Tips for a Great Travel Experience
Our goal is for people to be able to include their pets in all of their leisure activities – but to do that we’re going to have to convince the general public that our pets can be respectful participants. Traveling with your pet gives them the opportunity to shine! Here are a few tips to help them be successful when spending the night away from home:
Proper training goes a long way – Before traveling, your pet should be trained in good manners – some of the most important aspects are good socializing, housetraining, crate training, not damaging furniture, being quiet on command, and not jumping on people. Remember that pets may not follow commands as well in unfamiliar places, so if your pet is not reliable at home, chances are he or she will be less reliable away from home. A well trained pet is a pleasure to be with – an unruly pet could make for an unsettling vacation. Spending some time with a good trainer will strengthen your relationship with your pet and will make traveling more enjoyable for everyone.
Choose appropriate accommodations – If your pet has some behavior issues, choose accommodations that will give you pet the best chance of success. Request a ground floor or corner room to limit unfamiliar noises if your pet is easily disturbed. Perhaps a timid pet would prefer a small, quiet B&B with few guests (remember to check to see if there is a resident pet). A private cabin or cottage may work for a pet that has a tendency to bark. Remember, the goal is for you, your pet, and all the other guests to enjoy their stay!
Respect the rules – Find out in advance what rules and restrictions are in place at the location you will be staying, and respect them during your stay. If you find the restrictions to be unacceptable, make another selection.
Use your best judgment – The biggest hesitation people have about pet friendly accommodations is being disturbed by a barking dog during their stay. If the rules permit you to leave your pet unattended in the room, put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, notify the front desk and provide them with your cell phone number in case there is an issue. Additionally, it is best to crate your pet while you are out to prevent it from damaging furniture or escaping if someone were to enter the room. Finally, putting the television or radio on will cover noises in the hallway that might disturb your pet.
If your pet is prone to barking, or has separation issues, do not leave them alone in your room, even if the rules permit it. Local pet sitters or a day care facility are a great solution.
Be Considerate – If you let your pet on the furniture at home, they will likely want to be on the furniture when you are away as well. Bring a couple of old sheets that you can use to cover any furniture your pet will be using. Additionally, the housekeeping staff will be especially grateful if you take a few minutes to clean up any fur or other pet messes in the room before you depart. Finally, leaving a larger tip to compensate for any additional cleaning that will be required is in order.
Control your pet – Some people (and some pets) are afraid, allergic or simply don’t enjoy meeting other pets. Always keep your pet on a leash, and don’t approach people or other pets until you have permission. Your pet should never jump on, rush or bark at anyone.
Take responsibility – Your pets’ poo belongs to you! Be sure that you always pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste appropriately.
If your pet causes any damage, be sure to notify the front desk right away and arrangements to pay for the damage.
Taking these few simple steps is part of being a responsible pet owner. Be an example to others while you are traveling, and help us to establish a good reputation for the GoPetFriendly.com pack!