Filtering for “pet friendly” gets you a list. It does not tell you whether the home has a fenced yard, whether the floors are carpet, whether the neighbours are a wall away, or whether the fee is C$50 or C$300. Those four things decide whether the trip works.
The four things to check
1. A fenced yard, or the lack of one. This is the single biggest quality-of-life difference for both of you. A townhome with a fenced back yard means a dog can be let out at 6am without anyone getting dressed. An apartment on the ninth floor means a lift, a lobby and a coat, four times a day.
2. Flooring. Hard floors are better for everyone. Carpet holds hair and smells and makes an accident a much bigger problem, which is why some carpeted homes decline pets entirely.
3. Attached versus detached. A dog that barks when left alone is manageable in a detached house and a serious problem in a shared-wall building. Be honest with yourself about which one you have.
4. The actual fee and the actual limit. Ask for the pet fee in dollars, whether it is per stay or per night, whether there is a weight or breed limit, and how many animals are allowed. Get it before you book, not at check-in.
“Travelling with one [breed], [weight], house-trained, crated when alone. Can you confirm the pet fee and whether the yard is fully fenced?” A good host answers all of it in one reply, and you have avoided every common problem.
What to bring
- Their own bed and a familiar blanket. Unfamiliar rooms are easier with a familiar smell.
- A crate, if that is how they normally settle. Never leave a dog loose in a rental it does not know.
- Bowls, food and a mat. Assume nothing is provided.
- Towels for the dog. Not the white ones in the bathroom. Alberta is muddy in spring.
- Vaccination records, in case you need a vet or a daycare.
Where to take them in Calgary
Calgary is unusually good for this. The city maintains a very large number of off-leash areas, including some enormous ones.
Nose Hill Park. One of the largest urban parks in Canada, mostly off-leash, with views across the whole city. This is the one to do.
The Bow River pathways. Hundreds of kilometres of connected pathway along the river, on-leash, and the best way to see the city on foot.
Southland and Sue Higgins Park. Large fenced off-leash areas with river access in the south.
In the mountains, note that Banff and the other national parks require dogs on leash at all times, and some trails are closed to dogs seasonally for wildlife reasons. Kananaskis is generally more relaxed but the same wildlife rules apply. Never leave a dog in a car in July, and be bear-aware on any foothills trail.
The best pet-friendly rental is not the one that allows dogs. It is the one that was designed by somebody who has one.Premier Stays guest services
Our pet-friendly homes list the fee, the limit and the yard situation on the listing page. Browse pet-friendly stays and message us before you book if anything is unclear.
