We took out JR puppy on his first camp at 7 wks old (last Sep), he had to be carried everywhere and we only put him down in the camper. He managed to go on his puppy pads and slept well in his crate. It was a family camp we went on with lots of kids and he was passed around everyone for lots of cuddles. He loves kids and he is a very pleasant with other dogs. I am sure that this camp helped him with his social skills. Do take your puppy, I read that a puppies first few months are important and help towards making the dog what he is, let him meet everyone.
Been away this weekend on his second visit and apart from the first night a bit of barking he has been fine.
Thanks for replies. We've been to see the litter again and actually it will be a "her"!! A black working cocker spaniel and we will be taking her camping - just need a name now!
Quote: Originally posted by familycampers5 on 22/5/2011
this is not because we dont want to take her and have the responsibility, but because she is a staffordshire bull terrier and i have seen some campsites who wont accpet bull breeds.
I wouldn't let that stop me. The C&CC don't discriminate against breed of dog and I'm sure she'd love it.
I think it's crazy, every staffie I've met has been a sweetheart, unlike my lakelands who look cute but are a nightmare. My bitch is fierce beyond belief with most other dogs and my boy bites your feet if you step on him or even too close. And they both chase anything that runs, including children.
Mind you, even they behave pretty well when camping.
We camped with our dog a few years ago when it came straight from the breeder i.e. about 8-9 weeks. We stayed on a large farm site near Weymouth so had plenty of room. We allowed the puppy to wander off and like small toddlers they will only go so far before being worried and return back to you. Ever since then our dog has never run off, always comes back to a whistle etc.
We took plenty of chews / toys (soft toys from charity shops are cheaper than the pet stores) with us and also used one of these pop up crates, we used it in the tent, in the caravan a year later and also at home, visiting relatives etc.. - we never "punished" the dog by putting her in the crate and it was always viewed as a "safe haven" for her so she was more than willing to go in it.
If the dog has any seperation anxiety then you can always put the crate in your pod and still the dog would recognise that the crate was aplace of safety.
Quote: Originally posted by familycampers5 on 22/5/2011
i have a dog but i decline from taking her camping......she has sleepovers at nannys house
this is not because we dont want to take her and have the responsibility, but because she is a staffordshire bull terrier and i have seen some campsites who wont accpet bull breeds.
i know there is a huge stigma that goes with my breed of dog but she is beautiful, we got her as a rescue dog from the rspca at 14 weeks old , she had been dumped in a skip and as a result had mange, she was bald completely and very tiny, i nicknamed her piglet cos she looked like a very little pig.
we have spent a lot of money and invested a lot of time and love in my beautiful staffy, she would love camping as she is a very social dog, she doesnt growl or bark, she just waggles her tail.
i understand why she cannot go to certain sites because of the stigma that surrounds certain bull breeds but it does make me sad
This makes me cross too . I have a Rottie but often take him camping. I choose my sites carefully and have never had a negative reaction from the owners. My dog is the softest dog you could imagine; we have had a cat from kitten for over a year now who he has adored since she first arrived. He has met numerous other kittens and 2 cats on our street which he wags his tail at and licks whenever he sees them. He is kind and gentle to small dogs including two miniature poodles who he regularly meets on his walks and he had an absolute whale of a time at Norden Farm with a small dog called Scrumpy (are Scrumpy's owners reading this?). He plays nicely with my young cousins (9 and 11) and baby nephew. Of course, as with any breed of dog or even the cat I would never leave him unsupervised with the baby.
The problem is when he occasionally meets an aggressive smaller dog is that his growls are the loudest; you see that look on people's faces as good enough to say "typical Rottweiller", even though their dogs were the ones to instigate the aggression. I believe the aggression you see in some small dogs is often triggered by the "mummies little precious" attitude mentioned by another poster; the owner gets scared and the dog picks up on the fear and goes into defence mode. This is not a dig at small dogs, I do not hold prejudice against any breed small or large.
Don't let your dogs breed stop him from going camping, just make sure that you visit the website of potential camp sites, check their dog policy and if they make any distinction on breeds then IMO they don't deserve the custom. How can you claim to be a "dog friendly" site when you clearly don't have a clue about dogs.
We too have a working cocker. She is golden (if you can see below the mud / fox pooh etc) We took her camping when she was about 4 mths old and she had a whale of a time! She decided to sleep with us and to decorate the white bedding with muddy paw prints! Can't wait to take her again this year:)
Just wondering how the camping trip went, we have an 11 week old springer spaniel who were planning to take camping in 3 weeks :) we all love her to bits xx
Just taken a 13 week old Beagle pup away for three nights, he behaved perfectly. Best peice of advice I can give is to pick a site fairly close to home. If your pup does kick off, you can drive it home and go back to pick the tent up the next morning .. .. ..
Our labrador,2 years old adores camping! She gate keeps the door of the tent and loves trotting along with us on bike rides. She always looks better for the holiday!
I think you have thoroughly thought this through and are prepared to prioritise the needs of your new puppy. The socialisation opportunities will far outweigh the benefits of leaving the pup with the breeder. You can use this opportunity to bond with your new pup.
The only thing I would suggest you need to be really careful of is over exercising your pup. Puppies of that age do not need miles and miles of hiking, this can damage their development and cause problems in later life. So personally, if you tend to get out and about alot, I would be prepared to carry the puppy at certain times, esp if walking involves alot of 'roadwork' ( pavements and hard ground ).
Anyway, your pup will be so exhausted by the mental stimulation of comings and goings, there will be no need for loads of long walks.
I think this is a great opportunity to socialise your puppy...14 weeks is an ideal age to do this.
We are now in the same position having just lost our very sedate springer to old age, also he was a rescue dog so never had the fun of him as a young dog. We now have a Springer pup who will be having his first outside trip next monday. He will be introduced to camping canoeing and general trips out/away asap, the only problem we ever had with our other springer, was his desire to get amoung sheep. Hope all goes well with yours.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
I totally reccomend you take pup with you. We have a cavaliar and hes been camping from 12 weeks,and he is still camping at the age of 12years!!!. I reccomend you buy a crate for him,this will stop him from wondering about during the nite, Put some blankets on the base with his basket on top this will help keep him warm. Our dog still loves his crate even now.
Firstly, good on yer for the forward thinking regarding your dog. I have taken two of mine in the past. first time was Sam, cross labby, great company he loved the long walks and slept like a baby. He started off at my feet in the tent covered with an old shawl but I woke up nose to nose with him and his breath wasn't exactly encompassed with the ring of confidence, ( for the more mature who remember the ad')
A couple of years ago I took Molly, cross staffy, lovable lunatic. First job while pitching was anchoring her with a screw in dog restraint thing. pitched the tent and walked to the farm house to get water. I turned to see Molly, happy as Larry running towards me dragging 6 feet of rope and the top end of the screwy dog thing behind her. During the day she was a nightmare, wanted to eat all the sheep and chickens. At night an absolute angel snuggled up to my legs.
Memories are made of this, Hope you get some good ones this trip
Thanks for all the encouragement! We actually ended up (due to someone changing their mind) with a "her", so Tess will be coming with us. We've had her at home 5 weeks now and she's settled in well. She's crate trained (and if the doors open - how do you train them to tell you?) house trained. She's definately coming with us, though its a long trip (to Isle of Wight) so I've got a crate in the car and taking her out for trips frequently to get used to it - seems OK so far. We'll have a crate in the tent. Aware she can't do to much walking etc (though I think the time will come that she will be able to carry on and on and on ), so will take it gently. Really looking forward to holiday with her with us!
Our Schnauzer, Henry, started camping at 6 months and loved it straight off. He has his own pop up crate and lots of blankets.
He has always treated our tents as his home and won't 'go' any where near them. We have had a few different tents since we got him and he always goes in and has a good nosey when we put a new one up.
As you have a girl, this won't apply to you, but Henry's least endearing camping habit is peeing on any tent or camping equipment that has another dog in it. I have to keep my eye out if I stop and chat as he will craftily cock his leg and leave his calling card :-(
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Camping with Puppy
. I have a Rottie but often take him camping. I choose my sites carefully and have never had a negative reaction from the owners. My dog is the softest dog you could imagine; we have had a cat from kitten for over a year now who he has adored since she first arrived. He has met numerous other kittens and 2 cats on our street which he wags his tail at and licks whenever he sees them. He is kind and gentle to small dogs including two miniature poodles who he regularly meets on his walks and he had an absolute whale of a time at Norden Farm with a small dog called Scrumpy (are Scrumpy's owners reading this?). He plays nicely with my young cousins (9 and 11) and baby nephew. Of course, as with any breed of dog or even the cat I would never leave him unsupervised with the baby.
) house trained.
), so will take it gently. Really looking forward to holiday with her with us!
