Staying in a Hotel

[chiwolvesfan]

So the husband & I are hitting the road this weekend with our two 100 lb+ dogs. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find a hotel that actually took more than 1 dog per room and allowed dogs over 25 lbs! We have travelled with them before, but stayed at my brother's house. Any suggestions for hotel staying? I doubt we will leave them in the room alone at any point.

Thanks!

 

[CMDRTED]

We've done it a few times either at the National or just traveling to shows or a trip.

Suggestion, if crating them, put a tarp, blanket, or mat down that extends beyond the crate. This will catch any boo-boos, hair, etc. It can be taken outside when checking out and shaken out, folded and put away.

A plastic sheet underneath water/food bowls. Same as above.

Take a couple of toys of familiar smelling objects from home - a confort issue.

If you do leave the room and crate them, after shutting the door wait a couple of minutes to see how they are doing.

If crating them and going out, sometimes covering the crate helps. As it's dark they will doze.

Special treats for good behavior. Some play time while in the room. Brushing them, or some type of personal attention is sometimes helpful.

This is stuff that has worked for us and others that we know.

Try and leave the room like no dogs were there. Helps the cleaning staff, let's the hotel know you appreciated their consideration, and helps the next people that want to bring dogs.

 

[mrsnamsherf]

I traveled with my husband on business three days a week (two nights), for 7 months, with my dog. We always stayed at LaQuinta because it was pet-friendly, with no extra charge for Mac (80 lb. Lab). They said I could bring a dog of any size that was a non-aggressive breed. When we went on vacation, and were going to stay at a different LaQuinta, their site said no dogs over 50 lbs, but when I called and told them that I regularly stayed with Mac at another of their hotels, they said I could bring him. Don't be afraid to ask.

I feed raw, so I always got a room with a fridge. At first, I would take food with me, but it really was easier to pay more and buy food at a grocery store when I got there and feed it in the parking lot on the styrofoam tray it came in. Also, he did not feel comfortable enough when traveling to eat "big food", like leg quarters so he got a lot of ground meat, trim and chicken feet.

The most helpful thing I did was teach Mac a "Go to your place command", and then I took his place (bed) with me every time. It helped him know what to do right away. The other useful thing I taught him was "Wait" before he got out of the car-so there would be no botling into parking lots and the like.

I second the advice to leave the room as undoggy as possible. I also tried to make sure Mac was on his best behavior in the elevator/lobby. You may find that your dogs are frightened by the elevator, or even the stairwell. Mac was not at all fearful normally, but these things scared him a lot.

If you are traveling far away, bring water-sometimes new water makes dogs sick (It did Mac). I just bought gallons from Wal-mart.

If you should happen to leave them, having some kind of noise (like the tv on low) will help to muffle outside noises that may upset them. If you do step out-even just to the ice machine, leave a Do Not Disturb sign on your door, so a maid does not get the surprise of her life entering your room! :lol:

Enjoy your trip! Have fun with your dogs!

Marie

 

[mrsnamsherf]

Oh, and one more thing-have pictures of both dogs with you. This way, if you should somehow lose them, you can prove ownership. Also, some form of ID with a number where you can be reached while traveling. My dog had his home number on his collar before, now I put on my cell number.

Marie

 

[JackandKelly]

I have never traveled with Lola and Sophie yet, but I have traveled with 5 longhaired dachshunds. I did not have to worry about the weight issue, but most hotels would only allow two dogs. So if they do not have a weight policy, but have a limit policy...we just ask for a room by the back entrance so we can easily walk our dog and leave it at that. If their policy was one, I would only walk one at a time, if it was two I would walk two at a time. No one who worked for the hotel would ever see us anyways since we were using the back entrance and never had to go through the lobby to take them in and out. So if your Newfs look the same to other people you could walk one at a time and use the back entrance (all hotels have them), but I have no suggestions of how to beat the weight thing.


Alot of these http://www.slh.com/
are very lenient on dogs, but some don't allow them at all. You may want to see if there is one near where you are going. Also alot of Loews hotels allow dogs and are also lenient. http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Default.aspx
This is what their pet page says:
Loews Loves PetsLoews has the most pet friendly hotels around, and you'll realize it from the moment you and your pet check in. All pets receive their own gifts including a pet tag, bowl and a special treat to start their vacation. Owners receive a detailed brochure with information on hotel pet services -- such as our Loews Loves Pets room service menu, local dog walking routes, and area pet services, including veterinarians, pet shops, groomers, and much more. Additional items available for guests with pets include dog and cat beds (different sizes), leashes and collars (different sizes), rawhide bones, catnip, scratch pole, litter boxes and litter, pooper scoopers. We pay special attention to our guest rooms which accommodate pets by conducting extra thorough cleaning. Loews Hotels charge a one-time fee of $25 per stay.
Note: Loews Hotels limits the number of pets to two per room and in the hotel overall. Loews Hotels takes all necessary measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all hotel guests and pets.



Here is a full copy of Loews Hotel policies regarding pets. I do not see anything about a weight limit
http://www.loewshotels.com/Content/en/Corporate/FamilyComfort/Pet_Policy.pdf



They even have a Pet workout program
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Promo...ner-_-Pumped-UpPetsPromo-_-Pumped-UpPetsPromo

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

We travel and stay in hotels all the time with the boys. They go up the elevator, jump on the bed and ask for the remote! Seriously...ask for a room on the first floor or near the elevator, Sheets to throw over the carpet helps and old towels to put under the food and water dishes. We also bring the dogs paperwork...imunizations, medications rabies etc. Bring febreeze, a roll of paper towels and a spray cleaner. A slicker brush can be used to take dog hair out of the rug.
I like to have a mini fridge and micro as we often just call in take-out instead of leaving the Newfs and then we can store and heat for the next day. Many hotels will provide this even if they are not included.
Ask at the desk where they prefer you "potty" the dogs.
I agree with Ted...if you leave the room sparkling...there is a better chance they will continue to allow dogs.

 

[Murphy]

Everyone has good advise. In spite of the attached picture ....which I could not resist attaching ... I always left the room as though Murph had never been there. Notice his own blanky on the bed.

 

[sara722003]

It's a great idea to carry your own sheets to toss over the beds so the dogs can jump up and relax. That way, they aren't leaving all the hair on the decorative comforters for the next guest. I always ask for a room near the exit doors on the ground floor, but have traveled far less with my current Newf as I did with my 30 year ago Newf and Bloodhound. (Those two were PAINS to travel with....but we had no choice, as we moved across the country several times. Poor room cleaners were terrified at the Baskerville hound-like howl our BH would make when he'd think someone was 'outside the door', but he was totally harmless. And motels back then were MUCH less friendly toward big dogs! Makes me laugh remembering the days!

 

[luvxl k 9]

I travel so much to shows that I'm a Triprewards member (now Wyndham) on the booking site it has a box to check for different preferences like smoking non etc. One of them is pet-friendly. That way it gives me the pet friendly ones first. I believe other sights like hotels.com also offers this.

 

[lacey9875]

Funny this thread came up, I was seriously contemplating taking Maggie on a last second trip to Nashville this weekend! I actually found a hotel that was pet friendly-they said anything from a bunny to a pony was welcome! But I think the 13 hour ride would be too much, and then we'll be gone most of the day. I am glad to see everyone has traveled with their pups, it gives me hope!

 

[new_2_newf]

I'm lucky...I've got a newf-owed aunt that lives about half way between me and my parents. When I told her of my intentions to get one of my own, she had my uncle make a sign something along the lines of "Chez Newf - No floof, no drool, no service" to stick at the end of the road. It has my parents totally baffled, but I was rolling when they told me about it.

 

[ardeagold]

I travel a good deal with Cole. We like to stay in the Residence Inn, if we can find one. They have a full kitchen (tiled), separate bedroom and tiled bath... and some even have balconies. We got a balcony on the ground floor when we were in NC. Cole would lay out there in the evenings when it was cool.

We've also stayed at Best Western, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Crowne Plaza (but that was for a National and all of the dogs were there), and my son took his dog with him to a Microtel (which didn't normally accept dogs, but there was a dog show in town, so they did).

I know that Red Roof Inn and LaQuinta both accept large dogs too.

I always take bottled water for the entire time, plus sheets to cover the bed(s) and sofa - and towels...regular, drool sized and paper, LOL. I pre-package his food, and carry his treats, of course.

I print out his rabies certificate, and also look up the nearest emergency Vet and regular daytime Vet to the location of the hotel. I also carry a First Aid kit for him.

And a FAN! (Usually a smallish desktop type with fast/slow speeds).

I prefer to stay on the first floor, nearest the parking lot door where my vehicle is parked. Less hauling that way, and easy access without having to tromp through the lobby or on an elevator every time we go in and out.

 

[NewfDad]

Call ahead, if your dogs have CGC or therapy dog certs mention them. Let them know they are Newfies. We have had a lot of places waive the 80lb rule with Kimber and Moose because they were Therapy dogs.
Art

 

[BLCOLE]

Try and see if there is a Red Roof INN near where you're staying. They take Newf sized dogs and are reasonably priced. Oh yes, I travel about 30-40,000 miles per year, so I have a LOT of experience with them...

 

[anya]

This past fall I stayed in hotels with all 3 of my dogs. We stayed at Comfort Inns. They were pet friendly and size and number didn't matter. I did have to pay an extra $10 for one of the places...but it was just $10...not $10 per pet. Rooms were clean too. I would stay there again with my dogs.

 

[sbarkhouser]

We have traveled quite a bit with Cimorene. We've stayed in Hampton Inns, Holiday Inns, Residence Inns. Each one is different, some sites take dogs and others don't (although I think all Residence Inns do)...you need to call. We take her crate along for sleeping.

Be SURE to check the floor, under the bed, behind the sofa, etc for things left/dropped by other guests, such as pills, etc. Cimorene found something VERY disgusting and used under the bed at one hotel. I almost threw up having to take it from her with no surgical gloves on...I'm just glad it wasn't our 2 yr old daughter who found it first. ALWAYS check every inch of the floor...

 

[chiwolvesfan]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Unfortunately.... the pups are going to be staying home with a doggy-sitter this trip. I just found out today the people we are visiting are highly allergic to dogs. But this information is wonderful!! Hopefully later this summer we'll be able to take them with us for a trip somewhere else -- preferably somewhere where we can go for walks with them thru forest preserves and the like.

 

[Tracy]

We have given up on motels...Camping with your Newfs is much more fun. If you have the time to do it and the situation is right. One would think that there is a great opportunity for this market but I give up. At one hotel chain I was told that I would have to take a smokers room...and pay an additional 20 bucks. That's just sick!
Tracy

 

[Emmy985837]

Motel 6 is very pet friendly no weight limit, no extra charge, and they just lifted the 1 pet per room limit. The last time I traveled with Cleo we had a second dog and person with us and we just asked each Motel 6 if we could have a second dog in the room and it was not a problem. They do ask that you do not leave your dog unattended.

Also we always tried to stay in place that had a dog park so the dogs could run & stretch after being in the car all day.