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When first meeting with your dogs matched approved carer, bear in mind that the person will be new to them as well as you and the environment will be strange to them. Some dogs, whilst well socialised out on walks, may not be used to visiting other people`s homes. Always arrange a 1st meeting in daylight hours & never feel you have to rush the visit. If the carer has a dog of their own, no matter how friendly and accepting they are of other dogs both your dogs and theirs is, for your dog as the visitor to be faced with a door opening and a strange dog suddenly appearing can be frightening or threatening, particularly if the carers dog is blocking the door. For this reason we ask all carers to meet you & your dog first before allowing their dog to come forward. An excellent way to ensure calm first introductions is to wait outside with your own dog on a lead away from the door (if there are two of you preferably with one person standing back or even keep your dog in the car until the door has been answered). You can then make human introductions first & agree the best way forward to make introductions for both dogs. You may want to express your prediction as to how your dog will react, giddy, bouncy, timid at first & tell the carer if this is normal or not. It is also suggested that you take both dogs for a short walk together before entering the carer`s home. This will give yourself and the carer a chance to ascertain whether there are likely to be any obvious clashes and also give both dogs time to get used to the other on neutral territory, which should then make entering the house together much easier. This is a good time to casually chat about your dog too & ask questions. If not taking a walk at least let the dogs free roam together around the garden before entering the house. Bearing in mind that your dogs may also have travelled be in a new territory & want to mark his/her place & this is best done outside rather than inside!

Once in the house allow your dog time to investigate and have a sniff around. Do watch again for signs of possible marking especially in male dogs, this can be completely out of character for your dog but does happen. Be aware that some dogs can be protective over resources such as beds, food bowls and toys when scared or faced with a stranger to this end the carer should have taken precautions to ensure that there is nothing left lying around which either dog may try to guard initially.

Allow your dog to go into the rooms which he/she will have access to during their stay, including outside into the carers garden. Try to remain relaxed as you can chat to your dog`s carer to put your dog feel at ease and see it as a day out. The more familiar they are with the new surroundings, the more calm they should be when they arrive for their holiday. If your dog is nervous, allow them to gently go to the carers when they are ready, letting the carer know the best you feel your dog reacts with new people. No carer should force affections on your dog but they will expect some interaction. If there are other members in the household children for example do ask if they are around to meet, all the time remaining calm. Sitting chatting to the carer over a cup of tea should allow everyone time to feel comfortable and gives you plenty of time to find out more about the carer & to tell them all about your dog & his/her home routine, likes & dislikes etc.

Preparing for your dog`s stay

Always ensure you have confirmed your booking with Holidays 4 Dogs by making your Booking fee payment & also returning your dog`s boarding agreement from. Just having met your carer & agreeing drop off does not mean your dog is booked in or expected. Make sure you have enough food & medication for the duration of your dog`s stay. Provide treats where necessary too & plan your dog`s packing.

Check list

• Food & any medication/treatment
• Your dogs bed clean but still smelling of home
• Favourite toys
• Any treats allowed
• Lead & extendable lead if used
• Clean bowls
• An item of your clothing or something that smells of you
• Crate if your dog uses one
• Car restraint/seat belt if your dog uses one
• Grooming brushes if used

Try to do your own packing out of the way of your dog & try to avoid letting them see your bags where possible as this can stress many dogs. Consider delivering your dog to your carer`s home before leaving your own home with suit cases etc. to minimise stress to your dog. When you leave your dog with your carer make your goodbyes affectionate but brief, say good bye & walk out of the house shutting the door behind you. The carer may want to hold onto your dog and distract them as you leave so exiting yourself can be helpful. Try to remember everything before you leave & avoid returning back to the house with anything you `forgot`. If there is anything you feel you forgot to say, call.

Do feel free to call your dog`s carer at any time to see how your dog is doing or opt for our new Blog update service at time of booking.

Arriving to drop off your dog

If possible please arrange to deliver your dog to its carer no later than mid-afternoon (especially if it is a 1st time stay) in order to allow plenty of time for him/her to settle and adjust to their new family before being left alone at bedtime. During this time, they should have walks, a meal and several visits outside to the garden so that they become well acquainted with where everything is, where access to toileting areas are and who`s who in the household.

Arrive as you did before this time knowing that you have met your dog`s carer & that they already have met you & your dog. You may be nervous about leaving your dog especially if this is your 1st time but do try not to convey your anxieties onto your dog, arrive with the feeling that this is a `day out`. You will be warmly invited into the house by your dog`s carer & offered where to place your dog`s requirements for the stay food, bed, treats etc. This should be off the floor so that any greedy or investigative dogs do not start tucking in! If your dog is giddy or nosy at first consider explaining or going back over care details with your dog`s carer before collecting your dog from the car so that all can concentrate on the matter in hand. Place your dogs bed where you think they`d best like to sleep arranging any special blankets of anything else you have brought to help to make your dog feel at home when they come for their stay. Try to find a nice quiet corner where the dog will feel safe but not excluded where they can watch what is going on around them but also retreat to if they feel the need for time out. Familiar beds, blankets, own bowls, any favourite toys or even an item of clothing which has recently been worn by you as comfort whilst you your dog is settling in. Please make sure all bedding is clean but not recently washed so that the `smell of home` is still retained.

When your dog arrives for their holiday, it is a requirement of Holidays 4 Dogs that they wear one of our identification discs at all times. Please assist the carer by attaching this to your dog`s collar before leaving them as they may find the act of someone they do not know fiddling with their collar, so close to their face, intrusive or worrying.

Some dogs can be protective around toys, this may not be the case with your dog but if you think it is place your dog`s toy in his bed and not on the floor in front of any other dogs that may pick them up.

It is not unusual for dogs to show signs of being a little un-relaxed initially when you leave as they are on unfamiliar territory and may well have picked up on your own anxiety or stress whilst packing for their holiday. This is usually only pacing or going back and forth to the front door & on most cases passes as soon as you have left & the carer distracts your dog by fussing him if this is what he likes, taking him to the garden once you have left & then taking him out on a lead walk.

The first night may feel strange for your dog but rest assured most dogs settle well even if it take a little longer for some. Your dog`s carer will always be within hearing distance or even closer at hand depending on your dog`s sleeping arrangements to firmly but kindly reassure them. If your dog is not used to closed doors at night this will have been discussed with your dog`s carer. If you are worried & have your own indoor gate do bring it along by arrangement with your dog`s carer. Similarly if your dog is used to & likes his indoor crate at night bring this along too.

Please make sure your dog is wearing a suitable collar on arrival that is tight enough to avoid them slipping out if they should pull away. A flexi-lead can provided if your dog is used to one giving them the opportunity to explore whilst still maintaining some control if the need arises. This is particularly important in parks/fields where other dogs or furry distractions may be around. Remember your dog`s carer will always walk your dog according to your instructions.

If you have a young puppy please inform your carer of all training methods you are using as your dog will be continually learning at that age so may easily become confused if there are changes to what he knows. If your pup is used to sleeping in a puppy cage please bring it along for your pup`s safety & for that of the carer`s home.

In conclusion Holidays 4 Dogs would like to assure you that your dog will be safe & extremely well looked after by your chosen approved carer who will do everything they possibly can to make your dog happy throughout his/her stay with us. Holidays 4 Dogs aims to provide complete peace of mind for every dog owner & a happy dog on your return on every occasion.