How to Be a Good Houseguest

Think you know what it takes to be a good houseguest with your pet? Take our quiz and learn how to always be invited back.

Which of the following should you do when discussing whether to bring your pet into someone's home?

Talk up your pet's docile and loving personality.

Refrain from asking too many questions. Your host might find this pushy.

Promise to keep your pet caged, tied up outside or otherwise out of the house for the duration of your stay, even if this is not how he is treated at home.

Discuss the possible pitfalls of bringing your pet, including shedding, midnight barking or fights with the host family pet.

You chose: You chose:

Pets can be unpredictable in new situations, so you shouldn't assume that your mild-mannered animal will be calm in a strange environment. Even if you have enjoyed a hassle-free stay with your pet at someone's home in the past, circumstances change (e.g., the addition of new pets or children), so discuss the situation in advance. As for keeping your pet caged or tied up, this may cause considerable stress on an animal that is accustomed to being with you.

Which of the following should you bring with you when staying at someone's home with your pet?

Your pet's medication, bedding and favorite toy

Treats for the host family pet

Your pet's usual food

All of the above

You chose: You chose:

When traveling, bring creature comforts such as your pet's food and toys. This will make being in a strange place less stressful for him.

Imagine you've just arrived at your home away from home and your puppy jumps onto the couch for a snooze. What should you do?

Nudge him down as you inquire about your host family's pets-on-furniture policy.

Immediately drag him to the floor by his collar.

State cheerfully, "He feels right at home here."

Nudge him down immediately, but let him sleep on the furniture when the host family is not around.

You chose: You chose:

It's important to discuss pet policies with your host, and respect whatever rules they have for animals in the house.

Which of the following is most likely to make your pet feel at ease upon arrival at your host's home?

Introduce him to each member of the host family, including pets, at once so he can bond with them.

Introduce him to members of the host family one at a time so he does not feel overwhelmed.

Put him in a room alone for a while so he can calm down before exploring his new environment.

Let him loose in the house and let nature take its course.

You chose: You chose:

Every animal is a little different when it comes to new environments, but most will be comfortable meeting strangers one at a time rather than all at once.

Which of the following should you do to avoid pet-related disasters, such as damaging your host's home or having your pet escape through an open window?

Talk to your host ahead of time about valuables, potential hazards and possible escape routes.

Arrive with a list of anything that can go wrong, and ask your host to do a thorough inspection of the property immediately.

Assume that the house will be pet-proofed upon your arrival.

Hope for the best and expect the worst.

You chose: You chose:

Things are bound to be a bit hectic when you and your pet are guests in someone's home, but you can minimize the chaos by discussing potential pitfalls ahead of time. However, keep in mind that your pet is your responsibility, so it's not a good idea to place the burden of pet-proofing the house entirely on your host.

When your pet is getting to know the animals in your host's home, which of the following should you do to smooth the transition from fearful to best friends forever?

Stay close to your pet as he encounters new animals. Your presence will give him confidence.

Give your pet some space to investigate the new animals. Your close presence will disrupt their natural interaction.

Animals need to establish dominance hierarchies, so leave them alone. Incorrect. New situations can trigger unusual behaviors in animals, including aggression. Always remain close to your pet and monitor every interaction.

Keep your pet caged or leashed until the other animals have had a chance to size him up.

You chose: You chose:

This is especially important when there is a significant difference in size between the animals.

What should you do if your pet is unusually aggressive with the host family animal?

Punish him verbally.

Keep him separated from the host family animal for the duration of the trip.

Separate him temporarily, but reintroduce him to the animal once he is calm.

Let the animals work it out themselves.

You chose: You chose:

Your pet may benefit from observing signs of affection between you and the host animal. This may ease the anxiety your pet has toward the host animal and allow them to become friends. However, if the aggression continues, you may need to cut your stay short.

What should you do regarding sleeping arrangements when spending the night at someone else's house with your pet?

Be flexible and go with whatever arrangements your host has in mind for you.

Discuss the sleeping arrangements ahead of time, so you can plan ahead.

Arrive and attempt to convince your host of the joys of animal co-sleeping, even though you know they do not allow their animals to sleep with them.

Promise to keep your pet in an animal bed, and then sneak them under the covers with you once your host is out of the room.

You chose: You chose:

Sleeping arrangements should be settled in advance so you know whether to bring your own sheets or a pet-specific bed.

Imagine you're staying at the home of a friend and you realize that your dog has chewed up his or her favorite pair of shoes. What should you do?

Smuggle the shoes out to the trash and keep quiet about the whole incident.

Confess what happened and offer to compensate your host for the loss.

Confess what happened and offer your shoes as conciliation.

Proclaim indignantly that your host's home is infested with rats and storm out, slamming the door behind you.

You chose: You chose:

Some people may react strongly to such offenses, but honesty is always the best policy. Besides, your host may be in need of a new pair of shoes.

Correct

You could still learn a lot about being a polite house guest with your pet. Retake the quiz and show your hosts who's pet has the most manners!

Correct

Not bad! You could still pick up a few things. Retake the quiz and give it another try!

Correct

Fantastic! You and your pet are ready to go on vacation with those proper manners!

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