To expect pet friendly to mean a dog can go everywhere

[Fluffyelephant]

We arrived yesterday in a holiday house for a family trip that was booked because the place described itself as pet friendly. On arrival though we were presented with very intense written rules regarding dogs - they were in bold and used terms like ‘under absolutely no circumstances with no exception can your dog…’

If we had been told these rules in advance we would never have paid to stay here as they absolutely won’t work for our dog and we know that. The main rule causing issue is that he’s only actually allowed in the living room and part of the hall so 75% of the house is off limits including the stairs. He’s well behaved and good natured and is a breed that doesn’t shed hair. But he’s a clingy breed and follows us around and always sleeps on the floor by our bed otherwise he gets very distressed.

The owners know a dog was coming because we told them and we paid an extra £50. But none of these rules were mentioned. If he caused damage then of course I would pay (as I would if it was caused by a child or adult) but this seems to be rules to preemptively prevent any damage from occurring in the first place.

Last night in an attempt to follow the rules I tried sleeping on the two seat sofa in the living room next to dog but this was horrendous so we just came upstairs. My partner says it’s impossible to relax so we’ll just have to drive gone today!

I feel like places say ‘pet friendly’ to get your money when they actually aren’t at all! AIBU?

If you was in one and it was no pets in bedrooms you could.

I don’t book pet friendly and yet in some cases I’ve still Found pet fur. In the grill no less 😂

I’m completely happy to follow the rules. But they have to tell me what the rules are before I’m committed to staying!

It’s a lovely place but I’m not going to come back here as I genuinely don’t want to be breaking the rules. Im just stuck now as the rules are coming so late in the day. Even if they’d sent something the day beforehand we might have been able to sort something else.

Well, you could, sure, but you'd probably not get very far, lol. Most dog owners will have hair on their clothes etc. anyway.

But in OP's case, the restrictions weren't clear until she arrived at the property which strikes me as being very unfair.

Wtf?!?

It's a property advertised as DOG FRIENDLY that @Fluffyelephant has paid a premium for so you would expect it to be dog friendly! Those restrictions are ridiculous!

We had similar once when we arrived to find we weren't allowed to leave our dog unattended! Our dog was old (12) and we had planned on leaving the dog every other day for a few hours to take DS to somewhere where dogs couldn't! We just ignored the rule. It's not like our dog was going to have a party or trash the place - our dog cam at home showed he LOVED it when we went out and could sleep and rest!

But the rules would be the same wherever you go from what people are saying! People on here just ignore them apparently!!

Except they're not.

I've stayed in plenty of holiday cottages where dogs are allowed on the sofas and on the beds, with absolutely no restrictions.

If owners want to restrict where dogs are allowed, that's fine, but they need to be clear about it upfront, not drop it on people when they arrive.

Obviously they are not the exact same rules wherever you go as it's up to each individual owner what their rules are plus it varies how much help they give you to comply with rules eg having a stair gate to stop the dog going upstairs

Dog friendly doesn't mean dogs allowed to go & do what they like wherever they like, like you've just admitted you broke the rules because you too think your dog is more precious & broke the rules.

Here is an example:

https://www.eastrustoncottages.co.uk/does-your-dog-friendly-cottage-allow-dogs-in-the-bed/

Dogs allowed everywhere, including in the bed as long as you provide your own bed linen.

Show me someone who doesn't have a clue about dogs.

That makes me feel sick it's disgusting 🤢 thankfully most have rules, that is an extreme place. I have absolutely no interest in going on holiday in this country because of the annoying dog owners about everywhere. I only holiday abroad where thankfully NO DOGS ALLOWED it's absolute bliss

Dog friendly means different things in different places. There are no universal rules.

If there are undisclosed rules that are impossible to abide by eg no dogs upstairs but no way to barricade or shut off the stairs then how can I realistically comply with that? I don't think I am at fault in that scenario

If the rules are made clear before booking and are ones I cannot abide by then I do not book.

You cannot magically retrain a dog overnight to not get on furniture or sleep away from its owner if that is not what it does at home so if you are in that situation because the rules were not disclosed then you do your best to comply to the maximum extent possible but I will not ruin my holiday over it with a dog howling all night or scratching the doors.

No you will ignore the rules because it doesn't apply to your precious dog.

well done you, enjoy your "abroad"

we all know that this country is the ONLY place in the world with dogs 😂

You could also NOT book any "dog friendly" accomodation, but that would require a minimum of intelligence 😂

No I will not be bound by rules that were not disclosed in advance and which I would not have booked had I known

It has little to do with the dog. The same would apply to any other undisclosed rule that was unreasonable.

As you would never book a dog friendly cottage and there are plenty of dog free options I have no idea why you are so upset.

It's a business transaction. If the cottage owner doesn't want dog hair then they don't have to allow dogs. If they do then they take the risk and they make it transparent in advance what the limits are.

Except it is a problem because you can barely go anywhere that doesn't accept dogs!!

that's BS, just do a quick search on AirBnB and see how many places allow or don't allow dogs.

Where is aboard that has no dogs?

Surely you would come across them in the street? Or other places

Not true, some places are beyond dog friendly. They leave throws for you and dog beds and animals are allowed everywhere in the place.
You pay more usually, but they do exist.

I've NEVER holidayed with a dog abroad! 1 of the amazing places we go to does not let dogs on beaches EVER it's wonderful.
I never would book accommodation in this country BUT wherever you go, eg cafes, restaurants etc dogs are EVERYWHERE so no avoiding them.

What country bans dogs, then?

Do people abroad not have pets? Strange

It's almost as though it's a free market and providers can choose which market they choose to cater for isn't it??

If businesses are choosing to cater for dog owners then likely it suits them. If there is a market for dog free then dog free places will be provided. Free market economics

why have you not moved yet? Go and live in your dream dog-free country, why being such a martyr?

Is it because you can't actually relocate in what is actually a little hotel resort where you go on holiday? 😂

Last two hotels I’ve stayed in “abroad” have been dog friendly (one a big standard hotel the other 5*).

I never said they banned dogs! I have never been to a hotel abroad & they have dogs in them. I don't have to holiday with peoples dogs. I cruise, no dogs! I go to 5 star all inclusive, no dogs, pure bliss compared to this country.