A weekend away or an extended work trip can be a fun break from your day-to-day life, but while you’re gone, your responsibilities are still waiting for you at home. If those responsibilities include a dog, you have to plan in advance to keep your pet happy, healthy, occupied, and fed while you’re away.
Here’s how to prepare your dog for an extended separation from you.
Figure out where your dog will stay
Unless you have an automatic feeder, a doggy door, a perfectly trained pooch, and a very short trip planned, someone is going to need to make sure your dog is fed and can go outside to use the bathroom. You have options. You can put your fur baby in a boarding kennel, for instance, but many dogs find kennels stressful. If this is your best choice, pack their favorite toys and their special blanket with them so they have some reminders of home.
If your trip is a short one, consider an in-home sitter. For your peace of mind and your dog’s comfort, it will be best to try someone you both know first. A friend or family member usually won’t be too put out by the idea of stopping by your place to play with your pup every day. (But still offer to pay—cute dog or no cute dog, it’s a hassle to schlep to someone’s place every day, and you should compensate them for their time and labor.)
Even with money on the table, it may not be possible to convince someone you know to dog-sit. Luckily, there are plenty of apps and companies that offer this exact service. Services like Wag, Rover, and PetBacker can help you find suitable companions for your pooch.
You can set up a few cheap security cameras or pet monitors to keep an eye on things when no one is around—or in the event you need to hire a stranger to enter your home. For example, two Blink cameras that send a feed to your phone will run you $64.99, plus subscription fees. (You should tell any potential dog-sitters about the cameras, so they know you’ll be looking in on them.)
Buy supplies ahead of time
No matter who will be with your dog, be sure that person has access to enough food, treats, toys, medication, and whatever else your special friend needs. Check in with your vet about anything your dog might require for the length of your trip, including anti-anxiety medication. Stock up on their favorite food, too.
What you need to keep your pup happy while you’re away:
A two-pack of gravity feeders ($29.99) to be sure there’s plenty of food and water available.
A smart feeder you control from your phone, if your pooch would just eat all the food in one go ($49.99).
Security cameras to keep an eye on things ($64.99).
A suction-cup toy ($15.99) your pup can’t move from room to room if you don’t want your pet playing with toys that might be a choking hazard (or you want to maximize the amount of time they spend in the area the camera covers).
Make a must-know document
Create an extensive document about your pet, their needs, their likes, their dislikes, and their daily routine. Do not leave anything out. Here is what you should include:
What brand of food your dog eats
How often they eat
How much they eat at each meal
Where their food is located
Where their dish is located
What times of day they generally need to be let out to use the bathroom
Where cleaning supplies are in the event of an accident
Where their leash, pick-up bags, and other walking essentials are
Any issues that tend to arise on walks
Any personality notes
The name and location of their veterinarian
Any medications your dog is on or medical issues they have
The name and location of an emergency contact
Your contact information
Much of this can and should be mentioned in person before you leave, but if that’s not possible for any reason, make sure all pertinent information is laid out in an easily accessible document. While you’re gone, you’ll be busy and might not be able to answer texts or calls quickly. Include all the information about your animal that you can, then rest easy knowing there is a small chance it will be relevant at all.
Spend quality time with your dog before you go
You probably don’t need to be convinced to cuddle up with your pup any time, but do take special care to give them extra love and attention before you head out. Your dog will miss you. They might even be confused about why you’re not around and why some stranger is instead. Make sure you reinforce how much you love them before you go, and once you’re back, give them lots of attention and belly rubs again.
A few extra treats might be in order when you get home, too.