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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

MydogWillow · 21/10/2021 17:19

A bit like a no smoking policy but people think hanging out of the window will be fine because it's not really indoors?

prettyteapotsplease · 21/10/2021 17:22

That is completely unacceptable OP, you know it is. You either take the dog to a proper kennels or you forego this holiday. That is what a caring dog-owner does. If it means going without a holiday then so be it.

User57327259 · 21/10/2021 17:23

As a cottage owner, rules are made for a reason. Theowner of the cottage you want to stay in have made the rule "no dogs". A pp has made that rule too and has explained why. Future visitors to the cottage may have allergies which could be catastrophic to the owners if another guest has a very bad reaction.
My view would be if this family are going to bring a dog when the cottage owners have stated "no dogs" what other rules might these visitors break and how would the rule breaking would affect the business owners.
You are just selfish. You have got a dog and you think everyone should accept your dog. You are also cruel to the dog leaving it in a car.

CSJobseeker · 21/10/2021 17:27

YAB totally and utterly unreasonable

Rubyupbeat · 21/10/2021 17:27

Awful, just awful in every bloody way!!

LondonJax · 21/10/2021 17:27

There could be all sorts of reasons why the owners don't want a dog, as someone said up thread the owners could have dogs themselves.

Plus, to be honest, if we were neighbours and saw a dog in a car overnight we'd probably be concerned and report it. If we knew the owners of the cottage we'd probably start with them to ask if they knew whose car it was.

And, of course, there is possibly an element of noise for the neighbouring property. A dog in a car is a lot easier to hear than a dog in a house.

If you are going to do it I'd speak to the owners - only they know the area.

ilovebrie8 · 21/10/2021 17:28

Nope not on, get someone to look after him for you or find an alternative....this isn’t acceptable

FreeBritnee · 21/10/2021 17:30

Is this going to turn into one of the threads where everyone talks about cars spontaneously catching fire in the night?

ilovebrie8 · 21/10/2021 17:30

Poor pooch stuck in the car all night ...that’s a bit cruel to be honest

eekbumbler · 21/10/2021 17:30

Are you not better leaving him at home and getting a neighbour to feed him and let him out - not every situation needs a dog sitter.

Lockheart · 21/10/2021 17:31

This is going to be the new "cancel the cheque".

Posters should at least read all of OPs posts before commenting.

CatkinToadflax · 21/10/2021 17:32

Completely agree with the majority of comments above - YABU. It's also worth being aware of anyone coming along and being concerned about your dog being alone in the car and possibly reporting it. A couple of weeks ago I'd popped into Tesco's for literally three minutes to grab a bag of dog treats and run out again, and already there was someone standing by my car launching into a lecture about leaving dogs in cars. It was 10:10am on a Sunday morning and the shop didn't even open until 10am, so logic would suggest that she couldn't possibly have been on her own for ages, but no, he was determined to have a go at me. After that I actually felt a bit guilty for leaving her for three minutes. Leaving a dog overnight is another thing altogether....!!

NotMyCat · 21/10/2021 17:32

I don't see the car as any issue but the no pets is
At my old job we did nights and a colleague would bring her dog in the car. Every time someone went on a break he would get a fuss/walk/food and half the time he was snoring away. She had all the back seats down so he had loads of room and a water bowl etc

PissyMum · 21/10/2021 17:33

I have a holiday let that I list as dog free but if people phone up and ask me beforehand I generally let them. Before I made the property dog free people would let their dogs sleep on the beds, shit all over the garden and not pick it up and dig up all the plants and seemed to think that was acceptable as I’d listed it as dog friendly. When people call up now I can explain that the dogs are expected to stay off the furniture, garden needs to be left as found, occasionally take an additional deposit and make it clear that I live next door which seems to stop people taking the piss quite so much.

You can at least ask the owners, OP, the worst they can say is no. If your dog doesn’t settle and you know that he’s happier in the car, I don’t see why people are finding this so shocking (unless you’re actually staying in the highlands in December or Spain in August or something. Many people have dogs that sleep outside. I think keeping him off the property, including the garden, the whole time you’re there is unrealistic and will make you feel like you can’t relate as you’ve got to be out every minute the dog is awake.

randomsabreuse · 21/10/2021 17:34

@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.

Is there any difference if the dog is in kennels to the likelihood of hair transfer? We have moved house since our dog died (spinal arthritis age 13) and still find the odd hair... so coming straight from home/car where dog has been would certainly bring hairs in!

muddyford · 21/10/2021 17:35

YABU leaving your dog in a car overnight where the car isn't under your direct view and behind locked gates. And YABU thinking of taking your dog to a cottage which specifically says no pets. I would contact the owner and explain as you have here and see what they say. Or find a dog-friendly place.

VickyEadieofThigh · 21/10/2021 17:37

I see the OP is looking again, which I think is her best plan.

I want, though, to say something here about owners who "can't" put their dogs in kennels and rely on friends or sitters when they need to be away/without the dog. This can easily go pear-shaped (as seems to be the case for the OP who says the sitter is "not an option") if the usual person is unable to care for the dog.

I always say to friends and acquaintances - please get your dog used to going to kennels - because you never know when an emergency might arise (whether family-related or, simply, you've booked the sitter for your expensive foreign holiday and then the sitter for whatever reason is unable to to care for the dog at the last minute) and you're absolutely stuffed.

I know some people think their dogs will hate it - but it's the sensible and humane thing to do.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 21/10/2021 17:37

No. 100% not. I wouldn't say yes if I was the owners either

CarrotSticks23 · 21/10/2021 17:38

Is this thread is a back up for when OP is caught with a dog by the cottage owners 'oh he only stays in the car, I promise..I even started a MN thread'.

Surely you don't think this is acceptable?

Can you find someone to house sit so your dog can stay comfortable at home, and not get distressed by unusual locations or having to sleep in the car. Be honest with yourself about how much time he'd be spending in the car, how he's going to alert you if he needs a wee/has a problem in the night. How would you even know he's happy in the car, he cannot get up and wanted around because he has no space!

QuickityQuackity · 21/10/2021 17:39

@Floristry382

What will you do with the dog when you're getting ready in the morning/having breakfast/relaxing in the evening etc.

This

Flufferty · 21/10/2021 17:41

That’s totally unacceptable. Are you play on leaving the car window open so he can breathe?

SueSaid · 21/10/2021 17:44

I can see the op isn't going ahead but I can't get worked up about it. Many dogs sleep in draughty halls or kitchens. A car is surely snug and comfortable.

Wouldn't be my choice but as long as it got attention and exercise during the day then so what really.

FourTeaFallOut · 21/10/2021 17:47

@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.

This is me too. I wouldn't trust a dog owner to prioritise the well being of the next people in the accomodation over that of their dog if the car became uncomfortable or unsuitable. I hope the owners would say no.

toocold54 · 21/10/2021 17:47

Because when we've camped, we've either been next to him in a tent with someone in there with him.

When you are camping it’s absolutely fine to leave the dog in the car (as long as it’s not too hot etc) but no way would I leave my dog unattended in a car during the night when I’m in the house - someone could just break the window and steal them! I couldn’t sleep worrying about it.

I would definitely try and find another dog sitter - you could find one close by so you can still have him with you during the day.

godmum56 · 21/10/2021 17:49

do not do this.... I mean really....

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