Being a good houseguest?

[Mattsmum2]

This is probably a strange question. Im staying with my partner for a long weekend soon at some friends. They’ve moved recently to the south coast. They used to live very near to my dad so whenever I visited him, about 2 hours away, I made sure I visited my friends. When I stayed with my dad it was my childhood home, I felt comfortable and had everything I needed, he cooked or we went out, I slept in my old bedroom. Fast forward and now my dad has passed away. There’s nothing for me to travel to see and now I find I am going to stay in someone’s house for the weekend, also with our dog. My question is what do I do? Do I take a gift, do I take food to eat, do I take towels? Im nervous that I want us to be good house guests, but when I think about it I’ve never stayed at anyone else’s house, only my childhood home. Trying not to panic.

Laughing at those getting worked up about someone taking their dog to a friend's house.

Anyway, only take a towel if you are someone who uses loads. I would ask what yoh can bring specifically eg. Dessert for that evening etc rather than take something random. If they eat chocolates/biscuits take some nice ones. And also whatever they drink.

Taking a dog to stay with friends is a huge deal, even if they also have dogs, as a pp demonstrated — people have such different ideas about training, routine, what part of the house the dogs can access, night time, feeding etc. It can be a real culture clash.

Make sure your dog is cleaned after walks. Take dog blankets. I always tajr my own towels to save on washing.
I would take wine , cheese and flowers and ask in advsnce if they want you to bring anything else food-wise. If you go out one lunch/evening I would pay.

I would have thought that op has checked all this out way ahead of the visit. Some people are really fine with visiting dogs.