A dog is a big responsibility and it takes up a lot of your time. It’s important that you don’t leave your dog alone for too long because it can be very distressing for them. But that doesn’t mean that you can never go away on holiday again, and there will come a time when you have to leave your dog behind for a week, which can be tough for both of you. It’s sad leaving your dog behind and you will naturally worry about them, but as long as you plan the trip properly, they will be fine. Here are a few important tips to remember when leaving your dog behind for the first time.
Finding Somebody To Care For Them
The most important thing is finding somebody to take care of your dog while you are away, and you have a few options. You could get a family member or a friend to look after them, but they will have to feed them and walk them every day, and they might not have time to do that. Dogs require a lot of attention and if they are only seeing somebody for a short period each day, and they are on their own the rest of the time, that can be quite distressing. You could consider paying a dog walker to pop round and take them out, which is ok for a few days, but if you are going to be away for a week or two, your dog may still get lonely. Ideally, you should look for a dog home boarding facility where you can take them while you are away. That way, they will have round the clock care and there will always be somebody there to give them some attention. If you are going for a week or more, this is usually the best option for your dog.
Train Them Well
If your dog is relatively young, you need to make sure that you train them properly before you go away. If your dog is well behaved, the people that are looking after them will be happy to do it again. But if your dog is badly behaved and causes trouble with other pets while you are away, you may have trouble finding people that are willing to look after them again in the future.
Write Down Their Schedule
Dogs will follow your schedule because you walk them and feed them at roughly the same time each day. When you suddenly go away and they are left with strangers, having the same routine can make the transition a bit easier for them. Even though they are in a different environment, they have that familiarity there and that is a comfort for them. That’s why it’s important to write down their schedule in detail and leave it with whoever is looking after your dog. If they can stick closely to the schedule, it will make things a lot easier for your dog.
It’s always scary leaving your dog for the first time, but as long as you follow these tips, they will be fine.