Dog Lovers United

Taking Your Dog on Vacation - Choosing Dog Friendly Hotels
 by: Anita Funkhouser

One of the most important aspects of taking your dog on vacation is choosing the right form of accommodation for you, your family members and your dog. It used to be that, if you wanted to take your dog with you on vacation, you had to go in an RV because no hotels or condos would accept dogs as guests. Even some RV parks would not allow dogs. In other words, it was almost impossible to go on vacation together as a family unit. However, times have changed, and there are now thousands of hotels, motels and inns across the United States that accommodate guests with dogs.

Dog friendly hotels realized that they were missing out on business by not allowing pets and, as such, resolved to offer you another option when you take your dog on vacation. They often advertise themselves as dog friendly and can be located via a quick Internet search. However, you should not settle for the first one you find but, instead, take your time to choose. After all, you do not want to stay in a dirty hotel with bad service. You would not settle for it if you left your dog at home so why settle for it now?

Check consumer reviews on the Internet before you choose the hotel in your place of destination. Consumer reviews are a great way to find out just how good each and every hotel is. Everything will be laid out there in black and white so if the reviews are positive it is worthy of consideration. You should then check the facilities for both yourself and your dog to ensure that everything you need will be provided. Only then will you be equipped to choose the best dog friendly hotel available to you. Most hotels set their own policies, so it is important to call ahead and ask if pets are permitted and if there is a size limit and/or extra charge.  

You can find the following publications (list provided by the Humane Society) at most bookstores, which provide listings of dog-friendly lodging:

Arden, Andrea and Emmanuelle Morgan. Fodor's Road Guide USA: Where to Stay With Your Pet.

Automobile Association of America. Traveling With Your Pet—The AAA PetBook.

Barish, Eileen. Vacationing With Your Pet.

Fish, Kathleen and Robert. Pets Welcome.

Grayson, Fred N. and Chris Kingsley. The Portable petswelcome.com: The Complete Guide to Traveling with Your Pet.

Habgood, Dawn and Robert. Pets on the Go: The Definitive Pet Accommodation and Vacation Guide.

Kain, Tara. DogFriendly.com's United States and Canada Dog Travel Guide.

Kain, Tara. DogFriendly.com's California and Nevada Dog Travel Guide.

Nelson, M. E. The Pet Travel and Fun Authority of Best-of-State Places to Play, Stay & Have Fun Along the Way.

As you and your dog take a vacation together, it's important that you do your part to ensure that your dog will continue to be welcomed as a traveling companion. Obey local animal control ordinances, keep your dog under control at all times and be thoughtful and courteous to other travelers.

For more information on taking your dog on vacation, see http://www.gogreendogbeds.com/taking_your_dog_on_vacation/

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