- 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 go on vacation.
Dogs do 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.
Dogs rely on routines, familiar cues, and past experiences to make sense of your departure. Ahead, we’ll break down what dogs actually think when you go on vacation and share practical ways to help them adjust to life with a trusted sitter, friend, or boarding facility.
Do Dogs Feel Abandoned When You Go on Vacation?
It’s completely natural to worry that your dog might feel abandoned when you leave, 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 OK with your absence.”
So, what does your dog actually understand when you start preparing for a long trip? They may recognize change without understanding the concept of a vacation or knowing exactly how long you’ll be gone.
Dogs pay attention to patterns and cues in their environment, including:
- Packing: Dogs recognize people and objects by their scent, sight, and prior experiences with them. If your dog has seen you pack before, they may remember luggage means you’re leaving.
- Routine disruption: Dogs rely heavily on routines. Changes to their usual meal, walk, or sleep schedule can signal that something is different.
- Your behavior: The flurry of activity that comes with getting ready for a trip can be just as noticeable as the suitcase itself.
- The length of the trip: Dogs experience time differently than people do. Your dog may notice the routine changes while you’re gone, but there’s little evidence they understand you’ll be gone for 2 weeks in the same way a person would. Instead, they’re likely responding to what’s happening around them in the present.
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.
Tips for Preparing Your Dog
The best way to prepare your dog for your departure will depend on where or who they stay with.
Staying with an sitter
If your dog is staying in your home with a sitter, you can focus on making your absence feel as familiar as possible by:
- Getting your dog used to departures by spending time apart before your trip so your dog gets comfortable with you leaving and returning.
- Finding a sitter who can maintain your dog’s usual schedule for meals, walks, playtime, and bedtime.
- Giving your dog and sitter time to get to know each other before your trip through a few meet-and-greet visits.
Staying at another home or facility
If your dog is staying in a sitter’s home or boarding facility, they’ll have more changes to process. Consider the following tips:
- Bennett recommends a trial stay because it gives your dog a chance to experience the new environment while you’re still nearby.
- Bring along something that smells like home, like your dog’s bed or blanket, to make their new surroundings more comfortable.
- Dogs can be very sensitive to diet changes, so bring the food your dog usually eats.
- Calmly say goodbye when it’s time for you to leave.
Care instructions
A detailed care sheet will set your sitter or boarding facility up for success.
Include the following information:
- How much and how often your dog eats and drinks, along with their treats, allergies, and any mealtime cues.
- Explain your dog’s usual walks, playtime, favorite activities and toys, and anything the sitter should know about leash behavior (pulling, escaping, etc.) or reactivity with other dogs.
- Outline any health concerns or allergies, along with your dog’s medication schedule and how you give medication.
- Describe any fears (like a fear of thunderstorms) and give clear instructions on what helps calm them.
- Include contact information for your vet, the nearest emergency vet, and an emergency contact person who knows your dog well.
Teach Your Dog That Your Vacation Is Also Their Vacation
How can you give your dog the best chance to genuinely have a good time while you’re gone?
Here are a few options to consider:
- House sitting or dog sitting: Keeping your dog at home might feel less overwhelming for them. They can follow their routine while getting walks, playtime, and one-on-one attention from a sitter.
- In-home boarding: Staying at a sitter’s home gives your dog a change of scenery while still offering the personal attention and home-like environment they’re used to.
- Kennels or pet hotels: Some dogs enjoy the activity, social opportunities, and enrichment offered by boarding facilities.
- Friends and family: This option works best when your friend or family member has the flexibility to follow your dog’s routine and give them plenty of attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my dog forget me if I go on a long vacation?
Your dog isn’t likely to forget you just because you’re away. Dogs can recognize people using cues like their face and voice, and they appear to be particularly good at remembering people who are important to them.
They may miss you and be excited when you return, but a longer trip doesn’t mean they’ll forget who you are.
Can I leave a puppy with a pet sitter?
If you have a puppy, look for a sitter who offers constant care and isn’t watching other dogs at the same time. This allows them to give your puppy more attention, keep up with training, and help prevent unwanted behaviors.
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, like your dog destroying furniture, having an accident and injuring themselves, choking on a toy, or eating something toxic. Even if your drop-in sitter has a pet cam, they may not be able to get to your dog in time.
What are the expectations around house sitting?
If you hire a pet sitter to stay at your house, house sitting etiquette says it’s generally OK to ask them to do some light household chores, especially tasks related to pet sitting. This 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 ask questions and 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 the dog you’re boarding has separation anxiety, you’ll want to talk this over with your sitter, especially if they need to follow specific routines or avoid certain situations.
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.
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.
