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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:
MagpieMary · 21/10/2021 19:18

I think this is a crazy idea for all the reasons mentioned above.

JinglingHellsBells · 21/10/2021 19:19

Just another example for you @ellyoctober

A while back we stayed at a pet-free cottage and I asked the owner if a relative could visit us for a few hours, with their very old, well trained dog and let it walk in the large grounds on a lead, but not come into the cottage.

They said no, as it would give the people in the adjoining cottages that it was 'ok' when it's not - no dogs on site is their rule.

MesChiensSontBeaux · 21/10/2021 19:22

People need to read the thread, or at least OPs posts.

OP HAS DECIDED NOT TO DO THIS!

Coffeepot72 · 21/10/2021 19:26

I am pleased the OP has reconsidered

SpookyPumpkinPants · 21/10/2021 19:44

@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 could be said of any school/workplace/transport/Café/pub/restaurant/shop place outside of your home and friends visiting your home. I'd be amazed if anyone is SO affected.
TheOnlyMrsM · 21/10/2021 19:49

I'm glad you're not going to do it, OP - for many reasons, including the possibility of dog theft these days.

BlueSuffragette · 21/10/2021 19:51

Glad you decided not to do this OP. Your poor dog would have been really cold sleeping in a car.

Redarrow2017 · 21/10/2021 19:57

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

LowlandLucky · 21/10/2021 19:57

Paddingtononthebear It is a dog, they can and do live outside.

justsmallpotatoes · 21/10/2021 19:58

This is totally fine!!!! Op has stated her dog goes to work with his dad and like the car. A big duvet in the back and the dog would be fine!!! Everyone needs to calm down!!!

rhowton · 21/10/2021 19:59

My dog had terrible separation anxiety and would only settle in the car. If we went anywhere, in the car he would sleep.

oakleaffy · 21/10/2021 20:07

Jeez!
Let the poor dog sleep in the house with you in his basket
Cars are not safe places for dogs, and he will get bored and lonely overnight if he is used to being with you.

oakleaffy · 21/10/2021 20:11

@LowlandLucky

Paddingtononthebear It is a dog, they can and do live outside.
Not in a caring home, they don’t. Even Farm dogs live indoors with the farmers I know - Here and Australia- They might be outdoors all day with their people, but at night, in they come.
HalfCakeHalfBiscuit · 21/10/2021 20:59

Of the many nuts things I have read on MN, this probably takes the biscuit

TheOnlyMrsM · 21/10/2021 21:02

The OP must have been feeling woof to even consider this.

Scirocco · 21/10/2021 21:10

Of course you can't reasonably do this.

Firstly, it's unkind to the dog to leave him alone overnight in a vehicle, especially one parked in an unfamiliar place. Having done it before doesn't make it ok. What if he gets distressed, or needs to go for a wee/poo, or if someone tries to break into the car, or if someone crashes into the car? He's trapped in the vehicle then with no way to even alert someone that he needs help.

Secondly, if the dog can't come onto the property, you're leaving yourself with no backup plan if for any reason he needs to not be in the car. At that point you then have to either sneak him into a dog-free property (totally unreasonable), find somewhere for him to go at extremely short notice, or leave your holiday early.

You need to either find dog-friendly accommodation for your holiday or arrange for the dog to have his own holiday at a kennel or with a dog-sitter.

GettingItOutThere · 21/10/2021 21:13

thats really cruel.

so he sleeps 10-8 in the car, you walk him and put him back in the car?
then what. he stays in the car most of the day? another walk and back in the car at night. cruel.

camping is different - he can get out 8am and potter round because hes allowed.

you are being VVVV unreasonable and i feel sad for your dog

LowlandLucky · 21/10/2021 21:57

Paddingtononthebear Our dogs lived in a shed and were the most loved dogs on the planet. Their shed had pallet beds so were off the floor. They had straw and a blanket, they even had curtains. If we can leave the sheep, cows and the cat out why can't we leave the dogs out ?

Nanny0gg · 21/10/2021 22:10

@LowlandLucky

Paddingtononthebear Our dogs lived in a shed and were the most loved dogs on the planet. Their shed had pallet beds so were off the floor. They had straw and a blanket, they even had curtains. If we can leave the sheep, cows and the cat out why can't we leave the dogs out ?
Because if that's what they've known that's fine.
liveforsummer · 21/10/2021 22:14

My dog is most happy left in the car if ever left alone too however no, I definitely would not do this!

GlomOfNit · 21/10/2021 22:16

@ellyoctober

I think the consensus is IABU.

I'll keep looking, and tell him he's got to sleep soundly in the next pet friendly property, and not get up as previously and wander all night and disturb us all Grin

wait - I thought you said he slept all night without stirring? So in fact, do you just want him in the car to keep him from disturbing you?

This is an absolutely batshit OP. Grin I don't have a dog but I'd never treat one like this, or assume that the landowners don't care that you will all smell of dog and have dog hair on your clothes. One group of people who are attracted to pet-free holiday homes are those with allergies, so you're not helping there, are you?

liveforsummer · 21/10/2021 22:17

Many farm dogs live outside year round. They're surprisingly hardy things.

OP, don't assume, just ask the owners first.

I'm assuming this is a pet and not a farm dog. My working breed pet sleeps under my 15 tog duvet even in summer and shivers if we get home and the heating hasn't been on. My car door was frozen shut the other morning at 8am

liveforsummer · 21/10/2021 22:19

Yes we've done it before when he hasn't settled in previous dog friendly accommodation.

But had he truly settled all night in the car or have you just no longer been disturbed?

Duchess379 · 21/10/2021 22:19

You can't actually be seriously considering leaving your dog in a car overnight? It's getting colder at night now. Supposing something happens to the car with the dog trapped inside? You wouldn't leave a small child in a car, why would you leave a dog? *Speechless 🥺🐾

MesChiensSontBeaux · 21/10/2021 22:23

Again, OP has realised she’s being unreasonable and isn’t going to do it! Read the thread!