Help! Currently in an air b&b and having a dispute with the host!

[UpsetMummyofOne]

Hi all, advice much needed ! Currently in an air b&b, a whole flat rental, with my family and two dogs. The listing said dogs and small pets would be considered. I booked this back in November as soon as we got the save the date, and in my very first message to the host I said we had two dogs. Since then, we have had messages back and forth about the keysafe, provision of towels, linen, amenities etc. We arrived earlier this evening and settled in, met the neighbours and let the host know we had arrived via message on the app. A few hours ago I have received a message from the host saying that we have been seen with dogs that we didn't declare and she has respectfully asked that we don't leave the dogs alone in the property while we are here as previous guests dogs have whined when they have been left. I have wrote back apologising that she didn't realise we were bringing dogs and that wasn't my intention and I mentioned them in my very first message to her ! We are here for an event which takes place tomorrow that the dogs will not be able to come to and I am not prepared to leave them in a car for hours, especially with this heat we have been having. Any advice where I stand with this ? I am tempted to open a dispute with air b & b - not familiar with this process. The property was described as modern in the listing - it is farm from modern, quite worn and dated like a lot of dog friendly accommodations are that we have been to before! I am upset that the host thinks I tried to sneak dogs in behind her back. I have looked back at our correspondence and the dogs have definitely been mentioned. Where do I stand and what should I do next ?

Leave the dogs. I'd say that it was obvious from your first message you would be leaving the dogs while at the wedding. At that point it was up to the owner to clarify that they couldn't be left and refuse your booking. It's their mistake and there's nothing they can do about it.
I would state this all in the review and how this should be made clear in the house rules and how stressful they have now made your trip.

I can’t imagine any holiday cottage where it would be acceptable to leave dogs alone. Your message said you were bringing dogs not leaving them alone for a day.
Why did you not simply put the dog in daycare or Kennels? Taking a dog away usually means you want to spend your holiday walking the dog, having pub suppers etc. It doesn’t usually mean you’re leaving unattended all day.

If you cross into the congestion charge area it doesn't matter how many of or if your car have a unicycle or a bike - you#ll be charged.

If you’re confident in your plans and your dog, just leave them! Very unlikely anyone will be able to check.

I think you made the wrong decision I'm bringing the dogs with you tbh.

I wouldn't take my dog away for the weekend only to leave them alone in a strange place - I accept it's cheaper/easier to do that but it's not fair on the dog.

I have a dog for example that sleeps on the bed - most cottages will say this isn't acceptable, however I've always asked and most places have happily allowed it as a result of that.

It was obvious from your first message that you planned on leaving the dogs, nobody takes dogs to a wedding. I think the host is mostly worried about her NDN kicking up a fuss if your dogs bark or whine. Have you explained that you will be returning regularly throughout the day?

There’s nothing you can really do at this point unless you find a local kennel with space. Definitely cannot leave them in the car under any circumstances. It’s set to be 30 degrees today ffs!

@distantdog, I don't know anyone who has a dog who would leave it alone on holiday. That is not what a good loving dog owner would do.

You don't leave children alone in a strange place (well most don't) so why a dog? If they are going to interfere with your holiday fun then leave them in kennels or with a dog sitter in the first place.

Every property we have stayed at has requested that any pets are not left alone at any time, but if this wasn't mentioned in the booking information...?

Every holiday let I've ever stayed in has had the rule about not leaving dogs behind when you go out. A lot of campsites have rules about not leaving them in your own caravan or motorhome, too. I wouldn't have expected any different.

However, as you'd told them at any early stage that you were going to a wedding, and it'd be a pretty weird wedding that dogs were allowed at (but weird in a nice way), I think the hosts should have pointed it out sooner.

If you're confident that they won't trash the place, I'd do it anyway, I think.

I’d go with your original plan. If you have wi Fi and 2 smartphones look at downloading a baby monitor app so you can keep an eye on the dogs remotely.

We don't have pets but have stayed in properties (though not used air b&b) where the odd dog is allowed. Everyone has had the rule that dogs cannot go on furniture and that dogs cannot be left in the property alone. I thought that was the norm tbh.
Is there no written 'rules' for the property anywhere?

Every property we’ve ever been to with the dog has stated that you can’t leave dogs on their own but if there’s been nothing up until this point where you are that says this then I wouldnt worry about it.

Yes the owners should have stated that dogs cannot be left alone but maybe they thought people would be sensible enough not to do that anyway?

Everywhere I have ever stayed that allows dogs says they are not to be left alone. As I said before, I just don't understand why anyone would think it a good idea.

Don’t stress it OP. Give them a good walk this morning then pop back intermittently to make sure they’re ok. If they’re older dogs and not young puppies I’m sure they’ll be fine.

I'm staggered at all the people suggesting it is the air bnb's responsibility to second-guess the OP's plans I'm leaving the dogs alone because they're there for a wedding!
Whatever happened to personal responsibility.
As others have said, it's fairly standard procedure to say 'no dogs left unattended,' and it's the OP's responsibility to read the small print.

Buy a very large indoor kennel (I know - expense you can do without) and put the dogs in there in a cool area with a bowl of water. Close the blinds/curtains. Put a radio on low. Leave them there.

That way they are less likely to whine or bark, because there is nothing to distract them, and there is no chance that they will get distressed and damage anything in the B&B.

My neighbours have been renting their house out as a holiday cottage (not through air BnB) and had people stay recently who left 2 dogs, caged, in the glass-roofed kitchen on one of the hottest days of the year. The dogs barked constantly. They were out all day.

I have also stayed in a semi-detached holiday cottage where the other half was occupied by a couple with dogs. Again, the dogs were very noisy when the couple went out for the evening. Definitely dampened our experience.

Obviously, not all dogs are like this - but if you are running a business you should assume that they might be.

The host has reminded you of their rules

Actually, it seems they have told the OP the rules for the first time.

You don't leave children alone in a strange place (well most don't) so why a dog?

A dog is not a child.

I think if you are going to come back and forth for the dogs ,then they wont be left alone for long periods of time .Then it shouldnt cause any problems for you .TBH for future reference make sure of the stipulations before you book.Rover.com have a nationwide network of vetted and approved dog sitters.I would be wary of someone from FB however as you have no way of knowing anything about them!.

Our neighbour sometimes looks after friend's dogs whilst they are on holiday.

They whine and bark when alone in a strange house.

Great for us tho right?

I wouldn't leave the dog but it sounds like he is a lot younger that yours and he is a pain. I should really get out of bed and see what he has found now...

Anyway the rules should have been set out in the "house rules" bit. Presumably it's not?

she has respectfully asked that we don't leave the dogs alone in the property while we are here as previous guests dogs have whined when they have been left.

I would drop a not through the neighbour's door apologising that you didn't know they could be left, telling them your plans for popping back and walking them and giving them your mobile number if there are any problems.

Nothing was said before this and it's far too late to do anything about it now.

We've stayed in many places with our dog and there are always 4 key rules:

1. clean up any mess
2. keep dogs off furniture
3. dogs are not allowed in bedrooms/upstairs
4. dogs are not to be left unattended in the accom

We've come to expect this so don't have to ask or check the rules. In fact sometimes I tell the owner! Maybe it should be more explicit in the T's & C's for this Air BnB but it's common sense to me. The owner doesn't know your dogs and has to err on the side of caution.

Every self-catering type place I've stayed in with dogs (and there have been lots) has specified that you should not leave the dogs alone in the property. As I wouldn't leave my dogs alone in a strange place - even with usually reliable ones, you never can quite tell how they will react - this hasn't been an issue for me.

As you said from the start that you were bringing two dogs, the host should have picked up on it immediately and said that you couldn't leave them in the property. As it is, get someone to dog-sit if possible.