Your dog's first stay at a dog hotel is the one that causes the most nerves, mostly yours. With some time and a few simple steps it almost always goes well: here is the step-by-step, from the first conversation with the hotel to the reunion at home.
In good time: choose the hotel and talk
- Start looking weeks ahead: in summer and over the holidays places fill up early.
- Ask what they require. At The Place's: a mandatory meet-and-greet, up-to-date vaccines and spay/neuter.
- If a vaccine or the spay/neuter is missing, there's still time to sort it out. We can arrange it with our on-site vet.
- Tell the hotel what your dog is like: its energy, its fears and how it gets on with other dogs.
The meet-and-greet: what it's for
At a good hotel, the first stay starts before day one. At The Place's the meet-and-greet is mandatory: we get to know each other, see how your dog reacts, and you see where it will spend the day and the night.
Use it to
- See where it plays and where it sleeps.
- Find out who will look after it.
- Explain its routine, its food and any medication.
- Ask what to bring on day one.
Day-one checklist
Every hotel has its own rules, so check first. This is what usually helps:
| What to bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Its usual food | So its diet doesn't change just as its surroundings do |
| Its medication, with written instructions | So its treatment continues exactly as its vet prescribed |
| Its vaccination record | Most hotels ask for it |
| Your phone number and your vet's | In case anything needs checking |
| A blanket or toy that smells of home (optional) | Something familiar for the first days |
At The Place's we confirm what to bring at the meet-and-greet.
Drop-off day
- Arrive with time to spare, not rushing on the way to the airport.
- Keep the goodbye short and calm: a long goodbye tends to make dogs more anxious.
- Leave its routine and anything that unsettles it in writing.
At The Place's most dogs run in playing and don't even say goodbye.
During the stay
It's natural to want to know how your dog is doing. Ask from the start how often you'll get updates. At The Place's we share photos and videos every day, and if anything happens, however small, we let you know right away. Your dog is always looked after by the same person, Joshua or Cristina, so there are no new faces to get used to.
Coming home
After days of play and fresh air, many dogs come home tired and sleep more than usual on the first day. Give it water, its usual food and some quiet. If anything worries you, check with your vet.
After the first time everything is easier: dogs that have stayed with us before can come even at the last minute, subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions
1.Will my dog be stressed if it has never been to a hotel?
We do everything so it feels at home. It always sees the same person, Joshua or Cristina, and before the first stay we hold a meet-and-greet to get to know each other and see how it reacts. Most dogs run in playing and don't even say goodbye.
2.What if my dog isn't spayed or neutered, or is missing a vaccine?
To stay it needs up-to-date vaccines and spay/neuter: it's for the safety of every dog in the group. If something is missing, we can arrange it with our on-site vet before its first visit.
3.How often will you update me?
Every day. We share photos and videos of your dog playing or resting, and if anything happens, however small, we let you know right away.