Can I leave my dog alone when I'm on holiday?
Collette May 
When it comes to holidays, leaving the dog home alone is definitely not an option.
I hate the Home Alone films. As a parent, the idea that you could completely forget your 8-year-old child and accidentally leave them behind as you head to the airport on holiday is beyond absurd.
Dogs are just as much part of the family as are our kids. But unlike Kevin, who somehow managed to have great fun binging on junk food, jumping on the furniture and rigging the house with various booby traps to catch those pesky burglars, when it comes to holidays, leaving the dog home alone is definitely not an option.
If you are going away for a night, weekend or long break, you'll need to make arrangements for someone to take care of your pups. Whether it's a pet or house sitter, dog boarding or kennels, or family friend or relative.
Of course, the best solution if you are staying in the UK, is to find some dog-friendly accommodation, like the cottages here at Mid Wales Holidays, and take your dog with you!
There are tons of benefits to taking your dog on holiday with you, rather than leaving them in kennels. Mainly it’s less stressful for your dog, but it’s also more cost-effective as kennel, dog boarding or house sitting fees can quickly rack up if you’re away for a long period of time.
From a human point of view too, you get to enjoy the holiday together without having to worry about how they’re getting on. And after all, our dogs on average only get to enjoy 10 summers, so make the most of the time you have with them and be sure to create memories which will last forever.
At Mid Wales Holidays, we understand that your dog is an important member of your family, which is why both of our self-catering cottages are dog-friendly and guests get access to our 15 acres of private fields and woodland which have been designed with dog training and enjoyment in mind.
If I take my dog on holiday with me, can I leave them at the holiday accommodation while I go out?
Even if you have decided to take your pup with you on a dog-friendly staycation, you might still be wondering if you can leave them alone when you go out.
The answer is, it depends on the rules set by the cottage owner, accommodation provider or Airbnb host, and even if you are permitted to leave your dog, there are some important things you will need to consider.
When it comes to leaving your dog alone, it's important to consider the maximum amount of time that they can be left alone and keep this in mind when planning your day.
While it can vary depending on the individual dog and their needs, according to the RSPCA, dogs should not be left alone for more than four hours at a time. Any longer than that and they may become distressed, bored or destructive.
It's also worth noting that some dogs may suffer from separation anxiety, which can make leaving them alone a stressful experience for both you and your pet. If you're concerned about this, it's a good idea to speak with your vet to discuss potential solutions or consider hiring a professional dog behaviourist who uses positive-reinforcement-only methods to help your dog overcome their anxiety.
With all of this in mind, here at Mid Wales Holidays, we allow dogs to be left crated in the cottages for short periods of time, provided that they are happy being left. If you know that your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you must make alternative arrangements to ensure that they're comfortable and not distressed while you're away. There is more information on our dog-sitting services towards the end of this article.
Getting your dog to settle in a holiday cottage.
If you know your dogs don’t have separation anxiety and are happy and able to leave them, it is well worth ensuring that you give your dog time to get used to the accommodation before heading out for the day, or evening.
Ideally, you would spend quality time with them on the first day and have one night in with them to give them the opportunity to explore the surrounding and get familiar with where they’re staying. By doing this, you can help to reduce any anxiety or stress that your dog may feel when they are left alone.
It can also be helpful if your dog is tired from a morning of exercise and training, which is easy to do at Mid Wales Holidays where you have access to 15-acres of private fields and woodlands. Giving your dog time to sniff, work their brain and run around before you leave, means they're more likely to settle and be comfortable while you're away.
Some dogs will also benefit from having access to something to chew while you’re away such as a Kong. These can be filled with any food and frozen to provide your dog with mental stimulation, keeping boredom at bay. You know your dog and should only ever provide something they will not risk choking or hurting themselves on in your absence.
If I don’t want to leave my dog, what dog-friendly activities and things to do are there in Mid Wales?
If you're looking for things to do with your dog in Mid Wales, there are plenty of options.
If you are looking for some stunning woodland walks and hikes then Hafren Forest is just a stone’s throw from Mid Wales Holidays. Perfect for dog walks, there are several trails starting from the main car park including one which takes you right to the source of the River Severn on Pumlumon.
You can explore Elan Valley which takes in the stunning scenery of the Elan Estate, Caban Coch reservoir and Garreg Ddu viaduct. Located just 30 mins away from our holiday cottages, there's a real mix of walking trails, whether you just want a leisurely scenic stroll with the dogs or a more challenging hike. Mobile phone signal is very poor on all networks in this area, which is perfect if you need an excuse to switch off for a few hours!
Another great option is Ynyslas Beach, which is around an hour’s scenic drive from Mid Wales Holidays - the route is incredibly picturesque! Ynyslas has miles of golden beach and sand dunes and is lovely spot for walking with the dogs - although there are some restrictions in place from May to the end of September. There's also a visitor centre with a shop and toilet facilities, plus parking.
Further afield there are many other dog-friendly walks and attractions, such as the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Cambrian Mountains.
And if you're looking for a bite to eat, there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in the area, such as the Mount Inn and 1894 both in Llandiloes, around 10 minutes away from our cottages. These establishments welcome dogs with open arms, allowing you to enjoy a meal or a drink without having to leave your pup behind.
What if I want to go somewhere which isn’t dog-friendly or if I know I will be out for longer than 4 hours?
If your dog has separation anxiety or struggles to settle in new places, or for those times when you want to go somewhere that doesn't allow dogs, or if you want to be out for longer than four hours, it's important to consider hiring a dog sitter.
At Mid Wales Holidays, your host Collette May offers dog-sitting services, which means that you can enjoy a day out knowing that your pet is in safe hands. Colette has been a professional dog trainer, walker and sitter for over 10 years. She is qualified with the IMDT, an accredited Gundog Club Instructor and promotes the use of positive-reinforcement-only methods.
In summary, it is possible to leave your dog alone when you're on holiday, but it's important to take their needs into consideration and make suitable arrangements. This requires a little bit of extra planning, but with some preparation, you can enjoy your time away with peace of mind knowing that your pup is safe and happy.
