A provider's dog policy must represent its normal, year round operating conditions to qualify for certification. Where a provider accepts dogs only during specific seasons or periods, certification may be issued for those periods only and the seasonal restriction must be stated in the published policy. A provider that suspends its dog policy for any period without disclosure is non conformant. Temporary policy changes that reduce or remove dog access after certification has been issued must be reported to Roch Dog and may result in withdrawal.
RDFRG-02 · Defined Term 21
Seasonal and Temporary Policies
A dog policy must represent normal year round conditions. Seasonal restrictions must be disclosed and tied to the certified period only.
Definition
A dog policy must represent normal year round conditions. Seasonal restrictions must be disclosed and tied to the certified period only.
Part of the Roch Dog Standard (RDFS-02) · Published by Roch Dog
Seasonal and Temporary Policies
Roch Interpretation
A coastal hotel that accepts dogs from October to March but not during peak summer must say so in its policy and can only be certified for the period it actually accepts dogs. Certification does not cover months when the dog policy is suspended.
Examples
Compliant
A seaside hotel in Cornwall accepts dogs September through April, states this window in its published policy, and is certified for that period only with the dates displayed on its listing.
Not compliant
A hotel certified as dog friendly quietly stops accepting dogs over peak summer without updating its policy or notifying Roch Dog.
Published by Roch Dog
RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026