Dog-Friendly Travel Tips
Plan ahead
The best advice is to find your dog-friendly hotel in advance of your trip. You don't want to find yourself searching for accommodation when your pooch is along for the ride. Chances are, the first hotel you find won't take dogs, and you'll be stuck trying to track down lodging that will. You need to make reservations in advance, and be sure that your choices will accept your four-legged friend.
Check out websites
Many corporation hotel chains state on their websites whether or not pets are welcome. Often, there may be a limit on the size of the dogs, and they usually charge an extra fee for you to have a pet in the room. More places are beginning to waive those fees, so remember to check when you make your reservation.
Some hotels may require your dog to remain in a suitable crate while in the room, or they may ask that you don't leave your dog alone in the room. Request all of a hotel's pet policies before you confirm your reservation.
Go direct
Avoid making your reservations through a central reservations online or through a call centre. Call the hotel directly and either speak to the manager or someone at the front desk. Call centre employees typically don't know a hotel's specific lodging policies. For example, some hotels do accept pets, but the call centre people may not know it, so deal directly with the people who know the policies first hand.
Search dog-friendly
Once you have planned your travel itinerary, do an online search using the name of the city your visiting plus the term "dog-friendly hotels". For example, "Bristol dog-friendly hotels".
Many towns and cities have now compiled lists of local lodgings that accept pets. However, always contact a hotel or other accommodation directly before you book your reservation. It is possible that they no-longer have that policy, even if they are still on the list.
Look for dog travel websites
Some websites cater directly to pet travel. Often, these sites allow you to search for specific destinations to find pet-friendly accommodation in your chosen area. Some pet travel websites note that they have verified specific pet policies of the lodgings, so you won't have to.
Be responsible
Once you've found the ideal lodgings for your family, do your best to be a responsible pet owner. Clean up after your dog, keep him quiet and don't leave your room in a mess when you check out. Responsible owners make it much easier for others to travel with their pets in the future, so make sure you're not the reason the hotel management cancels their dog-friendly policies!
Pack for your pet
Before you head off on your trip, make sure you have packed and prepared for Rover's comfort. Ensure that you have plenty of water and food, any prescription medications, his dog bed or favourite blanket, lead and toys to keep him entertained. Check that there is a tag on his collar that indicates his name and your contact information just case he gets he gets lost.
10 great dog-friendly travel locations
Wondering where you can go with a hound in tow? According to enjoyengland.com, here are 10 locations your dog will love.
- Brancaster Beach, Norfolk
- Cherwell Valley, Oxfordshire
- Chesterfield Canal, Derbyshire
- Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale in Lanchashire
- Ideford Common, Devo
- Ladderedge Country Park, Leek in Staffordshire
- Langdon Hill Wood, National Trust Golden Cap Estate in Dorset
- Loweswater, Lake District
- Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
- Wonderful Washlands, Burton Upon Trent in Staffordshire
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