Vacations with your dog can be tons of fun. What’s not always so fun? Finding pet-friendly accommodations. Here are some tips for where to stay and how to be respectful on the road.

Picture this: you’re on the road with your pup, knocking items off your bucket list. You don’t have to worry about finding a sitter or leaving them at a boarding kennel. You’re bonding and experiencing the world together.

Traveling with your dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. But at the end of the day, you need to have somewhere to crash. Finding pet-friendly accommodations can be a challenge, especially if your pups can’t fit inside a purse!

So, how can you plan for a successful trip and book safe, dog-friendly accommodations along the way? Here are some tips for finding places to stay and how to behave so the proprietors don’t end up regretting their pet policies.

Understanding Dog-Friendly Accommodations

Most hotels, at least in the United States, don’t allow people to bring pets or emotional support animals along for their stay. Service animals are an exception to this.

However, businesses that host people overnight do have the option of permitting animals. Some hotels, inns, and other accommodations allow pets to stay in the room as long as their owners follow the establishment’s individual policies. These policies are designed to help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the property and ensure an enjoyable stay for all. Policies might include:

Damage Deposits and Cleaning Fees

If a hotel allows pets, they usually require some kind of deposit in case an animal causes any damage to the room during their stay. They might also collect a pet fee to account for extra cleaning that might be needed to ensure a hair-free experience for the next guests!

Sometimes, these fees apply to each pet. Or, they might be assessed on a per-room basis. Pet fees can add up, so make sure to factor them into your vacation budget.

Common Restrictions and Policies

Even when a hotel is pet-friendly, they might have limitations on the number of animals you can have in your room. Some places also require dogs to be under a certain weight limit. Depending on where you travel, this can greatly reduce your options.

Hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals (like those on AirBnB and VRBO) might also have restrictions on leaving dogs alone in the room or at the campsite, noise regulations, and policies on keeping dogs leashed. Before you book pet-friendly accommodations, it’s extremely important to understand the site’s individual policies.

Not sure about something? Contact the establishment in advance and ask!

Choosing the Right Pet-Friendly Accommodations

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing your dog-friendly vacation accommodations. Policies, amenities, and budget are usually the top concerns. Your dog’s temperament and personality are also important–will they bark at every little noise and need to stay in a cottage/house, or would they be fine staying in a large, multi-room hotel?

The good news is that there are pet-friendly accommodations for just about every budget. High-end hotels sometimes offer dog room service and other perks. While you won’t get those perks at budget hotels, you’ll spend a lot less.

Dog-Friendly Hotel Chains

You’d be surprised by how many hotel chains are dog-friendly across the board. The benefit of staying at a hotel chain is consistency–you will mostly know what to expect. With that said, some hotels do have individual policies at each branch regarding pets, so it’s important to check. Some hotel chains to look into include:

Motel 6 (typically no pet fees!)
Red Roof Inn
Hampton Inn
Extended Stay America
Best Western
Choice Hotels
Marriott

Pet-Friendly Campgrounds, Rentals, and Inns

Dog-friendly vacation rentals, inns, and campgrounds are often privately owned and have their own specific pet policies. Some places allow pets but are so restrictive that you’re better off finding a truly pet-friendly lodging option. Read the fine print before you book!

It’s also a good idea to look up reviews about the places you’re considering. Try to find reviews from people who stayed there with pets to get a better idea of what you might experience.

Planning Your Dog-Friendly Vacation

If you’re bringing your dog along on a trip, advance planning is a must. Some vacations simply aren’t suitable for dogs, and it’s best to leave your pups at home if you’re going to be visiting lots of places where dogs aren’t allowed. Some hotels won’t even allow you to leave your dog in the room alone while you sightsee.

Also, consider if your dog will be comfortable when traveling. Will you be driving? Flying? Taking a train? A dog that is small enough to travel in the cabin of a plane with you might do fine, but a larger dog might not want to go out of driving distance if they have to fly in cargo.

What to Do? Where to Go?

When planning your dog-friendly vacation, think about what you and your dog enjoy most. Are you excited about patio dining and exploring new cities? Hitting the trails at state and national parks? Swimming in the ocean or jumping into lakes?

Let your favorite activities guide you in looking for dog-friendly vacation spots. Do some advance research to make sure that you can find dog-friendly spots and activities. When you’re planning your trip, try to minimize stress for you and your dog so you can enjoy that time together.

When you’re considering potential destinations, don’t leave anything to chance. Make sure the parks and beaches you’re scoping out allow dogs. Some national parks, for example, don’t permit dogs on trails due to the fragile ecosystems they steward. Beaches are often closed to dogs during busy summer months. Many places require dogs to be on a leash.

Everyone has different needs and priorities when on vacation with their dogs. Think about what’s most important to you and plan your trip around those needs and priorities.

Don’t Wait to Book Hotels That Allow Dogs!

Be sure to book your pet-friendly accommodations as far in advance as possible. Some establishments only have a certain number of rooms designated as “pet-friendly,” and these can fill up quickly during the high season!

Online Resources for Finding Dog-Friendly Accommodations and Activities

Once you’ve settled on a destination, it’s time to find a place to stay! Luckily, there are lots of online resources that can help you filter out hotels and other lodging options that don’t allow pets. Some sites include:

Groups on social media can also be a great way to get recs for your next dog-centric vacation. Just be aware that some of the dog groups can be a little *much,* so be prepared if you choose to use them for research.

Some hotel booking sites have filters for attributes like pet-friendliness. You can even just do a Google search on pet-friendly lodging and activities in the area you’re interested in visiting. This can be a little more time-consuming, but you might just find some hidden gems!

Common Sense Etiquette for Dog Owners on Vacation

As a guest, whether you’re staying in a hotel or inn, an AirBnB, or even a campground, it’s important to be respectful of the property and the rules that apply to it. Get familiar with all of the establishment’s policies and follow them carefully. Some places have stopped accepting pets due to problems like noise, destructiveness, and aggression from visiting dogs, so do your part to be good ambassadors when you travel!

In addition to general policies, there are some common sense etiquette tips you should follow when traveling, including:

Cleaning up after your dog
Keeping noise to a minimum
Preventing your dog from damaging property
Keeping your dog away from other guests and animals (unless they ask to say hi and you/your dog are cool with it)
Having your dog on a leash as required and under voice control in off-leash areas
Being mindful of shared spaces and how your dog’s presence might impact others
Rinsing your dog off if they get muddy before going back into your accommodations

Making Your Dog-Friendly Vacation Memorable (For the Right Reasons)

Traveling with your dog should be fun and as stress-free as possible. Researching hotels that allow dogs and lining up comfortable pet-friendly accommodations in advance will make your trip go much more smoothly. Having plans for what to do if your dog gets noisy, stressed, or becomes ill will also help ensure that you’re prepared for anything that might happen.

When you travel with the intention of enjoying time with your dog, it can be a great bonding experience. Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy your next adventure!

For help with your Go Anywhere Do Anything dog, reach out to the experts at SuperPup Academy. We offer private coaching, group calls, and a private Facebook group for questions and feedback through Patreon.

Vacations with Your Dog: Pet-Friendly Accommodations and Etiquette