With the school summer holidays almost upon us, you may be thinking about getting away from it all. Sometimes we can take our four-legged friends away with us, but occasionally, they may need to stay behind.

If you are heading off on your holidays and are planning to place your dog in kennels, you could find yourself concerned about pet stress. Calming your pet down at home might be easy, but keeping them calm when you are travelling or when they are alone is much more challenging.

We have collected some top tips for helping your dogs suffer from less stress when going to kennels for their own little holiday. Read on to find out how to help your dog feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed – wherever they are!

Travelling troubles

Even before your dog gets to the kennels, they may struggle with the travelling element. If they are not used to going by car, you might find that your dog is sick and unhappy to be on the road for any length of time. Try to sit with your dog in the car if this is the case, provide them with a favourite toy and blanket to make them feel safe, and use natural calming wipes to help them feel less stressed and more attentive to you during their travel time.

New places

A new place can be scary for a dog, especially since you will not be there with them. Think ahead and make certain that they have their own possessions (such as bedding, toys, food bowls and familiar food) to make them feel more at home. If possible, visit the kennels with your dog ahead of time to help them feel more familiar with their new setting.

Less space

It is unlikely that you keep your dog crated for long stretches at home; perhaps when you work, or as a place for them to go when they are feeling anxious. However, in kennels, they will likely be staying in a much smaller space. This could be stressful and could lead to them feeling unhappy and frustrated. Make sure to select a kennel that offers as much freedom to roam as possible and plenty of exercise for your furry friend throughout the day.

You can also provide the staff at the kennels with the option of using a battery atomiser when your dog is staying in a pen. This is a natural way to calm your dog without using sedatives and immediately stops them from becoming worked up and unhappy.

Unfamiliar friends

If your dog is from a one pet household, they may struggle with being around other dogs in a kennel environment. Before selecting a kennel, check how many other dogs your pooch will be around, and ensure that your dog is well socialised in the run-up to heading off to kennels. They might love spending so much time around other dogs, but it never hurts to make sure they are used to a lot of company!

With all these tips, reducing your dog’s anxiety should be a lot easier and you can come home to a happy, healthy pup!

Shop our range of calming products here at Pet Remedy today to keep your dog relaxed during his kennel stay.