No one wants to be that person … the one with barking dogs in a hotel. Learn what to teach your dogs before you travel together, and tips to keep him quiet during your stay!
Not only would it be heartbreaking to think of your dog being that distressed. It would be embarrassing to know that you’re responsible for disturbing all the other guests. And it could be expensive if the hotel asks you and your dog to leave!
Barking Dogs In Hotels Leads to Higher Pet Fees
The real cost, though, could affect the entire pet travel community. Some places stop allowing pets because of dogs barking in the hotel room.
Recently, a hotel manager asked to have his hotel listing removed from GoPetFriendly.com. When I asked why they were no longer pet friendly, this was his response:
[Being pet friendly…] has cost us too much in guest satisfaction and in room rebates to other guests disturbed by barking dogs. This happens more often than we would like, and it’s pushed us to the brink.
Over the years, I’ve railed against unreasonable pet fees. But I hadn’t considered the expense of dogs barking in hotels.
The reimbursements required to satisfy disgruntled guests disturbed by anxious dogs are undoubtedly being spread across all pet travelers in the form of higher pet fees. And that’s only if the hotel doesn’t decide to stop welcoming pets altogether!
So what can we, as responsible pet travelers, do to keep from spoiling the fun for everyone else? The tips below will help ensure you’re not the one whose dog is barking in a hotel.
Consider Whether A Hotel Is The Best Choice
Before you travel together, you’ll need to understand your dog’s tendencies and limitations. It’s your job to keep your pup out of situations he’s not ready to handle.
So if your dog barks a lot at home, a hotel is probably not the right accommodation choice for you right now. You’ll all likely be more comfortable staying in a pet friendly vacation rental, bed and breakfast, cabin, or with family or friends.
Any of these option will be quieter than a hotel. And staying with friends or family might mean there are people (or pets) around to keep your pup company.
In time, you can teach your dog to stop barking on command. Once he’s acquired that skill, you’ll be able to consider hotels a viable option.
Teaching Your Dog To Stop Barking
Teaching your dog to stop barking takes time and patience. And, to be clear, I’m not suggesting that you teach your dog never to bark … only to stop barking when you ask.
This kind of training is best started at home. And I’ve found Dr. Dunbar’s videos to be very helpful for training Myles. One of our biggest challenges was to teach Myles to stop barking at people or dogs walking by our motorhome when we stay in RV parks. It’s a similar situation to staying in hotels and expecting your dog to stop barking at unfamiliar noises.
We started by teaching Myles a command that meant he should bark. We use, “tell me,” and when he started barking at something I’d say the command and then praise him when he continued barking.
READ MORE ⇒ Training Your Dog To Travel
Then I’d hold a treat in front of his nose and tell him to “hush.” Dogs can’t sniff and bark at the same time, so he’d quiet down and I’d give him the treat.
Over time, I extended the time between saying “hush” and giving him the treat — teaching him to stay quiet longer and longer to get his reward.
After he had the hang of it, we started practicing with more difficult distractions … people walking by, dogs, squirrels, and chipmunks outside the RV. Each new distraction required a little work to overcome, but he caught on faster and faster.
Now I thank him for one bark when he sees something he thinks we should know about — it’s a dog’s job to warn us, after all! But, if he barks a second time, I tell him to hush.
It takes time, and you have to be consistent, which is why it’s better to start this training at home. Once your dog understands the command, you’ll have a much easier time staying in a hotel and getting her to relax when she hears unusual noises.
Strategies to Avoid Dog Barking in a Hotel
If your dog has the skills to stay quietly in a hotel, you can avoid any chance that he’ll disturb others by not leaving him alone. Sitting by himself in a unfamiliar place that smells like strangers and has unusual noises wouldn’t be fun for any dog.
Instead, plan activities that include your pup, use room service or take-out for your meals, and have friends gather at your hotel rather than going out to meet them.
Another alternative would be to hire a pet sitter to stay with your pet while you’re out. The front desk may even have a list of local pet sitters they recommend.
READ MORE ⇒ Tips for Finding the Right Pet Sitter
Set Your Pet Up for Success
If you must leave your pet alone in a hotel for a short period of time, these steps will help you and your dog avoid problems:
- Be sure the hotel’s pet policy allows you to leave pets unattended. Note any limitations on the length of time pets are allowed to be alone.
- Do not leave your pets alone until they’ve acclimated to the hotel room. Take time to establish the hotel room as “home” in your dog’s mind, so he understands that when you leave, you’ll be right back. This might mean not leaving your dog until after you spend a night sleeping in the room.
- If available, upgrade to a suite. Having a separate living and bedroom, for example, allows you to settle your dog in the room furthest from the hallway. The room between becomes a buffer, giving your dog space from activity outside your door.
- Keep the time you’re away as short as possible. Do what you have to do and get back to your dog as quickly as possible.
- Bring the things that make your dog comfortable, like his bed (Amazon affiliate link) or blanket. For dogs that are used to sleeping in a crate (Amazon affiliate link), consider covering the crate with a blanket from home to help keep him calm.
- Tired dogs are less boisterous. Be sure your dog has a long walk with plenty of opportunities to relieve himself before you go out.
- Pack something extra-special to keep him busy while he’s alone. Whether it’s a tasty chew, a toy (Amazon affiliate link) stuffed with food, or a dog puzzle (Amazon affiliate link) that requires work to get the treats out. If his mouth is busy, he’ll be less likely to bark!
- Help your dog relax by tuning in a classical music station on the radio or television. Leave it playing quietly to cover any noises that might trigger barking.
- Stop by the front desk every time you leave your pet to verify that the staff on duty has your cell phone number. If you need to turn your ringer off, leave your phone on vibrate so you can always be reached.
- Every dog can have a bad day. If the hotel notifies you that your pup is missing you loudly, apologize and return to the hotel immediately. Then don’t leave your dog alone again for the rest of your stay.
READ MORE ⇒ Hotel Chains Where Pets Stay Free
Staying in pet friendly hotels is a privilege. And it’s our responsibility to avoid causing issues for the hotel or other guests.
Do you have additional tips for keeping dogs quiet in hotel rooms? Please leave a note in the comments below!
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Thanks for this! I’m really been in extended stay hotels recently in Savannah due to long work assignments in the area and I have my assisting Dog with me so these are really awesome. Thought I have to say that the hotels here that I stay over at and found on https://www.visitsavannah.com/extended-stay are really pet friendly!
Hi Don! Thank you for the note and for your tip! I’m glad to help, and we’ll check out this site to be sure we have these hotels listed on GoPetFriendly. Safe travels to you!
We use a noise machine set on a steady white noise when we travel with our dogs and have to stay somewhere other than our camper. We use it at home as well (for us) and they know it’s bedtime or quiet time whenever it’s on.
That’s a great idea, Pam! I imagine it helps you sleep better, too.
How about a slightly different situation? We took our dog to a hotel the first time. She never barks in public places but in the hotel room she acts like she guards her room and us in it and barks at any noise people above our room make or people she sees outside our window. She acts like that in our house – guard/protection mode. How do you minimize this guard mode in hotels?
Hi Barb! That’s a tricky situation, and it would probably be best to start her training at home. I’ve used Dr. Dunbar’s videos (which I highly recommend) to help with training Myles and gotten some very good tips. One of our biggest challenges was to teach Myles not to bark at people or dogs walking by our motorhome when we stay in RV parks – which is a situation similar to yours.
We started by teaching him a command that meant he should bark. We use, “tell me,” and when he’d bark I’d give him the command and tell him what a good boy he was when he barked. Then I’d hold a treat in front of his nose and tell him to “hush.” Dogs can’t sniff and bark at the same time, so he’d quiet down and I’d give him the treat. Over time, I extended the time between saying “hush” and giving him the treat — teaching him to stay quiet longer and longer to get his reward.
After he had the hang of it, we started practicing with more difficult distractions … people walking by, and dogs, squirrels, and chipmunks outside the RV. Each new distraction required a little work to overcome, but he caught on faster and faster. Now I thank him for one bark when he sees something he thinks we should know about — it’s their job to warn us, after all. But, if he barks a second time, I tell him to hush.
It takes some time, and you have to be consistent, which is why I think it’s better to start this training at home. Once your girl understands the commands, you’ll have a much easier time staying in a hotel and getting her to relax when she hears unusual noises. In the meantime, it might be better to plan stays at vacation rentals where you have the space to yourselves. I hope that helps. Waggin’ trails to you all!
Thank you so much for your response!! From what I understand, it is not about teaching them not to bark at all but to only make a little growl or bark that alerts us and stop each time such an alert situation occurs, correct?
That’s exactly right, Barb! Teaching a dog never to bark would be an uphill battle – alerting us to possible treats is their job, after all! There’d be a lot of genetics to overcome. Teaching them the correct way to alert us, appreciating their efforts, and then teaching them to quiet back down is the goal. The best of luck to you!
We want to bring a camera to watch and listen to our dogs while they are alone in a hotel. any suggestions which is the best and easiest to set up in different locations and connect to our iPhone?
Hi Melissa! The only camera I’ve used to monitor my dogs is the Blink camera. I found it easy to set up using our Jetpack for the internet connection. I included it in this review of temperature monitoring devices if you want to check out my impression of it >> https://www.gopetfriendly.com/blog/pet-temperature-monitor-roundup-devices-that-keep-pets-safe-from-the-heat/
I hope that helps. Safe travels to you!
Get the Goowls Home camera on Amazon. It’s $25, super easy to set up and worth every single penny! It’s Motion Detection and two way audio. All you need is Wi-Fi and you can watch on your iPhone!
Thanks for sharing, Janell! I’m going to check this out!
Hi my dog saint bernard went to a resort for the 1st time ..thank God i. Was close to home .. she has never really been in this situation … whenever like you said we went out she would bark mind you we were on the second floor .. no elevators .. which was fine.. we were supposed to stay 2 nights .. but while we were having breakfast today they told us like you said ( even during the day) they said people were complaining and that we would have to stay with her at all times …I thought about & told them we were going to leave & they gave us credit for the night we didn’t stay & we went home to drop cheyenne off at home ( happy doggy) and daughter & I went elsewhere to have fun for the afternoon. I have learned to try not to have expectations in life…..it s not Cheyenne fault she is just being a dog …& now I know what not to do.
Thank you
Thank you for your note, Carol! I’m so glad to hear that the situation was resolved in the best possible way for everyone – including Cheyenne. You’re absolutely right, of course, in that she’s just being a dog. And staying by herself in a new environment, like a hotel, is something that she could learn … it would just take a little time and focused attention to make it happen. Wishing you all happy travels!
I’m training my dog to be my service animal. He is only 6 months old. He sleeps in a pen at home fine. He sleeps in a create at my mothers house just fine. Have just taken him on a trip and had to stay at a not pet friendly hotel because that is all they had. They let him in because he is a service pet. He started barking and scratching at his create last night ( which he never does!)! I put him in bed with me because I didn’t want to bother anyone and the hotel was so nice about him. But he is still a puppy. I don’t want him sleeping with me in their beds because I don’t think that is right either!!!!!
How am I to train him if I have to give in to not cause a problem???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Retta! Thanks for reaching out. It’s possible that our pup was thrown off his normal behavior because he was in an unfamiliar environment. My advice is don’t give up! Find a pet friendly hotel for your next trip – they tend to be a little more tolerant with pet noise so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting kicked out. I’d also recommend getting a two-room suite, so you can close the door to your bedroom and still have a (quiet) living room between your dog and the hallway. Reducing the noise he hears from other guests might also help him settle down. Lastly, don’t wait until bedtime – when everyone else is trying to sleep – to put him in his crate. Have him spend short periods of time in his create throughout the day, so he can get accustomed to it before you go to bed.
I hope that helps! Good luck to you both.
It’s also not easy when you have to take an emergency trip and no one can watch your dogs for you. So you find a pet friendly hotel since it’s your only option as you go to be with a loved one who’s dying. I go back and forth 2-3 times a day. And the only reason my dogs keep barking is cause other guests are hanging out in the hallways and smoking weed and who knows what else. So I don’t think it’s fair to have to worry about being asked to not leave my dogs alone anymore or leave the hotel all together. I have enough on my plate waiting for my loved one to pass and now having to worry if I can even leave to go be with them or get kicked out. I’m in a place I don’t know all by myself and I don’t drive so I use cabs back and forth. If others are going to stay in a pet friendly hotel they should expect to hear pets and stop complaining.
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through this, Crystal. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. Would it be possible to talk to the hotel staff and ask them if you could move to a quieter area of the hotel where people won’t be hanging out in the hall? Perhaps if they understood your situation they could propose a solution that would help you and your dog. Or, maybe you could see if there’s a pet sitter in the area that spend some time with your dog while you need to be with your relative.
Again, I’m really sorry you have this additional stress on top of the pain of a loved one passing. Sending love to you.
I agree! Except it is becoming next to impossible to even be able to go anywhere without seeing dogs. Church, Restaurants, Grocery stores (which is completely disgusting) Town get togethers (that even tell people not to bring their dog but they do anyway) Every time I turn around their is a dog. Most of the time they are not even leashed. The leash law may as well not exist because most dog owners break it. I’m obviously not a fan of dogs. In fact I think they are disgusting dirty smelly animals.
I have been searching online for a hotel that isn’t “Dog Friendly” and I am having a hard time finding one. Even the thought of sleeping in a bed that has had a stinky slobbery nasty dog sitting on it makes me want to throw up.
I like things clean. Dogs are very unsanitary. But they are supposed to be. They are animals. Which is why I don’t understand why they have to show up everywhere. My little girl is also very allergic to dogs and most animals. If she gets any dog hair on her she will immediately start breaking out in hives that turn into sores that crack and bleed.
I honestly wish people would quit bringing their dogs everywhere with them just to show a little consideration to other people that don’t want to have to deal with their smelly unleashed dog that jumps on us then sniffs our parts. No thanks I don’t want to pet your dog either. I wish I knew of a hotel that I could trust doesn’t and wouldn’t let a dog stay there.
After all it isn’t a human. A lot of people think they are but they are Not and never will be. Look the word dog up in the dictionary. It’s NOT going to say human and that is because it’s not. No matter what anyone thinks.
Not sure why you felt the need to post this to my comment from well over a year ago about me having to take an emergency trip to sit with my dying father, but I sure hope you find yourself that non pet friendly hotel and have a great time when you do.
You know what are also unsanitary? Little kids. The touch everything, roll around on the ground, stick their fingers in there ears, mouths, noses, and touch everything. They also throw-up, and also may end up having bathroom accidents. I just with people would stop bringing there kids everywhere.
That’s you. That’s what you sound like.
Grow up. The world isn’t here to cater to your over particular demands.
Someone is complaining that our dogs are disturbing others and won’t stop barking but we are 6 hours away and this is our first family vacation how do we calm them down?
Hi Abigail. I’m sorry to hear that your dogs are so upset. I’d recommend having a friend, family member, or pet sitter keep them company until you return home. Good luck!
I have traveled with my dogs in the past. Most of the time they’re with us and only occasionally have to be alone. That said, it is unrealistic to expect you would never leave them alone on a trip. I travel for business and if I need to go to a meeting I can’t take my 70lb Labrador! I think ya need to come up with some suggestions that don’t leave travelers tethered to their rooms if the dog has an issue!
Hello Utah Hiker. Thanks for your note! In addition to considering whether a vacation property or other accommodations would be more suitable than a hotel for dogs with behavior issues, there are several suggestions to help keep a dog from barking in a hotel room. We’ve used many of these with my dogs and had success! Wishing your safe and quiet travels.
The person said to get a dog sitter. That’s your responsibility when you have a dog. That is perfectly reasonable.
The same problem has recently arisen. We went to another city and took our dachshund with us, the weather was bad, and we needed business, we decided to take a taxi, and literally left it at home for half an hour, it took about 15 minutes when the administrator called us, it was good that there was lunch and there was no one in the rooms and no one complained, the cleaning lady heard barking, because of this, everything was decided well. At home she whined when she was little, then there were no problems with that. Your advice looks impressive, we are going to travel around the country and want to go with it. Thanks for the article, we will definitely try your advice.
We’re happy to help. Sometimes being in an unfamiliar place with strange noises makes dogs more anxious. Hopefully these tips help and your pup catches on quickly. Good luck with your travels!
I have a pug and I want to bring her but I don’t want her to bark or pee in the hotel room my mom said that if I can make sure that she will be fine in the hotel room and on the way I can bring her she is the best little doggie
Hi Tabitha! I completely understand wanting to take your dog with you, and most dogs do quite well in hotel rooms. Of course, you’d want to take your dog for a nice long walk before leaving her alone, and then test her by waiting in the hall to make sure she doesn’t bark. Be sure to put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, and let the front desk staff know that she’s alone in the room. Also, give them your cell phone number in case she starts barking, and only plan to leave her for short periods of time. Hopefully she’ll get the hang of things quickly and make a great travel companion!
I have taken my crate trained dog on multiple trips where we stay in pet friendly hotels and he has always done fine staying in the room by himself. All of a sudden, on this trip, I can’t leave the room for a second without him completely freaking out. What gives?
Hi Hanna! I’m so sorry to hear that your dog is now frantic when you leave the room. It’s hard to say what might have caused his anxiety and, even if we knew, it wouldn’t help resolve your issue.
My advice is to start working with the crate at home. Does he have the same response there? If not, try the yard, a friend’s house, etc. When you discover a place that he reacts to your leaving, that’s where you start re-training him to be calm in the crate. Start by making sure he’s comfortable with a familiar blanket or bed. Use a frozen, stuffed Kong or other toy or a bully stick to keep him busy. And slowly increase the amount of time you can be out of sight without causing him to panic. Hopefully, since he’s done it in the past, you’ll make quick progress. Good luck!
Thanks!!!!
Amy, most of the time, we travel with our dogs in our travel trailer because RV parks and state parks are better noise buffers than hotel rooms. But for quick trips of 1 or 2 days we stay in Pet Friendly Hotels. One thing we find helpful is to keep the TV up loud to mask the noise from the outside. I also always put the “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on the door. And I never choose maid service, we never allow anyone to enter the room in order to protect our dogs. We instinctively do all the things you’ve suggested, Rescue Remedy, toys & blankets from home, frequent exercise, etc. and those things really help. Last July 4th we took a trip to Bentonville, AR and missed a fabulous Fireworks show because our dogs were so terrified of the noise that we could not bear to leave them alone in the room for even an hour. They wouldn’t have been barking but they would have been scared to death. As you pointed out, there’s no substitute for being there with them.
Thanks so much for your comment, Bonnie! I agree that being in the RV is more comfortable for us all, and your suggestions to leave the TV up, use the Do Not Disturb sign, and forgo maid service are great points. It’s a shame you missed the fireworks, but there would have been no way to enjoy them knowing your dogs were miserable. Waggin’ trails!
Im so afraid of leaving mine in a hotel in fear of them being stolen? Sm i worrying.too much?
I would never tell you that you’re being too cautious with your pets. It’s our responsibility to keep them safe. That said, we have left Ty in Buster in hotels rooms for short periods of time. One thing you could consider would be getting a Blink Camera. They’re fairly inexpensive and super-easy to set up. That would allow you to monitor your pets while your away. We use them in the RV and I wrote about it in this post: http://bit.ly/2KTkDtg
I hope that helps – waggin’ trails!
Hi Deborah! You have some great questions. It never hurts to request a room in a quiet area of the hotel, but there’s no way that I’m aware of to know which hotels have better sound insulation than others. Generally, I think most people understand a woof or two, but more than that can cause trouble. Another idea would be to consider vacation properties or cabins that would give you, and your pup, more privacy. Good luck to you!
Our dog alert barks when he hears noises so is it usually possible to ask for a room where there are fewer guests/foot traffic? Also, is there a way to differentiate between hotels with GREAT sound insulation and those with poor? We ourselves have been bothered by loud TVs, loud guests, rambunctious kids, etc so I would think that during daytime hours there should be some expectation that when in a place with a lot of activity and people, one must expect noise that one cannot necessarily control. How do we know how much barking is okay and how much is not?
Excellent suggestions, Lori – thanks for sharing!
Putting your dog in an anxiety-reducing compression shirt such as a Thundershirt or giving him an over-the-counter stress relief aid such as Rescue Remedy for pets can also minimize anxiety so that he is less likely to bark from fear or anxiety.
An excellent point, Kamelia! Getting a room near the stairs is our preference as well, as we find it easier to take the boys in and out using the stairs than the elevator. Thanks so much for your note, and waggin’ trails to you!
One thing we always try to make sure to do is address the location of our room with the front desk before they hand us our key cards. One thing we have found is that the rooms closest to the stairs (which few people seem to use) keeps less traffic from passing our room and confusing the dogs. This gives us and the dogs a little extra exercise as well. Being near the elevator, ice room, and vending area simply creates way too much traffic for one of our dogs. Also if hotels tried to keep pets on one floor or at the point their is the least amount of traffic flow it may help. We certainly understand that hotels cannot block off an entire floor for pets, however they should be able to gather some data and realize that the average number of rooms with pets during the week and weekend may differ. If on average for example, a hotel has 3 guests with a dog then try to use say the second or third floor and utilize the rooms near the stairs to place the guests. We have found this location the best for us and our furry kids. Just some food for thought.
I am planning atrip soon, and had not even thiught of barking. Thank you
Hi Amanda! I’m sorry to hear that you and your pup are having a “ruff” time. There are many reasons why dogs bark and whine, and discovering what’s causing your dog to be so vocal may require professional help. My suggestion is to look for a postive reinforcement trainer near your home and set up a consultation. The trainer will likely be able to assess your dog’s behavior and give you some things to work on together. Training your dog is a constant endeavor – there’s always something new to learn! And, while it is an investment of time and money, the joy it will bring you and your dog in the long run are well worth it. Good luck!
I took my puppy from a dog foster home about a year ago. I love him to bits; he has a great personality, and I feel that he loves our family so much. BUT he barks and whines A LOT. . So, leaving home is always a challenge for us.My husband and I were thinking about taking him to ‘doggy school’, but then again, it’s extremely expensive, and the nearest ‘doggy school’ is far away from us. Maybe you have some advice? THANK YOU!!!!
It’s all a learning experience, Tom. I’m sorry you (and your dog) had a sleepless night, but you’ll be much better prepared the next time. Everything takes a little practice to figure out, and traveling with your pup is no exception. Hang in there, and waggin’ trails to you!
I just spent one night in a motel with out dog. The problem was not being left alone but barking late at night at every person getting out of their car or walking by our room. We were in the room trying to sleep but the dog was very nervous all night. I was afraid one of the guest was going to confront me about the dog. I realized that I should have gotten a room on the second floor. I also thought I should have stayed in a better property with thicker walls.
Good luck, OKina! I’d be sure to inform the front desk about the situation, leave her something to keep herself entertained (like a stuffed toy or bully stick), and give her a shirt or blanket that smells like you. Hopefully she recognizes the routine quickly.
I just relocated for a job and because I don’t have a place yet I will be spending the next month in this hotel. I have my dog and cat with me and they are authorized. My cat isn’t a problem but my 5 year old Pomeranian hates the thought of me leaving. She was fine at home when I went to work, but I just know she is going to show out when I go to work in the morning. I have a crate, but she hates being confined. But if I don’t crate her she will probably scratch at the door and bark for who knows how long. I am super stressed about this because I don’t want her to get us put out and I can’t afford a sitter right now. I think I may block the door with suitcases so she at least can’t scratch, but I’m afraid she may bark all freaking day!! I guess I will find out tomorrow how this will go. Fingers crossed that she recognizes my morning work routine and keeps quiet until I get back.
Good luck, Jc! My recommendation is that you do as much as you can in advance to prepare your cats for the trip as possible. Acclimate them to the carrier you’ll use in the car, take a few short practice trips, and settle them in with a few of their favorite toys and a comfy bed or blanket when you take off. Safe travels!
I will actually be driving across country next year with my two cats. But one is a wailer. Hoping it doesn;t turn into a big problem.
We’re glad to help, Zsuzsana. Waggin’ trails to you!
Fantastic article, thank you I’ve always gone by all these guidelines but the idea of hiring a pet sitter while away has never occurred to me. Brilliant!
Valerie Vivas Excellent point, Valerie! Thanks for sharing.
GoPetFriendly.com AirBNB is another good source for private home/room rentals where dogs are allowed in some.
Exactly, Debi Rotmil!
This is such a superb idea! Hotel concieges always have a relationship with highly accredited nannies for guests staying at a hotel with young kids who need to be cared for during a stay while mom and dad go out. Why not have a network of highly regarded pet sitters for guest as well? Great idea!
Emmy the Pet Sitter An excellent idea for any pet traveler!
Emmy the Pet Sitter I LOVE it when sitters reach out to hotels, Emmy – it makes traveling with pets even easier for people!
Very good points, Susan! Dogs with seperation anxiety can do a lot of damage – to a house or a hotel room. And leaving a dog with that condition alone in any unfamiliar place could be asking for trouble. I completley agree that using the “Do Not Distrub” sign is an absolute must for people traveling with pets – we hang ours on the door even when we’re in there, just so we’re not unexpectedly surprised. Thanks for your note!
LOL, I see I recommended a white noise machine when you originally posted this! Now you know my secret: I have only a few ideas. :)
I travel with a white noise machine, which is effective for blocking out annoying sounds for me and for reactive dogs. The Lectrofan has a fan sound as well as white noise. Rather than wind down after 60 or 90 minutes, it stays at the same volume until you turn it off. It was about $70, and worth every penny.
I’m also a pet sitter. I think it’s up to sitters to contact hotels, rather than the other way around. It’s a good source of income.
As a housekeeper for many years at a hotel that went from pet friendly to not allowing pets I can tell you many, many horror stories about pets in rooms. Dogs that are left alone in a room can do a lot worse than bark. It is not just “extra cleaning”, it is replacing doors that are chewed through, blenkets, pillows, towels, and ruigs that dogs dig up. Our dog rooms were always out of order for repair. That is a loss of income. Please remember that hotels are not refusing pets because they are dog haters. I have two dogs that I travel with and I know how hard it is to find a place that will allow them. One last thing, BE SURE TO PUT THE DO NOT DESTURB SIGN OUT IF YOU LEAVE YOUR DOG ALONE IN THE ROOM! Do not just tell the front desk that you have a dog. I have seen more then one dog fly out the door when a housekeeper opens the door to clean the room.
I couldn’t agree more! Having a good relationship with a sitter should be a requirement of any pet friendly hotel. Pets would surely enjoy the company, people would be able to relax while they’re away from their pet, and hotels would have happier guests. Good for you for seizing this opportunity!
That’s a fantastic idea, Debi! Providing them in the pet friendly rooms could be wonderful for the pets, the people traveling with them, and for the hotel if it meant less disturbance of other guests.
I’m a pet sitter and get frequent requests for pet care in hotel rooms. If more hotels would make this option more accessible, they’d have less problem dogs. When I’m contracted to care for pets, I not only sit with them while their family is away, but I play with them in the room, make sure they’re fed, take them for long walks for exercise and to relieve themselves. Pet sitters and hotels need to have a better relationship to help all involved. Great article!
For some reason my one Frenchie doesn’t like hotel rooms but is fine when we rent a condo. Being a rescue, not sure what his issues are but we recently purchased a Petcube. I can now not only watch Wilber but can talk to him when we leave the room. Since we travel with our pets, this is peace of mind for everyone. I would never want my pets to annoy anyone. Maybe hotels could rent these to customers checking in with pets. All they need is a smart phone.
Agreed, Linda. We all need to remember that hotel walls are not sound-proof and be respectful of our neighbors … whether we have pets or children.
This is important and JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN QUIET AS WELL.
I’m sorry you’re suffering though these unfortunate circumstances, Stephanie! In a case like that, I think it would be considerate to leave a polite note for the owner on the door of the room letting them know that their dog was upset and spent the day barking/scratching. Many times people don’t know that their dog is in distress – because they’re fine when left at home, so they expect the same at a hotel. If they’re made aware of the situation, they will hopefully avoid causing their dog the anxiety of being left alone in an unfamiliar place. Good luck!
Very well written article and should be read by everybody traveling with a dog. I am staying in an extended stay hotel now as a traveling medical tech. One thing people need to also know is that some people are staying here not as a traveling vacation situation but as a worker and need their rest. As I write this there is a dog continuously barking that I’m sure the owners have left in the room. I have also heard dogs scratching at hotel room doors for hours. I’m sure there has to be some sort of responsibility left to the owners. I feel sorry for these dogs as the anxiety is just building for each experience they encounter being left alone! Be respectful to your pet and to other guests please!
GoPetFriendly.com Exactly, I know many hotels won’t let you have the pets in the room unattended and if I can provide a service to the hotel and their clients its a win situation for both.
Lola Smith I actually go the hotel and I’d take the dogs for a walk, sit with them in the room, and play with them. Since I have dogs I don’t bring dogs here unless they are already friend with my dogs. I am not set up to board dog and I can’t take the chance of being home a dog that isn’t dog friendly.
So how did that work? Did you take the dog walking until the owner came back? Did the bring the dog to you?
That’s a great point, Sherri! If pet travelers have the flexibility, it would be better to plan their hotel stays for days of the week that are less congested.
I have found on weekends in resorts, hallways are busy and set the dogs off. Staying on a Monday or Tuesday, especially off season, means there can be empty rooms on either side and quieter hallways.
Excellent point, Karen, and a great tip! We’d be able to hear Buster from the hotel lobby if he were going to bark, but we understand that not every dog is as loud as he is. ;-)
After taking a 2 week trip with my dog last summer, I can really relate to this article. I actually wrote a couple of posts about my experiences. One thing I would add is that if you are going to leave, walk a few doors away and then stand quietly and wait and see if the dog starts barking. Mine did the first couple of times I tried to sneak down to grab breakfast, and I had to return to the room. If you can hear your dog in the hall, it will be really annoying to the person in the room next door.
Great idea, Joyce! You’re helping the pets, their owners, the hotels, and the other hotel guests. It really doesn’t get any better than that.
Good article, I provide pet services and one of the first places I handed out my business cards to was the hotels in the area that accepts pets. This strategy worked and I have gotten business from folks traveling with pets and staying at those hotels.
Hi Dawn! Yep, most hotels do that that policy, which is really unpractical for anyone who’s not traveling with another human. Some hotels seem to understand that … and others either haven’t caught on, or have chosen not to revise their policy to make it more realistic.
That’s a perfect example, Emmy, of how we humans react the same way as dogs when we’re in an unfamiliar place. The people’s house your staying at probably are so used to their neighborhood noises that they don’t even hear them anymore – but for you, it’s all new! And yes, a white noise machine is a fantastic idea – for the dogs and the humans.
You and I were on exactly the same page, Edie. I thought that when hotels were charging high pet fees (I’ve seen as much as $100/night), they were just raking the people with pets over the coals. I’d never thought about the reimbursements they might be incurring. The email from this hotel manager really opened my eyes.
You’re so welcome, Melissa – we’re happy to help! Waggin’ trails to you and Bently.
I agree, Cathy. If the pet is going to sit alone in the hotel for hours at a time, I think they’d be better off staying home with a pet sitter or sleeping over with a friend. That’s exactly why we built the GoPetFriendly website – we wanted people to not only be able to find pet friendly places to stay, but also fun things to do with their pets!
That’s exactly what I’m talking about, Aavery! You clearly know your dogs well, and go out of your way to make sure their experience is a positive one. If only all dog owners knew to approach things the way you do – we wouldn’t be talking about hotels choosing to stop being pet friendly!
This is a perfect example of knowing your pet’s limitations and not putting him in a situation that he couldn’t handle, Doreen. Good for you, and thank you for taking such good care of your pup. <3
This is very helpful information. Every hotel room I’ve stayed in had a policy about not allowing dogs to be left alone in the rooms. I understand this policy, but it is almost impossible to abide by. I’ve left my dogs in the room for short periods. And while I don’t think they barked, I really don’t know for sure.
Great ideas. I don’t think people are necessarily irresponsible–I just don’t think they think about all these factors. I’m pet sitting right now and at night I hear doors banging and other weird sounds and I’m on edge. The owners say it’s an extremely safe neighborhood. Does that help me feel better? Not really! My nerves are on edge the way a dog’s nerves would be from doors opening and closing, the housekeeping cart, other dogs barking, etc. A white noise machine is a good idea, too. Pet friendly accommodations aren’t a right–they’re a responsibility.
What a great post! I thought that pet fees were being used to justify extra cleaning–though I thought of some human guests as being far more slobbery–but the cost to the hotel of having to pay refunds to the guests annoyed by barking never occurred to me. This is terrific advice for everyone who doesn’t want to see the trend towards pet friendly policies reversed.
Thanks for sharing these tips. We are going to be traveling with Bentley & this is very helpful.
Fantastic post! We travel extensively w/ our 2 dogs and rely heavily on dog friendly hotels. It’s sad to see that some are opting out of being dog friendly. We never leave our pets alone in a hotel room other than to run downstairs for a quick meal. We always give them a chew bone as we’re leaving the room. I don’t believe in leaving pets for hours alone in a room, you never know what can happen. Either you’re traveling WITH your pet or you’re not. I especially liked tips 5 – 7, great advice.
Great advice! We have traveled with both our pups, and never leave them alone in the room. Hubby and I alternate eating breakfast, or we eat in the room. And when we leave they get to go with us and stay in the car if they have too. We plan our trips around where they can go. Last time we stayed in a hotel it was hard for Dante and Ziva, they didn’t bark but they did a lot of grumbling and growling at all the car doors/hotel doors, as well as people talking noises. And when we did a week long stay at a cabin we rented – it was nice and quiet, the dogs got the hang of it pretty quick. But we also brought their crates so that they wouldn’t do any anxiety chewing on anything…but I don’t think we ended up leaving them alone at all.
Great article, I have one of those barking dogs so I would never even consider leaving him alone in a hotel room!! If he cannot go to what we are doing, we do not do it! We did find a pet friendly house to rent last summer but still did not leave alone in the house, he would bark the entire time!