I used to have two dalmatians (1 boy, 1 girl) and they loved their camping trips. They were on long leads during walks, came everywhere with us. Ex hubby and I took turns in disappearing to the shower block etc. Used a screw in stake with running ropes attached to each dog's collar and a windbreak to shield us and them from passers by. Our dogs were also used to their section of the estate car and settled comfortably if we went to a pub or restaurant which didn't allow dogs. Go! Have a great time and do let us know how you get on😀
Quote: Originally posted by Roofybubbles1 on 20/7/2019
I used to have two dalmatians (1 boy, 1 girl) and they loved their camping trips. They were on long leads during walks, came everywhere with us. Ex hubby and I took turns in disappearing to the shower block etc. Used a screw in stake with running ropes attached to each dog's collar and a windbreak to shield us and them from passers by. Our dogs were also used to their section of the estate car and settled comfortably if we went to a pub or restaurant which didn't allow dogs. Go! Have a great time and do let us know how you get on😀
There are so many dog friendly places to eat, really no need to leave dogs in the car. I'm hoping you meant after the sun had gone down anyway, and not a judgement on you, but hate any mention of dogs left in cars from having the experience of seeing one die.
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
I had a special grill made so that the back door of the estate car could be left up (similar to the ones used at dog shows, costly, but created a cage effect). This was nearly 20 years ago and there are more eateries that accept dogs now - quite right to mention it.
We have a caravan and use a dog pen are the door of the awning to give our dogs a bit of freedom, we also have a fabric kennel where they can go for shade
We always worry about our retriever when camping. She is a big softy, but always greets other dogs by barking and growling. She was more chilled this year and only barked if other's walking past barked first. Having a windbreak shield her field of vision really helps. Sometimes she was on a long lead, other times if we are sat with her we do let her off (heavily supervised).
We lost our spaniel Sweep earlier this year and he loved camping but hated strangers and could bite if people came into his territory (he was extremely protective) so we had a nightmare ensuring fellow campers, rogue children etc didn't try coming over to say hi - he looked so cute.
We always used to ask the sites for a pitch with plenty of space and little foot traffic to minimise the issues. he would bark at night if he heard noises if he was in his crate, but if sleeping on the airbed with us he wouldn't bother.
It is so rewarding for both human and pooch to go camping and is definitely worth the little bit of initial work needed.
Good luck and enjoy!
------------- Cath - Cinderella is living proof that shoes can change your life!
Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and comments, I feel much better about taking her along with us now!
It's been a busy weekend so not had much time to "site-search" sadly but we have taken the details for the site recommended to us on this post and also a couple of others that look promising so I will let you all know how we get on.
Go and have fun, you'll not regret it. Have a look at Poston Mill nr Hereford, very dog friendly and if I remember some areas are hedged off into blocks and a large dog field and footpaths to local village.
Our rescue Staffy loves camping with us in our folding camper. It’s the only time he’s allowed to sleep on the bed with us. It’s his 4th summer in the camper and he’s so well behaved. We’ve had cows and sheep right behind and he’s never barked once During the day he’s tethered on a plastic shrouded steel wire with a screw in spike.
He’s a real people dog and always makes friends with everyone
personally I think you need to sort the dog BEFORE going camping, he/he needs to be socialised properly and would benefit a lot from going to dog training classes, as this would teach the dog to not be so afraid of barking, also consider agility classes too, being excited and barking then is totally different to the barking from fear or aggression. so should settle better once you have tackled that issue first, and while its good to hear you taking time over the matter you've just started to run before you've learnt to walk so to speak
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 27/7/2019
personally I think you need to sort the dog BEFORE going camping, he/he needs to be socialised properly and would benefit a lot from going to dog training classes, as this would teach the dog to not be so afraid of barking, also consider agility classes too, being excited and barking then is totally different to the barking from fear or aggression. so should settle better once you have tackled that issue first, and while its good to hear you taking time over the matter you've just started to run before you've learnt to walk so to speak
Thank you to all of the useful posters that commented, this not being one of them!
Just to correct a couple of your assumptions - Our dog is very well socialised, she is fearful because she was attacked by another dog and was quite badly hurt.
She is a rescue, so we have done intensive training with her to bring her "up to scratch" and it has been bloody hard work for the last five years. She still has some issues but it's a case of managing them as best we can, hence my asking for advice from experienced campers.
I will be honest - it was judgmental people like yourself that I was most concerned about but thankfully, we didn't come across any and our breaks turned out to be lovely!
Just to update, we have been camping for a couple of nights on three occasions since posting and it has been great, she has settled very well after any initial excitement and we have had a couple of great weekends! She even made a couple of doggy friends on our second trip, which was great to see....she was so happy!!
Thanks again for all of the useful advise, it really is appreciated :)
Quote: Originally posted by NWWanderers on 30/8/2019
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 27/7/2019
personally I think you need to sort the dog BEFORE going camping, he/he needs to be socialised properly and would benefit a lot from going to dog training classes, as this would teach the dog to not be so afraid of barking, also consider agility classes too, being excited and barking then is totally different to the barking from fear or aggression. so should settle better once you have tackled that issue first, and while its good to hear you taking time over the matter you've just started to run before you've learnt to walk so to speak
Thank you to all of the useful posters that commented, this not being one of them!
Just to correct a couple of your assumptions - Our dog is very well socialised, she is fearful because she was attacked by another dog and was quite badly hurt.
She is a rescue, so we have done intensive training with her to bring her "up to scratch" and it has been bloody hard work for the last five years. She still has some issues but it's a case of managing them as best we can, hence my asking for advice from experienced campers.
I will be honest - it was judgmental people like yourself that I was most concerned about but thankfully, we didn't come across any and our breaks turned out to be lovely!
Just to update, we have been camping for a couple of nights on three occasions since posting and it has been great, she has settled very well after any initial excitement and we have had a couple of great weekends! She even made a couple of doggy friends on our second trip, which was great to see....she was so happy!!
Thanks again for all of the useful advise, it really is appreciated :)
So glad to hear it went well and that you and your doggie enjoyed it.
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Another site that might work for you - although you'd have to go out to the cafe down the road for your Sunday roast! - is Rynys not far from Betws-y-Coed. The pitch arrangement is informal, it's never overcrowded; if you explain your requirements to the owner she would offer you a quiet corner or similar and do her best not to place people with barky dogs nearby. I've been going there over 20 years and have always found her to be friendly and helpful. Might be worth a look.https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results3.asp?search=Rynys&by=sitename
So glad it all went well and you feel more at ease now, it's new for everyone and they like a holiday too to explore as much as we do. I'd not go without our dog now.
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 our dog
via mobile 20/7/2019 at 6:41pm
