Le Carnet · With your dog
Leaving your dog alone in a holiday rental
By L'équipe de La Demeure des Dix · Published on · Updated on
A museum visit, a restaurant dinner, a morning at the market: during a holiday, your dog cannot always come with you. The question then becomes very practical: can you leave your dog alone in the rental, and how do you make it go well, both for your dog and for the house?
Here is some general and careful advice that applies to most dogs and most rentals. It does not replace the advice of your vet, who knows your dog. At the end of the article, you will find what applies specifically at La Demeure des Dix.
Before booking: check the rental’s rules
Rentals do not all have the same policy. Some welcome dogs but ask that they are never left alone; others allow it without any particular condition. Read the rule published by the rental and, if in doubt, ask in writing before booking. A clear answer avoids an unpleasant surprise on the day you go out.
Also mention your dog when you book. It is the basis of a relaxed stay: the house knows who is arriving, and you know what has been planned for your dog.
Help your dog settle into a new place
A dog that stays alone happily at home can be unsettled in an unfamiliar place. The smells, the noises and the layout of the rooms are all new. Take time to walk around the house with your dog when you arrive, and show where the water, blanket and bed are.
If you can, avoid a long absence on the first day. Start with a short one, such as a quick shopping trip, then see how your dog behaves when you come back. This simple test tells you more than any general rule.
- Bring your dog’s usual things: bed or blanket, bowls, familiar toys.
- Keep meal and walk times as close to normal as possible.
- Choose a quiet room where your dog can rest while you are out.
- Put away anything tempting or dangerous: food, bags, cables, cleaning products.
Before you go out: a walk, water and toys
A good walk before you leave helps your dog burn off energy and relieve itself. A dog that has walked, sniffed and played rests more easily afterwards.
Leave enough fresh water in a stable bowl. Add one or two toys your dog knows, preferably ones that cannot be swallowed. Leave and come back calmly, without long goodbyes: it helps your dog understand that your absence is normal and that you will be back.
A reasonable length of time, suited to your dog
There is no single length of time that suits every dog. It depends on age, health, habits and how well your dog copes alone. A puppy, an older dog or a dog on its first holiday does not have the same needs as an experienced adult.
Your dog remains the best guide. If your dog is calm when you return, the house is in order and there has been no long barking, the absence was suitable. If you see signs of stress, shorten the next absences and talk to your vet.
Keep a vet’s number to hand
Before you travel, note the number of your usual vet and of a vet close to where you are staying. That way, if anything worries you during your absence or when you return, you know straight away whom to call.
Save these numbers in your phone and share them with the others in your group. If your dog is on treatment, bring the medication and the prescription.
Never alone in a car
This is the most important rule, and it applies all year round. The French Ministry of Agriculture asks owners not to leave their animal shut in a vehicle, even for a moment, even with enough water and the windows slightly open. The UK government gives the same message: dogs should never be left in cars by themselves, and leaving the windows open with a bowl of water is not enough.
If your dog cannot come with you on a visit, it is better to leave your dog in the house, prepared as described above, than in a car in a car park.
Checklist before leaving your dog alone
A summary to keep in mind on the day you go out.
| Step | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Rental rules | Check in writing that your dog may stay alone. |
| Arrival | Walk around the house together and set up your dog’s things. |
| First try | Start with a short absence and observe. |
| Before you leave | A walk, fresh water, one or two toys. |
| Safety | Put away food, cables and cleaning products. |
| Emergency | Have the number of a vet close to the rental. |
| Car | Never leave your dog alone in it, even for a moment. |
What applies at La Demeure des Dix
Dogs welcome with no size or weight limit and no breed excluded. Your dog may stay alone in the house. One dog per stay, more on a case-by-case basis.
The garden is enclosed and covers around 1,500 m², so your dog can let off steam before you go out and when you come back. The house sleeps 10 people, around 20 minutes from Rouen. A supplement of €50 per dog per stay applies; simply mention your dog when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Can you leave your dog alone in a holiday rental?
Yes, if the rental’s rules allow it and your dog is used to staying alone. Check the rule in writing before booking, prepare your dog gradually and start with a short absence. At La Demeure des Dix, your dog may stay alone in the house, which has an enclosed garden.
Can you leave your dog in the car during a visit?
No. The French Ministry of Agriculture and the UK government both advise never leaving a dog alone in a car, even for a moment, even with water and the windows slightly open. Plan a visit where dogs are allowed, or leave your dog calm and prepared in the rental.
How long can you leave your dog alone?
There is no single answer: it depends on your dog’s age, health and habits. Start with short absences in the new place, watch how your dog behaves when you come back and ask your vet for advice if you have any doubt about what suits your dog.
Can your dog stay alone at La Demeure des Dix?
Yes. Dogs welcome with no size or weight limit and no breed excluded. Your dog may stay alone in the house. One dog per stay, more on a case-by-case basis. The enclosed garden covers around 1,500 m², and you simply mention your dog when you book.