Not too long ago here in the UK, many puppy owners are choosing not to leave their very own four-footed friend(s) at home rapid or even in a kennel, nevertheless bring them on holiday with them. Being a direct result of this, typically the dog-friendly holiday option has grown to be significantly more popular, particularly throughout Cornwall, with many people (families and couples alike) deciding on a self-catering holiday here in the united kingdom, rather than face the hassles associated with flying, with potential airport terminal delays and other associated no dog-friendly travel complications to be on holiday abroad.
As a vacation cottage owner in Cornwall, I feel I cannot afford in order to ignore this market, and wish to make sure that whatever I offer not just meets, but exceeds the guest’s expectations.
So what We ask ourselves makes a vacation cottage dog-friendly?
Here are a few fundamental suggestions to consider, most of that is common sense, but which ideally make a difference to everyone worried.
In its very basic form simply allowing guests to bring their own dogs with them apparently constitutes a cottage ‘dog-friendly’. However, in truth, the cottage in question can be quite the opposite. For example, it may be found near a busy road without having a garden or outside spot to safely walk the dog(s).
In addition, inside the cottage it may well have unsuitable furnishings for instance light coloured carpets along with sofas – all of which just about any dog owner will know are a major problem to keep clean, (even leather furnishings scratches), and the last thing typically the cottage owner wants to must do is hand the invitees a cleaning bill all their stay potentially ruining an otherwise enjoyable holiday.
Tips for dog-friendly interiors include solid wood or tiled floor surface types, both of which can minimise symptoms of wear and tear, and are usually better to clean and maintain than carpets. Putting rugs to ‘soften’ some sort of room’s appearance and make the idea feel more ‘homely’ is a good idea, as these can easily be changed if necessary, and can protect the ground. I have known dogs’ paws scratch both wooden flooring and wooden stairs — as have guests strolling boots, and where the appearance… ‘like a dog like an owner’ comes to mind!
Ideas for dog-friendly soft furnishings where, for instance, you need to protest ‘vulnerable areas’ on both armchairs and sofas, and wish to minimise wear and tear, is to include the furniture arms having a throw, and add scatter pillows to cover the back, both of that are easy to maintain (wash or even dry clean) and substitute. Actually many guests right now bring their own throws/blankets with these, so as to avoid accidentally tagging sofas with wet or even muddy dogs.
Then you have the ‘issue’ concerning allowing canines upstairs and into sleeping rooms, which is neither practical nor hygienic. Here there is yet another potential problem as many pups are not restricted at home, and are also allowed into their owner’s rooms, and so quite naturally think they can do the same on your annual vacation. They may also not want to be separated from their owners, originally feeling insecure in a new place. In this case, it can be a tough call to make, and mindful discretion needs to be exercised since this should not be encouraged.
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Some ‘dog-friendly’ cottages also provide dog as well as dog treats, however via my experience I have found that a majority of owners bring their dog’s own favourite, and often these dogs have particular dietary requirements or contact allergies. Like their owners, they too tend to be ‘creatures of habit’ that you dare to interfere along with at your peril! Again, nevertheless, there are always exceptions wherever some dogs will consume anything and everything – even searching up the garden in search with regard to something edible – which may be equally challenging!
Dog-friendly back yards are also essential, enclosed in addition to preferably secure, where the widespread ‘pooper scooper’ rule is definitely maintained at all times. Again, exactly what is secure for one dog is absolutely not necessarily the case for another. Modest dogs can squeeze within gates, and large dogs can certainly jump over them, consequently catering for all shapes and sizes is often very difficult.
Location is another challenge to consider, including the range of neighbourhood dog-friendly activities on offer. Though walking your dog on the shore or along local coast paths are usually top of the list of dog-friendly activities to do on holiday, through Cornwall many of the beaches workout a dog ban for certain weeks of the year, (usually coming from Easter through to October).
This may dramatically influence what friends choose to do, and where they will choose to go with their four-footed good friend, and this is where pad owners with their local understanding can really make a difference – offering their guests suggestions for a variety of alternative dog-friendly things to do, no matter what time of year.
‘Dog-friendly’ is one factor, however, ‘friendly dogs is a. Not all dogs are helpful, or even sociable, either additional dogs, or other people. There have been times when I have been in worry about my life, not being able to get just about anywhere near my cottage on account of an unfriendly dog staying in situ, having been left inside cool of the cottage through its owners went out into the local beach. This is a full ‘No No’. Holiday famille are not kenneled.
There are neighbourhood kennels available where pets can be left, either upon an hourly or daily time frame, so there is no excuse due to. In fact, popping your dog in a very local kennel whilst you try a long lunch or take a look at an attraction that does indeed permit dogs is anything I recommend guests consider, offering everyone peace of mind, and steering clear of any harm to either pad or dog. I also will not suggest guests leave their particular dogs in their car since hot dogs can expire in hot cars, that is certainly a sure recipe for disaster for all concerned.
By so doing both guests and their puppies need to feel ‘at home’ in their cottage, able to unwind and enjoy their holiday. When cottage owners have actually provided dog-friendly surroundings, then they too should be able to appreciate having guests and their puppies stay.
And finally: if our guests and their dogs want – then I too was happy, and it makes it all beneficial!
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