The considerate pet owner

We want you to enjoy your holiday but also take care of our home. We don’t have a dog ourselves and were worried about pets damaging the furniture, and carpet. But seeing so many dog companions on the beach, made us realise how important animal friends are to people’s holidays. So we invite one adult dog per stay.

Below is what we ask of you.

Declare and pay: Your dog must be declared and paid for prior to arrival. Guests will be asked to remove any undeclared dog.

Restricted areas, furniture and soft furnishings: The first floor is strictly off limits to your dog. The stair gate at the bottom of the stairs helps enforce this rule. If evidence of a dog being on any bed is found the cost of replacing linen, duvets and pillows will be charged to the booking name.

Your dog is welcome in all areas of the ground floor, but please make sure your dog is dry and clean before entering the house. There are cold taps at the front garage and back door. The bucket in the laundry can be filled with warm water and taken outside. Please also keep your dog off arm chairs and sofas, this is very important to us so furniture stays fresh, and doesn’t pick up dog odour. Please also make sure your dog doesn’t chew the wooden legs of tables and chairs, or play with blankets and cushions provided.

Dog bed, bowl, towels and other accessories: Please bring the bedding your dog is used to at home, so he/she can curl up and enjoy your company in the lounge or kitchen area. You’ll also need dog drying towels as these are not provided, and any other accessories you ordinarily need for your pet.

Worming: All dogs must be up to date with their worming, as worms in dog poo can kill sheep and cause cows to abort.

Bag and bin all dog poo: When your dog does a poo, please pick it up and bin it, not matter where it is - in our garden, on the beach, in a field, or forest. Do not simply flick the poo off to the side of a country path. Dog poo can carry parasites that harm humans, livestock and wildlife. And please don’t leave the bag on the side of the path, even if you intend to pick it up later. Take the bag with you and dispose of later in a public bin or bring it home to dispose of.

Under control and in sight: Always keep your dog under control and in sight. Only let your dog off a lead where it’s permitted to do so, and if you’re confident he/she will return on command. The Countryside Code published online by GOV.UK sets out when dogs must, by law, be kept on a leash on Open Access land. The Countryside Code also explains that a farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock. Even when not obliged by law, GOV.UK say it is good practice to keep your dog on a lead around livestock. The exception is if livestock threatens you, do not risk your life to protect your dog - let your dog go so you both have a better chance of reaching safety.

Don’t leave unattended in house: We don’t allow dogs to be left unattended in the house. If you need a dog sitter, please ask when you book the property. We may be able to arrange a sitter.

Expelled for bad behaviour: We live in close proximity to neighbours who are year round residents of the village. Small children, and disabled or elderly residents cannot withstand a dog jumping up on them, or running fast past them on the village green and knocking them over. We want our neighbours to feel safe, and our future guests to be welcome in the village. To ensure this, a badly behaved dog, for example one that barks constantly, is aggressive to other animals and people, not controlled, or causes a nuisance will be asked to leave.

A happy dog

Our large enclosed garden will ensure your dog has a great holiday too. And there are many public spaces, country pubs and beaches in the area that also welcome well behaved dogs. If you abide by the rules above, we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful stay in this pet friendly corner of Devon.

Beautiful Woolacombe beach is one such dog friendly place, allowing dogs all year around. See: https://www.woolacombetourism.co.uk/plan-your-visit/dog-information