fbpx

Tips for staying at a dog friendly hotel

dog friendly hotel

Spending the weekend or night away at a city hotel is not something we usually think about when we want to take our pooch away with us on a dog-friendly holiday. So, how Pawsome is it that we can now choose a dog friendly hotel in many states so we don’t have to leave our four-legged best mate back home!

When staying at a dog friendly hotel with your pooch though, you will want to make sure that you and your dog are well prepared and can abide by some basic hotel etiquette so as to not disturb other guests.

Go to the toilet

The big one of course it to make sure your dog is well toilet trained and that you are prepared to spend a little time training them where to go in their new surroundings.

It is likely that the dog friendly rooms at a hotel have an outdoor area, either a balcony or courtyard, so you should encourage your dog to spend some time out there when you arrive as it probably won’t be too long until they ‘go’ (particularly if they are a boy dog…cue roll eyes upwards!).

Of course, when you see them ‘go’ ensure you immediately praise/reward them for doing the right thing. As they are already toilet trained, they should quickly learn this is the right spot for them.

If you do see them sniffing around inside your room and notice them tuck in their bottom or start to cock their leg, interrupt them and quickly put them outside so they go in the right spot, and praise/reward when they do.

It is probably a good idea when you are sleeping, even if they do usually hold on at home, to leave a door ajar so they can head on out when they need as their usual routine may be a little different in a new environment.

Check what you need to bring

Often pet friendly hotels will provide dog beds, bowls, doggy bags and treats as part of their welcome package so check this and the hotel rules about dogs on beds or furniture when you book, so you know whether you need to take your pooches bed, blanket or a bowl with you.

Barking

If your dog does tend to bark in reaction to strange people and noises, then perhaps a dog friendly hotel stay is not ideal for you. Even if they aren’t big on barking, I would suggest that when staying at a dog friendly hotel, it’s still best to not leave them alone in such a confined new environment. Even the most content of dogs is likely to feel a bit bamboozled in a hotel with so many new sounds going on around them.

Getting out and about

To ensure you can enjoy your city stay with your mate and do as much as possible together, make sure you know the local pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, parks and other outdoor places you can go or see together.

You can check this out and book your dog friendly hotel stay at the same time on TakeYourPet.com.au

If you are going to be there for a while so leaving them alone is inevitable, see if the hotel offers a dog walking or minding service, or find out about any local doggy daycare services. You can check out some local dog walking and minding options on Pawshake.com.au as well.

For other tips when planning a pet friendly city escape check out my general advice article. You can also check out a couple of city hotels that provide dog friendly rooms on our Featured Properties page including the Mercure Canberra and the Larmont Hotel in Sydney.


About the Author: Lara Shannon is co-Host of Pooches at Play and has completed a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour & Training with the National Dog Trainers Federation. Lara also runs her own dog walking, dog minding and dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive a FREE copy of the E-Book “How To Keep Your Dog Happy And Healthy”

"*" indicates required fields

Looking for more dog tips and fun facts?

Get your paws on Lara Shannon’s best selling books ‘Eat, Play, Love (your dog) and World of Dogs.

Available in Australia, USA, UK and Canada.