Planning a holiday but not sure what to do with your dog? It's one of the most common challenges pet owners face. Your dog can't come with you, and you want to be sure it will be cared for, calm and safe.
Choosing the right form of care is a decision that affects not just your dog's comfort, but also your own peace of mind throughout the trip. Below we go through the options you have, where they differ, and how to match one to your dog's temperament.
Leaving your dog with family or friends
This is seemingly the simplest solution — the dog goes to someone it knows. But in practice it doesn't always work out. Not every friend knows how to react to a dog's stress signals, how to handle sudden health situations, or how to keep up the routine the dog is used to.
Extra complications arise when loved ones have their own children or pets — new company can be a source of unnecessary tension for the dog rather than comfort.
In-home boarding with a caregiver — dog sitting
Staying in a sitter's home can suit a dog comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Before booking, ask who lives there, whether other animals will be present, how exits are secured and how long the sitter goes out.
Overnight care does not automatically mean uninterrupted presence around the clock. A meeting helps assess compatibility, but a profile or screening cannot guarantee every dog's comfort.
Visits to your dog in its own home
Home visits work only when the gaps between them suit the dog's needs. Count every gap, including overnight: the length of your trip alone does not determine suitability. A dog distressed by being alone or needing frequent support may require longer human presence or overnight care. Agree feeding, walks and health monitoring separately.
At Alvis you will find trusted caregivers in your area — verified, with reviews and a profile you can check before booking. You set the scope of care, hours and rules. You get photos and a report after every visit.
A dog hotel
A professional dog hotel is an option that seems like the obvious choice to many owners — but it's worth checking the conditions before you decide. What to look out for when visiting a hotel
- how much time the dog spends outside and whether it has access to an outdoor run
- how many dogs are cared for by one person at a time
- how feeding works and whether you can leave your own food
- whether dogs sleep separately or in a group
- whether you can stay in contact with the caregiver during the dog's stay
A good hotel lets you tour the facility beforehand and leave your dog for a short trial stay before the real trip. Who is it for? For dogs open to new surroundings, who cope well with other dogs being present and don't show an anxious approach to separation from their owner.
How to prepare your dog for the separation?
Agree routine, equipment, communication and action for concerning symptoms before travelling. A familiar bed may support rest if the dog likes and safely uses it. Avoid unnecessary food changes. Say goodbye calmly without treating affection as a mistake that causes anxiety.
The important guides are the dog's actual responses and the sitter's readiness to adapt.
How can you tell your dog handles separation well?
Ask for specific observations: eating, drinking, resting, toileting and behaviour on walks. Discuss concerning symptoms promptly rather than waiting an arbitrary day. Urgency depends on symptoms, age and health; pain, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty or weakness calls for veterinary contact. Agree beforehand who acts if you cannot be reached.
What to agree before handing over your dog
Prepare one current care sheet: food portions and times, permitted treats, walking equipment, responses to other animals, prescribed medication instructions and emergency contacts. Separate observations from assumptions. Saying that you do not know whether the dog settles in an unfamiliar home is more useful than promising it will get used to everything.
At the introductory meeting, practise handing over the lead and taking a familiar short route. Do not begin with hours apart. Agree drop-off and collection times, updates, the sitter's absences and backup if they become ill.
Record who holds spare keys and how to contact the clinic. Treat the trial as information for planning, not a guarantee of identical behaviour throughout the stay.
FAQ — where to leave your dog while you travel
Is it better to leave the dog with family or with a caregiver?
Not always. A familiar person can be suitable if they understand the dog's needs and genuinely have time. A sitter can provide agreed care, but compatibility still needs checking. Compare actual availability, relevant experience and backup arrangements rather than labels such as family or professional.
How long can a dog be left alone between a caregiver's visits?
There is no safe hourly limit for every dog. Use observed tolerance of being alone, toilet needs and health. If a dog cannot rest comfortably without company, one midday walk may not be enough. Arrange coverage for problematic gaps, including overnight.
How do you get a dog used to a caregiver before you leave?
Arrange a calm introduction and let the dog choose whether to approach. Then try a brief part of ordinary care, adapted to its response. Do not begin with several hours apart. If the dog cannot settle, use an easier step or another support arrangement.
Can a dog travel by car to the caregiver?
Consider actual travel tolerance and safe restraint. Discuss motion sickness or severe fear with a veterinarian before departure; do not give sedatives independently. Home care reduces transport needs, but its scope must still meet the dog's requirements.
Stress is a natural part of a dog's life — but a wisely planned trip means the separation goes smoothly for both of you. What matters most is knowing your dog and choosing care matched to its needs, not to your own convenience.
