AIBU to find pet-friendly cottages impractical if dogs cannot use furniture?

[Butterflyfluff]

I’ve been looking at ‘pet friendly’ holiday cottages in the UK to take our dog and pretty much all of them say dogs are not allowed on furniture or in bedrooms.

I don’t think I know anyone who’s dogs don’t jump on the sofa so how are you supposed to mange this - take loads of covers or just stay at home?

I saw one cottage said was dog friendly... Then said dogs allowed to be kept in your car on the premises & not allowed anywhere in the property at all!!. I have found lots of dog friendly places in Dorset, also as pp have said pack holidays are good too. My dog doesn't go on the sofa at home, not because I say no but because he has never tried. Yet he does get on the bed with me for a snuggle for about 20 mins before sleep, but then tales himself to his own bed. Has never tried when we are away. He does love his own bed.

Ours is allowed on just one sofa at home (obviously think it's his alone!!)
For holidays, we take the dog-bed with us and plenty of throws.
He adapts pretty quickly 😀

I agree op.
per friendly means free roam of property. I allow my dog on Sofa and in all rooms - I’m not changing that when I go away.

i completely get some don’t like that - so don’t book a dog friendly property,

my dog doesnt trash the place, I bring throws and a bed and leave the place spotless but would not stay somewhere if it says dog not on furniture or restricted to kitchen etc.

Like others I take throws and cover all the furniture. But it is ridiculous to say dog friendly and then essentially not be! I also like a secure garden. Try Perfect Stays and filter by dog friendly.

I wouldn't be able to go. My dog eats dog beds and he's too pointy to sleep on the floor so he'd have nowhere to sleep.

Yes I think it’s very naive to assume dogs have never been on the furniture when it’s a cottage that allow dogs. We bring a couple of throws to cover with but she will be cuddling on the sofa with us in the evenings, just like at home. Not on beds though. We always leave places spotless and have never had complaints. And with the price of stuff in this country you bet I’m having a cuddle with my dog when I’ve paid more than a grand for 5 nights in someone’s totally bog standard holiday home.

I think just stay home, OP. If you’re a committed dog owner then you put the dogs first - they will sense in a place that they’re not really welcome and allowed and it won’t be good for their wellbeing. Just stay home where they are welcomed and loved, with all their home comforts. You just have to forgo holidays as a pet owner really. @Butterflyfluff

Vomit. A dog in a bed in a holiday cottage. I absolutely would NOT want to sleep in that bed

Yet dozens of people will have shagged in it before you and that doesn’t bother you? 😂

This is just odd - WTF is ‘too pointy’ 😂

You use a brand new still in the box throw on your sofa every single day at home? And then bin it? 😂

I’ve found that places that offer stuff like dog treats etc in welcome packs is a sign dogs are actively encouraged, rather than just tolerated. DDog is 13 now but we have done a huge amount of holidays with her, she’s come to France and the Netherlands in the car, on the ferry, etc. we have stayed in cottages all over the UK, hotel rooms, etc . and we’ve definitely learned to read between the lines with cottage adverts!

This is why I never believe holiday let's who say other guests aren't allowed to let their dogs on furniture. It's getting harder and harder to find dog free accomodation now.

I have two chihuahuas if I'm paying extra to take them they will sleep in the bed like they do at home. I take throws and cover the beds and furniture but I just ignore the no pets on furniture rules. If they advertise as per friendly then they should be you know pet friendly not we are barely tolerant but want your money.

Luckily my dog can’t read so doesn’t know she isn’t allowed on the furniture. Really glad I never taught her actually. Saves a lot of hassle.

Slightly to my surprise, so does mine. One tentative attempt to get on the holiday sofa, one firm "No" and off she went to lie on her mat from home instead.

You could take a freestanding stairgate if the dog isn't allowed upstairs, or a crate of the dog's used to one.

@runnerducky

she doesnt need to read - she’ll pick up on the vibes. Animals are very intuitive

Vomit. Strangers having sex on a bed in a holiday cottage

Have a look on Facebook for Really REALLY multi dog friendly holidays for dogaholics

or Pack Holidays

You need specialist groups and book direct with owners - big holiday cottage companies tend to have stricter rules and be dog tolerant at best.

Am completely with you on this one OP. “Dog friendly” and “dog tolerant” are 2 completely different things and it bugs me when you book somewhere supposedly “dog friendly” and the dog is not allowed on the furniture and has to remain downstairs in the property.

My dog at home sleeps in my bedroom (not on the bed) and is allowed on the sofa. She suffers with separation anxiety if not in the same room as me. So when we take her away, I expect the same. Why should I treat her any differently. It has nothing to do with poor training etc.

It does seem silly, but they do quickly learn not to go on the furniture. I used to go to a lot of cottages with my dog and she understood she could only go on the sofa at home, not other people's houses (where we were visiting friends/family e.g.)

Best option is get a motorhome/campervan. You make your own rules then!

I’m fine with that, doesn’t bother me. The dog thing is away worse

No because they’re humans. I’d much rather sleep in a bed that people had had sex in. Then had clean sheets put on than one a dog had slept in. They absolutely stink: they’re animals. I would not be sleeping in a bed with an animal. I know dog owners feel differently but it makes me feel nauseous

Sperm stain good. Dog hair bad

None of my dogs has ever been allowed on the furniture. My current boy usually sleeps in his bed in the bedroom of wherever I am though. He also has a fabric lightweight travel crate which is excellent. ( thank you pets at home) Never left alone unsupervised . Simple.