How to Find Pet Friendly Motels and Hotels

By Anna Lee

Pet lovers are a large and growing group of people. However, there are many people who, for various reasons, are not pet lovers. Some people have allergies and I understand they would not want to use the same room where dog dander may trigger an attack. Others may feel that a room isn’t really clean if a dog or cat had been a previous occupant. I will provide you with some firsthand information, as well as websites, that I have used to find dog friendly motels and hotels. Hopefully the information I am sharing will help make your trip or vacation more enjoyable for you and your pet. A short amount of time setting up your accommodations can save you a lot of time in the long run. I always feel more comfortable leaving for a trip when I know I have pet friendly rooms ready and waiting for me.

Years ago pet friendly rooms did not exist. You just took your dog with you on a trip and didn’t think much about it. Not true in today’s world. Before we take a road trip I plan the route and make sure there is at least one pet friendly motel where we intend to stop. If not, I adjust the route by a few more miles one direction or another. I would rather travel a few extra miles and know there is a dog friendly room waiting for me.

Pet friendly rooms are not hard to find as they are becoming more popular. Motels owners realized they had to conform to what the customers want. Motels set aside a certain number of rooms for the weary travelers and their faithful pets. I don’t know if they actually clean the pet friendly rooms differently than the regular rooms. I hope they clean pet friendly rooms more thoroughly, since they do charge a pet fee. Finding pet friendly lodging requires a different type of online search than you would normally use.

I have been searching for pet friendly motels and hotels for the last 11 years. There are several excellent sources, and I will give you a few suggestions. It will certainly make your next trip easier if you plan ahead. One thing to be aware of is many motels and hotels ask that your dog be on a flea and tick program. I make sure to put a flea and tick preventative on our dog a few days before our trip. She has never had one flea in her life and I don’t want her to pick up a stray!

The first, and usually the last, site I check is Petswelcome.com. This is a very simple website to use. Just follow the instructions screen by screen. They provide information as to the room rate and pet charges. Some listings have a link directly to the motel. When you book a pet friendly room that you found through Petswelcome.com please let the motel employees know that is how you found the room. It will help them decide to continue their listings in Petswelcome.com.

If you prefer to stay at a particular chain, you can check the chain’s website. Look under amenities to find out if they list pets as an option. Sometimes I check the motel’s website after Petswelcome.com just to find out what restaurants are in the area. I accidentally ran across a few search sites that charge you for the information. Do not pay to find a pet friendly motel or hotel; you can get the information for free.

Other websites that I have used as search tools are:

*Petfriendlytravel.com – they also offer a listing of off leash and dog friendly beaches
*Dogfriendly.com – they also offer info on dog friendly campgrounds
*Officialpethotels.com

It is not difficult to find a pet friendly motel or hotel. When I started out for the first trip with our dog I was worried how she would be welcomed by the larger chains. For that 1998 trip I selected a small family run motel, nothing fancy, but they were pet friendly. The towels were so thin you could not dry yourself and the room was too small for two adults and a large dog. Each trip after that we upgraded to bigger and nicer motel chains. Now when we visit our family for the holidays we stay in a dog friendly, extended stay, all suites hotel with no problems or worries. Make your pet friendly motel or hotel reservation and pack your suitcase. Don’t forget to pack your dog’s favorite toys and enough CANIDAE® dog food for the trip. Happy travels everyone!

Read more articles by Anna Lee

The Dog Friendly Inn At Cedar Falls

The Inn at Cedar Falls in the Hocking Hills of Ohio contacted us to let us know that they were dog friendly, and invited my husband and I, along with Oskar down for a visit.

We were excited to go down for a weekend and Oskar settled into his carseat for the long ride.

We arrived late at night, signed in & found our cabin, the Trillium cabin.  Trillium is one of 2 dog friendly cabins.

You can see that the room is warm and welcoming.

It even has a jacuzzi big enough for two.

I will tell you that the pet policy is pretty stringent, so make sure you read it in full before you make your reservations.

Since the Trillium cabin is located at the end of a private road, Oskar & Chris would enjoy a morning walk surrounded by nature.

Chris and Oskar also had an awesome time hiking in the area State Parks.  Ohio does not have an admission fee for their parks and the Inn at Cedar Falls is surrounded on 3 sides by park land.  They took a hike to cedar falls and enjoyed the cliffs along the way.  The Hocking Hills area is located at the southern end of the Allegheny Mountains.

Here’s Oskar on “the beach” in Old Man’s Cave.  Since we visited in August, the water level was low.

Oskar didn’t know what to make of the deer we saw from our back porch, which had a nice swing and two rocking chairs.

Chef Anthony Schulz makes sure the food at the inn is excellent and the menu changes with the seasons.

When the weather is nice you can eat on the patio.

The grounds are beautiful with well placed hammocks and the inn keeps several houses of bees to help keep all of the flowers pollinated.

The Inn at Cedar Falls is a beautiful facility and I can tell you that it’s got to be amazing when the colors change.  My husband, myself & Oskar all give it a thumbs up!

Dog Friendly | Judging Your Breakfast

April 20, 2013 • Armadale, East, Favourites, Restaurant, Restaurants • 76

Sometimes in life, we have experiences that make us want to go and find the things that previously brought us joy and kick them…

October 27, 2012 • East, Favourites, Prahran, Restaurant, Restaurants • 45

Judging newcomers can be a bit like asking a newborn foal to run the Melbourne Cup – it usually takes them time to find their…

September 9, 2012 • Bayside, Brighton, Restaurant, Restaurants • 91

I literally took my mother with me for a Friday morning at Olie & Ari. You know when you think going on a weekday will mean an…

August 4, 2012 • Burwood, East, Restaurant, Restaurants • 45

Having breakfast with other people is nice, and it’s even nicer when you sit on wrought iron chairs next to a breezy park and…

June 19, 2012 • Bayside, Highett, Restaurant, Restaurants • 51

Highett is to Hampton as Carlton is to Brunswick: it’s not quite as hip, but it’s catching up fast. The Highett shops have long…

May 19, 2012 • Dandenong, Restaurant, Restaurants, South-East • 78

Try as I might, I couldn’t talk Neighbours actor James Mason (Chris Pappas,…

May 13, 2012 • Favourites, Restaurant, Restaurants, South-East • 26

Once a year, tiny people make a mess in the kitchen and then inevitably spill things when they enter the bedroom. They call this…

May 4, 2012 • North, Preston, Restaurant, Restaurants • 46

Welcome to a magical world where teacups are lightshades, kiddy tricycles ride on ceilings, graffiti is considered branding and…

May 1, 2012 • Caulfield South, East, Restaurant, Restaurants • 37

Caulfield South is surprisingly barren of decent breakfast spots. It has all kinds of other delicious food, but that morning…

April 25, 2012 • Bayside, Beaumaris, Favourites, Restaurants • 41

It may come as a surprise to you to learn that I’m rarely stuck for words. But this morning at Kicko, I couldn’t make them go. I…

April 10, 2012 • East, Favourites, Kew, Restaurant, Restaurants • 23

Things everyone knows that I forgot: never head city-bound on the Eastern Fwy between the hours of 7:30am and 8:30am, don’t park…

April 7, 2012 • Bayside, Favourites, Port Melbourne, Restaurant • 47

Cleverly, the morning I visited Third Wave Cafe was the morning I left my eftpos card at home, meaning whatever I ordered had to…

April 4, 2012 • McKinnon, Restaurant, Restaurants, South-East • 62

Sometimes people spell things in cre8ive ways to appear more exotic or smarter. Examples include Jaxon, Kwik Kopy and Limonatta….

March 29, 2012 • Favourites, Flemington, North, Restaurant, Restaurants • 46

It’s becoming more and more apparent to me that it’s hard to find a place to eat in a trendy suburb that isn’t a bit wanky….

Dog friendly apartment living

Bark Park Sign for The Springs of Country Woods Apartments in Midvale, Utah.

Dogfriendly.com Top 10 Dog Friendly Cities

Maybe your summer vacation is over for this year, but there is always next year or Labor Day weekend for one last get away.  I put out earlier Petside.com’s top 10 dog friendly cities, but this list is from our friends at Dogfriendly.com.  These are the Top 10 Dog Friendly Cities in the U.S. to visit and a brief explanation as to why it was given the rating, as well, the link on the city name will link you to a city guide page.

Portland Oregon tops DogFriendly.com’s 2011 list of the pet-friendliest vacation cities in the United States. Home to the famous and dog-friendly Rose Gardens and the Lucky Lab you and your dog would have a great time in Portland. These top cities are chosen for their pet-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, park, attractions, stores, dining and more. Here are the remainder of this year’s Top 10:

2. Chicago – Visit the Navy Pier, dine in elegance, cruise on a pet-friendly tour boat or walk the parks of the city.

3. San Diego – The country’s best dog beaches and trails and world class pet-friendly shopping centers.

4. Seattle – Take public transportation with your leashed dog. Many pet-friendly venues in a dog-friendly city.

5. Philadelphia – Get a famous cheese steak. See historic early American sites and stay in a downtown luxurious hotel.

6. Minneapolis – Great hiking trails and parks, pet-friendly dining. A pet-friendly atmosphere throughout.

7. Austin – Dog-Friendly parks. Outdoor cafes. Take tours and see the sites. See the Zilker Gardens and the Congress Street bats.

8. Alexandria/ Washington D.C. – See the capital’s sites, walk in charming Old Town, take a dog cruise on the Potomac.

9. New York – Luxury hotels welcome dogs, Central park beckons, off-leash parks everywhere. Shop the famous stores with your dog.

10. Indianapolis – Many historical sites, Nature preserves, trails and parks. Many of the cities tourist sites can be viewed with a dog.

Honorable Mentions: Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh.

What a great list.  It really gives me the idea to do a road trip across the U.S. with my pooch.  How cool to think of being in Seattle and taking your dog on public transportation… hint, hint LA!  I hope you enjoyed this list as well and gave you an idea for a future vacation or weekend get away.

How to Create a Dog Friendly Yard

If you own a dog then you know that having a dog-friendly house can be a little challenging at times. You may even think that you can have a beautiful yard or a dog who sometimes enjoys the outdoors, but not both. Parkland International Realty has good news for dog owners who wish to maintain their beautiful yards while still keeping their dogs happy and active. You can have the best of both worlds with a lovely pet-friendly yard by following these tips:

1. Your first step should be to fence in the  yard. A six-foot high privacy fence is best since some dogs can climb chain link fencing, and it needs to be tall enough that your dog cannot jump over it.


2. Next, watch your dog’s route through the yard. You can lay stepping stones or pavers in these high traffic areas to prevent trampled grass or muddy paws on rainy days.


3. Make sure that there is sufficient shelter for your dog inclement weather and that he or she has a shady spot on  hot sunny days. Of course, they need plenty of water, so keep a bowl of fresh water under a tree or shady area at all times.


4. 
   Provide plenty of toys so your dog stays entertained. A bored dog is more inclined to dig or cause mischief.


5. Finally, when you’re planning what flowers and shrubs to plant, keep safety in mind. Many plants, including daffodils, tomato plants and tulips, can be hazardous to your dog.

Dogs definitely add character to a home and bring joy to families. That is why setting up a yard so our four-legged friends feel more comfortable and at home is so important. Believe it or not, this shows prospective buyers or renters that you take good care of your personal belongings, which many times makes them assume the property has been taken care of just as well.

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Making your home dog friendly

I remember when I was having kids and had to consider “kid proofing” my home.  I was raised in a home where we learned not to touch things, everything was not put away until we grew up.  I’ve had a few kids at my house that have come from a home where nothing but toys or indestructible items are around and they pretty much were a one kid demolition crew.  They never learned not to touch.  Of course anything dangerous should be put out of reach but they must learn not to touch, just like our dogs need to learn what they can and cannot touch. 

Anything that could possible be dangerous should most definitely be put away.  Supervision plays a huge part in teaching the “don’t touch” way of life.  If you leave a dog free in your house and don’t supervise them in the beginning then pretty much everything is fair game and nothing will be learned.  That is except that all your stuff will most likely be destroyed when you have this unsupervised type of lifestyle.  And if you have this type of lifestyle then you and your pooch are not going to be really welcome in other homes. 

It is frankly unfair not to teach your dog basic manners with regards to living within a home.  “No, we do not eat the furniture,” “we don’t pull the Christmas tree down, or destroy the decorations.”  “We don’t jump on the kitchen counter and help ourselves to whatever is available,” or “we do not grab and shred dish towels that are hanging ever so temptingly on the stove.”  Simple things like this can make or break a beautiful relationship.  With a little guidance you can walk your pup through the rules and regulations of your home without having to clear it all away. 

One of the most dangerous items in a home are all the wires.  Within seconds a puppy or dog can chew through the protective coating and be electricuted.  So even with supervision, you want all electrical wires taped up and out of eyesight.  Items that might be hanging off of a counter or table top can be very dangerous as well.  A dishtowel with a jar of jam sitting on it, an iron sitting on an ironing board with the cord hanging off or even a table cloth can be a tempting toy.  So be very aware of anything hanging. 

Take a slow and arduous walk around your home looking for anything that could tip over, fall off or roll.  Any of these type things that might injure your dog.  Make a switch to more green cleaning products.  Check carpets for any stray frayed strands.  They can be enticing and one bad strand can quickly become a half of a your carpet destroyed.  One thing that I do suggest removing or raising with a very young puppy is house plants.  Even the ones that are not poisonous are often just too much temptation.  You can bring them out once you get the general rules set in place.

Above all; supervision is the best kept secret to raising a mannerly pooch.  That is supervision and feedback; with daily guidance rules, routine and living arrangements are quickly understood.  And they all lived happily ever after will be in the books for you and your family.

Dog friendly food places in Singapore

We’ve realized that it’s extremely difficult to find dog friendly restaurants and cafes in Singapore, and we’ve even been chased out of our regular hangout spots ! Aren’t you tired of calling in advance to ask whether places are dog friendly, only to be told no? Well, we’re going to dedicate this blog to populating dog-friendly restaurant reviews for all the dog owners out there

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My sofa saga - the search for dog friendly lounge suites

I started looking for new sofa’s quite some time ago. I knew that they had to be pretty tough, easy to clean and blend with my taste for old stuff. I like timbers and flowers and I still like colour… and well taste is a personal thing isn’t it? It isn’t my taste to have the clutter I naturally accumulate but there is nothing that can be done with that. I have not succeeded in teaching my family not to clutter my spaces.

Our rented house is the same size as a postage stamp. I kinda plan on buying one (a house not a postage stamp).. in the near future. Or not. I wait for when the shit is over to make such decisions. I still look. And I kinda save.

Anyway – on the Internet I found a post about dog friendly sofas and a sofa I liked. I will link this later when I find the damn site. I carried the entire article around for the majority of this year – kept losing it and finding it…but tonight it is definitely lost. Or maybe I just liked the dogs and one of them does look like Rocky! So – the sofa starter came from this picture.

And this one too..
Leather that can handle the scratches and wear with it. I also liked sofas like his one…

But it is probably a bit too modern for me. The leaves on the floor of the photo kinda make it feel like home though. You wouldn’t believe the things my dogs bring inside for me!

I love classic chesterfields however – the space issue. And I think the reason this photo appeals to me so much is probably just the books. Clever marketing ploy huh? The sofa is beautiful but add a feature wall behind of just books… hook line and sinker for me.

But no I am being sensible. This sofa is going to cost me a lot of money and needs to last me some time. If I buy a house it has to have the existing furniture I have dragged around, found, or Christian has made for me because I will be broke for some time.

I loved this.

Locally I couldn’t find the aniline leather I needed – bomber jacket type stuff or the stuff you find on boat shoes for men? Where you scratch it and it just rubs out or looks better for it. I could find comfortable sofas – that were ugly. I could find beautiful sofas – that were uncomfortable.

I found the one below at Rockhampton and I liked it but Christian did not. It was also $ 7000 just for it alone, so would of come in at the absolute top end of my budget after purchasing a second one.

It was amazingly comfortable and spacious and had an ottoman with it.

But – on our second shopping trip to Brisbane I found this one that met all purposes except that maybe I would of liked the lighter tan better like the original Internet post that first attracted me. But – we are messy. My partner works in the dirt and will sit on the sofa before changing. My dogs think dust bathing is a perfectly acceptable activity before sofa lounging. My son attracts bike chain grease and mud flat dirt.

Christian and William test the sofa in the store in Brisbane below.

So – I paid the deposit and was told by the saleswoman that it would take one to two weeks to be delivered to me 600 kms north. I then got the invoice that told me I would have to wait until the 25th November before it would arrive. I was so upset and rang immediately .. and was told …. just 8 weeks to wait. Ok… I can do that. Eight weeks came and went and I rang – and nope.. the computer said that I was happy to wait till 25 th November. Yep… I cried on the phone. I have no shame. (I can’t believe I did that!)

Anyway – last week it finally arrived. It is gorgeous and smells so good, divinely comfortable (just ask the dogs) and yes the scratches do just rub out if you gently rub them after the dogs jump on. But there is an irony to something that was just meant to make me happy made me so frustrated and angry.

Dotti likes to lick it clean which I probably shouldn’t tell people. But she really does lay there and lick it with a very pleased look on her face. I LOVE being able to clean up her shedding fur with a damp cloth.

Dog Friendly Outing

For many pet owners, I’m sure at one point they’ve wanted to go on a trip somewhere but had to deal with finding a place or someone that could take care of their furry little friend! Then probably while they are away, they would wonder how their pet is holding up in their absence. None of those things would be a concern if you could just take your pet with you! And that is what we did.

We went to Katsuura in Chiba, which was less than a 2 hour drive from Tokyo, and headed to a hotel called Blueberry Hill. Apparently that area is known for blueberries. I didn’t really know what to expect of the place, as I only knew that it was by the Pacific Ocean and the brochure seemed like it had okay rooms. The only reason we chose this place was because it was pet friendly. Turned out the place was better than I expected!

That’s the main entrance, or lobby. The dining area is also inside but not shown. I thought it would be one whole building but everything was split up and spread out across vast grasslands, something I had never seen before in Japan, at least not in the city. It looked more like a country club than a hotel.

There is an herb garden in this area so I thought it was pretty cool they used rosemary for decor, and I liked it even more that the vase looked like a chemistry flask. Nice ☆

Within the first few minutes of going around this place, I instantly felt like I was on a vacation abroad. This does not seem like Japan! Even the “hotel rooms” look like mini houses or a villa of some sort. But then of course, all of the staff were Japanese and everything else was in Japanese so it was quite trippy to say the least.

The room came with a cage and other basic necessities like a water bottle, wet wipes, deodorizing spray, toilet sheets, and even a carpet lint roller. The only things we had to bring that weren’t provided was dog food, some treats and toys, and possibly a dog bed.

Actually, on the first day the weather was terrible and it was literally pouring rain. I mean like marble-sized raindrops. (I took outdoor pictures the following day.) But that didn’t ruin our day since we spent the entire time playing sports indoors. I can’t tell you how fun it was to play sports cause it has been forever! I’m talking about since PE in school forever. We played badminton and ping pong indoors on a rainy day, and the breeze was nice and chilly from the open doors and windows – it was just perfect. After we went back to that place in the first picture above and had a buffet style dinner. Then for the rest of the night watched TV and chilled with Musashi! Just like any other day at home, except we were on a trip together! ♥ He seemed to be a happy camper.

As we only stayed for one night, it was time to leave the next day. Before checking out we had time walk around and play tennis! There were tennis courts, soccer fields and swimming pools available among other things. The souvenir shop even had dog toys and everything.

It was actually my first time playing tennis, kind of sad I know, but it is hella fun!! I am going to start picking it up, get a racquet and everything. This stay has changed my life lol. That was the end of our stay at Blueberry Hill, but next we went to another amazing place called…

マザー牧場　｜MOTHER FARM

Sounds kind of weird, I know. But let me tell you, this place is awesome!! The man behind this farm actually started the Tokyo Tower! The meaning behind the name “Mother Farm” is because apparently his parents, who lived in the suburbs, were extremely poor, and his mother often said

 If we just had one more cow, our lives would be so much easier.

Her words stuck with him his whole life, and the rest is history. It’s actually very sweet if you ask me… Ironically though, he is from Osaka.

Anyways, I feel compelled to explain to you why I think this place is great. First of all, to stick to the purpose of this entire trip, is that you can take your dog here!! Although you have to pay 500 yen for the dog, and adult tickets are 1500 yen, it is totally worth it.

That is the entrance of the farm. If you ask me to imagine what Michael Jackson’s NEVERLAND looks like, I’d picture this. It is more than just a farm though because there are so many things you can do here! There is a mini amusement park, mostly for families though cause the rides are very kiddy, but you can also do bungee jumping. Seasonal activities include strawberry and blueberry picking and of course looking at flowers. Oh, and if anyone is interested you can experience cow milking too.

Saw some sheep and ducks!! All the animals are so cute and friendly. I am disappointed I missed alpacas though!! If you’ve ever been to a zoo, I’m sure you know the offensive smell it can give, but this farm is just SO CLEAN! Even the washrooms were clean – none of that port-a-potty business. One of those moments where it was like, yeah, this is Japan after all.

The best place to take your dog is to this place called “Dog Run“. It basically like a dog park, except fenced, and you can let your dogs run free off leash. There are benches for people to just sit and watch their dogs mingle with other dogs! When we arrived though, everyone was just leaving and Musashi was forever arone. Shortly after one dog came!

I think the above picture is funny cause it looks like Musashi is totally creeping up on the other dog’s butt. It was just so much fun watching him though, especially it being his first time off leash outdoors. He’s about 7 months right now! And they say Chihuahuas don’t need that much exercise, but I was surprised he was walking right along with us for the couple of hours that we were there and even had energy to run around. Since this place is huge, all that walking made us work up an appetite, so next we went to eat at a…

Barbeque Terrace!! I know it’s almost October, but it is still very much summer over here, and what is better than having barbeque on a hot day?! And yes you can bring your dogs too! There is a place to tie your leash on the sides. This place was self-serve and you choose the plates of meat and vegetables you would like to grill. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

The view is so incredible too! I already instagrammed that shit lol. I think it was just our luck the previous day was raining like crazy, because it was a beautiful day! Everything worked out so well, including playing tennis in the morning.

One popular event is the piggy race but I think the main attraction is the cow farm! Cows are so cute… first time seeing them in real life. But again, just like last time at the jellyfish aquarium that served jellyfish on its menu… it was strange to admire cows after having just eaten barbeque, which I loved. I’m sorry…

But really, the cool thing about this place is of course it has a small dairy plantation, so their most popular treats are soft serve icecream and fresh milk!

I chose blueberry icecream! The blueberries must have been freshed picked from their own farms as well. AND they come in the classic milk bottles!! What a nice traditional touch. You can definitely get the feel that this place has its history… And although I hate drinking plain milk, that coffee flavour one must be delicious!

Last but not least, kawaii spam of the day…

Japan has some of the best souvenir shops, hands down. Put a face on anything you can think of and make it cute. Not just that but they always have plenty of yummy snacks as well!

This post is very long, but no amount of posts could clearly depict how enjoyable it was. It has been over 2 years that I’ve come to Japan, but I keep finding reasons to love it more after experiencing new things and going to different places. There is a first time for everything. These places are quite close to Tokyo too!

I would definitely love to go to Mother Farm again, especially since we can take Musashi. Aside from your love and dog treats, I think there is no better way to make your dog happy than by going on walks and exploring the outdoors together. It was memorable for sure. You don’t have to be a dog owner to enjoy this kind of a trip either. Dog or no dog, anyone can enjoy it. I just find that it’s a major bonus that this trip was dog friendly ♥