Keep Calm and Wag On: How to Help Your Dog Feel at Home When You’re Away

You’ve booked your trip, packed your bags and set your email to out-of-office. The holiday countdown is on. But there’s one little face that may not be quite as excited - your dog. Whilst you’re dreaming of sun loungers and lie-ins, they’re trying to figure out why the suitcase is out (again). Whether they’re staying with a house sitter or heading to a local kennel, a change in routine and surroundings can be ruff for even the chillest of pups.

The good news? With a bit of planning and a sprinkle of doggy psychology, you can help your furry bestie feel calm, comfy, and relaxed — even while you’re away.

Here’s our ultimate guide to making sure your dog enjoys a break of their own.

Pack Like a Pro: What to Include in Your Dog’s Overnight Bag

A few thoughtful items can go a long way in making your dog feel secure.

Essentials checklist:

• Their usual food – enough for the whole stay, plus a few extra days’ worth.
• Treats – use them for bonding, training, or just bribery (no judgment).
• Favourite toy – something that smells familiar like home and says “you’re safe here.”
• Bedding or blanket – their usual sleeping setup helps with comfort and consistency.
• Medication & supplements – labelled clearly, with dosage notes.
• Your worn T-shirt or jumper – smells like love.
• Collar, lead, and harness – with ID tags firmly attached.
• Poo bags – because no one wants to be caught short on a walk.
• A written care guide – think of it as your dog’s CV, but with more details about digestion.

Caboodle tip: If your dog uses a crate, bring it. It’s not just a sleeping space - it’s their safe zone.

Write the Paw-fect Doggy Care Manual

Don’t assume your sitter or the kennel staff will know your dog’s quirks, habits, or obsession with stealing socks. Spell it out - the more they know, the better they’ll care.

What to include:

• Routine – when they eat, walk, nap, and (let’s be honest) bark at the postie.
• Commands they know – and what you say to make them work: “wait” vs. “hold up!”
• Personality notes – shy at first? Doesn’t like being touched near the tail? Put it all down.
• Triggers and no-gos – afraid of fireworks? Doesn’t get on with cats? This is the stuff your sitter needs to know.
• Emergency contacts – vet details, your number, and a local back-up human.

Caboodle tip: Keep your tone friendly and personal. You’re not just handing over care instructions - you’re introducing someone to a beloved member of your family.

Build Trust with Food

Food is one of the best tools to help your dog warm up to new people.

Try this:

• Introduce the sitter with treats in hand - let your pup choose to approach and take food from them.
• Treat + Sit Time Combo - have the sitter sit on the floor or a low chair while offering treats. A seated posture feels less intimidating to many dogs, making them more likely to approach and engage.
• Use treat-based games - like hiding treats around the house for the sitter and dog to find together. It creates fun, builds trust, and burns energy.
• Stick to “happy” foods - don’t introduce anything new or too rich, but keep a stash of their favourite snacks (frozen carrots? dried duck necks? crunchy biscuits?) for bonding moments.
• Feed by hand - ask the sitter to give meals by hand once or twice. It strengthens the connection and helps nervous dogs associate the new person with good things.
• Use lickable treats for calm contact - try a stuffed Kong or lick mat smeared with our healthy wet dog food flavours. Have the sitter hold it while the dog licks. Licking is a simple, natural behaviour that has real calming effects. It’s self-soothing, encourages focus, and can even lower stress hormones.

Pre-Holiday Prep for a Smoother Goodbye

A bit of groundwork before you go can make all the difference.

Here's how to set the stage:

• Have a meet & greet with the sitter - ideally in your home, so your dog can greet them on their own turf.
• Do a short test stay - an overnight or even just a long walk with the sitter can build familiarity.
• Practice your goodbye routine - don’t turn your departure into a drama. Keep it calm, short, and cheerful. Your dog takes emotional cues from you.
• Leave and return calmly - no long teary hugs or squealy reunions. Make both departure and arrival feel normal, even boring.

Caboodle tip: If your dog gets anxious when you’re gone, leave a voice recording (or use a pet camera that lets you speak to them). Your voice can be surprisingly comforting.

Stay in the Loop (Without Obsessing)

You’re on holiday - you deserve to switch off. But it’s also totally normal to want to know your pup’s doing okay.

Set expectations in advance:

• Ask for daily photo or text updates.
• Agree on how to contact each other in case of emergencies.
• Let the sitter know if you’re going totally off-grid (but give them a backup contact!).

Caboodle tip: Don’t panic if your dog seems too relaxed in the updates. That just means they’re happy and secure — and you’ve done everything right.

Final Treats & Takeaways

Leaving your dog behind can tug at the heartstrings - but with a bit of planning, you can make their time apart from you feel safe, predictable, and even fun. From a familiar-smelling blanket to a freezer full of their favourite food, the little things do matter. And when you walk through the door on your return? Expect a welcome party fit for a royal, complete with zoomies and a slobbery kiss.

So go on -  enjoy your break. Your dog’s in good paws.