Dubai with a dog is not ideal, just like a wellness vacation with friends. For most dog owners, it’s clear: the best friend should come along. Therefore, vacations are planned with the dog, exploring dog-friendly destinations, whether it’s the next recreation area in the United States or a holiday home on the French Atlantic coast. However, if your vacation plans don’t align with your four-legged companion, there are other options we don’t want to withhold from you.

Dog Accommodation – Vacationing Without Your Dog

Perhaps you’re one of those dog owners who occasionally want to do something without their four-legged friend. There’s nothing wrong with that. Not all vacation desires are compatible with having a dog. Long-distance destinations with tropical temperatures, city trips with evening pub crawls, or the aforementioned wellness vacation, for example. Of course, many wouldn’t plan such a vacation without their beloved furry friend.

And, of course, we know that a dog equals responsibility. However, being responsible also means arranging for suitable accommodation for your four-legged friend. If you organize well, it’s possible to go on vacation without your dog. Fortunately, there are several solutions for dog accommodation during your vacation days, ensuring that your canine companion is well taken care of and, most importantly, cared for. Today, we’d like to briefly introduce you to these options.

Finding the Right Dog Accommodation

Below, we’ve compiled the main possibilities available to you when you want to go on a trip without your furry friend. Perhaps there’s an option you can keep in mind in case you become ill for an extended period, and no one is available to take care of your pet.

Dog Sitting by a Relative, Friend, or Neighbor

Individuals who the dog knows and accepts as a reference person are suitable as temporary pet sitters. Whether it’s dear relatives, friends, or neighbors taking care of the animal, it doesn’t matter. This solution is both obvious and wonderfully affordable compared to a dog hotel, especially if you’re not planning a three-month world tour.

But what if such an opportunity doesn’t present itself? If your social environment doesn’t offer a pet sitter, friends have other things to do, family lives more than three hours away, or you’ve had a falling out with your neighbors? Who will take care of your four-legged friend? The next solution might be helpful!

The Dog Boarding Kennel – The All-Inclusive Package

Many people choose a dog boarding kennel as accommodation for their beloved pet during their vacation. There are countless providers in all price and comfort categories. Dog hotels can also be priced in categories, similar to what we’re accustomed to for humans. However, you can be fairly certain that the dog is well cared for. Specially trained staff takes care of the dog’s care, accommodation, and activities. The dog is walked, fed, and bathed. Generally, the operators of these dog hotels organize dog playgroups and other leisure activities. However, your dog should be well-socialized; if it doesn’t get along with strangers or other dogs, problems may arise.

Accommodation is provided in cozy and well-equipped individual rooms or kennels for dogs. Make sure to accustom your furry friend to the kennel in advance so that it feels comfortable from the start.

Important: If you decide on a dog boarding kennel (regardless of the price range), you should have a look at the local conditions beforehand. There are also unscrupulous providers where your dog may be locked in a not-so-luxurious kennel and not taken out until you pick it up. Waiting for you in such conditions can be more than dreary for the animal.

But as mentioned, these are exceptions. There are now reliable review platforms online that expose such providers.

If this solution is not suitable for your needs, you might consider the next suggestion.

Action “You take my pet, I take your pet” – Pet Exchange Service

The pet exchange service is a coordinated service offered by animal welfare associations or organizations.

With this service, they enable pet and dog lovers to exchange their beloved animals for the duration of their vacations, following the motto: “You take my pet during my vacation, and I take your pet during your vacation.”

For dog owners, the rule here is: First, the dog must get to know and sniff its caregiver for the duration of the vacation.

Also, consider the following questions:

If you consider these points (perhaps you have other requirements and preferences), your dog should have a great time in its temporary dog accommodation, and you can embark on your journey relaxed and with a clear conscience.

But what if such a pet exchange service is not offered in your area? Then the following solution might be interesting for you.

The Pet Sitter

If you don’t like any of the proposed ideas for dog accommodation or if your dog wouldn’t like them, there’s still the option of a pet sitter service.

Some animal shelters offer temporary accommodation for pets, and sometimes pet stores also provide care for a certain period.

Of course, this doesn’t happen for free. You also need to be aware that this service costs money.

Most often, pet sitters are private individuals or families who, for a fee, take care of your dog during your absence.

But here too, you must be sure in advance that the dog gets along with its temporary owner. This means that the dog should spend several “sniffing hours” with the pet sitter before choosing this dog accommodation.

You should naturally find this person (or people) likable.

Important: Take care of dog accommodation early enough to avoid being left without a place for your four-legged friend due to insufficient planning.