Vacationing with an Anxious Dog. Is it Possible?

For many of us with sensitive, anxious dogs, the idea of going on vacation can feel….complicated. While other people are packing for adventure and Instagram-worthy beaches, we’re wondering

🤔 Will my dog cope?
🤔 Will I spend the whole time trying to settle them?
🤔 Should I even go at all?

The truth is, not every dog wants a vacation - and that’s perfectly okay.

Some dogs genuinely enjoy new places, novel smells, and being by your side no matter where you are. Others find unfamiliar environments stressful, overwhelming, or just plain exhausting.

If your dog thrives on routine and predictability, it’s worth asking yourself honestly: Would they choose to come with me?

If the answer is no, there’s absolutely no shame in staying home, booking a trusted pet sitter, or taking a local staycation that keeps life predictable and calm.

But if your dog might enjoy time away - or staying behind isn’t an option - there are ways to make vacationing together more manageable and more peaceful.

Choose the Right Place

"Dog-friendly" doesn't always mean "dog-appropriate." For an anxious or sensitive dog, the location and layout matter a lot more than whether a water bowl is provided.

When booking, consider:

Is the property private and peaceful?
Is there a fully secure garden or yard?
Are dogs allowed on furniture, if that’s what they’re used to at home?
Will I need to bring non-slip flooring for my dog?
What’s nearby - are there other dogs, people, or traffic noises?

Always ask for photos of gates, fences, floors, and key spaces. Try to match the environment as closely as possible to what your dog knows and feels safe in.

Bring Their World With You

Your dog’s sense of safety lives in the familiar. Bring:

Their unwashed bed and blankets
Favourite toys and chews
Familiar food and water bowls
Items that smell like you, like a worn T-shirt
Their harness, longline, and other daily kit
Secure non-slip flooring (I use non-slip rug grips with fleece blankets on top)
Free Work items, if you use them - known textures and enrichment setups can really help recreate “home”

Recreating their resting spots or Free Work spaces in a new location can help them land and settle.

Slow Down the First 24 Hours

This is the biggest mistake most people make - expecting their dog to do the vacation straight away.

But from your dog’s point of view, they’ve just landed on a new planet. Everything smells different. Sounds are different. Surfaces, furniture, rooms - all new. Their nervous system needs time to adjust.

What to do instead:

Let them sniff and explore the garden or inside the property
Keep the day quiet and unstructured
Skip the beach, the pub, the trails - for now
Spend the first evening in together

You can always do more later. But first, let them feel safe.

Stick to Your Rhythms

Predictability is your dog’s best friend.

Try to keep feeding times, walk times, and rest times close to what they’re used to at home. If they usually get up late and snooze through the morning - do that. If they’re used to short sniffy walks, stick with those rather than pushing for big days out.

It doesn’t matter if your plans look different from someone else’s. It matters that your dog knows what’s coming next.

You Are Their Anchor

The most important thing you can bring on vacation isn’t in your suitcase. It’s you.

Your calm presence, your steady breath, your patience - these are what your dog will tune into when they’re unsure.

Some things that help:

Practice gentle breathing before outings (a double or even triple breath in followed by a big sigh out works well for many of us)
Speak softly and slowly
Let go of plans that don’t feel right
Choose peace over pressure - cancel if you need to

If your dog doesn’t feel safe being left alone in the vacation property (and many don’t), don’t leave them.

Build your days around togetherness. That’s the real point of a vacation anyway.

And if it turns out that your dog would truly prefer to stay home next time? That’s okay too.

A good vacation doesn’t have to be full of activities. It doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. It just has to feel safe and connected - for both of you.

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Want to Learn More?

Stephie is a dog professional specialising in trauma-informed behavioural support for shouty-barky dogs, dogs with separation anxiety, and sensitive rescues.

Join her on facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TheShoutyBarkyDogGroup

And when you're ready for a truly consultative approach to building trust with your sensitive dog, reach out for a chat here:

💚 www.CalmerCanines.co.uk/chat 💚

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