How To Board Your Reactive Dog
Planning a vacation should be exciting — but if your dog is reactive, it can feel more like planning a crisis.
Not all dogs are daycare dogs.
If your dog barks at strangers, lunges at other dogs, or spirals into a panic attack at the sound of a mop bucket — you know exactly what I mean.
Leaving them behind while you travel isn’t as simple as dropping them off at the nearest kennel. But that doesn’t mean you have to cancel your vacation or live in a state of panic every time you go out of town.
Here’s how to board your reactive dog without unnecessary trauma (for either of you).
Step 1: Find the Right People
This is non-negotiable. Your dog’s safety depends on the person, not the price tag.
Prioritize Boarders in This Order:
- People who know your dog and have experience with reactivity
- People with professional experience handling reactive dogs
- People who know your dog, and are willing to follow strict instructions
No matter how charming someone sounds in their profile, you need proof they can handle reactivity. The last thing you need is for your dog to be handled by someone who only knows how to take care of “easy” dogs.
Step 2: Use Your Network
Even if you don’t think you know any reactive-dog friendly boarders in your area, you might have more options in your network than you might think.
- Your vet may know trainers or low-volume boarding options. Call the receptionist to see if they have any local recommendations.
- Your trainer might offer boarding, know someone trustworthy, or could offer specific recommendations based on your dog’s specific case. Contact them to see if they have any advice for you.
- Your dog’s rescue or shelter may allow return boarding or have foster contacts who are qualified. Contact a senior member of the organization to see your options.
- Independent platforms like Rover or Pet Sitters International often let you filter for solo stays or drop in visits. Look for sitters who offer “one dog at a time” experiences and confirm reactive dog experience.
No matter who you choose, always do a meet and greet. Make sure your dog meets the actual person who will be caring for them.
Also, make sure you have a shortlist of qualified boarders you can work with. Good boarders fill up quickly, and the last thing you want is to have your boarding reservation rejected three days before going on a trip.
Step 3: Prepare Like a Pro
As you prepare to leave your dog in someone else’s care, it’s time to think about how what tools you can give another person to help care for your dog best.
Pack Light, but Smart
- Food and meds (with clear labels, ideally pre-portioned by day)
- A comfort item with your scent
- A familiar “settling surface” (blanket or mat they’ve been trained to lie on)
- Emergency contact info for both you and the vet
Write a Care Manual
Reactive dogs need explicit instructions. Even the best dog trainers in the world can’t read your dog’s mind.
Include:
- Triggers (be specific: if your dog is triggered by “bald men in hats”, then write that down)
- Feeding routines
- Exercise do’s and don’ts
- Grooming boundaries
- What to do and not do if your dog escalates
If you think it’s too detailed, it’s probably just right. A good sitter will thank you.
Step 4: Do a Trial Stay
Reactive dogs don’t thrive on surprises, so don’t spring a weeklong trip on them with no prep.
Take the most promising boarder on your list and do a trial stay:
- One night at most.
- Observe your dog closely during drop-off and pickup.
- Ask for honest feedback about your dog. How do they talk about your dog? Do you trust them? Does the person put you at ease?
- Look at your dog’s body language. Are they excited to see you? Fine, that just means they missed you. Are they hesitant to leave the boarder? Even better, they had a good time. Nervous or shut down? That’s a red flag.
Step 5: When You Get Home
After your dog’s trial night, your dog may come back a little weird. Not broken, just emotionally jet-lagged.
Give them time. Think about it this way: you are their emotional support person. Even a few hours away from their main source of emotional support can leave them drained and overstimulated.
Some dogs become clingier than usual and demand extra cuddles. Some dogs shut down, act aloof, and want to be left alone. Both reactions are completely normal, and a few days in their normal routine will help them re-regulate.
Some dogs also become more reactive after being boarded. If this happens, don’t panic. It’s not regression. It’s just their nervous system recalibrating. Resume their normal counterconditioning training, just reducing the difficulty where necessary.
Signs It Went Well
Wondering if the boarding is going well? In many cases, your dog won’t change that much between boarding sessions. But, overtime, and with many sessions, good boarding not only helps your dog stay healthy and happy, but also can help increase their confidence and reduce their triggers.
Examples include:
- Cozy Calmness: More chill during walks or around strangers.
- Reduced Reactions: Curious glances instead of full-blown lunges.
- Exploring Freely: Sniffing the world again like a curious dog, not a threat analyst.
- Relaxed Signals: Soft eyes. Loose posture. No tension in the jaw.
Extra Note: If You’re Traveling Long-Term
Maybe your dog can handle a weekend away just fine. That same dog might unravel halfway through your three-week honeymoon in Bali.
So, if you’re planning extended travel:
- Increase duration slowly. See how your dog handles the increased duration overtime. If you see separation anxiety spark, you can work on that sooner rather than shocking their system.
- Switch to in-home sitting. Dog sitting, rather than dog boarding, limits the amount of changes in your dog’s routine, and can help with anxiety.
Final Thoughts
Boarding a reactive dog takes planning. But when done right, it’s possible to leave them in good hands and come back to a dog that’s not just okay, but better regulated and more resilient than before.
Start early. Build your shortlist. Trial often. Your dog — and your future trips — will thank you.
