great news , thats why most people holiday in the uk, as they dont want to put their pooch into a kennel, as they are part of the family. (as long as their well behaved Dogs).

well done YHA lets hope others follow ;-)

Yes indeed. Long overdue. I never really understood this restriction. I think this will increase revenue for the yha. I will certainly be taking advantage

Grim news. I have never yet camped on a dog friendly campsite where I haven't had someone's dog bounding over to me, clearly not on a lead. WOrse, the offending owners are really grumpy that I don't appreciate their mutt.

At last we may not rethink summer after struggling to dog friendly campsite in snowdonia. Our dogs are too tierd to bound over to anyone after a day in the hills.

Fabulous...Last time we stayed in Liverpool our lovely Labrador had the pleasure of staying in the Radison at great expence and luxury because the YHA wouldn't take dogs!!! I would rather have stayed in the YHA in Liverpool....much friendlier!!

Don't mind well behaved dogs, it's the irresponsible owners that wind me up. I can now look forward to being awakened by barking dogs, Poo in the grass and the owners who think that keeping a dog on a lead doesn't apply to them!

Very pleased, expands my accommodation options now. Have to say YHA in general is over priced for solo walkers and couples. Same in some cases as a B&B.

Agree about misbehaving owners and dogs...but same could be said about kids. We all have our 'pet hates'

Wonderful idea! We have a membership but have rarely used it because our dog couldn't accompany us to the YHA. Very long overdue.

I hope this includes cats too.

I have a very small chiwowa/Yorkshire terrier that is better behaved than a lot of adults I have met in some youth hostels, I really welcome the idea and agree that they should be kept on a lead at all times, it just saves people moaning, well done yah, a positive move for many dog owners and a way forward to the future xx

I'd far rather have dogs on a campsite than noisy and badly behaved children.

This is very unwelcome news. As a life member who has followed the fortunes of the YHA for over 40 years, I have often disagreed with decisions that have been made but the decision to allow dogs at hostels is beyond the pale. I was devastated when I learned of it.

I never, ever thought that the YHA would cave in to the demands of a relative few who can't bear to be separated from their pet, to the detriment of so many others who have always enjoyed the advantages of the dog-free environment that the YHA offered (no barking, no mess to step in, and far safer for children).

A lot of people don't like dogs, are afraid of dogs, are allergic to them (cleaning won't remove allergens from the camping pods) or wish to avoid them for cultural reasons. I guess we no longer matter?

I understand that dogs won't be allowed into the hostels themselves, so all you dog owners understand that, don't you? Because it includes YOUR dog, even if it's only a little dog or if it's carried. And if you have one of those stupid little yippy dogs, please understand how irritating their noise is to someone who doesn't love it like you do.

Please keep your animal well away from others unless you know that the person will welcome its attention. You know that your Rottweiler/Staffie cross is a soft old thing that isn't going to hurt anyone, but other people don't know that and are likely to feel anxious around a large dog of unknown temperament. They didn't go on holiday to feel anxious.

If I feel that a dog on YHA premises poses a threat to my children I will not hesitate to protect them by whatever means it takes. I think most parents would do the same.

I hope this ill-thought-out scheme is short-lived. Once someone is bitten and sues the YHA, or the floors of the YHA's nice new camping pods are sodden with dog wee or are harbouring fleas, or people start complaining about unpicked-up mess, hopefully the YHA will think again and realise that a small, communal environment is no place to force dogs on to people who would rather avoid them.

Wow, I do hope your children aren't "yippy little kids" and that you understand how irritating their noise is to someone who doesn't love them like you do!!!!!!!!

Right back at you!!!!!

No Dogs At YHA

wow, what a horrible little rant! I can understand some of the sentiment, but get over yourself! (I would advise you stop reading the daily mail).

People are far more aggressive and dangerous than dogs, have killed far more and are far more likely to attack with little or no provocation. People have done more damage to dogs than dogs have to people.

Its interesting how people who have never been close to dogs perceive the potential for a relationship with them. To me such a lack of understanding betrays an arrogance in the belief we are superior or detached from other animals in some way. sad really.

My dogs are as close to me as any person. I am a member of the pack, the responsible alpha male. They show a love and respect that has to be experienced to be understood. I understand my relationship is different from that with a human, but it is no less precious to me.

Well done YHA. At the end of the day a poorly behaved dog should be dealt with the same as a poorly controlled person. Its just prejudice to assume otherwise.

At last YHA!

I just wish you'd also let dogs into your buildings too as you'd find huge demand from families wanting to stay (us included). I find that people who have dogs tend to be 'outdoorsy' and are more likely to embrace the YHA lifestyle.

So many hotel chains now let dogs stay as they've woken up to the fact that dog owners are typically a very responsible bunch and will do anything to ensure their dogs behave to not jeopardise this open door policy.

As a mum myself, I find children of all ages (and often grown ups) far more messy and disruptive than any dog.

As a single woman with a dog I was hoping I would be able to stay in a Youth hostel with my dog as I don,t camp any more but need somewhere really cheap for the pair of us. Are there not exclusive rooms that can be booked for a person with a dog, as there is no point in me going if I cannot take my dog as it would mean me wandering about on my own.