Tips for Staying in a Hotel with your Dog

Whether it’s an overnight stay during a road trip or a week long vacation, staying in a hotel with your pup can be stressful. You never know how your dog may react to new surroundings and there are plenty of situations that could go wrong if you aren’t adequately prepared. Before booking a trip with your pooch, read up on these tips for staying in a hotel with your dog. 

Make Sure the Hotel is Pet Friendly

There are plenty of hotels and hotel chains that offer pet friendly rooms and accommodations. However, this is not the case for all hotels. Before booking your hotel room, make sure that the hotel allows pets. 

Rules change all the time, so it’s best to call ahead and confirm your furry friend is welcome. This is especially important if you’re booking through a third-party site or can’t find a direct website for your hotel. 

Read the Rules

Even if the hotel welcomes pets, there are likely rules you’ll want to know before checking in. Some rules you should check on include:

• Size restrictions
• Breed restrictions
• Areas your dog is welcome in
• If your pet can be left unattended
• If dogs are allowed on the beds and furniture
• If any pet fees are required

Call or email the hotel you’re planning to stay at and ask for a full pet policy before booking your stay. Also inform the front desk employee that you’re staying with a dog. They’ll be able to brief you on anything you need to know and ensure you’re staying in a pet friendly room.

Know Your Dog

All dogs are different, and while some dogs may be fine in a hotel, others may not. A hotel is a new place for a dog, and it’s normal for more anxious pups to feel stressed during the stay. If you don’t think your dog will be comfortable in a hotel over night, consider other arrangements for your trip. 

Is your dog going to be okay staying in the room alone? If not, plan to only visit pet friendly spots so that Fido isn’t left behind. Is your dog going to bark all night long? If he is, consider renting an Airbnb or VRBO instead where you won’t have next-door neighbors. 

Request a Ground-Level Room

One of the best tips for staying in a hotel with your dog is to request a room that is on the ground level and near an entrance. This will make potty breaks a breeze. It’ll also be more efficient than having to take your pup through hallways, elevators, and a lobby. 

Ground level rooms are also great for hotel stays with an active pup. If you suspect your pup will be getting the zoomies or dropping toys on the floor, a ground level room is the way to go. This way you aren’t disturbing hotel guests below you.

Keep Your Dog on a Leash

A hotel is a new place that your dog is likely to want to explore. Before opening the hotel room door, put your dog on a leash so they can’t bolt from the room.

Always keep them leashed in the hotel lobby and other common areas. You never know if there are people around who aren’t fans of dogs and you don’t want your pup wandering off. 

As always when traveling with your dog, ensure their microchip and ID tag are up to date with current information. You can also consider a GPS tracker for your pup, in case they do manage to get away.

Keep Messes to a Minimum

Don’t allow your dog to make a mess! Keep his paws clean to prevent mud tracks through the hallway. Ensure they’re doing their business outdoors or in a dedicated area and not on the floor. Try to keep shedding fur off of the common area floors and furniture. You wouldn’t go into a hotel and trash the room, so don’t let your dog do it either. The hotel staff and guests will appreciate you. 

Bring Their Supplies

While fancier hotels may provide your pet with beds, bowls, etc. it’s best to bring your own along with you. Bring anything your dog uses on a daily basis to keep them comfortable and happy. 

Always make sure to bring necessary supplies like poop bags and a first aid kit for emergencies. 

It’s also a good idea to bring some chew toys, to keep them occupied and lessen the chance of them destroying hotel belongings. 

Traveling with your pup is a great way to make memories for both of you. These tips for staying in a hotel with your dog will keep the trip stress-free and fun.

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