You found the perfect destination. You’ve picked the dates. Your dog has already decided they’re going.

Now comes the part that can make or break your trip: Where are you going to stay?

Whether you’re dreaming of a stay at a dog-friendly Ritz-Carlton, booking a cozy little motel, renting a VRBO, or choosing something somewhere in between, finding the right place to stay can make all the difference.

After all, you want your getaway to be fun for everyone—including your four-legged travel companion! A little planning before you book can help make sure your dog feels comfortable, your neighbors stay happy, and you can relax and enjoy the adventure together.

“Pet-friendly” can mean very different things depending on where you stay. One hotel might happily welcome your 80-pound pup, while another has a 25-pound weight limit. One might charge nothing for your dog, while another could add a hefty pet fee to your bill.

After traveling with dogs, we’ve learned that a few minutes of research before booking can save you a whole lot of stress later.

Here are six things we always recommend checking before booking a dog-friendly place to stay.

1. Wait…How Much Does the Dog Cost?

Let’s start with the question that can surprise you at check-in: Is there a pet fee?

Some hotels don’t charge anything for your dog. Others charge a one-time fee, a nightly fee, or a nonrefundable pet fee that can be $50, $100, $200—or even more.

That’s a pretty big difference!

When you’re comparing places to stay, don’t just look at the room rate. Find out what your dog will cost, too. A slightly more expensive room with no pet fee might actually be the better deal.

And here’s our advice: Don’t assume “pet-friendly” means free. Ask before you book.

2. Is Your Dog Actually Allowed?

This may sound obvious, but don’t skip this step!

Check the property’s rules about:

• Maximum number of dogs
• Weight limits
• Breed restrictions, if any
• Size restrictions
• Whether dogs are allowed in all rooms or only designated pet-friendly rooms

And here’s an important one: Don’t assume every location in the same hotel chain has the same rules.

You may have stayed at a particular hotel brand with your dog before and had a wonderful experience. That doesn’t necessarily mean the hotel you’re visiting next has the same pet policy.

Policies can vary from property to property, so make that phone call before you hit “Reserve.”

3. Do You Need Your Dog’s Paperwork?

Imagine arriving after a long day of driving, your dog is tired, you’re tired, and then someone at the front desk asks for your dog’s health certificate.

Not exactly the welcome you were hoping for!

Some accommodations may require a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian or proof that your dog’s vaccinations are current.

Even if your hotel doesn’t require paperwork, we think it’s smart to travel with your dog’s current vaccination records anyway.

Ask your veterinarian for an updated vaccination record or health certificate that you can keep with your travel documents.

It’s one of those things you hope you never need—but you’ll be very glad you have it if someone asks.

4. Where Does Your Dog Go Potty?

This might be one of the most important questions of the entire trip.

Before you book, find out whether the property has a designated dog potty area—and, more importantly, where it is.

A convenient grassy area just outside your room? Fantastic.

A designated area on the opposite side of a giant hotel parking lot? Not quite as convenient when your dog wakes you up at 2:00 a.m. and urgently needs to go!

If the property has a specific pet relief area, ask if you can get a room nearby. A ground-floor room can also make those middle-of-the-night potty trips much easier.

And please bring your own cleanup supplies.

Picking up after your dog is your responsibility.

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth saying. Nobody wants to step in a pile of dog poop while they’re walking to their hotel room—and nobody wants to be that dog owner.

5. Where Can Your Dog Burn Off Some Energy?

Your dog may think sleeping in a hotel room all day sounds fantastic.

But some dogs have a different opinion.

If your dog needs regular exercise, find out what options are available at or near the property. Is there a grassy area? A walking path? Somewhere safe to stretch their legs?

If the hotel doesn’t have a good option, look for a dog-friendly park or walking trail nearby.

A nice morning walk can help your dog get some energy out before the day begins. An afternoon or early-evening walk can be equally helpful when it’s time to settle down for the night.

Because let’s be honest: a tired dog is often a happier hotel guest.

And so is their human.

6. Can Your Dog Sleep on the Bed?

Now we’re getting to the important stuff.

Is your dog allowed on the furniture?

Some places welcome dogs on the bed. Others absolutely do not. Some require you to bring your own crate, and some have rules about whether your dog can be left in the room.

Ask before you arrive.

We also like to bring our own sheet and a favorite waterproof dog blanket to cover any furniture or beds that the property says our dog can use.

It’s a simple little step that can protect the furniture, help prevent extra cleaning costs, and give your dog something familiar from home.

That blanket can be especially comforting when everything else around them smells and feels completely different.

Okay, You’ve Booked the Room. Now What?

Getting a dog-friendly room is only half the adventure.

A little preparation can make the difference between a relaxing trip and a vacation where you’re constantly worrying about what your dog is doing.

Remember: You’re Sharing the Hotel With Other People

We love our dogs.

Not everyone else staying at the hotel will feel quite as strongly about them.

A barking dog at 2:00 a.m. can turn your peaceful vacation into your neighbor’s sleepless night. An aggressive dog in the hallway can make another guest feel uncomfortable. And a destructive dog can create a very expensive problem.

Before you travel, spend some time working on the behaviors your dog may need while away from home.

We like to think of this as “training time before vacation time.”

Practice things like settling down in a new environment, walking calmly on a leash, being around unfamiliar people, and relaxing when there are strange noises.

Your future hotel neighbors will thank you.

Call the Hotel Before You Go

Here’s one of our favorite pieces of advice:

Pick up the phone.

Online information can be helpful, but policies change, websites aren’t always updated, and sometimes the most important information isn’t listed at all.

Talk directly with the hotel manager or someone who understands the property’s current pet policy.

Ask your questions. Get the answers. And if something is especially important to you, make sure you understand exactly what they mean.

Ten minutes on the phone before your trip can save you a lot of headaches after you arrive.

Read the Reviews—Especially the Pet Reviews

Other dog owners can be an amazing source of information.

Look for reviews that mention traveling with pets. You may discover things you wouldn’t have thought to ask about:

Was there a convenient potty area?

Was the hotel noisy?

Were the rooms easy to access with a dog?

Was there a good walking area nearby?

Did other guests seem comfortable around dogs?

Sometimes another dog owner’s experience will tell you more than the hotel’s website ever could.

Consider Going Low

If you have a choice, ask about a ground-floor or lower-floor room.

Why?

Because when your dog suddenly gives you the look that says, “We need to go. NOW.” you won’t have to wait for the elevator.

If the hotel’s dog potty area is in a particular location, ask for a room nearby.

Your sleepy self at 3:00 a.m. will appreciate this decision.

Give Your Dog Time to Settle In

Remember that your dog has no idea why you’ve brought them to this strange place.

They don’t know that the room is temporary.

They don’t know that the unfamiliar noises in the hallway are nothing to worry about.

And they certainly don’t know that the weird smell coming from the room next door is perfectly normal.

For your dog, it’s a brand-new environment.

The first 24 hours can be especially important. Give your dog time to explore, sniff, and get comfortable. Keep things calm and positive.

Spend some quiet time together in the room. Bring familiar items from home. Let your dog know that even though the surroundings have changed, you are still there.

That can make a huge difference.

And Please…Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone Without a Plan

This one deserves some serious thought before your trip.

It can be tempting to think, “We’ll just leave the dog in the room while we go to dinner.”

But what happens if your dog gets anxious?

They may bark.

They may howl.

They may scratch at the door.

They may have an accident.

Or they may decide that the hotel room’s furniture looks like a fantastic chew toy.

And suddenly, instead of enjoying dinner, you’re getting a phone call from the front desk.

Before your trip, find out exactly what the property’s rules are about leaving dogs unattended.

If your dog can’t be left alone, make a plan ahead of time. Some hotels may be able to recommend a nearby doggy daycare, pet sitter, or other pet-care service.

Don’t wait until you arrive to figure this out.

Doggy daycares and pet sitters can fill up quickly, especially during holidays and busy travel seasons.

One Last Thing…

Traveling with your dog isn’t always as simple as throwing a leash in the car and heading down the road.

But that’s okay.

Because the extra planning is worth it.

When you find the right place to stay, prepare your dog, bring a few familiar comforts from home, and know what to expect, you can spend less time worrying about the details and more time enjoying the adventure.

And isn’t that why we’re traveling in the first place?

To make memories together.

So do your homework, pack the treats, grab the leash, and get ready to explore.

Your dog has places to go, things to sniff, and adventures waiting to happen.

Keep on adventuring—and have a great time! 🐾!