Who Should Care for My Dog While I’m Away?
By: Leah Bornstein (CDBC, CSAT, FFCP, VSA-CDT)
You book the trip. You make a packing list. Then you look at your dog and think, Who am I supposed to trust with you?
Maybe your dog loves people but becomes overwhelmed around other dogs. Maybe they need medication hidden in precisely one type of cheese. Maybe strangers entering the house are a big deal.
There is no single care arrangement that works best for every dog. The right question is not, “Is boarding good or bad?”
It is, “Where can my dog’s needs be met most safely, and where will they be most comfortable?"
Start With Your Dog, Not the Convenience
An in-home sitter may allow your dog to remain in familiar surroundings. That can be helpful for dogs who struggle with environmental changes, car rides, group settings, or unfamiliar dogs.
But staying home does not automatically make the arrangement comfortable. If your dog is frightened by unfamiliar people entering the house, the sitter needs time to become familiar before your departure.
Boarding may work well for a social, adaptable dog who enjoys the environment. It may be difficult for a dog who is sensitive to noise, confinement, handling by multiple people, or nearby dogs. Traditional kennel environments can be echoing, noisy and busy, with limited opportunities for uninterrupted rest or individual attention. For those reasons, they’re generally not my first choice, even for a tolerant dog, though the setup and quality of care vary considerably between facilities.
Care in a friend’s home adds another set of questions: Are there children, animals, open doors, stairs, or unfenced areas? Does your dog already know the person and location?
Your dog’s behavior in one setting does not guarantee how they will respond in another.
Schedule a Meet-and-Greet—and Then a Trial
Think of finding a babysitter for a child.
When choosing someone to care for a child, we want time to get to know them and help the child feel comfortable. Our dogs deserve that same thoughtful preparation. Meeting a caregiver five minutes before you leave isn’t much of an introduction, and can be very nerve-wracking for any dog.
For dogs who are especially fearful of unfamiliar people, start preparing well in advance — ideally weeks or longer before your trip. Consider setting up a "happy visit".
A happy visit is about building a bond of trust —getting to know the caregiver without pressure to go for a walk, interact, or do anything your dog isn’t comfortable with. Several short “happy visits” can give your dog time to build a comfortable relationship with the caregiver while you are still home.
During these visits, the caregiver can sit quietly, toss treats, or join a familiar walk with you, depending on what your dog enjoys and feels comfortable with. Let your dog choose whether to approach, and gradually introduce care tasks as they become more at ease. Some dogs need many visits before they feel comfortable being cared for by someone new, so let their responses guide the pace.
These visits also give the caregiver time to learn your dog’s routine, recognize signs of discomfort, and practice the skills they’ll need during your trip. Fear Free guidance recommends introducing anxious dogs to pet sitters well before care is needed. (Source: Fear Free Happy Homes)
Once your dog is fully comfortable with your sitter, you can arrange a realistic trial.
That might be one walk, an evening visit, a short stay, or one night of boarding. The goal is not to test whether your dog can “get over it.” It is to identify problems while you are still nearby enough to adjust the plan so we don't leave them in a situation where they will be experiencing extreme distress.
Ask what the caregiver observes. Did your dog eat? Sleep? Take medication? Eliminate normally? Could they settle after you left? Did handling or doorway transitions create difficulty? Any problem areas or behaviors?
Give the Caregiver the Useful Version of the Truth
This is not the time to describe growling as “a little quirky.”
Write clear instructions about:
Feeding and bathroom routines
Medications and how/w they are administered
Medical conditions, allergies, and mobility needs
Fear triggers and known bite history (yes, please disclose this!)
Resource guarding tendencies and what they guard
Handling sensitivities
Escape risks
Interactions with dogs, children, or unfamiliar adults
Equipment and secure exits
What helps your dog recover (chewing, licking, space, etc)
AAHA recommends providing behavioral, medical, dietary, medication, microchip, routine, and emergency information to the caregiver. (Source: AAHA)
Clear information does not make your dog look bad. It gives the caregiver a chance to keep everyone safer and make the stay even more successful.
Prepare for the Unplanned Part
Leave more food and medication than the exact amount required in case travel is delayed.
Provide your veterinarian’s contact information, the nearest emergency hospital, an emergency contact who can make decisions, and written authorization explaining what the caregiver may approve.
Confirm where the leash, harness, carrier, cleaning supplies, gates, and extra medications are located. Send a current photo of your dog and make sure identification and microchip information are current.
Boarding facilities may have vaccination or health requirements, so confirm those well before departure rather than discovering them at check-in. (Source: AAHA)
When Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
A pet sitter does not automatically solve separation-related distress. If your dog needs someone with them at all times, make sure the sitter understands that they cannot leave—even for a quick errand. An hour alone may seem brief to us, but it can lead to extreme distress for a dog with separation anxiety.
Some dogs are comfortable as long as a trusted person stays with them. Others become distressed when one particular person leaves, even when someone else is present. This is something to assess with the caregiver before you travel.
Observe your dog with the caregiver before traveling. If your dog panics during absences, consider working with a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT).
You can learn more about separation anxiety and working with a CSAT through Malena DeMartini’s website.
I am also a CSAT and you can schedule a free discovery call with me. As a CSAT, I can help you understand what your dog is experiencing and develop an individualized plan.
The best care plan is not the fanciest one.
It is the one built around the dog who will actually be using it.
This article provides general educational information and does not replace veterinary care, an individualized behavior assessment, or the requirements of a specific boarding facility.
