Dog Behaviour on Holiday

Dogs don't always behave the same on holiday as they do at home. New environments, different routines, and unfamiliar stimuli can affect even the calmest dog. Understanding why behaviour changes occur and how to manage them helps create better holidays for everyone.

Why Behaviour Changes on Holiday

The New Environment

Everything Is Different:

• New smells (hundreds of them)
• Unfamiliar sounds
• Different space configuration
• No familiar territory markers
• Other dogs' scent history

Dog's Perspective: Your dog has no context for the new place. Every instinct tells them to investigate, assess for threats, and establish themselves.

Routine Disruption

What Changes:

• Different wake and sleep times
• Meal timing may shift
• Walk routes entirely new
• No familiar daily pattern
• Activity levels different

Impact: Routine provides security. When it disappears, some dogs become unsettled.

Travel Stress

Residual Effects:

• Long car journeys
• New experiences
• Confinement
• Excitement/anxiety buildup

Recovery: Dogs may need time to decompress after travel before returning to normal behaviour.

Common Behaviour Changes

Hyperactivity and Excitement

What You See:

• Can't settle
• Constant exploration
• Excessive energy
• Won't rest

Why It Happens:

• Overstimulation from new environment
• Excitement about new smells/places
• Disrupted routine
• No familiar "settling" cues

Management:

• More exercise than usual initially
• Enforced rest periods
• Familiar items for comfort
• Calm environment
• Time to adjust

Restlessness and Anxiety

What You See:

• Pacing
• Whining
• Following you constantly
• Unable to relax
• Wanting to leave

Why It Happens:

• Uncertainty about new environment
• Missing home comfort
• Travel stress not recovered
• Overwhelm from stimulation

Management:

• Stay calm yourself
• Familiar bedding and items
• Predictable routine
• Don't make a fuss
• Time and patience

House Training Regression

What You See:

• Accidents indoors
• Forgetting training
• Marking behaviour
• Asking to go out more frequently

Why It Happens:

• New space = new rules in dog's mind
• Stress affects bladder/bowels
• May be marking new territory
• Confusion about where "outside" is

Management:

• Frequent toilet breaks initially
• Praise outdoor toileting
• Clean accidents without fuss
• Show them the garden/outside area
• Be patient - usually resolves quickly

Changes in Sleep

What You See:

• Difficulty settling at night
• Waking in the night
• Sleeping more than usual
• Changed sleep location preference

Why It Happens:

• New sleeping environment
• Unfamiliar sounds
• Missing usual bed/location
• Exhaustion from stimulation

Management:

• Familiar bedding essential
• Same sleep routine if possible
• Acceptable sleep location decided
• May take a night or two to settle

Appetite Changes

What You See:

• Eating less than usual
• Eating more than usual
• Food pickiness
• Gulping food

Why It Happens:

• Stress reduces appetite
• Excitement may increase it
• New environment = uncertainty
• Different feeding location/routine

Management:

• Keep food consistent (don't change diet)
• Maintain feeding times
• Don't worry about slight reduction
• Offer familiar treats
• Usually normalises within days

Increased Reactivity

What You See:

• More reactive to dogs/people/sounds
• Lower tolerance
• More barking
• More anxious in situations usually handled

Why It Happens:

• General stress lowers threshold
• New environment feels less safe
• Overstimulation
• Cumulative stress

Management:

• Avoid known triggers if possible
• Lower expectations initially
• Quiet walks and activities
• Don't push boundaries
• Give space to decompress

Clinginess

What You See:

• Following you constantly
• Anxious when you leave the room
• Wanting to be closer than usual
• Shadowing behaviour

Why It Happens:

• You're the constant in new environment
• Uncertainty drives attachment
• Checking you're still there
• Normal coping mechanism

Management:

• Accept it initially
• Don't encourage excessively
• Gradually promote independence
• Provide security
• Usually reduces as dog settles

Day-by-Day Adjustment

Day One

What to Expect:

• Most exploration
• Most excitement or anxiety
• Least likely to settle
• Possible house training issues
• Sleep may be disrupted

Your Approach:

• Let them explore accommodation
• Establish toilet area
• Keep calm
• Short walk to orient
• Early night

Day Two

What to Expect:

• Starting to understand space
• Some settling possible
• Routine beginning to form
• Sleep usually better
• Still elevated behaviour

Your Approach:

• Establish routine
• Normal activities
• Patience
• Familiar patterns

Day Three and Beyond

What to Expect:

• Significant settling
• Understanding the routine
• Normal behaviour returning
• Relaxation increasing

Your Approach:

• Normal holiday activities
• Enjoy the trip
• Maintain routine
• Your dog has adjusted

Helping Dogs Settle

Before Arrival

Preparation:

• Bring familiar items
• Plan first day
• Know the routine you'll establish
• Realistic expectations

On Arrival

First Actions:

1. Toilet break outside
2. Let dog explore on lead
3. Show them key areas
4. Set up their bed
5. Keep calm

Establishing Routine

What Helps:

• Consistent meal times
• Regular walk times
• Predictable pattern
• Familiar activities

Creating Security

Comfort Items:

• Own bed or blanket
• Familiar toys
• Item with home smell
• Consistent presence

Specific Situations

First Holiday

What to Expect: Everything is new. May take longer to settle. Lower expectations.

Approach: Extra patience. Don't plan too much. Let dog adjust.

New Environment Each Night

Touring/Moving Around: Harder to settle. Each night starts again. Consider longer stays.

Multiple Dogs

Pack Dynamics: May change in new environment. Watch for tension. Ensure each dog has space.

See our Travelling with Multiple Dogs guide.

Anxious Dogs

Special Consideration: May struggle more. Need more time. May not fully settle.

See our Travelling with Anxious Dogs guide.

When Behaviour Doesn't Improve

Signs Something Is Wrong

Seek Help If:

• Severe distress that doesn't reduce
• Complete food refusal beyond day one
• Extreme behaviour change
• Signs of illness
• Self-harm or destructive behaviour
• You're concerned

Options

What to Do:

• Consider shorter trip
• Return home if necessary
• Contact vet if health concern
• Don't push through distress
• Learn for next time

Prevention

Building Travel Confidence

Before Holidays:

• Practice overnight stays
• Car journey exposure
• New environment experience
• Positive associations with travel

Choosing Appropriate Holidays

Match to Your Dog:

• Right duration
• Appropriate destination
• Suitable accommodation
• Realistic activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog acting differently on holiday?

New environment, disrupted routine, travel stress, and unfamiliar stimuli all affect behaviour. Most dogs settle within 2-3 days.

Is it normal for house training to slip?

Yes, common in new environments. Frequent toilet breaks and patience usually resolve it quickly.

How long does it take dogs to settle?

Usually 2-3 days for significant settling. First day is typically hardest.

Should I stick to our home routine?

As much as possible. Familiar patterns provide security.

Why is my dog more reactive than usual?

Stress lowers threshold. New environment makes them feel less secure. Usually improves as they settle.

What if my dog doesn't settle at all?

Some dogs struggle with travel. Consider shorter trips, different accommodation types, or whether travel suits your specific dog.

Understanding Creates Better Holidays

Behaviour changes on holiday are normal. Understanding why they happen and how to manage them creates better experiences for everyone. Most dogs settle within a few days and thoroughly enjoy their adventures.

Pack familiar items. Establish routine. Be patient. Enjoy the holiday.

Luke has observed various behaviours from Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly on holidays. Understanding each dog's adjustment pattern helps create successful trips for the whole pack.