We are soon to go off on our first camping trip of the year, and this year with our 6 year old cocker spaniel. We re-homed him last year so this is our first time camping with a dog. I have been getting a little concerned about him at night. Although our tent has a SIG the door's are not completely sewn-in. I dont really want him in a bedroom pod with us or the kids. I have been looking today at a "travel kennel". I have thought about getting him this to put his basket in the day then close it up at night so he can not escape!! When we first took him on he was used to sleeping in a crate so I am sure he would be ok with it. I also think it may make him a bit more snug as he will be in the main area of the tent during the night.
Does anyone else who camps with their dog use one of these? My parents have a large metal crate which we used when we first re-homed him, but this is quite heavy, so thought the travel fabric kennel might be better.
Any thoughts/comments appreciated.
familyof4
------------- Life is to short to do the ironing....
We are taking our pup camping for the first time this half term, we have a crate for her in the boot and she will sleep in that in the tent. having said that we have a full ZIG.
The fabric kennels are great, but I do know some folks dogs have chewed them badly. I know Hestia would probably chew her way out in one night..
We took our pup on his first camping trip last weekend. We used his metal crate. It's not as heavy as the tent so not a problem to put flat in the boot. He was fine and I woke up before him anyway. It was better as he is used to his cage so settled him in the unfamiliar tent. One of our kids let im in their pod and he went and 'marked' his territory all over her sleeping bag - so lesson definately learnt!!!
Enjoy your camping trip with everyone and the dog!
------------- It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.
We have 3 dogs but they sleep in a pod with me. We did use a soft crate in the bedroom pod last year when Misty was only a few months old and she happily settled in it but she would chew her way out of it now lol. Ours travel in the fabric crates and are happy in them. I think if your dog is used to being in a crate it should be ok as long as it is used to sleeping away from you at home.
thanks so far for the quick replies, he does not chew anything up, so I don't think that should be a problem. He is a very laid back doggie and I am probably worrying about nothing, he will probably just lay in his basket and not even try, but I just worry if he wakes before us and starts having a sniff around where he may end up!!!
familyof4
------------- Life is to short to do the ironing....
I was just going to say that if you have him tethered he won't be able to run off but he could in fact strangle himself during the night I didn't think that through did I
Ours don't sleep in their crate at home, but they do travel in it with a folded up, old duvet in the bottom, so they were quite happy to sleep in that in the tent. I covered the top and three sides with their towels overnight to keep draughts out. One of them has a bit of seperation anxiety and I was worried that she might not settle, but I never heard a peep from them all night
We are doing the same over half term with our 7 month old dog. He initially slept in a cage but hated it so we gave up after a few weeks. I wish just for camping we had persevered. We have a trailer tent and hoping he will settle in the middle of the sleeping area although he could escape if he wanted. Bit worried. Also he is going through a barking phase so worried he may drive everyone mad. Any other tips??
I looked at the soft crates but the metal cage style one my just over one year old Springer sleeps in at home is about the same size folded up, so I didn't see the point.
Anyway having her 'wee den' means it doesn't matter where we are, she'll always settle.
I put a blanket over her crate as well, and when I move it outside I hold the blanket on with clothes pegs
We take a metal crate too, which I bought for our Springer to be in during the day when other dogs are too close for his liking but our Pointer often beats him to it when it's bed time. Our pooches sleep close to us as the Pointer, especially, gets cold in the night and is restless if we don't keep covering him up when he's kicked his duvet off...the big wuss! I would imagine if your Cocker was used to a metal crate, he won't even notice the fabric one is less sturdy, as long as he knows it's his to settle in.
As for barking dogs, Ammdkids, Pet Corrector spray, available from most pet shops is a good tool. It makes a super loud SSSHHHH sound to interrupt most bad behaviours which gives you a chance to name the good, eg, naming 'Quiet' only when quiet happens, so they don't think the word is your version of a joining-in bark.
And Frome, your Springy girl is so pretty...not that I'm Springer-biased in any way !
Their not coming to cornwall. But on all other hols our pug will be crated at bedtime and while doing a toilet run etc as the only way to describe her is a toddler with terrible two's. I've given her endless chances to prove herself but she's a bogger.
My 2 shihtzu's will sleep between the bedroom pods hopefully they will settle,not sure how they'll find new smells etc.
I'm actually more concerned when my dogs are pegged outside and i nip in the tent for a minute and a child wanders over to fuss them,my pug gets really excited and will jump up and although she's small she's a lump..
And yes the barking, although mine are generally good unless they can hear banging but can't see the source .I wouldn't want them to be a nuisance to a fellow camper,do people find that fellow campers would have a word if they thought their was a problem or do they just report you?.
I have a friend who has 2 shihtzu's and at home and while their on holiday(large tourer) they bark constantly at nothing . We will sometimes go over for the day visiting and i'm forever telling her to fetch the dogs in if their just going to bark,people have come away for a break not to listen to her dogs.
What's peoples thoughts on this?
Sorry for changing original subject
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Karla-------Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: camping with doggie!!
I didn't think that through did I 
!
. But on all other hols our pug will be crated at bedtime and while doing a toilet run etc as the only way to describe her is a toddler with terrible two's. I've given her endless chances to prove herself but she's a bogger. 
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