- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You’ve booked your trip! Now comes the hard part: leaving your pup behind. If you’ve never left your dog before, you might worry they’ll think you’ve abandoned them when you leave for a week or two.
Dogs often pick up on departure cues, says Robin Bennett, certified dog trainer and author of All About Dog Daycare. So they may realize you’re about to leave when you get out the suitcases, especially if you’ve gone on vacation in the past.
Some dogs may get excited and run to the door, while others may show signs of anxiety and start whining or try to hide. However they respond, they’ll probably realize something’s up when you start to pack. That’s why your planning should also include your dog!
Preparing your dog for you to leave will make it less likely they’ll feel abandoned or sad while you’re away and help you enjoy your vacation, knowing they’re safe and secure at a boarding facility, with friends, or home with a pet sitter.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about preparing your dog for your vacation.
Do Dogs Feel Abandoned When You Go on Vacation?
It’s completely natural to worry that your dog might feel abandoned when you leave for vacation, especially if they seem a little sad as you get ready to go. But with the right care and preparation, most dogs won’t feel abandoned at all, Bennett says.
“Dogs are incredibly adaptable, especially when they’re in a safe and enriching environment,” Bennett says. “If the dog has visited the dog sitter or boarding facility and had a good time, they’re more likely to be okay with your absence.”
Consistency and comfort will help your dog adjust to your absence—and giving them structure and something fun to do while you’re away will set them up for a positive experience.
Dogs thrive with a stable routine and familiar people, smells, and activities. Introducing the caretaker to your dog ahead of time and having them follow your dog’s regular routine will make the time apart easier for your pup.
Some dogs, however, may experience separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety may have a hard time being alone or adjusting to new situations, no matter how temporary. If your dog has separation anxiety, it may be worth working with a trainer or behaviorist well before your vacation.
Do dogs know when you’re packing?
Dogs don’t remember events the same way people do, but evidence suggests they remember human actions they’ve observed. They rely mainly on associative memory, Bennett says, which allows them to connect specific things with certain outcomes. That’s why many dogs seem to “know” when you’re getting ready to leave—in their own way, they do.
So, if you’ve packed your bags before heading to a boarding facility or dropping your dog off with a sitter in the past, your dog may link the suitcases coming out with time away from you. As a result, they might get a little clingy or anxious.
How To Prepare Your Dog For Your Holiday
Leaving your dog behind for a trip doesn’t have to cause stress. These tips can help:
- Get your dog used to departures: Practice short times apart in the weeks before your trip so your dog learns you always come back.
- Do a meet and greet with your sitter: If you’ve hired someone new to watch your dog, set up a meet and greet so your dog can build trust in a familiar setting.
- Trial day at the boarding facility: Have your dog spend a day—and maybe a night—at the facility before your trip. This helps them get used to the new place ahead of time. They might even remember it as a fun place to play!
- Spend extra time with your dog: Prioritize quality time before your trip. Include extra playtime, cuddles, and walks to strengthen your bond and help them feel secure.
Care instructions
A detailed care sheet about your dog’s routine, food, medications, and behavior quirks will set your sitter or boarding facility up for success. It will also give your dog the consistency they need to feel secure.
Here’s an example of what to include:
- Feeding instructions: Note how much you feed your dog and mealtimes. If you’ve trained your dog to wait for a cue before eating, like “Free!” or “Eat!,” make sure to include that in the instructions.
- Water and treats: Mention how often you refill their water and any treats you give them. You’ll also want to note how many treats you give per day and specific times, like before or after a walk. If your dog has any allergies or dislikes certain flavors, include that information, too.
- Exercise and walks: Mention how often you walk your dog and how often you play each day. Let the sitter know if your dog pulls on the leash, prefers a collar or harness, or is reactive on the leash or around other dogs.
- Games and toys: List their favorite toys and activities, like fetch or puzzle toys. That said, toys can be a resource guarding trigger for dogs, so it’s best to avoid bringing them to a boarding facility. If your dog will be the only dog, go ahead and pack their favorite toy!
- Health and medication: Outline any health concerns, allergies, and your dog’s medication schedule. If your dog hides pills in their cheek or spits them out, warn the caregiver and let them know how you typically give medications.
- Behavior and triggers: Describe any fears or behavior quirks. If your dog has specific fears, like a fear of thunderstorms, give clear instructions on what helps calm them.
- Grooming and hygiene: Share your dog’s grooming routine if relevant, including wiping their paws, brushing them daily, or cleaning their ears. Give the sitter or boarding facility your groomer’s contact information in case they have questions and can’t reach you.
- Vet and emergency Info: Include contact information for your vet, the nearest emergency vet, and an emergency contact person who knows your dog well. Make sure your emergency contact lives locally so they can help if you’re far away and can’t get back quickly.
- Vaccination status: Make sure your dog is up to date on vaccinations and fecal tests. Steer clear of boarding facilities that don’t require these. Vaccines help protect your dog and other dogs from disease.
Where Should Your Dog Stay?
Choosing the right boarding option depends on your dog’s personality and their comfort level with new environments. This breakdown can help you decide:
- Friends and family (free or low cost): Your dog might feel more comfortable with a familiar face, especially if that person already knows and loves your pup. Friends and family are a good option if they’ll follow your care instructions and provide updates.
- House sitting ($75–$200/day): A sitter stays in your home, keeping your dog in their familiar space and routine. This is a great option for dogs that are easily stressed, senior dogs, or pets needing special care.
- Boarding at a sitter’s home ($50–$150/day): Your dog stays in your sitter’s home, sometimes with other dogs. Playmates can help distract your dog from the change in environment and your absence. Here’s how to choose a great sitter.
- Kennels or vet boarding ($50–$140/day): Kennels are reliable and often more affordable than boarding facilities. These work best for crate-trained, confident dogs. Look for reputable facilities with good reviews and low staff-to-dog ratios.
- Pet hotels and luxury boarding ($80–$150/day): Luxury boarding facilities often include larger accommodations, off-leash facilities, and more. These are a great option for dogs who enjoy activity and interaction, but they do cost more.
Tips for Dropping Off Your Dog
Your goodbye can set the tone for your dog’s entire stay. These tips can help make the drop-off process smooth and stress-free for both you and your dog.
- Keep goodbyes short and sweet: Long, emotional farewells can confuse or stress your dog.
- Leave when your dog is calm: Try not to rush or leave during moments of high excitement. If possible, wait for your dog to settle down before you go.
- Exercise first: Bennett recommends exercising your dog in advance so they’re a little tired when they first get to the new location. A tired dog is more likely to relax and adjust quickly.
- Stick to their routine: Keeping meals, walks, and bedtime as close to your regular times as possible before drop-off will help your dog feel more secure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Boarding
Can I leave a puppy with a pet sitter?
If you have a puppy, we highly recommend finding a sitter who offers constant care and isn’t watching other dogs at the same time. This may cost a lot more than boarding with other dogs, but the benefits will generally outweigh the risks.
A sitter without other dogs to watch can pay close attention to your puppy, keep up with training, and help prevent unwanted behaviors like barking at neighbors or chewing on furniture.
What about drop-ins or dog walks?
If you’re only leaving for a day, it’s usually fine to leave your dog home alone and have a neighbor, friend, or dog walker check on them. But if you’re leaving for more than 24 hours, drop-in dog sitting increases the risk of possible problems.
Your dog might destroy furniture, have an accident and injure themselves, choke on a toy, or eat something toxic. Even if your drop-in sitter has a pet cam, they may not be able to get to your dog in time. So, if your vacation lasts longer than a weekend, you’ll want to find a sitter or board your dog.
What are the expectations around house sitting?
If you hire a pet sitter to stay at your house, you can generally ask them to do some light household chores, especially tasks related to pet sitting. Light housework might include taking out the trash, watering plants, collecting your mail, and vacuuming or sweeping up dog hair.
House sitting usually doesn’t include doing your laundry, grocery shopping, or errands—unless your sitter agrees and you pay them to handle these additional tasks. It’s important to talk through what you expect from your sitter and make sure they agree ahead of time!
What if my dog has separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a unique condition that requires very specific care. If your dog has separation anxiety, you’ll want to talk this over with your sitter, especially if they need to follow specific routines or avoid certain behaviors to keep your dog from having a panic attack.
If your dog’s separation anxiety is tied to you, not just being alone, you’ll want to practice desensitizing them to your absence before going on your trip. Training for separation anxiety can take four to five sessions a week for three to six months—but it can go a long way toward helping your dog feel more comfortable alone.
What if my dog seems sad after boarding?
Dogs can definitely get sad—but it’s not always easy to tell what they’re feeling without more context. If your dog seems sad when you get back from your trip, a good first step involves talking to whoever took care of them while you were gone.
Did they eat, exercise, and play just fine with their caretaker? If so, they may just want a little extra attention from you now that you’re back! However, if they seem unwilling to eat, play, or walk like they usually would, you may want to check in with your vet to rule out any possible health concerns or other issues.
Takeaway
Try not to feel guilty about leaving your dog home when you go on vacation. It’s perfectly fine to want to travel without your pet. In some cases, it may not even be possible to bring them along.
Yes, your dog will miss you, and you’ll miss them! But planning ahead to set them up with the right sitter or boarding facility can help you enjoy your vacation all the same. Plus, if they stay somewhere they’ve had fun before, they probably won’t feel like you’ve abandoned them—and they might even look forward to their stay!
