My dog is stressed by the hotel: how can I help him settle?

New smells, an unfamiliar room, a change of routine: this stay may take him some time to adjust to. Here are nine tips to make this stage more comfortable.

Beginner — Finding familiar landmarks

1. Set up his own familiar corner

Bring his bed or a blanket he normally uses. Put them in a quiet spot, with water within reach. A familiar smell can help him feel safer. [1]

The useful detail: his old throw may give him more landmarks than a brand-new basket.

2. Let him explore without rushing him

Stay with him while he explores the room at his own pace. There’s no need to ask him straight away to lie down or to meet the occupants of the neighbouring rooms. [1]

Your first aim: let him watch, sniff and choose where to settle.

3. Keep the evening predictable

Keep his mealtimes, walk times and bedtime as close to normal as possible. Offer his usual food and a suitable walk, then leave room for rest. [1]

The practical tip: work out as soon as you arrive where to take him out for toilet breaks, especially during the night. [1]

Intermediate — Reducing what worries him

1. Spot the triggers

Is it the lift, doors slamming, voices or dogs in the corridor? Also watch his posture: tension, sudden stillness or attempts to move away can signal discomfort. [2] The good reflex: identify the difficulty before piling on requests to calm down.

2. Adapt where his bed is

If people passing behind the door put him on alert, move his resting corner away from that area. You can ask reception for a quieter room if one is available.

The idea: this practical adjustment aims to reduce exposure to the noises that worry him, as the principles of stress management recommend. [2]

3. Reassure him without forcing him

Speak softly, keep your movements calm and let him seek your support. Don’t scold him for his reactions and don’t make him go up to what frightens him. [2]

To remember: staying still on his mat doesn’t necessarily mean being relaxed.

Advanced — Preparing for future stays

1. Work on relaxation before the trip

At home, quietly reward relaxed behaviour on a blanket: he settles, lets his body go loose or rests his head. Then introduce other places and small distractions gradually. [3]

Application at the hotel: bring that blanket and go back to an easy version of the exercise, without demanding a long wait on arrival.

2. Organise your absences around what he can cope with

Don’t assume that a dog used to being left alone at home will be just as comfortable in an unfamiliar room. If he becomes anxious when you move away, arrange your evening to avoid leaving him distressed, and check the hotel’s rules. [1]

The trap to avoid: using the stay to test a long absence.

3. Plan a solution in case the night gets difficult

If he can’t recover, reassess the accommodation and taking part in the show. For future trips, ask a behaviour professional for advice. A sudden change, an illness or physical signs justify a vet’s opinion. [2]

The practical tip: note what helped and what worried him so you can choose better-suited accommodation next time.

The small success to celebrate: a dog who finally relaxes his vigilance and rests. A good night is already part of preparing for the ring.