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Are you planning a UK holiday with your dog? Self-catering accommodation is going to be your best bet but only if your holiday cottage is truly dog-friendly. After all, you want to stay in a place where your four-legged friend is as welcome as you are, not where your dog is merely tolerated.
This is all very well but how do you tell the good from the bad and the downright ugly? Unhelpfully, the tourist industry has no star rating to show how dog-friendly individual establishments are so it’s up to you to ask the right questions. There is, however, one thing you can look out for: the annual Pets Pyjamas Travel Awards, a coveted prize awarded to only 12 of the UK’s most dog-friendly properties, including this recent winner.
Before you commit to any booking, it’s essential to get as much information as possible to reassure you that the accommodation will be suitable for your pet, so that you can all have a nice time when you get there. If you are booking online, check the directory entry or the website or, better still, contact the holiday cottage owner direct. Here are the key questions to seek answers to:
Get clarity on the maximum number of dogs allowed and adhere to it.
Again, don’t assume that your canine companion(s) will have free rein throughout the property. There may be house rules to stop Rover from roving upstairs, particularly in bedrooms or on carpeted areas.
Ideally, there should be an outdoor area for your pet to run around in – but do make sure it’s safe. You don’t want your pooch to be able to run off and get himself into trouble while you’re not looking.
If you stumble across a pet-friendly holiday cottage that provides a collar ID tag with address and phone number for your dog, you’ve surely struck gold. It’s a simple gesture and yet could be a lifesaver should Rover happen to get lost in unfamiliar territory.
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