Kel - we have a crate that we put our dogs into in the back of the ute and then pack the car around them!!!!
Being prepared is a good thing

If the dog's OK in your yard, then it's OK to leave it overnight, specially if you have a neighbour who could feed it for you. Although we have been known to get one of those dispensing food things and leaving the dogs overnight with enough food for 2 days, and feed them just before we go. You can do heaps of things to make it easy with dogs, one of the most annoying things with kids though is cleaning the poop from the yard, a daily task. But then again if you get your dog used to pooping while walking then you get it all done outside the yard (my preferred method!) and you pick it up when out walking and it's straight in the bin.