Pet Friendly Hotels
Sometimes you just do not want to leave your pet alone when you go on vacation. It may be that you go to a long trip or to an exotic country, but whatever the reason, you will need to look for dog friendly hotels with kennels. Such hotels are a wonderful option for the pet owner, but you also want to know how to care for your pet while it stays there, so you can ensure that you will be allowed to continue staying in these hotels.
What options are available?
It should go without saying that you want to know where pet friendly hotels with kennels are located before you on your journey. Look through the travel sites for tips on finding pet friendly hotels or ask other pet lovers to find out what their favorite pet friendly hotels are. But the most important thing to do when preparing for your trip is to call the hotel in advance. Remember that conditions can change, so you want a confirmation before you stay in the hotel. Check out all hotels in countries like New Zealand or see al options for hotels with pets allowed in Zambia.
How to stay with your pet
Consider that just because some hotels are pet friendly they will not simply allow to leave your pet in the room as a guest. There are probably additional costs for pet and security deposits involved. Even the friendliest of hotels will frown upon you if your pet becomes a problem. There are ways to mitigate this problem, including bringing blankets for your dog from home to sleep so he or she has something familiar. See also: 9 Tips for Traveling with Pets to Make Your Trip Easier.
Can your pet travel?
One of the most important factors when traveling with pets is to make sure your pet is able to travel at all. If your four-legged friend has problems at short car rides or behavioral problems in unfamiliar environments, it would be better to leave your pet at your local boarding kennel. Traveling with your dog, cat or other pet will be a pleasing experience only if you take the time to plan your trip. Staying at pet friendly hotels with no fees is the first thing to consider in your plan, if you don’t want to end up with your pet sleeping in the car!
Hotel hopping is not the best idea
Imagine you travel on the highway, 7 hours in your road trip and want to check into a hotel along the road. You stop at the first hotel you see – sorry, no pets allowed. Back on the road, on the next hotel – sorry, no pets allowed. Back in the car, you and your pet are stressed, and this is the last thing you need. The problem can be avoided if you look for pet friendly hotels with no fees before starting a journey.
How to solve this problem
Finding animal friendly hotels along the way is not as difficult as it sounds. There are online pet friendly travel sites offering search by road parameters. This easy and useful tool allows you to enter your departure and your destination. Once you entered this information, you can look at all pet friendly hotels among your route. Of course, it is recommended that you book a room before setting off. Consider how many miles you can drive every day and check the route to find a hotel that is best suited for you and your pet. This will ensure that when you are ready to stand overnight and you have a place to stay where your pet is welcome. If you want to have a pleasing road trip with your pet then plan ahead. Finding pet friendly hotels along your travel route in advance is a way to ensure that you and your pet are welcome and happy in your journey.
10 Vacation tips for dog owners
- Home or away? If you’re not taking your dog on vacation with you, arrange for overnight dog care or boarding as soon as you know your vacation dates. Choices include doggie daycares that board, dog-sitting services that provide overnight care in your home, and your own dog-loving relatives. The ASPCA has great tips on what to look for in doggie daycare, and the Humane Society of the United States has articles on choosing a boarding kennel and pet sitters. Some boarding kennels require you to bring your dog in for “test run” — and to show proof that she’s up to date on vaccines — before booking a vacation stay. Don’t burn out goodwill — arrange for a professional daily dog walk while your dog is staying with friends or family.
- Research and reserve. If you’re taking Fido on the road, options range from five-star dog-friendly hotels with canine concierges and grooming services to state and private campgrounds. Such accommodations can get booked quickly, as some lodgings may only have a few pet-friendly rooms or spaces available at any one time. When you reserve, ask about size and breed restrictions, “pet charges,” and where is the closest space for a walk (i.e. doggie bathroom area).
- Crate train. Even the dog-friendliest hotels and motels may require your pal be crated if you have to leave him alone in the room. If you’ve never crated your dog, it could take days or weeks to get him used to his cozy new den, so early and positive training is critical. Find tips for choosing a crate at the Humane Society, and for making a successful transition at Dr. Sophia Yin’s blog.
- Spare car key. Make a spare car key so if you’re driving alone and need to make a quick stop you can lock your dog in the car with the engine running and air-conditioning on. Never tie up your dog outside a highway rest area or leave her in a hot car in the summer, even with the window cracked (Stanford’s fact sheet on heatstroke deaths shows why).
- Invest in a fresh ID tag. When was the last time you updated your dog’s ID tag? They can get worn and become illegible without your realizing it. Consider making a new tag with a cell phone number on it rather than a landline. And though there is controversy in the holistic community about microchipping dogs, it can be an ID that can’t get lost. Link it to your cell phone and keep the microchip center’s number in your wallet.
- Give them room to play, safely. I bring along an inexpensive-but-sturdy 20′ cotton leash, which lets my dog romp and fetch while keeping her safe in friends’ unfenced backyards, at the park, and on the beach. It’s much easier to reel in a dog on a long cotton lead than on a flexi-leash. I learned this lesson when my dog, with “perfect recall,” tore through my friend’s shrubbery in pursuit of a garbage truck on the first day of our Cape Cod vacation.
- No escape. Consider using a body harness for your dog’s vacation walks … your dog is less likely to slip out of it if startled in unfamiliar surroundings and it works better with the long leash.Dr. Yin has great collar and harness advice. Give your dog some time before your trip to get used to having it fastened around him and walking with it, and you will make it a positive experience — rather than a struggle — for him.
- Be the perfect houseguest. To one-up Benjamin Franklin, uninvited dogs stink after a day. Never assume your dog is welcome at a friend’s house — even if they have dogs of their own — or a vacation residence you’re renting. Always ask, and then be a perfect guest by having your well-trained dog use her crate during your meals (no one likes a moocher) and at night. Bring a small blanket or bed with his scent on it for comfort in a new environment (a dog’s sense of smell is at least 10,000 times more acute than ours) and a few favorite toys. For an anxious dog, try leaving your slept-in pajamas or used workout clothes — something that smells strongly of you — near her crate while you’re out.
- Romp! Scout out fun activities for your dog at the vacation destination. Some national parks such as the Grand Canyon have dog-friendly trails and a kennel service. Many large cities and environs have well-organized dog owners’ groups that can give you the inside scoop on canine amenities. For instance, searching for “Nashville + dog” or “San Francisco dog park” online returns dozens of resources.
- Stay safe. Pack a canine first aid kit in the car, and be sure you have a gallon of fresh water as well. If your dog gets overheated you can wrap her in a towel soaked in water until you can get veterinary attention. Be aware of signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.