The holiday is booked, the ferry tickets are bought, and the suitcases are out of the loft — the countdown to summer holidays is upon us! But now you’re compiling your “to-do” list for going away, it’s time to turn your thoughts to how this will affect your dog.

Our dogs can be creatures of habit, and while we humans take a change of scenery in our stride, it can be quite unsettling for our canine companions. A weekend away, moving house, a change of walking route, or visiting a friend’s house — these are all unfamiliar environments that can unsettle your pooch.

As a dog trainer, I often see confident and well-trained dogs who struggle when they’re taken out of their routine and are expected to adapt on the fly. It’s not disobedience causing it — it’s because change, even good change, can be overwhelming for our dogs.

But never fear — I have good news. With a bit of prep on your part, plus some empathy and clear and consistent support, you can help your dog feel secure and happy no matter where you wind up!

Why do dogs struggle with new places?

Dogs really thrive on routine, predictability, and structure. They are happiest when they know what to expect from their environment. But when we inadvertently change the rules by putting them in a strange environment — a busy pub, a holiday cottage, or a noisy family party — their senses are overwhelmed with unfamiliar sounds, smells and sights. Their routine is out the window, and the clear boundaries they are used to are now unclear. Then add new people, dogs, or animals, and the social stress just adds to the pressure.

Some dogs naturally take it in their stride, and some go into meltdown mode. Some dogs might start excessively sniffing, pacing, yawning or licking their lips, stretching or being frozen to the spot. Others may bark and whine, or they may stick to your side like glue. Some just shut down entirely. These are all signs that your dog is trying to adapt but may need a little extra help from you.

Start with familiar comforts

Dogs rely so much on scent in all aspects of how they process the world, and no more so than when they are seeking comfort. We’ve all heard the information about sending puppies to their new homes with a blanket that smells like their mum. It’s so they have something that smells like their mum to comfort them in those first lonely nights without their littermates.

One of the most helpful things you can do when going away is to bring something with you that will smell familiar to your dog. Their bed, their cosy blanket, and a couple of their favourite toys fit the bill perfectly. Having somewhere that smells like home — and you — will help make unfamiliar environments feel safer and help your dog relax from the outset.

Your calm energy sets the tone

I hate to be the bearer of an uncomfortable truth, but our dogs really do feed off our energy! So, if you’re a ball of anxious energy, your dog likely will be too.

To help settle yourself and your dog, try and arrive anywhere new a little early so you can calm yourself and approach the new environment with a level head. If your dog needs some time to decompress, let them spend some quiet time in the car for a few minutes (being mindful of ventilation and supervision in warm weather). Movement and sniffing will naturally help to calm them before they are expected to settle down, so a short walk can really help them shake off any anxiety.

Let your dog take it in at their own pace

Allow your dog space to slowly take in the new environment at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Put yourself in their paws — it’s like walking into a crowded room where everyone is speaking a different language to you. Let them observe the space and read the tone of the room, and do a general scan of what’s going on. Once they’ve settled their nerves and feel comfortable, they will explore and say hi to everyone.

Don’t rush them into engaging with new people, pets, or surroundings — give them space and they’ll do that when they’re ready. Let them take a minute to watch the new goings on around them and leave them to explore in their own time.

Give them some grace to tackle things on their terms.

Reinforce familiar routines in unfamiliar spaces

Another good tool is to bring the familiar routines of home to the new environment. If you use the “settle” cue with your dog, or they have a particular mat or towel that they relax on, bring that with you to the new place. Use some basic cues — such as sit, down or touch — to focus their attention and then reward them when their focus is on you. Also, bring their usual bowl and toys with you so that they have a bit of home in their new space.

These small steps help to reaffirm to your dog that they have done this before, they know what to do, and they are safe.

Keep it short and positive

Work to keep your own expectations in check, especially if this is one of the first times you’ve taken your dog to a new place. Don’t assume your dog will be happy to settle straight away, and to begin with, keep the new experiences short and positive. It’s always best to leave a little early while your dog is in a good frame of mind to finish on a high, rather than to push their limits and make the whole experience a negative memory. Finishing on a good note also keeps things positive to carry into the next session.

Reward the calm moments

Watch your dog for moments of calm, and take the opportunity to reward them. When they settle quietly, check in with you, or show signs of relaxing, acknowledge it to make sure they know they’re doing the right thing. A quiet word of praise, a treat, or some gentle physical contact (if that’s what they enjoy) reinforces these good behaviours and helps your dog to associate the environment with feeling good and having a nice experience.

Know when to call it a day

Every dog is different, and some need more time than others to get used to a new place. And this is totally ok!

Even with the best preparation, a new environment can be just too overwhelming on a given day, and it’s important to remember that calling time on it is not failure. By listening to your dog’s cues and body language, your dog will quickly learn that you will always advocate for them and their comfort. This is a huge bonding and trust-building lesson for your dog and will serve you time and time again throughout your dog’s life.

Practice makes perfect — and builds confidence

If you’re not sure how your dog will react to new places, start small and work your way up. No positive experience is wasted time, and the more small and positive experiences you have together, the more you’re setting your dog up to succeed.

Some ideas for smaller experiences are to visit a friend’s house for a quick coffee, explore a new park together, or take a short drive in the car. This will help teach your dog that new doesn’t automatically mean scary — it’s just different! And different can be safe, exciting, and a lot of fun!

Final thoughts

Dogs aren’t robots, so the aim isn’t to build a dog who can deal with everything perfectly on the first go.

It’s to create a dog that feels safe enough to try new things out, and secure enough in their bond with you to trust the process. This is what truly builds confidence for your dog.

Variety is the spice of life, and change can be a wonderful thing — but only when it feels safe. With a little time and thought, you can help your dog meet new experiences with curiosity instead of fear, and confidence instead of confusion.

If you’ve recently helped your dog adapt to a new experience and want to share your story, I’d love to hear it.

Or if you’re looking for extra support with your dog, whether it’s laying strong foundations with a new puppy or working through specific challenges with an adult dog, I offer one-off training sessions tailored to your needs.

These are designed to give you practical tools and to set you and your dog up for long-term success. Get in touch to book your session or find out how I can help.

Until next time, happy training — and here’s to calm, confident dogs wherever life takes them.

Oh, are here are a few photos of Rebel on his recent boating holiday which inspired this blog!

How to settle your dog into new experiences and places