We always have my sister or my ex come and stay at our place to watch the dogs, that way they have their normal schedule and environment and our smells etc. They still miss us to be sure but at least they only have to deal with us not being there and not a whole new environment as well. The funniest is coming home, our Dashhound will come running up and kiss us like crazy but my boston terrier she will first come say hi then remember that we left her for a week and then proceeds to ignore us and give us the cold shoulder for a few days so she knows she is not impressed nor does she need us... of course once she has made us suffer for a day or two she is all snuggles and kisses