Holidays for reactive dogs

If your dog is reactive, we know the challenges involved in finding a place that’s suitable for you and your dog’s needs. These cottages are chosen for dogs who need space, and by that we mean private space with no shared driveway or footpath, little chance of meeting other humans, children or dogs, enclosed gardens for peace of mind, and walks that start at the door rather than down a public path. Every property is visited in person before it joins the collection, and on each place page you'll find detailed information about the garden boundaries and safety, the proximity to the nearest property and road, whether any livestock are nearby, and whether your dog is allowed to join you on the bed!

Featured places for reactive dogs 1/6

What to look for in a holiday for a reactive dog

Reviews from Paws & Stay guests with reactive dogs

Wales 1/6

Lake District & Cumbria 1/3

Sussex 1/3

Shropshire 1/2

Devon 1/3

Cornwall 1/3

Norfolk 1/1

Herefordshire 1/1

Dorset 1/2

Yorkshire 1/1

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Our dog-friendly holidays

Take a look at our full selection of the best dog-friendly places to stay across the UK, sniffed out especially for you and your dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Can my reactive dog be off-lead in the garden? 

  • Yes, where our gardens are enclosed or secure, you can have peace of mind in letting your dog roam freely off-lead. With enclosed gardens, the boundaries can range up to 1.8m and there may be small gaps in hedges or under gates, so it's always your responsibility to decide if it's safe for you and your dog. We'll always include this information on the place page though, so you know what to expect before booking.

 

Will we meet other dogs on arrival or on walks? 

  • It depends on the property. We tell you whether access is private or shared, whether there are neighbouring properties nearby and what you can expect from the walks around the cottage, so you can make an informed choice before booking.

 

Are there livestock nearby? 

  • Some properties are close to livestock, and we'll tell you when this is something to be aware of. At South Priddacombe, for example, dogs need to be kept on leads near livestock, so it's worth checking the individual property details if your dog is likely to chase or react to animals.

 

Can I check in without meeting anyone? 

  • Yes. While we don't highlight whether a place is self check-in or not, almost all of our places are self-check in, as we know this is important for many dog owners. It’s always important to let the owner know if you have specific requirements for your dog, that way they can accommodate you, ensure you have a smooth arrival, and leave you in peace if that is what you need.

 

How do you verify the garden is enclosed or secure? 

  • A person and a dog always stay overnight as part of our inspection process, so we check the garden ourselves, including the height and condition of fencing or walls, whether gates are secure and self-closing, and whether there are any gaps. It's first-hand information from staying there, rather than relying on an owner simply describing a garden as dog-friendly.

Dog-friendly holidays by the experts

We know the frustrations of booking a holiday that claims to be 'dog friendly' but you arrive and the list of rules is longer than your arm. We don't believe that's 'dog friendly', we see that as 'dog tolerant'. This is why we started Paws & Stay, to create a collection of places that are truly dog friendly and your four-legged friend will be warmly welcomed. You don't have to check whether it's ok to bring your dog, it's more than ok. If anything, it's encouraged!

In our collection, you'll find dog-friendly cottages all over the UK, from the Lake District to Devon and Cornwall. We've sniffed out dog-friendly places with secure gardens and dog-friendly holidays with enclosed gardens, luxury dog-friendly holidays for those special occasions and dog-friendly cabins for a cosy trip away.

About Paws & Stay

Where did Paws & Stay come from?

There’s no origin story involving radioactive spiders, or a regular travel company being given super-dog-friendly serum. But if it’s any consolation, we don’t come from nowhere. We’re the sister company to Sawday’s and Canopy & Stars, and we lean on our decades of experience travelling, inspecting and finding special places to stay, to bring you incredible dog friendly ones!

What makes a place right for Paws & Stay

Realising there was a stark difference between owners who called themselves dog friendly, we wanted to create a brand that ensured every space gave dogs a warm welcome. We don’t allow ‘dog-tolerant’ spaces onboard, only the sort of places that consider dogs one of the guests! What they have might vary, maybe a welcome pack for the dog, treats, or a blanket or bed for them, and there might well be an enclosed garden, or walks straight from the front door.

How do we know each place is good enough?

We check! In person. Some companies might say they inspect a place, when in reality they mean a cursory glance with an online tour. But we mean the real deal. We send one of our inspection teams (a human and a dog, of course), and have them sniff the place out. And there’s no compromises on that. We inspect every, single, one.

Where will I find Paws & Stay places?

With any luck – exactly where you need to stay! But jokes aside, we have places from the end of Cornwall, all the way to Aberdeenshire which is… well almost the entire length of the UK! We’ve got spots all over the place, and the list just keeps growing. Anywhere we can find a good romp for the dog, and a special place to stay, and a welcoming owner, we’re thrilled to have them onboard.

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