Should large dogs be allowed in hotels
 

I stayed last weekend at one of the nicest hotels I had ever seen. It was beautiful! That was until I got off the elevator and was jumped by a large dog that was staying at the hotel. I was scared but not hurt.

I went down to the front deak and complained and was told that this hotel and many others have allowed dogs to stay at the hotel for about a year. I thought he was joking ( a big German Shepard at a luxury downtown hotel-- sure!) But later investigation indicated that dogs are now allowed in hotels.

Is this just crazy , or just a sign of the times?

Business owners are generally free to run their busineses as they please. If this is a major issue, then you might want to call ahead next time.

What do you mean, "jumped by a large dog?" As in, the dog was running loose, and ran up to you, as you came off the elevator? Or came at you aggressively, as though he wanted to harm you? Or was on a leash, but tried to get to you?

I think large dogs are fine in hotels, if they are well-behaved, never loose, and welcome at the property.

Even a leashed dog that's totally under its owner's control can jump up on you if you come within a few feet, passing in the hall or if it gets on the elevator with you.

Having been attacked by dogs 3 times, with scars to prove it, this is one of the things I check about a hotel before booking. I even check the policies of all the hotels that BFT lists for PL before bidding on a zone, to reduce the chances of encountering strange dogs on vacation. As bardo says, it's the owners option to accommodate dogs, and my option to avoid them!

I like dogs in general, get along fine with dogs owned by relatives, friends, and neighbors, but just don't want to chance these sorts of encounters while traveling.

Anon, if a dog is able to leap on you, he is not "totally under the owner's control." A dog owner knows his own dog, and he should make very sure that that does not happen. If it does, then the owner is not handling the dog properly. And I always make a point of giving someone with a dog a wide berth because I think many owners are not careful enough that way.

Sorry to hear about your three encounters that left scars! People who let their dogs do things like that should not have them..........

They want to have dogs in their hotels fine as long as the dog owners think before taking Fido to the Ritz.

If you've got a dog that has a tendancy to bark and react to noise, then you're probably inconsiderate person that cares little for the disruption you might cause to someone else's night's sleep.

I have a large dog and he/we are not allowed in all hotels. Even hotels that accept dogs have size limits, so I think your very nice hotel was an exception.
No matter where you go in the world, you might come across a large dog who is not controlled by his owner. I think it was bad luck that this happened to you. While I love my dog and he is well trained, it is a fact of life, that not all people have the brains to train and control their dogs when out in public.
Best thing a person can do , who does not want to come across a dog IN a hotel, is to check and see if that hotel accepts large dogs before they stay there.
More hotels are allowing dogs because more owners want/need to travel with them. Companion dogs are alway allowed in hotels.
We moved from the NE to the South, we had no choice, we had to bring Pup with us.

... official guide and companion dogs, certainly. This is socially responsible.

... large dogs accompanying owners, for some oddball reason? Ever notice owners who haul their dogs offer no reasons.

... pigs are pets to many, as are large snakes. Are they to be banned, but we'll admit huge canines?

... what about pit bulls, is the red neck element to be accommodated?

Two posts, one about dogs, one about cicadas, both meant to case trouble.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34511584

Yeah, they're trouble-making, but interesting conversations and a lot less boring than those endlessly repeated hotel questions.

LOL at the redneck/pitbull point -- that's certainly not the typical owner here in the Northeast!

Blacktie, you are funny! So what is it you bring on your trips? the pig or the pitt bull LOL

No trouble wanted, just a question related to my travel experience.

The dog jumped at me, but did not bite.

Well travdis, just be happy that a million cicadas didn't jump on you! LOL

IMHO no because some people, inc. me have allergies to animal dander. Yes for those who need guide dogs however.

Found myself thinking about this. If people demand no smoking rooms because of the smell, does that mean we're soon to have "Dog"/"No Dog" rooms?

So, when I book my rooms, I guess I now need to ask for "A Non-smoking, non-Dog room, near the elevator on a non-smoking, non-dog floor, facing the street."

Ryan & Jacketwatch, most hotels only allow dogs in a certain block of rooms, not all, so that the majority of the rooms will never have dog dander in them. Always ask about that........... hotels cannot afford to lie about such a thing since some people can die from allergic reactions.

I agree that the hotel owner should have the last say, so best to check the hotel policy first. But dogs should be under owners control.

I worked years ago at Holiday Inns, when Kemmons Wilson, the founder, was still in charge. Holiday Inns HAD to accept dogs, AND provide kennels, unless specifically outlawed locally. He used to joke about how no dog had ever stolen a TV, left cigerette burns in the mattress, etc.

Unless someone is relocating, I don't think they *really* have to drag the dog along. Your pooch doesn't care about travel *that* much, and will probably be a lot more comfortable at home or in a kennel, then cooped up for hours in a car and strange hotels. He'll love you just as much when you return as he will if you take him, and you won't need to worry about the possibility of him getting loose & running off while in a strange place miles from home.

My husband and I stayed at the Luxor in Las Vegas last year and we saw a woman with her pet pig on a leash go into a room! I had completely blocked it out of my memory until I read this post!

I think people travel with pets for a variety of reasons. That is why my husband always takes his allergy medicine with him. Not a big deal.

We have a small parrot that we adore. We have started travelling with her for a few reasons. The main reason is that since 9/11 I have a fear of leaving her behind in the city without me. May sound crazy, but it is one of very few lingering affects that I am trying to sort out. I couldn't bear the thought of being out of town during another attack and her being there without me. She is 17 & 1/2 and I have had her since she was bottle fed. She likes to travel, stays in her travel cage (quietly) in our room, and loves the beach. I won't take her on a plane, and for those kinds of trips she stays with family in NJ. I just can't dump here there for long weekends though.

So, I guess I am sympathetic to those who can't leave their 'family' behind and will put up with just about anything if I have to, except carpet that smells of cat urine. That is just plain disgusting.

I was going to stay out of this b/c I have pet/dog lovers in my extended family and know that the topic can become heated. However, I will just say this - for some people popping some allergy pills is not a solution that can safely alleviate potential reactions to someone's pet. Having to use an inhaler more frequently or end up in the emergency room is a very real concern for some people who are allergic to animals.

I hope, bonnieboard, that you are correct when saying that hotels set aside a block of rooms for guests and their pets but I surely doubt that the hotel will leave rooms vacant if they can't fill them with pets. Also, I firmly believe they will not inform you of the fact that animals have stayed in the room prior to your check-in. Even some of the better hotels do not clean bedspreads on a regular basis. I could go on, but I think I've said enough.

rb_traveler, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you that there is no reason to "drag" a pet along. I KNOW that my elderly Cairn Terrier is far more comfortable, and is happier, riding on my lap in the car, and staying in hotels with us than he would be staying in a kennel or having two visits a day from a petsitter here at home. He becomes depressed to the point of not eating, not functioning, if we leave him for any amount of time. That may sound crazy to those who haven't experienced it with an animal.......... but he's given us his all for almost 15 years. It's a small comfort to give back to him now when he needs us the most.

Why, Scarlett, my large snake, naturally ... now, you stop that blushing, right now, you asked!

Bonnie,
I'm sure you're right about a certain set of rooms for people with dogs. But, as indicated by seetheworld, I doubt the hotels leave those rooms vacant or even say to guests getting those rooms "BTW, you're in our dog wing."

From people I know who have pet allergies, they "know" right away if there's been an animal in the room... their eyes itch & run, they start to wheeze a little. At that point, if they get out of the room immediately, they are fine. If they stay amidst the dander, the symptoms get worse. So I think a person has to protect himself and get out of the room........... if a hotel lies or someone has sneaked an animal into that room, unbeknownst!

But it's my understanding that the better hotels are very strict about this, and will only put the regular public into a room that's had a pet in it after the room has been put through a special cleansing process that's supposed to rid it of all allergens.

If you know you have a life-threatening allergy to pet dander, then I think you must be very sure of where you're staying and what their policies are. The majority of people do not have allergies, and they are the ones who are catered to. More and more people want their pets traveling with them; that's why you see so many of the hotels changing their policies now. I personally wish I could leave my doggie at home......... because you are hampered, in some ways, when traveling with one, but I love him dearly, and have to consider his age and comfort, as well as what I want.

Ryan, if you are severely allergic, surely you will ask the hotel about the possibility that pets have been in your room. In that case, I don't believe a good hotel would lie; they have too much too lose........

So it's about one's rights?

Let me put it to you this way then...
Do you have the right to bring your animal to a hospital that's aim is to care for humans, NO... bring them to the ANIMAL Hospital...
Hotels are for PEOPLE....kennels are for ANIMALS. If I am paying money to stay in a hotel, I expect that its occupants are people, not pets. There, I said it, plain and simple!!!!

If you dont like see dogs in public then you petter stay out of france. There are ODGS everywhere, and they are mostly allowed to go everywhere their owners go, restruants hotels, shopes ect. I love dogs and wish america would be more like france on this issue. As for the poster who siad something about pit bulls, they Like anyother dog, only become mean if they are treated wrong are taught to be mean. I Currently have 2 ferrets and one dog, when I go to the beach (my yearly vacation) I always take them with me. I usually stay in a apartment (they dont allow pets) that dosent have maid service or workers comming in hte room, so as long as i clean up after them then there is no problem, they spend most of their time in their cage, and i confine them to one room when i do let them out to play.

But hotels are NOT just for people; otherwise, the hotels would not be encouraging people to bring them! You would like them to be, but they're not. Otherwise, hotels would not be advertising as pet-friendly, and adding all kinds of frills for the dear creatures. It's real life....... huge numbers of people consider their pets their children, and don't want to leave them home. These people have money... money talks! Plain and simple...:-)

Not all (or even most) hotels allow pets. If you have severe allergies, find a hotel that doesn't allow pets. Simple as that. Most hotels list that kind of information on their websites; if not, call and ask. For hotels that do allow pets, most have the "pet" wing and most pet-friendly hotels that I have stayed in hang a little "dog in room" sign on the door of a room that has a pet inside. The owners should have control of their pets at all times. If the dog barks continually or jumps and bites, the hotel usually reserves the right to ask the customer to leave.

Some people enjoy traveling with their pets. While I haven't traveled with our dog yet, we are planning on taking him with us to Colorado next year. He is very well-behaved and laid-back. If he wasn't, I probably wouldn't even consider taking him. I do know that he (and most pets) would rather be with us on vacation, staying in strange places, than be stuck in a small kennel somewhere for a week. We found a book that lists dog-friendly hotels and we will book our rooms accordingly.

Of COURSE hotels are for people, or some municipalities wouldn't be banning pets. It's just that some hotels will "invite" pets too, in order to "kiss up" to potential guests.

Bonniebroad, I'm going to respectfully say that I think you're projecting your own emotions to your dog. But since they can't speak, we don't really know, do we? As far as allergies -- once in a room for awhile, and the itching and sneezing begins, changing rooms is only going to keep the problems from excalating, but the "damage" has already been done. Having worked in several hotels (and recenly just started moonlighting again at a Quality Inn, which does NOT allow pets), few hotels are going to be "up front" about it being a "pet room", unless specifically asked, and I'd guess that at least 40% would lie about that.

Yes, the French are big on their pets, but this is the US forum. Maybe some company could start a chain of "pet friendly hotels ... or kennels that are "owner friendly" -- taking in people too.

The problem is that everyone is convinced their pet is the perfect traveler and companion, just like the believe their screaming child is the best behaved child on earth. So people bring along Parrots because they are too fixated on the pet to leave it alone for a few days.

We've turned into a society where pets and children are everywhere, including the workplace. Slobbering dogs are in Starbucks, as well as sticky-fingered three year olds. There really isn't any place one can go to avoid them anymore. People drag their German Shepard and two-kid strollers into small antique stores and then seem surprised when something gets knocked over.

rb_traveler, I am not projecting my own emotions onto my dog. When a dog refuses to eat, will not move unless you move him, cannot control his bodily functions because he is so upset...... that's a depressed dog, and nothing to do with my emotions.

I have a sister and a good friend with severe dog allergies, and if they leave an area as soon as they feel the first effects of the dander, they are fine....... no harm done!

Again, I do not believe a good hotel will lie about these things. They have too much to lose. It would make no sense........ now when you get into budget hotels, yes, I think they might lie. But if I had a life-threatening allergy, I would be very careful where I stayed, and willing to pay a little more to be sure of my situation.

Most importantly, as the poster above said, MOST hotels don't allow dogs or any other pets - those would be PEOPLE ONLY hotels. A person with allergies should go to one of them..........

<i> Currently have 2 ferrets and one dog, when I go to the beach (my yearly vacation) I always take them with me. I usually stay in a apartment (they dont allow pets) that dosent have maid service or workers comming in hte room, so as long as i clean up after them then there is no problem, they spend most of their time in their cage, and i confine them to one room when i do let them out to play.</i>

You've got to be kidding! And the property owner has no rights? As an owner of a vacation home this is <b>exactly</b> why I don't rent it out. Your decision to violate the owner's requirements in absolutely unacceptable! And how do we know if your idea of &quot;clean up after them&quot; is adequate?

&quot;I have a sister and a good friend with severe dog allergies, and if they leave an area as soon as they feel the first effects of the dander, they are fine....... no harm done!&quot;

Generalizations don't hold water in my book.

I'm not severly allergic or even mildly allergic. I just don't like the thought that I'm sleeping in a bed that some slobbering dog used for a nap the prior day. Not to mention the fact that dogs get fleas, even sometimes when the owners are cautious not to have that happen.

As stated, hotels are for people, kennels are for dogs.

Then find a hotel that does not accept pets. There are plenty.

If you take Willard to a hotel, be aware Purdue U says rats fed artificial sweeteners consume three times the calories of our scampering friends on plain sugar, explaining much of the obesity dilemma in this country. Sugar-free foods are bad news!

what a silly debate.

If a hotel doesn't allow pets and you like to travel with fluffy or fido, find one that does allow pets.

If you get a hotel room where someone has snuck fluffy or fido in the room and you are allergic, call management and get them to switch your room.

I would LOVE to see more hotel and restruants that dont allow children!

I totally agree GoTravel, what a silly debate! Every single one of us has a choice here, go to a hotel that accepts pets OR stay in one that does not accept pets. If all hotels got together and banned pets or all hotels accepted pets, then there would be something to argue about, but that is not the case here.