Can you start with doing some easy, basic, positive crate training to see how it goes? Any dog I have has to be crate trained...my mom is not well and she has home health visits and dogs must be "secured" during the visit or the nurses will not return. I feed in the crate (well one meal) , and give a stuffed Kong toy while crated to occupy the dog and make it a positive experience. Eventually they get used to a meal or snack and a nap. Since Shelby loves food so much, maybe you can start a crate training routine and see how it goes. It can be a slow process, but can work with any age dog. Then, if she seems to be doing well in the crate with her food/treats to occupy her, maybe you can teach your cleaning woman how to crate her for a short period of time while she is there. It's not an immediate solution, but may eventually work.

Also, I'm sure there are places that will board her for the day, but that may be stressful, too. They will usually give a dog some one on one time if they aren't able to socialize with the other dogs. I'm not sure how expensive that would be.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Carol

The crate is hard for a dog who isn't used to it. I never though I would get my current dog, Seven, used to the crate. And he's deaf and has terrible separation anxiety so it's even harder for him because if he can't see someone he doesn't know that he's not alone. It took months and a lot of patience. The Kong toy was the key, stuffed with the best food ever...peanut butter, canned food, and some treats all missed together. I would put Seven in the crate with the Kong toy, or his bowl of food, and leave him only until he finished eating and then let him out immediately. After that was successful for awhile, I would sit next to his crate for a minute and then let him out, then a few more minutes, then wait outside the door and go in after a minute, etc. I continued extending the time slowly and now he loves his crate and looks forward to his Kong snack and nap every day!

I know you've tried before, but Shelby's a different girl now and she, and you, have different challenges and needs now. Maybe the crate thing will go better this time. It might be time consuming and frustrating, but if it's successful it will be a huge relief. And, if your cleaning woman can let her out of the crate when she's done, and maybe eventually even out her in when she gets there, Shelby won't have to be in very long.

Hugs,
Carol

Yes, safety is #1. Just remember to take it slow. Maybe don't mention the word crate. Just take her most favorite treat and set it right inside the door so she doesn't even have to go in and walk away and let her grab it. Once that is successful put it in a little further, and step by step make it a positive experience. I'm a huge "softy". I work with newborns and families and educate parents on "parenting skills" including things like helping a baby learn to fall asleep on its own. I approach the crate training like I tell parents to do when helping a baby with the sleep thing...small steps very slowly so there is no or minimal crying or stress involved. In the case of crate training it would be barking or crying

Every dog is different, and you know and love Shelby so you will do what you need to do to keep her safe. But, if you can help her associate the crate with good things, it may be easier on her, and then you won't feel so bad about crating her. You're a great mom! She's so lucky to have you!

Hugs,
Carol

Alison
Is there any chance you work out near Burbank? If so, there's a doggie day care there called Double Dog Dare Ya where I used to bring Jersey Girl a few times a week. They used to keep a lot of the little dogs in the office area with staff and that might work for Shelby. I say that b/c it's not a typical type of day care and the office area is big and pretty peaceful. They have a "natural dog environment" kind of philosophy and the place even feels a little zen-like. It might work. Haven't been there in about 6 years or so, since I moved in with my husband who works from home. Now he's Jersey's day care. If that's out your way, called Patrick the owner. He's pretty straight forward and he'll tell you if he thinks his place is or isn't right for Shelby.
Good luck!
Claudia