Dogs

Have you tried doing a video call with the dog to see how she reacts?

My husband had to be away from home for a month a couple years ago, and our dogs (and I!!) missed him terribly. When we would video chat, one of the dogs loved it, he recognized my husband on the screen and was so happy to hear and see him! The other dog did not understand what was happening and was kinda bummed to hear him but not see or smell him.

If your dog watches TV and does other things to indicate she sees what's on the screen, knows it's not in the room, and isn't bothered by that, I think it's worth a try!

You have to first prerecord a video of you talking to your dog, then do the blanket trick where you stand in a doorway and lift a blanket blocking line of sight betweennyoy and the dog. Play the video you made earlier and put it by your feet, then stand outside of the door frame, drop the blanket, and run outside/jump out a window.

The dog will think you're either really good or totally shite at magic(depending on their opinion of you) and that you trapped yourself in a phone. Now when you call them they will think its the real you.

When you get back do the trick in reverse!

I can imagine it confusing your dog more. Why can I hear and see the human but not smell or touch them???

Probably depends on your dog.

My dog is just confused by screens, but my girlfriend's dog seems to kind of "get it" when it comes to screens.

We tried that with our dog once and it very seriously stressed him out. Try it before you don't while too far away!

Make sure you send her to her dog sitters with items that smell like you. T shirts are good. Also, her own bed from home if she has one.