Can I go on holiday and leave my dog behind? An honest guide to kennels, home boarding, guilt, and getting it right
- Sarah at Barkshire Dog Training
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Going on holiday without your dog is harder than anyone admits. As a dog trainer and owner I wanted to share what I know to help you when you in a dilemma to stay or go?
I spend my days thinking about the wellbeing of dogs, so you might assume that when it comes to leaving my dogs while I go on holiday, I find it easy and at complete peace with it as I know they will be fine and well cared for..
Not quite, if I am honest before I found my amazing kennels I would have been asking Facebook groups, searching online or chatting to other dog owners for some support or advice while feeling guilty about leaving them before I have even booked the flight. If resonates then this blog is for you.
The Poppy and Canada story
It has taken me a while to feel ready to share this. Over a year ago, in the run-up to our trip to Canada, I found myself in what I can only describe as the hardest pre-holiday situation I have experienced. I share it now not because it is easy, but because I think it might help someone who needs to hear it.
We were due to fly to Canada for what was a very significant trip: my other half’s 50th birthday, a milestone celebration, not just a casual weekend away. About a week before we were due to leave, Poppy picked up some kind of bug. Within 24 hours she stopped eating and drinking completely and trying to be sick.
We took her straight to Oakley Vets, Caversham where they kept her in overnight to monitor her as she was responding slower than hoped to treatment. This was four days before we were due to fly.
She came home on Friday. Saturday she seemed okay eating a little and drinking. However, Sunday evening I was up all night with her as she was struggling again so back to the vets on Monday. They looked after her brilliantly during the day, coming that night, Tuesday morning at 6am she had eaten and drunk water and slept through the night. She was back.
Throughout all of this, we had been in close communication with our kennels, sharing what was going on, that it was not something contagious and that we were waiting for her to show signs of recovery. My relationship with Wheats Farm Boarding Kennels has been built on trust over the years or my dogs going there as well as their knowledge of what I do for a living now!!
They were incredibly understanding, normally Poppy would have gone in on the Monday, the day before we flew, but given the circumstances, I had an honest conversation about my dilemma and they supported us completely. I could not let her go until I knew she was truly recovering.
We went to Canada. Poppy bounced back to being completely herself, the owner of the kennels later told us she would not have known she had been poorly at all, had we not shared what had happening!
Yet that emotional conflict at the start of the holiday was genuinely one of the hardest things I have navigated as a dog owner and trainer. The guilt of leaving her. The worry of being judged for leaving. The quiet voice that said: what kind of person leaves their poorly dog and gets on a plane?
The Davey and Cyprus story
I had a strikingly similar experience with our dog Davey. We were due to go to Cyprus and, again, he had been poorly. We came very close to cancelling, having visited the vets for various tests including blood tests, all the indicators looked positive, it seemed like he was fighting off an infection and doing well. We made the decision to go.
What we did not know was that what we were seeing was his white blood cells fighting hard, a kind of false positive. Them same kennels, who we trust completely, took him without hesitation to the vets on our behalf, as they noticed he was deteriorating. With treatment from the vets, more tests with our agreement they looked after him so well, making sure he had the right food and medication, keeping us informed throughout.
We then got a call, we were told that it was unlikely he would recover. No hesitation, we booked next flights home, enabling us to be with our boy, to make his final days as comfortable and as loved as possible.
There are no words for that particular grief, as it was so sudden. During this uncertain time, I felt guilty but I do not regret going. Davey was in the best possible hands, he had shown such positive signs of recovery we did not anticipate the quick decline that happened. I just feel how lucky we were for him to have such care until we got home.
The guilt is real — and every dog owner will understand it.
As I share these stories I feel emotional, worried how it may land, it is not easy to look back on what happened, but I believe that I am not alone with this guilt.
I know that the guilt I felt before leaving our dogs is a sign of how much I love them. It does not make me a bad owner to take a holiday. It makes me human.
Dogs are resilient, adaptable creatures that’s why they fit with our crazy human lifestyles! The key to going away confidently is finding somewhere you truly trust to care for them while you are away which can be one of the hardest decisions to make.
We choose kennels because our dogs cannot home board with other dogs, knowing they have space to play, a well-run environment, plus a team who genuinely care means that for our dogs, it is not a punishment. Photos shared help me see that they are happy, they genuinely enjoy running around in the paddock and are most importantly safe. The best bit about going away is the greeting you get when you get back rested, recharged, and present which is good for you and your dog too.
Kennels or home boarding: how to choose what is right for your dog
I hope both my stories underline something I feel very passionately about: the relationship you have with your kennels or home boarder matters enormously. This is not a decision to make based on price or proximity alone.
When you are entrusting your dog to someone else’s care, you need:
• People who communicate honestly and proactively — who will call you if something does not seem right, not wait until you get home
• A team who knows your dog as an individual, not just as one of many
• Somewhere your dog is comfortable — ideally somewhere you have built up a relationship over time, so your dog is familiar with the environment and the people
• Confidence that if something goes wrong medically, they will act quickly and keep you fully informed
Our kennels ticked every single one of those boxes, and in our most difficult moments as dog owners, that trust was everything.
Practical Tips for Leaving Your Dog in Kennels
• Visit the kennels before booking, ideally with your dog, so they can have a look around in a low-pressure way
• Leave something that smells of you, a worn t-shirt or a blanket from home is a great comfort. Don’t take a squeaky toy this will only wind up the other dogs there but maybe a tug toy for them if they need it.
• Be honest about your dog’s temperament, health history, and any anxieties
• Leave emergency contact details for your vet and make sure the kennels have authority to seek treatment if needed
• Do a trial stay of a night or two before a longer trip if your dog has not been kennelled before
• Do not make long, drawn-out goodbyes — a calm, matter-of-fact departure is genuinely kinder for your dog
What to check before using a home boarder — including why the licence matters
Home boarding can be a wonderful option for many dogs — a home environment, one-to-one attention, and a consistent routine. But demand is high, and if you are looking for a home boarder this summer, please check that your provider holds a valid council licence before booking.
This is not just a box-ticking exercise — it is the law. A licence means the boarder has been inspected and meets DEFRA standards for safety, cleanliness, and animal welfare. It covers everything from emergency plans and secure premises to limits on how many dogs can be cared for at one time.
A good boarder will be proud to show you their licence. If they cannot or will not, that tells you everything you need to know.
Trainer Tip
Practise short separations regularly — not just before a big trip, but throughout the year. This is one of the most important things you can do for your dog’s overall confidence and resilience, and it makes every goodbye a little easier for both of you
Give yourself permission to go
Going away without your dogs is hard. Sometimes it can feel difficult, but with the right preparation, the right support, and the right kennels or home boarder, it can also be okay for everyone.
Do your research, find someone you genuinely trust, leave detailed notes about your dog’s routine, food, quirks and preferences and allow yourself to be away and recharge.
If you need someone to help you get your dog ready, whether that is building their confidence, working on separation, or simply figuring out the right routine before you go — I would love to help. Get in touch and let’s have a chat.
Happy travels — with or without the muddy paws.
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