Prepping Your Dog (and Their Caretaker) for Vacation: 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Trip

As the holiday season rolls around, many of us are gearing up for family visits, festive getaways, or much-needed vacations. And while bringing your dog along is always a dream, sometimes it’s just not an option—whether due to rental restrictions (we’ll keep fighting breed restrictions forever!), travel limitations, or simply knowing you won’t be able to give them the attention they deserve while you’re away. In those cases, the best thing you can do for both of you is to leave your dog in trusted hands.

A couple of weeks ago, I took a trip to Nashville, TN for a concert and to soak in some fall weather. I’m lucky that my parents live nearby and are always excited to have Marlee for a few days. But even then, I make sure to set them up with everything they need to keep her comfortable, safe, and happy. Whether your dog is staying with family, a friend, or a professional facility, preparation is key.

In this blog, we’ll cover 10 ways to set your dog (and their caretaker) up for success when you’re away.

1. Create a Detailed Care Guide

Include your dog’s feeding schedule, potty routine, walk expectations, medication instructions, allergies, quirks, commands they know, and any “please don’t do this” rules. The more information, the smoother the stay.

2. Provide Emergency Contacts

List your regular vet, the closest emergency vet, a backup contact (friend/family), and your own travel details. It’s always better to have everything in one place just in case.

3. Write a Behavior & Personality Overview

If your caretaker is unfamiliar with your dog, let them know if your dog is reactive, shy, slow-to-warm-up, or has any triggers. Include what helps calm them, what motivates them, and how they enjoy playing or exercising. This is especially important for bully breeds or reactive pups who need a little extra understanding.

4. Pack Enough Food — Plus Extra

Pre-measure or label your dog's meals, and always pack 2–3 extra days of food in case of delays. Don’t forget treats, chews, and any toppers they’re used to. Consider adding calming supplements to their regimen to help ease their anxiety of you being away.

5. Prepare a Medication & Health Packet

Provide all medications and supplements with dosage instructions, flea/tick schedules, recent vet records, and proof of vaccines. Keep everything in a labeled pouch or folder to make it easy for the caretaker.

6. Set Up a Familiar Environment

Bring their bed, blanket, favorite toys, Kongs, enrichment activities, and even an item with your scent. Familiar things help reduce stress and give your dog a sense of security.

7. Explain Walking Rules & Safety Protocols

If your dog requires a specific harness, needs quiet walking routes, or shouldn’t be walked at all - make that clear. Some caretakers assume “dogs = walks,” but not every dog benefits from that. For example, Marlee only goes on structured training walks, so if someone unfamiliar was watching her, I’d specifically note that she should not be walked unless they know how to handle her reactivity and training plan.

8. Provide Feeding & Enrichment Routines

Let the caretaker know how often your dog eats, when they usually get puzzles or frozen meals, and what enrichment they enjoy. When my parents watched Marlee, I prepped and labeled frozen enrichments so they knew exactly when to give each one -taking the guesswork off them and keeping Marlee entertained.

9. Schedule a Meet & Greet (If It’s a New Caretaker)

Let your dog warm up to the caretaker before you leave. Walk them through your dog’s routines, handling preferences, and behaviors.If you're using a boarding facility, consider doing a daycare day or trial night first so your dog can adjust and learn that you always come back.

10. Set Clear Check-In Expectations

Tell your caretaker how often you'd like updates—daily updates, cute videos, or just a quick message when necessary. Communication keeps everyone feeling confident and reassured. I personally LOVE updates, so I always tell people watching Marlee to send all the cute pictures they want!

Vacations are meant to be relaxing and stress-free - and your dog deserves the same comfort and peace while you’re away. Try not to worry too much about whether they’re missing you; chances are, they’re enjoying their own little vacation too! Time apart can make your bond even stronger.

Are you heading out on a trip soon? Where will your dog be staying while you’re gone? Let me know in the comments below!