Will my dog know I'm not leaving her for good?

It's understandable. The most loved dogs are regarded as family members.

I'm hoping the sitter you're going to book with is the one that you used for the overnight and day care. If not, please consider booking an overnight, so the dog and sitter can get better acquainted, and your dog will see you're going to return for her. Some pet parents also train key words into vocabulary, like I'll be back and will use those words whenever they go away from each other (mail, errands, etc, and including sitter stays). Another option may be to book House Sitting (where the sitter stays in your home with the puppy) rather than boarding the puppy at the sitter's home. For some dogs, House sitting service may be a better match than Boarding.

In my personal experience and with Rover's help and guidance on separation anxiety, I have been able to make dogs feel comfortable by taking them on a walk as soon as they get dropped off. After we wear some of the energy out, I like to make them feel comfortable with treats, or sitting down with them and if that doesn't work then we go back outside for a little bit more. In my most severe cases of separation anxiety, the dogs calm down within an hour and become comfortable. It's important to ask your sitter how they deal with these situations as it requires a lot of patience. They will be okay in the end :) Don't worry ;)

It's definitely not a silly question! The truth is I have no idea if your dog thinks you're coming back or not. What I can say is that with a good sitter the transition will likely not be traumatic (unless your dog has severe separation anxiety) and will settle in and enjoy himself/herself while you're gone. I like to treat dogs in my care like it's a combination home away from home and vacation for them. When you do return your pup will likely be super excited to see you. Good Luck!

No, you're doggie isn't going to think you're leaving her! I can tell just from what you wrote that she's in your life, and that's what she knows! You very sweet! Don't worry about a thing! The advice here about how a skilled and knowledgeable sitter can help is all true and good advice. I can tell, however, that you want to make sure you're doing all you can to do your part too. Dogs learn (very well) by repetition. So, if you pack your bags and leave, several times, then soon, when you pack your bags, she'll expect you to leave. It's just like how she gets excited to go for a walk when you pick up her leash and your keys or sunglasses and cleanup bags. So all you have to do is repeat the part where you return! This is the key to all separation anxiety issues. Packing your bag is an option that you can add in as part of the routine. Then you leave. Then come right back and tell her how good she is and how much you love her. Then, wait half an hour and do it again. Go further away for longer. Make sure she can hear your footsteps walking away or what ever the applicable things are for your routine. For me, by about the 4th repetition, I actually drive away. I park at the end of the block and walk back, surprise her, and love her up. Now she's getting it, that you come back. As you lengthen the time (and sneak up on her a few times) she will have all the confidence in the world that you WILL come back. All she has to do is wait. And when you do return, she gets lots of praise and love! It's a dog world!