Summer is the time when we finally enjoy a long-awaited vacation. This could include a staycation at home with visitors or time away at a cottage on the lake with or without the pup. While fun, these activities can result in a setback in your puppy’s training. Planning ahead can help prevent or at least minimize moving backwards.
Visitors in the Home
The advantage of this scenario is that you are staying in your own home, and your puppy has all of their usual things. But you may feel suddenly overwhelmed by visitors of various ages who have different views of interacting with your pup. This could include everything from varying schedules and routines, reinforcing undesirable behaviors, feeding from the table, etc. Add young kids to the mix and you may need a vacation after your vacation! Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Space
Think sleeping arrangements, play spaces, mealtimes. Is your puppy’s current crate location going to work? When everyone is gathered in the kitchen, going through the buffet and sitting down to eat, where will your puppy be? Plan. If you need to change something or set up an area for your puppy to rest in while everyone else is eating, acclimate your dog ahead of time. Waiting until everyone is there and sitting down to dinner is not a good idea. In addition, it’s important for safety reasons to be sure everyone has their own space as needed, especially when young kids are involved.
Routines
Think about how you would like to spend time with your guests and how your puppy’s schedule will intertwine with those plans. Dogs thrive on routine, and changes to mealtimes, exercise, and sleeping can result in behaviors not conducive to entertaining guests. For those activities during which it will be better for puppy to stay at home, crate time with a frozen Kong followed by a nap may work beautifully. Or perhaps a friend or dog walker can help.
Training
Don’t forget that a little goes a long way! Taking 5 minutes to work with your pup on basic cues will go a long way. It can also be a good reason to excuse yourself from the group for a few minutes.
Taking Your Pup with You
Your pup will love the idea of coming along for the ride on vacation. But consistency will help when it comes to a new environment and routine, even though it’s temporary.
Space
Bringing your dog’s crate, bed, blanket, and toys from home will give her familiarity and feel secure. The location of the crate will be important too. If the crate is normally in your bedroom at home and you try to have it in a central location while on vacation, it may not go over too well. At the same time, if you normally do not have it in your bedroom but do have it in your bedroom while on vacation, that same set up may be expected upon returning home. Think through your options and plan accordingly, knowing you may have an adjustment period when the vacation is over.
How will you be getting there? Driving or flying? Is your puppy already acclimated to his carrier? Where will he be in the car? Is he comfortable in the car? Does he need to adjust to using a seat belt/car seat? Plan ahead and work with an R+ (positive reinforcement) trainer as needed to help acclimate your puppy in advance.
Routines
Think about how you would like to spend time while away and how your puppy’s schedule will intertwine with those plans. As in the previous scenario, dogs thrive on routine, and changes to mealtimes, exercise, and sleeping can result in undesirable behaviors.
Training
Take a little time each day to work on training. Using positive reinforcement through verbal praise and high value treats will bring more consistency to the experience and continue to support good behavior. It’s a great opportunity to proof behaviors in a new environment as well.
What types of activities will your puppy be participating in while on vacation? For example, will your puppy be near water or on a boat? Acclimating your puppy to a life jacket and having a good foundation built for commands like “leave it” and “come” can help keep your buddy safe.
Leaving Your Pup with a Pet Sitter
This is a great option if you are going somewhere or engaging in activities not good for pups. If the sitter is going to stay at your home, that gives you the advantage of having your home watched too.
Space
If the sitter is going to stay in your home, this will be much easier. They can continue to use the equipment you already have set up. If they are caring for your puppy in their home, bringing your puppy’s crate, bed, and toys along for the visit will help them feel secure and bring consistency to the experience.
Routine
Even an experienced pet sitter should be brought up to speed on your puppy’s regular routine. They realistically cannot always follow it exactly but should come as close as possible. If your puppy sleeps beautifully in his crate at night and the sitter invites the puppy onto their bed at night, this will be disastrous for you upon your return. Be sure that you go over everything in advance and set the expectations.
Training
Your pet sitter may or may not offer basic training as part of their service, but maintaining the important things are key. Housetraining, crate training, socialization, physical and mental exercise, and non-reinforcement of typical puppy behaviors are the most important. Don’t be surprised if there is some setback upon your return. This is normal for a puppy after having been in a new environment, especially if they have been in the care of a sitter. But it will still be easier then when you first brought her home and you will be back in the groove in no time.
Puppy owners have a number of options when vacationing in the summer. Planning in advance and ensuring routines as much as possible will help ensure a smoother transition.