How to Pack for Your Holiday Without Your Dog Catching On (Good Luck With That!)

The Spaniel Sabotage Case Study

Take the adorable spaniel in this photo (ahem, her ladyship’s name withheld to protect her royal dignity). After we cared for her on a 3-week housesit, the poor dear sussed out that we were—gasp—packing to leave. What did she do? Took up residence inside the suitcase. An impressive act of passive resistance, really. Look at her: curled up like a furry fortification, daring us to remove her. We didn’t stand a chance.

It got me thinking. How do you pack for a holiday without your pet catching on? Spoiler alert: it’s nearly impossible, but here are a few tips that might at least delay the emotional fallout.

1. The Gradual Approach

Dogs are observant. If you drag out the suitcase in a sudden flourish, they’ll clock it faster than you can say “I’ll be back soon.” Instead:

• Bring it out casually—maybe leave it open for a day or two. A few treats “accidentally” dropped inside can make it seem harmless.
• If they’re really suspicious, let them sleep in it (like our determined spaniel friend). It’s adorable and buys you some goodwill.

2. Packing in Stages

For the love of all things furry, don’t cram-pack in one go. A slow, drip-feed approach works better:

• Pop a pair of socks in the case today.
• A shirt tomorrow.
• Trousers when they’re napping.
  They’ll sense something, but they won’t have enough evidence for a full canine investigation.

3. The Double Bluff

Dogs thrive on routine, so stick to it like your life depends on it. Morning walk? Don’t skip it. Dinner at 5? Don’t be late. Even as you sneakily fold holiday clothes behind their backs, act like everything is perfectly normal. Think MI6 operative meets dog owner: calm, confident, and just a touch sneaky.

4. Deploy Distraction Tactics

Distractions are essential:

• Toys: A new chew toy or puzzle can occupy them for minutes (hey, every second counts).
• Walkies: A long walk just before the packing frenzy can help tire them out. Bonus: fewer curious sniffs underfoot when you’re folding your swimsuits.
• Treats: Save the really special treats for when you need to zip the suitcase. A kong stuffed with peanut butter has been known to work miracles.

5. Call in Reinforcements

If you have a trusted friend, neighbour, or family member handy, get them to visit while you pack. This “social distraction” might be enough to buy you valuable suitcase-zipping time without a spaniel nosing her way into your holiday plans.

6. Leave Some Comfort Behind

Even though they’ll still miss you, leaving behind familiar comforts can make things easier:

• Their favourite blanket (preferably unwashed, so it smells like you).
• The jumper you wore yesterday—gently folded near their bed.
• A note of apology (okay, they can’t read, but you feel better, don’t you?).

7. Enlist a Housesitter Who Truly Gets It

Here’s the thing. Dogs love their humans, but they’re creatures of habit. The closer you can stick to their usual routine, the happier they’ll be while you’re away. A good housesitter will know this already: the long walks, the belly rubs, the nightly talks while you’re making tea.

Housesitters like us (not to toot our own horn, but… toot toot) make it our mission to keep your doggo’s spirits high. Because no one wants to come home to the Spaniel Suitcase Sit-In of Sadness, Part II.

In Conclusion: Accept Defeat (Sort Of)
No matter how stealthy you are, your dog will probably figure it out. Their intuition is stronger than our best-laid plans. But if you follow these tips—pack gradually, distract cleverly, and leave plenty of comforts—they’ll forgive you.

Just be warned: when you get back, there will be a reunion guilt trip. They’ll milk it for all it’s worth—and you’ll let them.

Because let’s be honest: they’re worth it, aren’t they?

Photo Credit: A-Breed-Apart Pet Services
We don’t just care for pets—we understand them, suitcase standoffs and all.

Looking for a trusted housesitter for your next trip? Get in touch—tail wags and stress-free holidays guaranteed.

Need guidance on choosing the ideal housesitter? See our advice here.