First time at a dog hotel? How to make the stay safe and happy
In short: Your dog's first stay at a dog hotel goes best with a little preparation: visit the place in advance, try a day of day care or a single night first, bring something that smells of home, and keep the goodbye short and cheerful. Then the vast majority of dogs settle in by the very first evening.
We completely understand – the first time you hand over your dog, it is usually you who is the most nervous. That is perfectly normal, and actually a good sign: it means you care. After many first-time guests here on Nesøya, we have learnt what makes the transition soft and smooth. Here is the advice we give every new dog owner.
1. Visit the dog hotel in advance
A short visit before the stay makes a surprisingly big difference. Your dog gets to greet the people who will be looking after them, sniff around and file the place away in their “familiar” archive. Next time you come, everything smells a little familiar – and familiar means safe to a dog.
With us, such a visit is always free and without obligation. You get to see the rooms, hear about our routines and ask every question you have. Arrange a visit here.
2. Try a day of day care or a single night first
Going on a two-week holiday this summer? Then it is smart to let your dog try a day of day care or a single overnight stay a few weeks beforehand. Your dog learns the most important lesson there is: that you always come back. With that experience on board, the long stay becomes much easier.
3. Bring something that smells of home
A blanket from the sofa, a jumper you have worn, or the favourite toy – familiar smells are worth their weight in gold those first nights. We put it in your dog's bed, and you can almost see the shoulders drop. The full list of what to pack is in our packing list.
4. Keep the goodbye short and light
This is the hardest advice to follow, but perhaps the most important: say goodbye briefly, cheerfully and calmly – and go. Long, emotional farewells tell your dog that something is wrong. A quick pat and a bright “see you soon!” tells them everything is as it should be.
And here is a little secret from those of us left standing with the dog: most of them turn around, get a treat and are busy exploring before your car has rounded the bend.
5. Tell us everything about your dog
No detail is too small. Loves a scratch behind the left ear but not the right? Startled by loud noises? Eats best in peace and quiet? Everything you tell us, we use actively every day. That is how we can give personal care to every dog – and it is why we deliberately only have room for 12 dogs at a time.
What happens during the first hours at the hotel?
With us, new guests get a calm start: we welcome you without any rush, show your dog their room, and let them explore at their own pace. Then we go for a little walk, just the two of us, before your dog possibly greets the other guests. Because we are staffed around the clock, someone is there at night too – a steady hand and a calm voice, whenever needed.
Want to know more about what the days look like? Read “A day at Melvin Hundehotell – from morning cuddles to evening calm”.
Common questions from first-time owners
How old should my dog be?
Most dog hotels, ours included, welcome dogs from around 6 months – once the core vaccinations are in place. A young dog can happily start with short day-care visits before the first overnight stay.
What if my dog gets stressed?
The vast majority of dogs settle within the first day. Steady routines, three walks a day and people present at all times work wonders. And if we are ever worried about a dog, we always get in touch with you – that is a promise.
Will I hear how it is going?
Yes! Let us know you would like an update, and we will happily send you a little message with a photo. It is just as lovely for us as it is for you.
Ready to give it a try? Get in touch – we'll give your dog a warm welcome – ideally with a little visit first.