How to Stay at a Hotel With a Dog

In this pet-friendly age, it’s getting increasingly easier to take your dog with you on vacation. Fido-friendly motels, hotels and resorts are found in every state and Canada. However, there are some extra precautions to take to make your best friend a welcome guest. Here are some helpful tips before embarking (pardon the pun) on your journey—and some things to do once you arrive.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Credit card

1. Search dog-friendly hotels online. There are a variety of websites such as dogfriendly.com and petswelcome.com that provide a comprehenive state-by-state directory of dog-friendly hotels in the U.S. and in Canada, as well as a list of dog-friendly chains. Some sites include specific amenities for dogs and whether there are size and weight restrictions. Dogfriendly.com says they focus on places that welcome all well-behaved dogs, regardless of size, in non-smoking rooms. Petswelcome.com has a database specifically for larger dog owners. You can make a reservation at one of these hotels through websites such as hotels.com and LetsGoPets.com.
2. Be prepared to pay an additional pet deposit. Although a few don’t require any deposit or additional fee, many require a deposit with a portion of it non-refundable, and some require a set pet fee.
3. Leave your dog in the room unattended only if it's unavoidable, allowed by management and for a brief period of time. You should test your dog to see if she starts barking up a storm when you leave. You can get an idea by standing outside in the vicinity for a few minutes.
4. Have the TV or radio on while you are gone. This can have a calming effect on your dog.
5. Set up your dog's bedding to make him more comfortable. Put him in a crate if that's what he's used to. Make sure he has his favorite toy.
6. Hang up the do not disturb sign so that nobody opens the door to a surprise and your dog is likewise not surprised.
7. Walk your dog right before you leave to prevent accidents. Of course, keep her on a leash at all times and clean up any mess.
8. Leave your cell number with the front desk in case of an emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• Before taking your dog on a trip, it might be a good idea to test him out in a hotel room overnight.
• Many hotels with dog weight limits are willing to waive the restriction if you get permission from the general manager in advance.
• If you will be bringing more than one dog, find out what the limit is (it is usually one, sometimes two). If there are two dogs, declare both when you make the reservation or upon check-in. If a problem results from either of your dogs, it could get a lot worse if you snuck one of them in.
• If your dog is known to have separation anxiety, never leave her alone in the room. If you leave her in a crate she will likely cry and if you leave her loose, she may do something destructive like chew door trim. You don’t want to spend your vacation at Home Depot (note: from experience).
• Although Hawaii has pet-friendly hotels; they have a quarantine law for any animals entering the state. Dogs and cats that meet specific pre and post arrival requirements may qualify for a shorter quarantine, however, animals that don’t meet the requirements must be quarantined for a long period. Your week in Hawaii could turn into two months for your dog.