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?

Totally normal for a dog to follow their owner around a house. Mine will happily be shut in his space during the day (if wet) but he’s used to sleeping in our bedroom so I’d expect to continue that pattern in a “pet friendly” cottage.

We had this In wales, let the dog sleep in DD’s bedroom, on her floor, in his normal doggy bed they both had the best nights sleep

This! My dog isn't allowed upstairs at home (unless he's getting a bath) and absolutely not allowed in our beds. But, in an unfamiliar place, he's unsettled and needs to be with us. We've always picked places based on him being allowed in most of the house where he will sleep in his bed, in our room. Even when we stay with family he sleeps in his bed in the guestroom with us.

It's unfair to advertise a holiday home as pet-friendly when your pet isn't allowed in most of the house and has to be supervised at all times.

I wouldn’t worry too much. The most dog friendly cottage we stay in is absolutely spotless and dogs are allowed everywhere, on furniture and beds too if you bring throws with you. You are also permitted to leave them in the cottage, but I assume would have to pay for any damage if you did that (we never do, we go to the area for lots of activities like walking and wild swimming). Cleaning included in the price.

Perhaps we’ve just been lucky, but all the cottages we choose allow dogs everywhere downstairs. If they are detached she sleeps downstairs but attached ones she sleeps in the corner of the bedroom on her bed mat in case she spook-barks in an unfamiliar place and disturbs neighbours.

I find most of any “dog smell” can come from the vacuum cleaner in the property when I do a quick whizz round at the end of the stay tbh. But most places leave a nice, clean empty vacuum cleaner.

I always ask for the rules before booking, as so many places con dog owners into thinking they are pet friendly when in truth they are the bare minimum of pet 'tolerant'.

Friends of mine run some truly pet friendly holiday cottages (East Ruston) - the rules are clear before you cough up, and the pet friendly ones are absolutely pet friendly. There are throws on sofas and beds, your dogs can be wherever, the gardens are secure and its made clear in what way so you can decide if that constitutes genuinely secure for your dog - you are asked not to leave dogs unattended in the house if you go out but otherwise, super pet welcoming!

As for the snotty 'your dog needs a behaviouralist [sic]'...

Behaviourist here - dogs wanting access to their humans at night is not unnatural in fact what IS wholly unnatural is expecting a dog to sleep isolated from their social group, and particularly to do so in an unfamiliar place!

OP don’t go home early. Can you buy some cheap throws to put over the sofa and beside the bed?

I have a dog and have been on many holidays with him. I would never ever allow him upstairs. I would also never leave him alone in a holiday let.

Bloody hate places that do this. We take masses of throws for all sofas, chairs and beds and ignore. Dogs are people.

No, they’re not, They really are not. They are pets. Much loved, yes, but animals.🙄

You do know that not all dogs slobber and/or smell don't you or are you one of the total morons who think they do?

Different breeds have different types of fur/hair. Some shed a lot, some shed a little and some don't shed at all. Not all breeds smell but the dog haters and morons think they do

Ignore the shitty messages OP. Some people seem to get a kick out of trying to wind others up (I reckon they’d be happier if they had a dog in their lives).

The T&Cs should definitely be clear when booking places. I’d probably ignore the rules on this occasion and buy some cheap throws.

I don't know any dogs that would be happy to be shut in a room in an unfamiliar home for the entirety of the time they spent in that home. Totally unreasonable.

Will Amazon deliver to the place your staying?
Order some large throws, then if the dog gets up on the furniture or lays on the floor at the end of your bed, you can bundle up all the throws at the end of your stay and take home or donate or lob in the bin.

Agreed! We stayed somewhere that said no dogs upstairs… except the lounge and kitchen were upstairs!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bedsure-Flannel-Blankets-Bedspread-Silver/dp/B0157T2ENY/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=3LPR68OCRXAVJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OGP0kLi3Aqr2ENGbQcYts3iEyZgumoAdMqsudy5OEpHUdy1rJhyyy66_bqUNN0T2Gj5h6SiQ41GcF-sTPzW4lOCKLZeupAB7NdOc9pO84BqsGOZQMhZ70OCID27A1P8HzEwy8Gdrbnvnz_g74fKzluIkw9GXTNFYDvdqc84Zv5awj8kHY-C45EWml5wqeYCsceoknnctL0k0r_ypQysWYWrNOCRFdsKdH9M3DxWGTM9xHtse0QQXwzWjWrThZC5_lpxMvrhbT6ErxxuZG2f_1qRz16i_uGHanWHwT6DCD7A.MA5TCtDuG093xFgd1TZAIcGVxFCCwjxnYamu6_NqJz8&dib_tag=se&keywords=large+throws+for+sofas&qid=1720279591&sprefix=Large+thro%2Caps%2C614&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

How ridiculous. In what world are dogs people?

I would keep the dog downstairs during the day but let them upstairs at night. How are they going to know? Just give a good hover up afterwards. We had to do similar once after our dog started howling in the night. Don’t let it ruin your holiday. I think you’re over thinking it.

I'd ignore the rules. How are they going to know??

@ZoeyBartlett too funny! Dogs are people. Hmmmmmmm noooooo.

upstairs on floor is fine. Everywhere on bed sofa chairs is yuck and not fine. And I have a dog.

I think you have to be really careful when booking places that allow dogs. There's a difference between 'dogs allowed' and dog friendly.

But I think many people who rent out accommodation mean they allow dogs, but use the term pet friendly.

They want to attract the custom of dog owners, but don't want the hassle that comes with it. Leaving people generally annoyed. But they use the term dog friendly when really they tolerate the dogs, which is their choice.

I would ask what facilities they have for dogs, dog walking etc and what are the house rules before booking, to avoid this.

Lol I've just read the whole thread and the amount of pearl clutching is hilarious 😂 Yes, probably best for some of you to book non-pet friendly places.

Wherever we stay our dog sleeps on the bed (sometimes in it if it's cold, heaven forbid!) and she goes on the sofas too. I can't say I've ever actually read the 'rules' once I've booked a dog friendly place.

I wouldn’t expect pets to be allowed upstairs even if it is advertised as pet friendly.

That's disgusting.

I do exercise a certain amount of caution when booking even a 'dog friendly' place.

I don't book anywhere with cream carpets and sofas as that just is not dog friendly per definition and I have a bias towards hard floors, leather sofas etc.

I look at pictures and blurb to see if I can detect whether a place is genuinely dog friendly or just tolerated. If they look to have a dog themselves or feature pics of them or offer extras like bowls, treats, throws then I feel we are genuinely welcome and will be more likely to book.

OP I'd say just get some throws on the furniture, hoover thoroughly and crack on. I would not feel obliged to abide by unannounced unfeasible rules that ruin my holiday

We have a dog friendly holiday let. We say no dogs on sofa or bed, apart from that crack on. That's expliciton on our website and on booking confirmation email, after which you have a week to cancel without charge.

The number of owners who let dogs sleep on sofa or bedding is unbelievable and we can always tell. Depending on the breed, the hair can be almost impossible to remove. We've chucked three sets this year already. It's really vexing and spoils it for those guests who follow the rules and are respectful.