Dog owners urged against making sad mistake when going on holiday

If you have a pet there’s one mistake you could be making when you go on holiday that could be causing your dog distress. If you want to save your dog from feelings of confusion, this habit you may have while on holiday could be creating issues for your pet rather than helping them.

A dog behavioural expert at Canine Instructor Academy wants help pet owners make the most out of their communication with pets when on holiday abroad. One piece of advice issued to dog owners is to try not to call too often. Although it may make you feel better to call five times a day, for some dogs, it feels like you abandon them again every time you end the call, so they can become unsettled.

Again, check your indoor camera and see how your dog is coping after each call. If they’re being left with someone who is holding the phone, they can, of course, let you know how the dog reacts post-call.

Another tip is to recognise when video calling is not right for your dog. Some dogs may find it confusing to hear their owner’s voice but not be able to find them.

If you have an indoor camera on, you can see how they react after you disconnect. If they seem a bit out of sorts, perhaps video calling is not for them.

Looking at the main motivations for calling their four-legged friends, half of pet owners (50%) believe their pet can recognise their voice on the phone.

O2 has partnered with Rob Alleyne, dog behavioural trainer and founder of Canine Instructor Academy who advises when talking, speak calmly and soothingly.

As much as some owners convince themselves that their dog understands every word that they say, they really don’t.

Instead, tone of voice is what’s important. Excitable, high-pitched voices will arouse the dog, increasing the likelihood of them becoming anxious and frustrated when you hang up. Instead, adopt a calm, soothing tone to help keep your pet calm.

New research by O2 has shown that 48% of pet owners video call their pets while on holiday but unexpected roaming charges have racked up costs for people calling their dogs.

According to the research, 44% of Brits plan to travel more this summer than last year, so O2 is reminding holidaymakers to check their mobile network’s roaming policy before they travel, ensuring they can check in with their pets without breaking the bank.