New places can make dogs nervous, especially if they need to stay in the new place longer than usual. You know what we mean. And yes, that’s true even if you’re by their side. So, you must prepare for your dog’s first hotel stay,
Now, don’t get us wrong. Your dog is emotionally attached to you. It is not attached to your house or the mere building.
But it perceives your house as its home. Consequently, it is protective of the building. Any changes to your dog’s loving place will make it nervous.
So, we’ve compiled five tried and tested ways to calm your dog when you stay in a foreign place with your dog for days or weeks.
This “foreign place” is most likely going to be a hotel. But even if it’s at a friend or relative’s home, the five methods listed below will work.
Prepare your dog at home before his first hotel stay
You should begin training your dog for the hotel stay right when the idea of staying in a hotel pops up in your mind. The longer your dog practices, the better it’ll behave.
How can you train your dog for a hotel stay?
Take your dog on outdoor walks regularly and teach your dog to be friendly towards strangers. Make it interact with strangers or other dogs. Help your dog explore the plants along the way.
Also, ensure that your dog does not react aggressively or violently to strange, new sounds. You can instill this tolerance in your furry pal by vacuuming your house in your dog’s presence, banging the doors a bit, and rewarding your dog when it doesn’t react strangely to odd noises.
Opt for a dog-friendly hotel
Dog-friendly hotels can cut down your struggles by half. When your dog sees other dogs and receives welcoming treatment, it’ll enjoy the time away from home instead of struggling to settle.
Dogs love affection and recognition. So, when the staff treats your dog well, it’ll adjust quickly.
Note that different dog-friendly hotels have different policies—some charge for doggy damage to the room, while others prohibit dogs in pool places or breakfast areas.
Therefore, we recommend browsing the pet policy of the dog-friendly hotel you’re considering.
With that said, there’s a tiny bit of a problem. Pet-friendly hotels are a bit more expensive than regular hotels. So, we recommend checking out dog-friendly hotel deals before you book one.
Book a ground-floor room
A ground-floor room will make your life 10x easier. You can easily take it out whenever your dog needs to relieve itself. Plus, it gives good access to the greenery outside.
Your dog will have a good, relatable sight by the window. Moreover, it eliminates the stress of elevators for you and your dog.
Use a dog crate during your first hotel stay
Crates can be panicking for dogs, especially if you leave their free will at home. The feeling of being locked up in a limited space may damage your dog mentally and physically.
For that reason, we recommend buying a crate weeks before your trip. Make your dog spend time in it for an hour or two every day or every two days. Or you can help your dog develop a habit of staying inside it when you go out for short trips.
Doing so will help your dog perceive it as a short-term safe shelter. The dog won’t panic at the sight of it during your hotel stay.
Use treats
It’s a good idea to pack some of your dog’s favorite treats. When all else fails to keep your dog from attacking a cat at the hotel or behaving strangely, you can use dog treats to distract it. Treats like CBD gummies and chews can also help calm your dog if it’s anxious.
Final thoughts on your dog’s first hotel stay
If you practice the measures listed above, there’s a high chance you and your dog will have a wonderful time at the hotel. It’s natural for dogs to panic a little, so do not fret if the first day is a bit rough. But the following days will be super smooth.
Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical fields has given him a broad base to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.