Dog Accident in a Hotel or Vacation Rental: What to Do

This guide covers a house-trained dog that pees or marks in a hotel room or vacation rental while you travel: why it can happen, what to plan before the trip, what helps during the stay, and how to clean the spot right away. It uses what the American Kennel Club (AKC), Dogs Trust, the ASPCA, the RSPCA, Humane World for Animals and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.

Why a house-trained dog may have an accident while travelling

Dogs Trust says: "When dogs experience change, like moving house or visiting a holiday home, they may start urinating or pooing inside."

The ASPCA says: "But traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your pets."

On marking, Dogs Trust lists "changes in the environment" among the things that can make marking increase, and says: "Even if your dog doesn't usually mark at home, they may do when visiting other homes or indoor areas." For small amounts on furniture legs or doorways, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking.

Sources: Dogs Trust, Why Toilet-Trained Dogs Have Accidents; ASPCA, Travel Safety Tips.

Before the trip

The AKC's travel guide says: "Find out in advance which hotels or motels at your destination or on your route allow dogs. Many don't allow dogs, or they may have size restrictions."

It also suggests practising toilet breaks on more than grass: "Having the ability to go to the bathroom on different terrains, such as concrete, mulch, and gravel, will alleviate discomfort as well as the possibility of accidents while you're on the road or otherwise."

On crates, the AKC's travel guide says one "can also keep your pet from getting into trouble in a hotel or at your host's home." Its training article adds: "If you're doing crate training, keep doing the same things you're doing at home while on the go. Bring familiar items like your dog's towel or blanket." The ASPCA says: "Pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity." If the crate itself gets wet, see How to Clean Dog Pee in a Crate or Kennel, and for an accident on the drive, see How to Get Pet Urine Out of a Car Seat.

Sources: AKC, The Complete Guide to Traveling With Your Dog; AKC, Traveling With Your Dog? Tips For Teaching Good Behavior On The Go; ASPCA, Travel Safety Tips.

When you arrive

The AKC says: "Upon arriving at the hotel, ask the management where you should walk your dog, and pick up after them." For any place you stay, it adds: "Regardless of where you're staying, remember to puppy-proof your accommodations."

No source we checked says how soon after you arrive to take your dog out to pee.

Source: AKC, The Complete Guide to Traveling With Your Dog.

Keep the routine and take your dog out often

The AKC's training article quotes a trainer who says "routines help dogs thrive". For a new place, Dogs Trust says: "You can help them by taking them outside regularly and rewarding them when they wee or poo in the right place." It also says: "You should also take them out after sleeping, playing, or eating."

Sources: AKC; Dogs Trust.

Watch your dog, or crate when you cannot

Dogs Trust says: "Supervise your dog closely indoors." For when you cannot watch, Humane World for Animals says: "When you're unable to watch them, put your dog in a crate (if they're crate trained) or consider tethering your dog to you with a leash when you're distracted (like when cooking dinner) to monitor them for signs they need to urinate."

On leaving your dog in the room, the two AKC pages put it differently. The travel guide says: "Keep your dog as quiet as possible and don't leave them unattended." The AKC's travel tips page says: "Keep your dog in its crate at night or if you must, leave it in your room alone."

Sources: Dogs Trust; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house; AKC, The Complete Guide to Traveling With Your Dog; AKC, Dog Travel Tips.

Praise outdoor success, do not punish accidents

Dogs Trust says: "Reward every outdoor toilet success, whether it's in the garden or on a walk."

If you find a puddle, the RSPCA says: "Never punish your dog if you find an accident after the event or as it's happening. Your dog may become scared and confused as they won't associate the punishment with the accident."

Sources: Dogs Trust; RSPCA, How To Toilet Train Your Puppy or Dog.

Clean the spot right away

The CRI says: "The key is to act quickly!" On carpet, it says:

"Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (no prints or colors). Using a printed or colored material may transfer ink or dye to your damp carpet. Continue blotting until the area is nearly dry."

Before using any cleaner, the CRI says "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." It adds "Blot; don't scrub."

Humane World for Animals says to "soak up as much of the urine as possible." and "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." It explains why the smell matters: "As long as your pet can smell their personal scent, they may continue to return to the "accident zone."" Dogs Trust says: "If any smells aren't fully removed, your dog may be tempted to return to the same spot to pee again."

For a rug, see How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug. If the smell comes back later, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do. If you are leaving a longer-term rental, see Pet Cleanup Kit's rental move-out guide.

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors; Dogs Trust.

Hotel or host rules, fees and telling staff

The AKC's travel guide says: "Don't leave any mess behind. Remember that one bad experience with a dog guest may prompt the hotel management to refuse to allow any other dogs. Be considerate of others and leave your room and the grounds in good condition." The AKC's training article mentions "a hotel with an unforgiving accident fee" but does not say what such fees are.

No source we checked covers pet fees or cleaning charges, the rules of a particular hotel or vacation rental, or whether and how to tell staff or a host about an accident.

Sources: AKC, The Complete Guide to Traveling With Your Dog; AKC.

If accidents keep happening

Humane World for Animals says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes." For a dog that pees in a relative's or friend's home, see Dog Peeing at Someone Else's House During the Holidays: What to Do. If accidents start after a move, see Dog Peeing in a New House After Moving: Cleanup and What Helps.

Source: Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." and "No scrubbing necessary". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.