Lessons from The Road: Raising Resilient Dogs.

Well, if you follow me on social media, you probably know by now that I’m not in Spain anymore—at least not for the time being.

A few months ago, some work opportunities came up, and we loaded up all the dogs and hit the road. We drove from the very bottom of Spain, all the way through the country, across France, onto the Eurotunnel train, and up through England into Scotland—where we’ve made our home base for the summer.

But before I dive into what’s next, I want to pause and talk about something that matters to me—traveling with dogs, and more specifically, preparing dogs to handle travel and change without falling apart.

⸻

I Raise for Resilience

Let’s start here: I raise dogs—puppies, fosters, my own—to be adaptable and resilient. That’s non-negotiable for me. Resilience is essential. So is adaptability.

From early on, I teach routine—but with flexibility. A routine within a window, not a rigid clock.

Rigid routines create expectation, and while that might feel comforting in the short term, when (not if) that routine breaks, it can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. As I always say: anticipation can be your best friend or your worst enemy. So be mindful of how you’re using it—intentionally or unintentionally—in your training and daily rhythms.

For example, my dogs know they’ll get fed twice a day. But it might be in a bowl, through hand-feeding during training, or in a puzzle or stuffed toy—a little project. They don’t know the exact time either. Breakfast usually falls somewhere between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m., and dinner between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.

They know food is coming. They know I’ve got their backs. But the exact delivery and timing? That shifts. And that’s the point.

⸻

Puppies Travel!

If I’ve got a puppy in my life—my own, a client’s, or a foster—that pup is going to learn how to travel. And if I don’t already have a trip planned, I’ll come up with one. It could be an overnight to a friend’s house or a full road trip across countries. Whatever it takes.

Every trip is an opportunity.

I swing puppies over my shoulder in soft carriers. I roll them through noisy spaces on carts so they get used to the movement and the clatter. I play soundscapes from YouTube—airplanes, trains, thunderstorms, traffic, appliances—while they eat or nap. I want those sounds to become neutral, or even better, associated with something good.

⸻

And They Also Learn to Be OK Without Me

Just as much as I teach dogs to travel with me, I also make sure they’re okay being away from me.

Sometimes that means staying at our house with a sitter. Sometimes it means going to a friend’s place. The point isn’t where—it’s how I prepare them.

When I was getting ready to board Ferro so I could take a scouting trip to Spain, I brought him to my friend’s house a few times in advance. We played in her backyard. He’d already met her at my place, but we reinforced the connection. Then we did a little practice run—he had crate time with a chew project while she and I went out for a short dinner.

We came back, played again, and left together. We did that a couple of times. So by the time he stayed with her for 10 days, it wasn’t a big deal. He knew the place. He knew the people. Most importantly, he understood that I come and go—and I come back.

That kind of preparation is especially important for more sensitive dogs. Dropping them off cold—especially in a kennel environment or with someone unfamiliar—can feel like abandonment. And that’s just not fair to them.

⸻

Crate Comfort Is Essential

Even if you don’t plan on using crates regularly, your dog should know how to be in one. Same goes for kennel runs.

Whether it’s a small airline crate or a larger boarding facility kennel, I want my dogs to be able to settle safely and calmly when needed.

Because here’s the thing: life happens. Vet emergencies, travel delays, natural disasters. These are moments when crate or kennel skills are not optional. If your dog is already familiar with these setups, you’re avoiding an extra layer of stress when it matters most.

I always start with short, sweet crate sessions and build from there. The goal is comfort and familiarity, not confinement or punishment.

⸻

Travel Tips from the Trenches

Before this most recent trip, I made sure every crate was clearly labeled with my dogs’ names and my contact info. I taped AirTags to their crates. I left polite notes asking staff not to reach in, and to text or call me if anything came up.

With my rescue Rottie, Hundi, I was especially careful. He can be defensive, so I made it clear that no one should touch him. And I made sure to treat every staff member I spoke with with kindness and appreciation. It goes a long way.

And yes, some of the dogs had a little veterinary help to stay relaxed on the flight—prescribed and approved. Everyone was a little sleepy, but they were safe and sound and made it through just fine.

⸻

Real-World Readiness

Once we landed, it was back to road trip rules: hotels, Airbnbs, new cities, unfamiliar sidewalks and sounds.

Pottying on cue in a strange environment? Yep. Although I will say—finding a patch of grass outside an airport isn’t easy. Concrete isn’t ideal, but when a dog’s been holding it for 12 hours, they figure it out.

Pro tip: start with the male dog who’ll lift his leg on anything. The others will usually follow suit.

⸻

Being Malleable—in Life and in Training

So now everyone is, in Scotland. I thought we’d spend the whole year in Spain. And we still might—we’ve got our place there. But for now, we’re soaking up the dog-friendliness and culture of the UK and Europe.

If there’s one thing this trip reminded me of (again), it’s this: dogs, like people, do best when they’re raised to be malleable. The world isn’t static. Plans shift. Life throws curveballs.

If you can help your dog learn to bend instead of break, you’re giving them a skill that will serve them for life.

That’s what I aim for.

Signing off for now. Wonder where I’ll report from next…