PetsWelcome
Dogs often make delightful hotel guests, bringing joy to fellow travelers and staff with their wagging tails, cheerful expressions, and affectionate kisses. Unlike some human guests, they’re not interested in swiping towels, pocketing shampoo bottles, or removing artwork from the walls.
When planning to travel with your canine companion, it’s essential to book your accommodations in advance and inform the hotel that you’ll be bringing your dog along. Upon arrival and throughout your stay, remember to practice good manners to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone involved.
Here are 7 etiquette tips when staying at a hotel with your dog:
1: Bring a crate or carrier
When you do need to leave your dog in the hotel room alone, crate him to keep him out of trouble. But don’t leave your dog alone for long periods of time. He’s in a strange place, new sounds, new smells, and new people. This could make him nervous. Some hotels ask that dogs not be left alone at all in the room. If that is the case, you may want to opt for finding a boarding facility nearby for him.
2: Make sure your dog has gone potty before settling in for the night
Ensuring your dog relieves themselves before bedtime is crucial when staying at a hotel. Waking up to the unpleasant surprise of a bad smell or a stain in your room is not only distressing for you but also unpleasant for the hotel staff who have to clean up.
Moreover, such incidents could lead to additional charges on your credit card for cleaning fees. To prevent accidents, make it a point to take your dog on several potty breaks throughout the day. This routine helps maintain their housebreaking schedule and prevents any mishaps in unfamiliar surroundings, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your pup.
3: Don’t forget to treat your dog for fleas and ticks
Maintaining your dog’s flea and tick treatment is crucial, not only for their health but also for the hygiene of the places you visit. This is especially important when traveling, as new environments can expose your pet to different pests. Ensuring that your dog is treated for fleas and ticks before your trip helps prevent the spread of these pests to the hotel room, your car, and even within your own luggage.
Consistent flea and tick prevention ensures that your dog won’t inadvertently leave behind any unwanted “guests” at your accommodations or bring them back home after your travels. This not only protects your dog but also helps maintain the cleanliness and pest-free condition of your environment. Regular treatments are a simple step that goes a long way in ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free experience for everyone involved.
4: Check the hotel policies before staying there
Before booking your stay, it’s essential to thoroughly review the hotel’s pet policies.
Be aware of any pet fees and additional charges that may apply, so you’re not caught off-guard when it’s time to check out.
Understanding these details in advance can prevent unexpected expenses and make the payment process smoother for both you and the hotel staff. This upfront diligence ensures that you can budget appropriately for your stay and avoid any surprises related to extra fees, contributing to a more enjoyable travel experience with your pet.
5: Don’t wash your dog in the hotel tub
Fur in the drain, dirt on the walls, and a soggy dog can create a mess for the staff to clean up. If your dog gets dirty on a hike through the local national park, look up a dog washing facility and take him there. Many of those places have a self-wash station and dryers so your pup is clean, dry, and returns to the hotel looking fabulous.
6: Bring your own dog supplies
When traveling with your dog, it’s important to make them feel as comfortable as possible in a new environment. Using the hotel’s ice bucket as a water bowl, towels as a pet bed, or the remote control as a chew toy is not only inappropriate but can also lead to damage fees. Instead, bring along your dog’s familiar supplies from home.
Packing essential items such as their own bowls, bedding, toys, and favorite treats can greatly help in alleviating any anxiety your dog might experience in a new setting. Familiar smells and objects can provide a sense of security and comfort to your pet. Additionally, bringing your own supplies ensures that you maintain hygiene and respect hotel property. This preparation helps create a more enjoyable and stress-free stay for both you and your furry companion.
7: Check with the hotel that they, in fact, do accept dogs
Before booking your stay, it’s crucial to confirm directly with the hotel that they are indeed pet-friendly. Sneaking your dog into a hotel room might seem like a simple workaround, but it can lead to uncomfortable situations, including both you and your pet being asked to leave. This could not only disrupt your travel plans but also leave you scrambling to find last-minute accommodations, which is especially stressful in unfamiliar cities.
To avoid these potential hassles, always contact the hotel in advance to inquire about their pet policies. This ensures you understand any restrictions or fees involved and can prepare accordingly. Many hotels offer specific amenities for pets, such as welcome treats, pet beds, and designated walking areas, enhancing your stay. By confirming these details beforehand, you can ensure a pleasant and stress-free experience for you and your furry friend.
I once wrote a letter to Holiday Inn Express when they changed their pet policy from no fee to $25. I told them that our little guy was quieter than 50% of the children that stay there, he wouldn’t pee in their pool and he wouldn’t leave crumbs all over the breakfast area. Got no response. I don’t consider a hotel “pet friendly” when they charge more than $10 extra for the dog.
I often travel with my 4 pound Maltese and are always charged a pet fee – sometimes as high as $100. I wouldn’t mind paying it so much if I felt confident that the hotel was really using it to provide some extra cleaning of the room. I’m not so sure that is the case. I would love to see an article in this newsletter regarding what hotels really do with that fee.
@ Barbara Thompson…i find it wrong how they charged you so much extra for your little buddy. I agree with your statement about paying extra for a pet if i’d be confident they actually use it for extra cleaning. I always travel with my cat and i often get charged an extra $25/night. How much of a mess a cat can make? My cat is exclusively an indoor cat and i always keep him extremely clean..he’s Persian and requires a lot of grooming. All he does is eat, sleep and uses his litter box. Besides, i’m the type that travels with own bedsheets, pillow cases, towels and disinfecting products for the bathroom because i don’t trust their cleaning service(my sister used to work as a maid during college and she informed me how they “clean” rooms…simply Gross!!!!)
More than that, i am always assigned a “pet friendly” room which i find very discriminating. If they’re charging me extra for my cat ,that’s a lot cleaner than their rooms, then i shouldn’t be put in a “pet friendly” room. I often have to give him another bath when we get home because his coat smells funny after we stay in a hotel.
Once i traveled to San Simeon, Ca and i had to keep my cat an extra hour or so in his carrier because i had to leave the door and windows wide open so the gross smells would go away. I know, i should’ve asked for a different room but i wanted to save myself the headache after a long road trip. The Only pet friendly hotel i’ve stayed in and felt confident to use their bedsheets and towels is Sheraton in Phoenix, Az. Yes, I was charged extra for my cat but the room was extremely clean, everything smelled so nice and fresh and i made sure i left the room clean, very close to how i found it upon checking in. I always clean anyway, whatever it is to be cleaned before checking out but with this one i felt i wanted to really leave it as clean as possible, even though all i need to do is clean my cat’s hair,when the case.
As Bonnie Gill also says, our pets are a lot quieter than the 50% of the kids staying there..and i want to add, our pets are a lot cleaner. Guaranteed!
We have traveled all over the US with our 6pound Chinese crested. We only stay at Laquinta hotels. They don’t charge extra, no weight limit no limit to the number of dogs and don’t have a crate requirement. They are extremely pet friendly and accommodating. We do travel with a crate and always leave a phone number at the front desk when we leave in case Pearl is making a fuss…which she never does, but I would hate to have her bother other guests.