no one wants to be that People…People whose dogs are barking at pet-friendly hotels. Learn what to teach your dog before traveling together, and tips for keeping your dog quiet during your next hotel stay.
There are many reasons why you don’t want a barking dog in your hotel. Seeing your dog in pain is more than just heartbreaking. It would also be embarrassing to know that you are responsible for causing inconvenience to other guests. If the hotel asks you and your dog to leave, it can be costly.
Dog barking at hotels leads to higher pet fees
But the real cost of barking dogs in hotels can impact the entire pet travel community. Some hotels are no longer accepting pets due to bad experiences they’ve had.
Recently, a hotel manager asked that the hotel’s listing be removed. GoPetFriendly.com. When I asked why they were no longer pet friendly, his answer was:
[Being pet friendly…] There were significant costs in terms of guest satisfaction and room rate rebates to other guests who were disturbed by the dog’s barking. Things like this happen more often than we would like and push us to the brink.
For many years, I have opposed exorbitant pet fees. However, I didn’t think about the cost to hotels caused by barking dogs.
There is no doubt that the refunds needed to satisfy dissatisfied guests with dog anxiety are being made available to all pet travelers in the form of increased pet fees. That’s only if the hotel doesn’t stop accepting pets altogether.
So what can you, as a responsible pet traveler, do to avoid ruining the fun for others? The tips below will help you avoid your dog barking at your hotel .
Read more ⇒ Hotel chains that allow pets
Deciding if a hotel is the best choice
You should understand your dog’s tendencies and limitations before traveling with him. It’s your job to make sure your puppy doesn’t end up in a situation that it can’t handle.
Therefore, if your dog barks a lot at home, a hotel may not be a suitable accommodation choice at this time. Pet-friendly vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, cabins, or a stay with family and friends will be more comfortable.
Both of these options will reduce hallway noise, which is probably the biggest cause of dog barking. Having friends or family with you can also reduce any anxiety your pup may be feeling because you’ll have someone (or a pet) around to keep your pup company.
In time, you will be able to teach your dog to stop barking on command. Once he acquires those skills, hotels could become a viable option.
Read more ⇒ Tips for booking a pet-friendly cabin or vacation rental
Teach your dog to stop barking
Teaching your dog to stop barking takes time and patience. To be clear, I am not suggesting that you train your dog. never Barking…just stop barking when you ask.
This type of training is best started at home. and i found Dr. Dunbar’s video Very useful for Miles’ training. One of our biggest challenges was teaching Miles to stop barking at people and dogs walking near our camper while staying at the RV park. This is a similar situation to staying in a hotel and expecting your dog to stop barking at unfamiliar sounds.
We started by teaching Miles the commands he meant. should bark. We say “teach me” and if he starts barking at something I say the command and if he keeps barking I praise him.
Read more ⇒ train a dog for travel
Then I held the treat in front of his nose and said, “Be quiet.” Dogs can’t bark while sniffing, so give them a treat when they’re quiet.
Over time, I extended the time between saying “quiet” and giving the treat, teaching him to stay quiet longer and longer to get the reward.
Once he got the hang of it, he started practicing with more difficult distractions, like people walking outside the RV, dogs, squirrels, and chipmunks. Each new distraction required a little more effort to overcome, but he understood it faster and faster.
Now I’m grateful that he barked just once when he found out something he thought we should know. After all, it’s the dog’s job to warn us. And if he barks twice I tell him to be quiet.
This type of training takes time and requires consistency, so it’s better to start at home. Once your dog understands the command, it will be much easier to apply the training to different situations. When he has a solid “silence”, you can stay at the hotel and let him relax when you hear unusual sounds.
How to avoid dog barking at hotels
If your dog has the skills to stay quiet in a hotel, you can avoid potentially bothering others by not leaving him alone. Sitting alone in an unfamiliar place with stranger smells and strange noises is no fun for any dog.
Instead, plan activities that include your pup, choose pet-friendly restaurants or get take-out meals, and have friends meet up at your hotel instead of heading out to see them.
If you’re attending an event where pets aren’t allowed, consider hiring a pet sitter to keep your pup company while you’re away. When you book your hotel, ask if they can provide you with a list of recommended pet sitters in the area.
Read more ⇒ Tips for finding the right pet sitter
Set your pet up for success
If you have to leave your pet alone at a hotel for a short period of time, the following steps can help you and your dog avoid problems.
1. Make sure your hotel’s pet policy allows you to leave your pet alone. Many hotels require pets to be crated if left alone, so make sure your dog is crate trained before your trip.
2. Do not leave your pet alone until they are accustomed to the hotel room. Take the time to establish the hotel room as “home” in your dog’s mind and make him understand that if you leave, you’ll be right back. For us, this means not leaving Miles until after he has slept in the room for at least one night.
3. Upgrade to a suite if available. For example, if you have a separate living room and bedroom, you can settle your dog in the room furthest from the hallway. The room in between acts as a buffer, giving your dog space to protect from activity outside the door.
4. Keep your time out as short as possible. Do what you have to do and get back to your dog as soon as possible.
5. Bring something that will make your dog comfortable, such as a bed and blanket. If your dog is used to sleeping in a crate, consider covering the crate with a blanket you have at home to keep your dog calm.
Read more ⇒ What to bring for an overnight trip with your dog
6. Tired dogs don’t make any noise. Make sure your dog has plenty of opportunity to take a long walk and relieve himself before heading out.
7. Get him something special to keep him busy while he’s alone. Whether it’s a tasty chew, a toy filled with food, or a dog puzzle that requires effort to retrieve the treat. If your dog’s mouth is active, he’s less likely to bark.
8. Listen to classical music stations on the radio or TV to help your dog relax. Leave it playing quietly to cover any noise that might cause barking.
9. Stop by the front desk every time you drop off your pet and make sure the agent has your cell phone number. If you need to turn off your ringer, leave your phone on vibrate so you can always reach us.
10. Every dog can have bad days. If the hotel informs you that the puppy is missing. loudlyapologize and return to the hotel immediately. Then, don’t leave your dog alone for the rest of their stay.
Staying in a pet-friendly hotel is a privilege. It is our responsibility to avoid causing problems for the hotel and other guests.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your dog quiet in a hotel room? Leave a note in the comments section below.
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