My old dog used to enjoy snuggling up at the foot of my bag in a bivvy on solo long distance walking trips, even in the middle of winter. 20 years later my bones are not quite as resilient and I now camp with a husband and 2 dogs in a bell tent and get there by car.
One of the dogs takes the same approach as the old boy, in her bed near our feet. The other is a cold beast, shivering when the temperature drops below tropical
so, on our last camping trip, he was tucked into a blanket nest each night (see below) and woke us if he became untucked.
We are planning a final trip of the year before the season ends, 3rd week in October. Anyone got any advice or suggestions about how to keep the wee beast warm and toasty at night without running the risk of him getting tangled in a coat?
This was my dog camping in February 2012, and we had a fan heater ticking over through the night:
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 18/9/2021
Get him to wear a coat?
This was my dog camping in February 2012, and we had a fan heater ticking over through the night:
DK
Thanks DK
That's a content dog 😍, I like the look of the off floor bed set up as well, is it a standard camp chair or a specific dog hammock?
As for the coat, as well as being a cold beast mine is known for getting himself stuck in many odd situations- dressing gown arms, between sofa back and the sofa cover (took 2 hrs to find him that time), as well as limbs "moving" to the wrong opening on coats..we coat him up when we are awake, but I worry he will get tangled and we are not awake to stop him strangling himself.
Heater on in the background - now there's a thought.🙂
i think she was meaning a proper dog coat! strapped into it correctly they keep lovely and warm and they cant get tangled up as they cant get their limbs out
Quote: Originally posted by asnali on 18/9/2021
My old dog used to enjoy snuggling up at the foot of my bag in a bivvy on solo long distance walking trips, even in the middle of winter. 20 years later my bones are not quite as resilient and I now camp with a husband and 2 dogs in a bell tent and get there by car.
One of the dogs takes the same approach as the old boy, in her bed near our feet. The other is a cold beast, shivering when the temperature drops below tropical
so, on our last camping trip, he was tucked into a blanket nest each night (see below) and woke us if he became untucked.
We are planning a final trip of the year before the season ends, 3rd week in October. Anyone got any advice or suggestions about how to keep the wee beast warm and toasty at night without running the risk of him getting tangled in a coat?
Post last edited on 18/09/2021 01:11:54
Get him an igloo bed or nest with cover and, if possible, raise it off the floor or put an insulated mat under it.
Tuffies make a great nest bed with optional cover, but at a price. Ideal for dogs who need the warmth of a blanket but are likely to wriggle out. The dog can still get in and out without losing the cover, it's a bit like an inner tent for dogs.
Failing that, a dog crate on big feet (to raise it up off the cold ground) with comfy bedding and a cover over.
The trouble with a dog coat overnight is that if a dog overheats, they can't take it off. And, not all dogs like wearing coats.
P.S. Obviously the covered crate idea is only for if your dog has been crate-trained.
Our dog likes her crate anyway, and goes in there to nap during the daytime with the door open. You don't need a specialised cover, a fleece blanket is ideal as they're cheap, warm and easy to wash and dry. Just leave the door side uncovered.
It's useful to use a crate when camping so you can leave your dog for short periods, knowing she's safe and secure when you go to the showers etc.
It goes without saying that you should never leave your dog crated inside a hot tent or for long periods.
I've just seen your post on 'minimalistic camping', Asnali, so presumably a fabric igloo or nest with cover is the way to go, as can be squished down into a smaller packing space than a crate and cover!
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 18/9/2021
i think she was meaning a proper dog coat! strapped into it correctly they keep lovely and warm and they cant get tangled up as they cant get their limbs out
Realised she meant a proper dog coat, however
Alfie is a Jr x unknown, body length of our spaniel - legs and depth of a JR, chest of a lab - never been able to find a proper dog coat that fits him to the point you're suggesting. He gets his limbs out, and tangled, even in the ones Ive had made to measure hence loathed to sleep while he is in one.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 18/9/2021
i think she was meaning a proper dog coat! strapped into it correctly they keep lovely and warm and they cant get tangled up as they cant get their limbs out
Thanks Marg, I realised we were talking proper dog coats, but my wriggly wee beast hasn't yet had one he doesn't get tangled in😊
Alfie is a mixture of weird sizes- standard coats are either too big in the tummy if they fit the length and chest, or length is too short which reatricts his chest. I've even tried having coats made specifically his measurements, which work well for walks and training, but definitely still not tangle proof for my wee cold houdini.
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 18/9/2021
Get him an igloo bed or nest with cover and, if possible, raise it off the floor or put an insulated mat under it.
Tuffies make a great nest bed with optional cover, but at a price. Ideal for dogs who need the warmth of a blanket but are likely to wriggle out. The dog can still get in and out without losing the cover, it's a bit like an inner tent for dogs.
Failing that, a dog crate on big feet (to raise it up off the cold ground) with comfy bedding and a cover over.
The trouble with a dog coat overnight is that if a dog overheats, they can't take it off. And, not all dogs like wearing coats.
.....
I've just seen your post on 'minimalistic camping', Asnali, so presumably a fabric igloo or nest with cover is the way to go, as can be squished down into a smaller packing space than a crate and cover!
He has a built-in "cave" at home with many blankets so an igloo bed on top of the existing outdoor dog mattress sounds like a great solution.
..as for minimalistic.. definitely try to keep to the back seats of the car to give the dogs the full boot for travelling, so an igloo won't take up too much more space.
If he gets cold he will join us in our bed, so I'm not too worried- I'd just prefer to be able to sleep without his wriggling 🤣
The dog bed is called a Breezy Bunk, medium size, however the brand and products have been discontinued.
My new dog which is a 8-month old Romanian rescue puppy is not too keen on using it outside the van, however I have not given up yet as it is still early days for him.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by TraceyD on 18/9/2021
We have a heater with a thermostat so that kicks in during the night when the temperature drops, keeping humans and furbabies warm.
Same here - as in thermostatically controlled fan heaters with dual power settings no more than 2kW.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Equafleece does a made to measure coat, nothing to tie or zip, made of fleece, which has a bit of “give”. Our dog has one like a sleeveless tee shirt, they do come with arms and legs too. Keeps her toasty warm in winter camping overnight or after swimming.
(To put it on: scrunch it up & over the head, insert your hand into the arm hole, gently get dog paw and bring it back through. In reverse, pull it all up to the neck, put a treat on the floor and pop the fleece off while the dog’s head is down. Equafleece probably does a YouTube.)
But if you’re handy with a sewing machine you can make one yourself out of fleece, maybe repurposing an old fleece jacket. The patterns are online - you measure neck to base of tail, ribcage and neck size, cut out one folded piece (it’s shaped away from the back end for hygiene reasons) and sew one seam (neck to tummy).
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: October camping with dogs
via mobile 18/9/2021 at 1:07am
