something weird to eat or gnaw on out of boredom.

Thanks imaginary friends. Her appointment is in a couple hours. Hoping for the best, expecting the less than best.

Sorry bud, I feel your feels.

2nd time I've heard the convenience store book recommended, might have to check that out.

Oh wait I do have an answer to this. Everyone who hasn't should read the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells and Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.

Very sorry to hear this miles.

So sorry. No matter how long they live, it's never long enough. Hope you find out they can do something for her.

Did anyone move to Canada? My wife and I have talked about it. I'm basically worthless to them but my wife's profession is somewhat in demand there apparently so there might be a chance?