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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Taking a dog on holiday.

29 replies

LetThereBeRock · 06/04/2011 15:16

Has anyone does this? I'm sure at least a few Mumsnetters have.

We'd like to take our dog with us,for a short UK break,haven't decided where yet. We'll be looking for a dog friendly hotel.

I'd appreciate hearing about others's experiences of taking their dog on holiday,and would appreciate any tips and advice.

TIA

OP posts:
MotherJack · 06/04/2011 17:08

I always take my dog/s in holiday. However, I would not be sure about a hotel - I like to be able to let mine out for the call of nature as and when and having done it once on a work trip (snuck the dog with me!!) found it a faff to traipse through the hotel. As such, I prefer to rent self catering cottages.

I'm not sure what advice you are after other than remember to take food/bowls/bed/lead/fave toy and poo bags!!

Over Easter I'm off to stay at my mates place - she runs a non-dog freindly hotel but has a self catering apartment in the grounds that is dog friendly - and you can still get breakfast at the hotel. Yee haw!

I can recommend places in the Peak District, Cornwall and Whitby.... and most likely Devon when I get back! Smile

MotherJack · 06/04/2011 17:10

Oh, and North Wales, too, but I lost the contact details of that one :-S

dionysia · 06/04/2011 17:13

take a crate (i particularly like big soft folding crate) so dog has a safe haven to sleep in/ be left in for short periods whilst you do non-dog compatible things.

otherwise plan an active hol with lots of dog walks!

Onlyaphase · 06/04/2011 17:21

We've taken our two labs to many places with us on holiday - Centre Parcs, self catering up and down the country, barge trips and hotels. If you google "dog friendly hotels" you'll find lots of ideas

FWIW, the main downside of taking the dogs with us is that you can't leave them alone in the hotel rooms really, so we used to put them in the car whilst we ate. Only works in colder weather obviously! Same thing applies to lots of activities really, if the weather isn't hot then it is easier to pop the dogs in the car for a while.

The best place we have stayed for dog friendliness was Rick Stein's hotel in Padstow. They have a few rooms at the back of the hotel near a little staircase so you can pop up and down with the dogs rather than traipse through their rather smart reception. You also get dog blankets and bowls in your rooms. Lovely place and the food is great too!

Original poster
LetThereBeRock · 06/04/2011 17:25

'Has anyone does this?' Done sorry.Blush That was a typo.

OP posts:
Original poster
LetThereBeRock · 06/04/2011 17:26

Self catering sounds even better,for some reason I didn't consider that.Blush My brain isn't working today.

I'd appreciate any recommendations.

OP posts:
dionysia · 06/04/2011 18:28

we rented a cottage for the week - still crated the dog when we went out but didn't leave her alone long.

works very well as though there were inevitable muddy paw prints (and footprints!), we could hoover/ clean it all at the end of the week.

chickchickchicken · 06/04/2011 20:21

we always take our dogs with us. we mainly stay in static caravans on dog friendly sites as it is more convenient. we have stayed in a hotel but it was a pain to get dressed and traipse through hotel first thing in the morning and last thing at night for dog to have a wee. even though had rucksack with towel in i was always aware of not leaving any wet foot prints in the lovely foyer. static caravans these days have central heating and en suites.

i think the dogs trust website has a list of dog friendly cottages in the UK

MotherJack · 06/04/2011 21:31

Whereabouts do you want to go, LTBR? As it's a long weekend or short break, do you have a maximum distance to travel??

weimy · 06/04/2011 21:32

Lots of dog friendly self catering in the lakes, we take our three every year. generally take a crate if we have a youngster.

Dru77 · 06/04/2011 22:22

WWW.cloverclosebarn.co.UK

I've stayed there and they accept dogs. It backs onto the countryside so there are plenty of walks for the dog.

Scuttlebutter · 09/04/2011 15:50

Ironically, we've today returned from the glorious Little Dumpledale in Pembrokeshire, possibly one of the most dog friendly places you can go on holiday. There's no upper limit on the number of dogs you can take and the gardens are all VERY secure - important if you have sighthounds. Glorious, dog friendly deserted Pembrokeshire beaches nearby. Oh, and they've got chickens, ducks, lovely horses, a swimming poola nd a jacuzzi. I'd recommend them like a shot. They are very well known in sighthound circles.

Scuttlebutter · 09/04/2011 15:51

forgot to add that if you want a dog free day out, the kindly owners will even "dog sit" for you. How impressive is that?!!

MotherJack · 09/04/2011 18:24

Wow, Scuttle - sounds like you had a fab time! Love the name, Little Dumpledale!

One of my haunts will do babysitting for free at night if you want to pop into the village for a meal... and she doesn't mind if you leave the dog for a bit and even used let mine out to have a bumble around with her dogs when she was out and about in the farm yard. Heaven.

Crawling · 09/04/2011 18:34

I go to Haven having a caravan, we love taking him.

tookoolforskool · 10/04/2011 09:24

I always take my dog. I would not go on holiday without him, esp as hes getting old now.

We use caravans or chalets. We are also camping this year too :)

I have in the past found the odd B&B that will take dogs.

When we first arrive i normally stay with him for 30 mins or so, so hes used to it, leave for a short while, 20 mins or something, then go back.. so he knows its fine and ill come back.
After that hes totally fine and happy. Ive left him in the caravan or whatever for a few hours, no problem. he just sleeps on my bed.

I know people might not like the idea that ive left him in a caravan for a few hours. but honestly, hes quite old and very very attached to me. Being left like that, knowing ill be back soon is far less distressing for him that being left in a kennels or even with family.

He knows my mum ever so well and has stayed with her a few times. i think hes been overnight with her twice without me. both times hes sat up, awake, all night, making odd whiney nosies at the front door.

So, its just better that he comes with me.

adalle · 10/04/2011 22:11

Hi see my post under Travel sick dog today here's a bit

"For those that travel a lot it makes sense to let the dog follow the bed - we can stay in hotels, B&Bs, pubs, caravans, camper vans, cottages and visit friends / family easily as we make the location of the bed the focus for the dog. It feels safe and familiar although sometimes with all the doggie paraphernalia it feels like the dog has more luggage than us!"

As for picking places look for dog friendly pubs maybe for a weekend tester - many pubs have ground floor rooms or rooms with access to outdoors especially for owners that have to go on the midnight and morning dog toilet walkies.

With a dog the UK is you oyster!

adalle · 10/04/2011 22:12

/your oyster/

doggydaft · 11/04/2011 23:12

This months "Your Dog" magazine has a free magazine which lists and reviews doggie friendly holiday places. A mix of self catering and B/B, some of them look really nice Smile

Am at present trying to talk DH into one, I hate being away from my girls whereas he is happy to kennel them Sad

AprilRose · 11/04/2011 23:24

We rented a cottage on the Isle of Wight for a week, I took two labs, my cousin took her DH and her DD (8 1/2 months) and we had a lovely time. We left the dogs in the cottage for a few half days, as they couldn't do the zoo trips etc, but they had lots of lovely coastal walks.

I believe we booked through Welcome Cottages (they do a brochure and have a website which even says on the front page how pet-friendly it is!)

You know your dog(s) so you'll know how long you can leave them if needed/what activities you could involve them in etc. Mine are fairly settled and easy-going so we didn't have a difficult time of it.

Only thing I would say, from most unpleasant experience - don't let them drink half the English Channel.

kid · 12/04/2011 00:00

We rented a cottage in Dorset and took our doggy along recently. It was absolutely fantastic there and I plan to go back.
The cottage was called The Orchids (I think) and it is in the middle of nowhere with a huge garden. Our dog loved the garden as well as the surrounding fields which we were allowed to walk in.

SaggyHairyArse · 12/04/2011 09:25

Yes, we have taken him to Cornwall (camping), Dorset (farm B & B) and the Isle of Wight (caravan).

adalle · 12/04/2011 14:14

Yes we use Welcome cottages too would recommend them and it is easy to do a web search for any village looking for cottages using terms like dogs / pets welcome.

Remember if go to very popular coastal resorts to check about beach rules in peak season some councils ban dogs from some beaches during tourist season.

eggspectantmum · 12/04/2011 14:23

Can recommend Forest Holidays (formerly part of Forestry Comm) log cabins in various locations & National Trust of Scotland cottages.

eggspectantmum · 12/04/2011 14:25

Forgot Celtic Haven in Pembrokeshire - lovely cottages round courtyard & small indoor pool (not for dog Grin)

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