Separation Anxiety is a real diagnosis. Their dog may have issues which make it difficult to board or leave behind. I had one dog who was senior that I couldn't leave for the last 2 years of his life because he had medical issues and anxiety. It was part of pet ownership to me. He passed at 16 and we took a long cruise a few months later.

We have a dog now who is approaching the same stage of life and we are taking her with us on our christmas trip. We took her on vacation last year. It costs us extra but so does a kennel.

If it's just that this person doesn't want to leave their dog, well, there are worse things in life than loving a dog more than people. I tend to like dogs more sometimes too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember (before I had kids) feeling that if I had to leave my dog behind for Christmas, that it wasn't really a holiday or fun. That little dog was such a big part of my life and I liked him there with me on holidays. Luckily everyone adored him too. He was low key and people barely noticed him there.

They've never traveled to us for a holiday.

I guess they don't like you that much and it's so hard to imagine why!

We're expected to travel to them and leave our dog at home lol

Heh, well, sounds like you have an out if you want one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember (before I had kids) feeling that if I had to leave my dog behind for Christmas, that it wasn't really a holiday or fun. That little dog was such a big part of my life and I liked him there with me on holidays. Luckily everyone adored him too. He was low key and people barely noticed him there.

They've never traveled to us for a holiday.

I guess they don't like you that much and it's so hard to imagine why!

We're expected to travel to them and leave our dog at home lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember (before I had kids) feeling that if I had to leave my dog behind for Christmas, that it wasn't really a holiday or fun. That little dog was such a big part of my life and I liked him there with me on holidays. Luckily everyone adored him too. He was low key and people barely noticed him there.

They've never traveled to us for a holiday.

I guess they don't like you that much and it's so hard to imagine why!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most dog sitter are not free.

In this case it's a family member and it is free. They would rather pay thousands out of pocket (because we don't allow dogs) than leave the dog with family and stay for free.

If you think really hard, OP, I'm sure you can come up with a reason that has nothing to do with an unhealthy dependence on the dog.

At the moment I can't. Previous dogs this person has owned bit children (friends of their child and their child). They continued to defend the ownership of this dog despite how dangerous it was.

Anonymous wrote:I remember (before I had kids) feeling that if I had to leave my dog behind for Christmas, that it wasn't really a holiday or fun. That little dog was such a big part of my life and I liked him there with me on holidays. Luckily everyone adored him too. He was low key and people barely noticed him there.

They've never traveled to us for a holiday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most dog sitter are not free.

In this case it's a family member and it is free. They would rather pay thousands out of pocket (because we don't allow dogs) than leave the dog with family and stay for free.

Frankly OP it sounds like they just don’t want to stay with you. Let them stay in a hotel with the dog. Everyone wins! What’s the issue?

They've previously canceled trips because they can't afford the hotel but still tried to force the dog on us so it isn't a don't-want-to-stay with us thing. It's definitely a dog thing.

Anonymous wrote:Love

Or crazy

Maybe it’s an excuse to stay at a hotel instead of with you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most dog sitter are not free.

In this case it's a family member and it is free. They would rather pay thousands out of pocket (because we don't allow dogs) than leave the dog with family and stay for free.

If you think really hard, OP, I'm sure you can come up with a reason that has nothing to do with an unhealthy dependence on the dog.

Sounds like if you want this person to stay with you you will need to relax the no dog policy. It’s a you problem, not a them problem.

Why does this need a name? You don’t have to be a judgmental bish at every possible opportunity, you know. It’s okay to occasionally let something slide, particularly when it doesn’t hurt anyone.

I'm curious why people think it is unhealthy dependence. Maybe the person likes to spend some of their free time away from home with their dog.

We often travel with our dogs. We don't bring them to family gatherings or anywhere they aren't allowed. My favorite thing about having my dogs when we are away is the time spent going for long walks in the morning. I'm an early riser, so being out and about in a new place with my dogs in the early morning feels special and keeps me busy when the rest of the family is sleeping

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most dog sitter are not free.

In this case it's a family member and it is free. They would rather pay thousands out of pocket (because we don't allow dogs) than leave the dog with family and stay for free.

There could be lots of reasons. But what you consider good and free dog care may not be their definition of good care. I am constantly seeing posts on our neighborhood groups of dogs that get away from “great” dog sitters. Also, maybe they prefer to stay in their own place and their dog gives them a legit excuse to make other arrangements.

I remember (before I had kids) feeling that if I had to leave my dog behind for Christmas, that it wasn't really a holiday or fun. That little dog was such a big part of my life and I liked him there with me on holidays. Luckily everyone adored him too. He was low key and people barely noticed him there.