Help! Need advice on how to make a hotel experience enjoyable!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

First a little background: Winnie turned one year old in February and has always been a fairly quiet dog overall. She never whines or barks when she meets other people or dogs. I think she is in a stage of being a little more protective of us, though, and has recently started to do more "alert barking." I've been working with her on "Quiet" and she's catching on quickly. She'll let out a low "woof" to let us know she hears something, and then stops when I tell her "Thank you! Now, quiet."

So, I was not expecting the near disaster that we had at a hotel Friday night! We rolled in after dark, and basically went straight to bed. I now realize that was my first mistake- she had no idea where she was, and didn't get a chance to get accustomed to the sounds. She barked and barked at every sound that she heard! Sometimes just a low "woof" but several strings of out right "Danger" barking. Fearing we were disrupting everyone, I was just about to go sleep in the car with her when I got the bright idea of cranking on the AC. (Duh! Why didn't I think about that earlier?!). That was enough to drown out sounds, and we all slept the rest of the night. In the morning she was OK, but when I walked her, she was still "on edge." Her tail was down and she was nervously looking around- not her usual happy-go-luck self.

In July we are taking her with us on a 9 day trip to Colorado. 5 of those nights will be in the same hotel- which doesn't have it's own AC unit, by the way. My gut feeling is that she will adapt and get used to the sounds, but the fearful side of me worries that it will be a disaster! She will never be left in the room by herself- I'm just worried about sleeping...

So, I need your help! Here is what I've thought of so far: taking her for a walk around the neighborhood and walking her up and down the halls whenever we stop for the night, doing some training in the room so that we establish our leadership, and getting some "white noise" we can play on our smart phones if needed. We've also talked about taking another overnight trip between now and July. What else? Please give me ALL ideas you can think of! 

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Our first night in a hotel was a disaster as well.  And we had two doodles with us!  Every noise they heard and unfortunately we were in a very noisy hallway.  You are already doing a lot of things right.  I'd suggest you ask the hotel clerk for a room at the very end of the hallway so that people aren't walking by all night.  Also, if they have an area that doesn't have a lot of people (if say they aren't full) that is nice as well.  I would acclimate her to the area like you said using lots of really yummy treats.  When she alerts in the room, tell her thank you like you mentioned and then claim the space, like the door or where ever the noise is coming from.  Let her know you've "got it", that she doesn't need to worry.  Be sure you don't coddle her when she is acting fearful.  Just refocus her.  Don't let her think there is anything to worry about.  We sometimes just leave the TV on to drown out some of the noise as well.  She could also be in a fear phase at the moment since she just turned one, so hopefully it will get better.  Our girls are great in hotels now.  Be sure you take things that she is familiar with like her blankets or a few toys etc.  I hate taking dog beds into hotels because of bed bugs, but I like to take their little throw blankets and just put them on the bed.  You are right in NEVER leaving her in the room by herself.  Worst part now is I'm always on alert when we are staying in a hotel so I hardly ever sleep.  I want to be ready to quiet them should they start barking.  Wish everyone felt that way, lol!  Good luck.  I think experience and age will help the most.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you have a blanket of any kind that she sleeps with or on, even a throw on a sofa where she likes to sleep, bring that along, and don't wash it first. Let her have it near her in the car and in the hotel room. Familiar smells are comforting to dogs when they're in strange surroundings. I've never travelled with dogs, but a blanket or some other soft object that smells like "home" has helped with getting new fosters and newly adopted dogs acclimated to their new surroundings. 

[Gail and Bailey]

We have been traveling with Bailey since she was about 8 months old.  We always take Bailey's blanket and put it on the bed so she knows it is "her place".  Bailey tends to alert us at every sound so having white noise is very important for us!!  I used to count on the air conditioning/heater in the room for that noise, but recently we were in a motel where the fan would not run independently without cool or heat so I went to the front desk and asked if they had a small fan I could borrow.  Luckily they had a box fan and it worked great.  Now I will always take a fan with us "just in case"!    I do training while walking her around the lobby and surrounding areas to get her used to things as well.  

Hope your trip is fun!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with the "white noise" as a distraction.  Murph is an "alert barker" too, especially in an unfamiliar place.  Maybe a fan or one of those small white noise machines would help.  If you can fall asleep with the TV on, that's another option.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

We always get a king size bed so there is room for us and both doods.  I really dislike taking bed in hotel also.  Charlie is as quiet as a mouse, Beau even at 2.5 yrs is on guard for the slightest noise.  After the first night away, he generally settles right down. Beau gains a few lbs on every trip because we are treating him for being a quiet boy all the time! LOL  You are definitely right in not leaving her alone.  If we need dinner - we order room service, or one of goes out to pick up take out.  Have a wonderful trip.  The more you travel the easier it gets.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Great ideas, ladies! Thanks for the encouragement. I'll have to let you know how things go this summer....

[Stella]

I've given up trying to stay in a hotel with my younger LD. He gets very stressed, barks at every tiny sound and charges the room door at the same time. I've tried everything - blankets from home, lavender oil around the room, running the AC (even though it was cold!!!), leaving the tv on, going for a 90 minute walk before bedtime, and allowing him to sleep up on the bed which he isn't allowed to do at home. He just can't handle it and consequently I get no sleep because I am trying to keep him quiet and hoping we aren't going to get kicked out! My other LD is awesome in hotels and couldn't care less where he is. As long as I am there he is just fine!! When I had them in a hotel together, my big guy slept through the night even when the other one was barking and pacing the room!!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I'm hoping my girl will be like your big guy! 

[Leslie J]

We bought a citronella bark collar for Cocoa that we use when we stay in hotels. It sprays a citronella scent whenever she barks. We put it on as we enter the room and keep it on whenever she's in the room. It seems to keep her from barking. We don't use it any other time, as I think she would become used to it.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Great idea- that certainly is an option!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Some hotels have a special area for guests with pets and usually the walk area is just out the door.  Make sure she is acquainted with this area and take a few trips out so she is comfortable.  End of the hallway or away from other guests just makes sense.  Once they get accustomed to staying in hotels, it is usually just fine.  My dogs do well at home and on the road with a fly swatter.  When they start barking unnecessarily, I  just show them the fly swatter and they will stop.  Works for me.  I also always bring their own beds.  Otherwise they are in the bed with me.  A few practice runs will be fun for both of you.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Yes- it's my understanding that this hotel groups all of their pet guests on one floor. I think that will be nice, but on the other hand I'm afraid that she might think that she is missing out on a "dog party" if she can smell and hear the other dogs, but not see them! :-)