How Do You Travel With a Reactive Dog? Real Tips From Real Dog Owners

Travelling with a reactive dog isn’t as simple as booking a flight, packing their favourite toy, and a couple of calming supplements.

If you have a dog that 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.

The good news is that it is possible. While it may be a daunting event, you really just need the right plan, the right support, and a bit of patience (maybe mixed with a beta blocker).

I've just recently updated this guide as we moved to Croatia in October. I used to constantly research new ways that we could take our giant breed reactive dog on holidays, and while that was always a bit of a test in the busier areas of England, we've now accomplished something way bigger.

For context, our reactive dog is a giant breed and she can be pretty boisterous, and is stranger-reactive, so overall, she's a handful.

During my initial research for this blog, I had been gathering real stories and practical advice from reactive dog owners who’ve faced the dilemma of travelling with a reactive dog, alongside my own experiences.

So, buckle in for the trip! 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, especially for those of us with stranger-reactive dogs.

I'm updating this blog as of December 2025 after our 20-hour long road trip to Croatia from Cambridgeshire, where we travelled with our two dogs, one of which is stranger and dog-reactive.

We used the Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle), which I was extraordinarily nervous about due to the Pet Check-In that was required. Retrospectively, I'm super proud of both of our dogs. Our reactive girl did surprisingly well during the process, but I do pin our success down to a few key recommendations and tips that I have learned over the of being a reactive dog owner.

Before the Trip

• Book pet-friendly stays where you have confirmed private, enclosed gardens or large spaces that allow for a long-line set-up. During our road trip, we focused on Airbnb properties that were on the edge of villages and towns, that also had a decent block of land. If you're booking places like this, just be aware that it is more likely that neighbours may have outdoor dogs with access to the fenceline, or there may be neighbourhood dogs that have an inclination to bark.
• Stick to your regular routine as much as possible. We all know that reactive dogs thrive off routine due to the hardwiring in their brains linking predictability with safety. We have established a routine using the “1-2-3” Game, which is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety and calm your dog. This is especially important to set in place before a holiday or road trip, as your pup will recognise the routine pattern and associate the game with this sense of normalcy and safety. An added bonus is that it is great for bonding.
• Find puzzle toys and high-value enrichment items and treats to help your pup settle. Once of our favourite tools are the Coomazy Licky Mats, which we spread peanut butter and salmon oil on. Licking has a natural soothing effect on dogs, so a licky mat is a great place to start if you haven't yet ventured into puzzle toy territory for your reactive dog.

During the Trip

• Stick to road trips, rather than attempting to take trains or other public transport, unless totally necessary.
• Rest stops should have open picnic spaces that allow you to take your dog for a walk in nature. Let them sniff everything so that they can expend some energy.
• Use puzzle feeders that mentally stimulate your pup. If your dog is food-oriented, this is a fantastic way to help them focus on an immediate task, rather than the unknowns that surround them.
• 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.
• High-value treats are a must-have for our reactive dog. She is extremely visual and will hyper fixate on people outside the car if given the chance. Every time she does this, we reward her for not barking.

“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.”

2. Should You Leave Your Reactive Dog 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. We recommend not just using a generic pet sitter, but someone who is willing to do a meet-and-greet, and understands the requirements and limitations of your pup.

“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 ourselves and reactive dog owners swear by:

• Train a trusted friend or family member over time. Set clear, simple routines: feed, walk, potty. If your dog does not like affection, ensure that this person understands their boundaries. Slow introductions 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 use 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 and if they can, 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 [look after our dog], 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 while staying in unfamiliar spaces. While staying in a property an hour away from home isn't the most exciting thing in the world, I genuinely recommend trying it to broaden the horizons for an anxious pup. You can maintain normal routines in a different space, which can help build your pup's confidence.

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.

-

Some links on TheBarkBlog are affiliate links. That means if you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a little commission (at no extra cost to you!). Think of it as buying me a virtual coffee. I only recommend things I genuinely love and think you'll enjoy too. Thanks for your support and happy reading!