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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a pet to a non-pet holiday cottage if it will not go on to the premises?

316 replies

ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 16:20

I think this should be fine but need perspective.

Our dog does not like sleeping anywhere except his bed or the car. He's happy at the dog sitters but that's not an option.

We've had a spontaneous look for a short break next week abd found a perfect 3 night cottage except it's not dog friendly.

The dog wouldn't sleep in the property anyway, he only settles in the car and is very happy in there.

The property has designated parking that is slightly off from the property, so he'd never be actually in the garden or house. We'll be out of the property most of time anyway exploring and finding dog friendly pubs.

I can't see any reason why an owner would object to this, but very aware that if there's neighbourly eyes keeping an understandable look-our, the optics aren't great, even though we're not technically breaking any rules.

I'm considering emailing before booking to ask permission but concerned that the word "dog" may create a reaction without the true scenario being realised, and we lose the property.

AIBU to take him anyway and chance it?

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 21/10/2021 16:57

Would you be allowing your dog in the cottage during the day?

Original poster
ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 16:57

@Lougle

How can you know how hot it will get in the car? Does he get any airflow?
Yes we have some strange contraption on the two front windows that means you can allow alrflow but it's safe.
OP posts:
SunshineCake1 · 21/10/2021 16:57

@ellyoctober

I can't see his bed from my bedroom at home, it's a few doors away. It's not too dissimilar.
Stop trying to pretend your dog sleeping in a car while you're in a house is the same as him in the kitchen and you upstairs in the same house.
WorriedGiraffe · 21/10/2021 16:57

It’s not the same as when you are camping next to the car. He can probably still hear you and no were you are when camping, and you could probably hear him bark, but in a house he’s never been in that’s not even right next to the car is different. I no you’ve already said you are BU, but it’s daft that you think there’s no difference.

Original poster
ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 16:58

@CounsellorTroi

Would you be allowing your dog in the cottage during the day?
No not at all, nor the garden or drive etc.

But we're looking elsewhere now, so it's moot.

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 21/10/2021 16:58

You've got an answer for everything and are clearly going to do it so not sure why you'd bother posting tbh.

ElsieSpanner · 21/10/2021 16:59

It's a YABU from me too, considering other customers who may have allergies to dog hair that could be transferred to furniture and bedding from owners clothes.

Hereward1332 · 21/10/2021 16:59

and not get up as previously and wander all night and disturb us all

I thought he slept soundly from 10 till 8?

randomsabreuse · 21/10/2021 17:00

We've done it in the past with our dog with no issues. He preferred the cars to in-laws' house which he really hated with a passion. Couldn't get him to settle anywhere in the house including in with us, settled happily in the car. Had properly obscured windows and a big fluffy bed plus blanket.

Twinstudy · 21/10/2021 17:00

I still don't really understand what would happen on an evening. Would you just put him in the car from when you get in until the next morning? It seems a bit cruel

melj1213 · 21/10/2021 17:00

YABVU

A dog sleeping in the car when you are nearby in a tent while camping, or as a one off is very different to intentionally leaving the dog alone in the car all the time.

My mum and dad have a dog, occasionally when they are having a party they will put the dog in their van overnight because she gets stressed if there are lots of people/noise. The whole of my parents house is open plan, but the utility room that she would usually be shut in leads to the downstairs loo so they can't put her in there so she goes in the van, but it is on the drive and is insulated so doesn't get too cold. There is enough room for her to have her bed and blankets down one end and her food and water down the other (my dad uses the van almost exclusively to take the dog out so she doesn't mess up their car and so she is very comfortable being in there) and someone will check on her throughout the evening. First thing in the morning she will be let out and brought back into the house.

I could not imagine leaving her there alone all day and night unless we were out of the house - all it would take is one day of torrential downpours where the dog is stuck in the car all day or for the dog to overturn a water bowl in the car and you have a situation where you have nowhere nowhere the dog to go while you clean up.

NewtoHolland · 21/10/2021 17:01

This is so so so far from OK it's deffo CF territory in my eyes. Just go somewhere dog friendly if you're bringing him, if not arrange care for him at home.

Wildheartsease · 21/10/2021 17:01

We've camped with ours in the car (his choice) ...but in summer.

How fluffy/lined-with-fat is yours? Are you sure it will be warm enough. (They don't bark to tell you when they get too cold - it uses energy that they need to stay warm.)

Camp-sites are quite contained - so not too many people walking about your car or worrying about a forgotten dog. How private is the space?

I probably wouldn't do it - though ours is car happy too. He isn't a Husky and hasn't live outdoors long enough to adjust to really low temps.

Original poster
ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 17:01

@HollyBollyBooBoo

You've got an answer for everything and are clearly going to do it so not sure why you'd bother posting tbh.
I'm.glad I posted because it's obviously changed my mind, as seen by me saying above that we're not going to do it.
OP posts:
Original poster
ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 17:02

@Hereward1332

and not get up as previously and wander all night and disturb us all

I thought he slept soundly from 10 till 8?

At home he sleeps soundly. And as far as we can tell there's no sign of unsettled night after being jn the car overnight for fewer than normal sleep hours.
OP posts:
mustlovegin · 21/10/2021 17:05

Don't do it OP

Original poster
ellyoctober · 21/10/2021 17:05

@ElsieSpanner

It's a YABU from me too, considering other customers who may have allergies to dog hair that could be transferred to furniture and bedding from owners clothes.
That's another really valid point, the transfer of allergens from us being with the dig all day would be potentially significant in a pet-free cottage. These sorts of perspectives are really useful thanks.
OP posts:
Pr1mr0se · 21/10/2021 17:07

Why don't you phone the rental agency or the owner and discuss the dog? I would not leave the dog in the car. Surely this won't be a relaxing break for anyone if you do.

CheltenhamLady · 21/10/2021 17:07

What kind of dog is it OP?

SpookyPumpkinPants · 21/10/2021 17:14

@Whatiswrongwithmyknee

As someone very allergic to animals, this makes me anxious. I chose places that don't allow animals so I don't get ill. If people push boundaries they can make me sick.
How on Earth is a dog, in a car, not on the property going to be an issue?? seriously
MydogWillow · 21/10/2021 17:15

I think the first thing would be to ask the owner...Confused ?

Aside of all the points made by the pp's, a no dog policy may also be for allergies to safeguard other holiday makers.

Even if your dog doesn't come in, you won't be able to prevent dog hairs, rinsing bowls, or dog blankets if you bring them in from the wet etc?

shockthemonkey · 21/10/2021 17:15

Wow you've had some harsh words OP.

I totally get how your DDog loves the car... mine does too - the car is almost always good news (exciting walk, holiday with her favourite people).

I still wouldn't be able to leave her in one overnight. So a very gentle YWBU from me (though I appreciate you have ruled it out now, so it's moot).

MrMucker · 21/10/2021 17:16

It surprises me that the"perspectives" in this thread are new to you OP. They ought to be the sorts of things you think about anyway when you consider getting a dog in the first place tbh
Ridiculous to suggest you could take a pet to no pet accommodation because "well, our situation is different". It makes you "that" sort of dog owner. Mine is different.
It isn't.

HolidayLetter · 21/10/2021 17:16

OP, I was a child in the 70s and we always took a dog on holiday with us, though we didn't always stay in dog-friendly hotels. The dog slept in the car, and it wasn't an issue - so I think people are being a bit precious about that. This particular dog quite often went to work with my dad in the car, and regarded it as her second home. My parents would do a last-thing walk at 11-12ish and then an early one. The rest of the time, we'd be out and about and doing things (beach, walking, days out etc), and the dog would be with us. She'd just stay in the car overnight. I don't remember it ever being hot, but I suppose my parents would have left all the windows open if it had been (she was a huge dog, so couldn't have escaped easily).

I think the problem with a holiday let is that an owner might not be convinced that you'd keep the dog in the car - especially given that, as PP demonstrate, it's relatively unusual nowadays.

The PP's point about there possibly being resident dogs is also a good one.

Maybe a compromise would be to find somewhere that's dog friendly, which then gives you the option to have the dog in the house, should you have a reason to - but means he can also sleep in the car if that's what he's used to and that's what would give everyone (dog included) a more peaceful night? It would also spare you any curtain-twitching or suspicious emails from owners.

What you absolutely can't do under any circumstances is have a dog in a property that is advertised as 'no pets' - but you're not proposing to do that!

36SG · 21/10/2021 17:19
Hmm