Yep, we all know it -- travelling with a reactive dog isn’t as simple as booking a flight and packing their favourite toy. If you’ve got a dog who struggles with reactivity (whether that’s barking at strangers, fear-based aggression, or a general wariness of new environments), even a quick weekend away can feel pretty overwhelming.
But the good news is that it is possible. You just need the right plan, the right support, and a whole lot of patience.
I'm constantly researching new ways that we can bring our giant breed reactive dog on holidays. She's big and she can be pretty boisterous, and is stranger-reactive, so overall, she can be quite a handful. Along our research journey, we've been gathering real stories and practical advice from reactive dog owners who’ve faced this exact dilemma -- from road-tripping with a muzzled trail buddy to training a dog sitter months in advance. Here's what we’ve learned.
1. Can You Travel With Your Reactive Dog?
For many people, bringing their dog along is the best (and sometimes only) option. But it does come with conditions.
“Short answer, we take him with us, but there's a lot of planning and compromise. We only go places with dog-friendly outdoor activities.”
If your dog travels well in the car, doesn’t get overly anxious in new places, and can be left alone for short periods in a dog-friendly hotel or Airbnb -- this might be your best route. Some of the key tips we found:
- Stick to road trips -- trains and other public transport can be a nightmare for reactive dogs.
- Choose rural or nature-based getaways with wider paths, larger spaces, and fewer triggers.
- Keep walks on-lead, and use a muzzle if needed. If we aren't familiar with an area, we'll always put a muzzle on our reactive girl. Although a location may be marked as "on-lead only", many dog owners are oblivious to the restrictions and let their dog roam off-lead, exclaiming "don't worry, he's friendly!" to every passerby.
- Bring their favourite, high-value enrichment treats and toys to help them settle. One of our favourites is smearing peanut butter and salmon oil on a Coomazy Licky Mat.
- Stick to their regular routine as much as possible. The “1-2-3” Game is a fantastic way to establish a predictable routine that helps calm your dog.
- Book pet-friendly stays where you’re allowed to leave them alone -- just make sure you read any terms and conditions that may place restrictions on you or your pup.
For the ultra-prepared, you may also consider portable pet cameras so you can check in on them while you're out.
2. Should You Leave Them at Home?
If taking your dog just isn’t feasible, the next best thing is to arrange care that’s tailored to your dog’s needs -- not just a generic sitter.
“We have 1–2 ‘safe’ friends who come over for training months in advance… We teach them not to touch him, just feed, walk, and repeat.”
Here are a few options reactive dog owners swear by:
- Train a trusted friend or family member over time. Set clear, simple routines: feed, walk, potty -- no affection needed. Slow intros are key.
- Hire a professional (think fear-free certified sitters or behaviour-savvy vet techs). It’s more expensive, but far less stressful for everyone involved.
- Use in-home boarding or no-contact kennels. Some high-end facilities specialise in caring for reactive dogs with private areas, no forced interaction, and hands-off handling. They often come recommended by vets.
“My boarding facility has a 'no contact' option with private indoor/outdoor space. It’s pricey, but totally worth it.”
If we're on a holiday where we can't take our dogs, we typically arrange for a family member to stay over. Failing this, we actually found a dog walker who provides house sitting and visits, that we invited over a couple of times prior to them looking after our reactive dog. We did this so that we could discuss our dogs' needs, monitor a slow introduction, and some hand-feeding to establish a connection between our reactive dog and the sitter.
3. Planning Makes All the Difference
Whether you’re bringing your pup or booking a sitter, planning ahead is non-negotiable.
Start with these questions:
- What are your dog’s biggest triggers?
- How do they cope with new people or places?
- Can they be left alone? For how long?
- Is their anxiety manageable with medication (speak to your vet)?
- Who can you really trust to handle them safely?
“I’m currently introducing my dog to a vet tech over multiple sessions. Pricey, but way more comfortable than asking friends.”
Also? Keep it short to start. One owner shared that their dog managed a 10-day trip… but showed signs of stress by the end. It’s okay to work your way up.
4. When In Doubt, Staycation
While this is probably everyone's least favourite option, sometimes the kindest (and most relaxing) thing to do is to skip the travel altogether -- for now.
“If my friend can’t do it, we just don’t go. Not worth the stress on her or us.”
There’s no shame in staying close to home or even booking a quiet Airbnb nearby just for a change of scenery. You can build up to more adventurous trips as your dog’s comfort level grows.
You Can Travel With a Reactive Dog With the Right Plan
Travelling with a reactive dog isn’t impossible -- but it does look different. And that’s totally fine.
Whether you’re training up a trusted friend, road-tripping with a carefully planned route, or investing in specialised care, it all comes down to understanding your dog’s unique needs. With a bit of patience, preparation, and a solid Plan B (...and maybe C), you can make it work -- and even enjoy it.
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