Hello everyone,

I really hope you can help me.

I am looking for somewhere really nice to take my boyfriend for a week-end away for his birthday in December.

I have looked at some cottage sites and really liked one in the National Trust brochure but it is booked already.

It seems quite difficult to find a special place to stay that is also dog friendly. Our Cocker Spaniel will only be about 4.5 months old when we go.

Out of all the people who look at this site, I really hope that there are some good ideas out there! I am not bothered where we go in the country (within reason, we live in West Sussex), I just want somewhere with lovely scenery, possibly near a dog friendly place to eat. We always go away for each others birthday but this will be the first year with our little Toby and so I want it to be something special for the three of us.

Please help me out you guys!!

By the way, Toby was born on Saturday night! Mum had four boys and two girls. We are very excited now as it makes it more real knowing he has been born.

Hope to hear from loads of you soon!!

Regards

Nicky xx

Hi Nicky,

Have you tried looking at the http://www.cottages.co.uk/ They have some excellent pet friendly cottages.

Helen

Hello Nicky:) Congratulations with the arrival of your puppy:) While I can't really help regarding any doggy places to stay, if you could have got someone to look after the pup for a long weekend or whatever, one of my nearest and dearest friends works at the 'Swallow Hotel' or the 'Courtyard Mariott' as it's now called since the recent change of name, and I could have got you a few really cheap nights in one of those, unfortunately though like I say they're not very doggy friendly:rolleyes: Infact she went to Amsterdam in January, not sure how much she got the hotel for, but the flights were only £80.40 return for them both through 'Easyjet'! She is booking for Paris this January since they also have a hotel there too- I haven't yet looked at how much the flights are for her? If you think I help please let me know:)

Stacey x x x

Paris in January BRRRRRRR .
Tell her to dress warm against that wind!! Went over MLK weekend in 2001. Clear, beautiful weather, no crowds.. as long as you stayed out of the way of the Japanese tourists and La Tour Eiffel Great time. Absolutely gorgeous sunset at Pere LaChaise cemetery
Museum and Metro passes a must Great bargains just due to saving time/effort.
Tell her bon voyage for me J'aime la Paris :D :D
toodles

Nicky

To be honest - I wouldn't be looking to take a 18 week old puppy away. The chances of accidents etc are just too great. It could upset your house training pattern and cause you more problems. He will be far to young to go on any long walks. Anything more than 15 mins or so will be more than enough.

You'll have Christams only a couple of weeks after - Toby won't know what is happening.

I'd try and make the most of something at home unless you can get someone in to look after Toby.

JMHO

Pam n the boys

Snap Pam -great minds think alike

Jane

If you speak to the breeder, they may be willing to board him for you. I and others I know well often have done this for our pups owners!

Hi Nicky

I know you like the idea of all 3 of you going away, but perhaps at just over 4 months, your pup may be a little young - you won't be able to take him out for long walks (if that's what you like to do in the country) & eating out could be a problem (unlike summer time when you can eat in pub gardens etc) I think I can guess who your breeder is & I'm sure she would be willing to look after your pup for that weekend - you'd be able to relax knowing he was being well looked after & you could take him with you next time

Just a thought

Jane

I was thinking that if he's crate trained, 4.5 months isn't bad to do a weekend away. JMHO Not trying to contradict anyone, but if it's just a lazy time away, it might not be that difficult.

But you would have to plan for potty breaks, keeping warm on walks outside (sweater+), feeding, and regular sleep intervals. If you're just planning on staying by a fireplace, having hot toddies, and cuddling up on a cold Dec. day. It's entirely doable with a reliable puppy :D :D If he's small, a puppy bag to stay in would work to sit beside/on the floor of a restaurant. :D :D

Just make sure your arrangements are set and everyone knows he'll be with you. Don't forget something to clean floor/carpet if he 'messes' up. :D

toodles

It might be best if you hold off on firm non-negotiable reservations until you actually have your puppy. Then you might be able to determine his temperament and how compliant he'd be for this 'journey' :D :D

Oh well, so much for my bright ideas!

Agree with what everyone says, it just would have been so lovely to be all together, maybe next year! I was only after a cosy romantic week-end, no long walks or anything as I was fully aware that the little one wouldn't be able to. Just somewhere to get away from everything really.

I was also thinking of inviting another couple (partners sister and partner) who have a lovely beagle called Holly. The owner has bad knees and so can't do long walks and so this would help, her doggy has adapted to this and enjoys a good play. This way we could stay somewhere cosy and have a nice romantic meal in and not have to worry about restaurants etc. Just another idea really.

If I choose to go away just the two of us, my partners sister would love to look after Toby. She herself has always wanted a Cocker Spaniel and is nearly as excited as me! (not really possible!) I would know he would be in safe hands.

If anyone still has ideas about doggy friendly and non doggy friendly let me know.

Byeeee

Nicky

PS - Jane- You must have seen Kim's posting on the Yahoo site? Aren't the pictures of the pups gorgeous! Can't believe one of them is going to be mine!

Hi Nicky

Yes I have seen the photos - they are gorgeous & should have great temperaments from that breeding

If you are just going for a cosy weekend with not too much walking & you are going to crate train Toby, then it might just be feasible. Is Cornwall too far? There's a well-known hotel there which advertises in the Dog magazines - it's all geared up for dogs & their owners. Click here to go to their website

Jane

My fave dog-friendly place is in the Lake District but bearing in mind your location, I have another suggestion.

I recently stayed at a lovely place in Branscombe on the South coast. It was a pub with a dog-friendly bar where you could eat and as well as having rooms inside, they also had self-catering cottages (so you could have a pub dinner or please yourself) The prices were very reasonable.

It was called the Mason's Arms and they have a website masonsarms.com? or co.uk?

xx

Juliet,

Whats your recommendation for the Lake District just in case?

The Masons Arms looks like a real possibility, very very nice.

Thanks for your reply.

Nicky xx

Have a look at www.lakesidehotel.co.uk (think that's the one).

It can be a bit pricey at times but they do upgrades and if you could manage a mid-week break, you may get a good discount!

I've mentioned this one before - I like them because they seem to welcome dogs of any size!

julie x

Hi Nicky, is the Scottish Borders within reason? If so e-mail me - one friend runs a rather nice dog friendly B&B, another has dog friendly self-catering cottages (neither is going to worry about the odd accident if you do your own cleaning up), and our local does good food (restaurant or bar meals) and welcomes dogs. Scenery is OK too and if you're into historic houses, the place is coming down with them .

I think they are both a bit too far to travel as it will take over six hours to get to Scotland and about 4-5 to get to Cornwall, Devon might be okay though. Thank you both very much for the recommendations and will be keeping a note for when Toby is a little bit older.

Jane - Do you recommend me to get a dog magazine to look in for accommodation? Toby will not be crate trained so you may change your mind!

Thanks very much

Nicky xx

Not meaning to interfere with your training plans, Nicky, but it's a real shame that you're not planning to crate train him. It would help if you want to travel a lot in the future.

I see hoteliers and landladies visibly relax when I inform them that my 'girls' are fully crate trained. I've been asked (worriedly) over the telephone by the reservationist if my dogs will not bite or make a mess in the room. Nice places have people who care about their property :D :D

I reassure them that the dogs will not be sleeping on the lodgings' beds and we have a comfy "box" where they like to sleep. The crate especially comes in handy in a pinch when staff show up unexpectedly at the doors Whilst I go to the door, I just say "crate" and the two zip in I even bring my own sheets to make sure that dog hair doesn't get into anything I really want to be a good guest and not spoil it for any others travelling with their dogs.

Now this doesn't mean that they don't sleep on the bed in our home :D :D :D They're completely spoiled. But with the hot summer right now, Chienne won't leave the comforter, even when she's panting and (sweaty?), so I have them sleeping in their own beds until a bit cooler.
Whatever you decide to do, best wishes.
toodles

Having recently stayed abroad in a Hotel with a friend and 3 dogs between us, I was pleased mine were used to a crate (albeit rarely in one with door closed), as this was one of the hotel rules, that if the dogs were left in the hotel, they must be crated. We also took a duvet cover each to go on the beds, and on the first morning found that the chamber maid had neatly made them up into the beds on top of the Hotel bedding. the girls were safely crated while the staff did their jobs!

Nicky - you are very lucky to be getting a puppy from that litter - they are terrific.

I agree with Sara in the crate training bit. Mine are crate trained and it saves such a lot of problems if we do go away. They are welcome because of the crate and we have never had any accidents when away.

It can be a touchy subject and it does need handling properly - but imho - well worth it.

Pam

Jane - yeah - great minds and all that - PS HUGE congrats on Rhona's win on Saturday - what a great time you're having - so pleased for you all:D

Pam,

Its been nice to get some good feedback from you and Jane with regards to the litter that Toby is coming from. Its very reassuring.

Crate training has been an option that I have looked at but due to a couple of things, like space (although I do not live in a shoe box!) its not really suitable for us. When having to be left alone, there is a section of the lounge that is easily cornered off for him. We do not plan on going away that often, couple of times a year. I hope there are people out there that have well trained dogs but have not used the crate training method, I'd hate to think I am destined to get it wrong!

Thanks for your advise.

Kind Regards

Nicky x

Hi Nicky

I haven't create trained Bailey (He is now 8mths) and he is fine. When left he is shut in the Kitchen with a baby gate across the doorway and a night he sleeps in our bedroom but not our bed so if we go away we know he will be ok.

I have been away & stayed in ahotel with my mums dogs and they are not create trained and they were fine. The hotel even left a bowl of water and a bowl of biscuits for the on arrival! So just choose your hotel carefully!

That hotel was The Old Bell in Malmsbury. If you want more details I will let you have them.

HTH

Tracy

Tracy,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Sometimes I feel I am the only one not to crate train when I read through all the forums! At least I am re-assured that there are others out there.

I will try and find the hotel on the Internet.

Regards

Nicky xx

Nicky,

Neither of mine are crate trained.

Karen

neither are mine

Hi Nicky

No of course you don't have to crate train Crates can be useful especially for travelling but they're not compulsory! My mention of crate training was really because some doggy-friendly hotels/b&b's don't let you have your dog with you in the dining room so you would have to leave him alone in your room at such places - I wouldn't feel confident about leaving a 4 month old pup in a hotel room to entertain himself Of course, if you can find somewhere that allows you to have your pup with you when you eat, all well & good - though at 4 months old, he may not be up to sitting quietly under the table :D

Good luck!

Jane

My springer isn't crate trained and she's a perfect house dog and I can take her anywhere.

On the other hand my other three - 2 pointers and a gwp are crate trained. You do what is best for you and your dog. I do.

Helen

Nicky,
It's perfectly ok if you don't crate train --- It's not a mandatory thing I just do a lot of moving due to military life and travelling in new places When we drive, our car is really packed, so the girls like lying, safely buckled in, behind me in their crate bottom (the top is nestled inside of it.) Therefore, it's really easy for me to bring along.

Airline travel, rare, but happens, it is crucial that they're comfortable... so I have no choice in the matter, but to crate train -- Ha, I really don't 'train' them, they just like a soft private bed :D :D

There are things a single dog owner can 'get away with' easier than one who has multiples :D I think that staying in a hotel/guest house is one of those things

A lot of Germans travel with a single small dog.... they have a bag to carry it in for restaurants/museums, but no crates. Everyone is happy and that's all that really matters
regards,
Sara

Didn't mean to come across wrong about the crate training.

Its very confusing when you have never owned a dog before and you read all the stuff from the experts! Very mind blowing!

Like everyone says, different things work for different people. I am just glad that this website always helps when you have a question and there are lots of people out there giving ideas and experiences to people like me that aren't as knowledgable.

Bye for now.

Nicky xx