Bean, my new puppy that is roughly 6.5 months old, went on his first camping trip at Devizes C&CC on a 2-night test trip, and it went very well.
I believe it helped that I spent 2 nights in the van with him outside my house before the trip, for him to get used to the van and sleeping in the same room with each other.
The only niggle I had is that, he woke up way too early for my liking, 06:00 the first morning, and 05:00 this morning, bless him!
His normal wake up time at home is about 06:00 and I come downstairs at about 06:30. Therefore, it is only a niggle as I am not a morning person, that's all.
I may, just may, get some blackout cover to make the cab darker to see if it would encourage him to get up later.
He was happy to sleep in the passenger footwell, so the new travelling crate is redundant.
He was shy of people at first, however, he got bolder during his trip. He wanted to say hello to all the other dogs which was great fun to watch.
He only barked when he was excited, like meeting people and other dogs, or waiting for food.
Not keen on him wanting to chase rabbits, hopefully this will be addressed when he starts his puppy classes on Friday 02 July 2021.
He loved his walks on a lead around the camp site. Although there was an area when he could walk off the lead, the fences did not look sufficiently secure for him to go off-lead, and his recall and obedience need to be a lot better before I could walk him off-lead.
He looks as if he has grown in 2 days, bless him, and is now able to jump onto the seats in the van and at home!
Overall, a good first trip for Bean. Here are a few photos from the trip.
Shortly after we arrived:
Sunning it on grass:
Afternoon snooze with his human:
Patiently waiting for his share of a fry up:
Hogging the driver's seat:
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$$ on it and walk away!
Lovely pictures DK, he looks really chilled! I have a feeling you have found your new perfect travelling companion there! So glad it all went well.
I was never a morning person either, and when I was on the trains, and previously coaches, I never liked the really early shifts. Now I'm retired I'm very rarely up before 8am, or in winter 9am.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 30/6/2021
Lovely pictures DK, he looks really chilled! I have a feeling you have found your new perfect travelling companion there! So glad it all went well.
I was never a morning person either, and when I was on the trains, and previously coaches, I never liked the really early shifts. Now I'm retired I'm very rarely up before 8am, or in winter 9am.
Thanks for the kind words, it was a success IMHO.
I have ordered a blackout cover for the van, and shall try it at home before the next trip.
Before he arrived, I was getting up at 08:30. I shall make the kitchen where he sleeps darker to see if it helps too.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Aw, good lad! Well done wee Bean.
I hate to say it, DK, but blackout might make no difference - though I hope it does. This is based on our Cocker Spaniel, rescued at age 4; she probably worked as she looks up at the sky if she hears gun fire. At 0430 (dawn), the many nearby pheasants woke up & started calling & she did the “wall of death” run around the MH walls (MH has silver screen black outs), bouncing off us at each circuit. It was a very short night for us.... Dog loved it, camping is sooooo exciting.
So it’s not just what Bean sees, it might be what he hears at the dawn chorus too (spring & autumn won’t be a problem).
But you’re both doing so well!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 30/6/2021
Aw, good lad! Well done wee Bean.
I hate to say it, DK, but blackout might make no difference - though I hope it does. This is based on our Cocker Spaniel, rescued at age 4; she probably worked as she looks up at the sky if she hears gun fire. At 0430 (dawn), the many nearby pheasants woke up & started calling & she did the “wall of death” run around the MH walls (MH has silver screen black outs), bouncing off us at each circuit. It was a very short night for us.... Dog loved it, camping is sooooo exciting.
So it’s not just what Bean sees, it might be what he hears at the dawn chorus too (spring & autumn won’t be a problem).
But you’re both doing so well!
04:30!!! Geez!
To be fair, I would rather he wakes me up than to soil the van. And we can always have a snooze after a meal or whenever it takes my fancy.
It is worth a try I believe, and I am going to try to darken the kitchen where he sleeps at home too, by lowering the blinds at night to see if it makes any difference.
I did not think about lowering them in the past, as Borda has never slept in the kitchen when he was with me, DOH!
When he is better trained and behaved, I would let him sleep in the spare side of the double bed like Borda used to do.
The bedroom is out of bound for him at the moment so that the cat can have some space on her own without being disturbed by a bouncing puppy.
The joy of owning and camping with a young dog!
DK
Post last edited on 30/06/2021 22:52:08
------------- 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$$ on it and walk away!
Bean has gained a lot of confidence during the trip, and is less wary of people and traffic noises.
He managed to walk further than he had done before the trip, across a roundabout this evening when it was quieter with less big lorries thundering past!
Result!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Lowering the blinds in the kitchen where Bean sleeps appears to have helped with him getting up later in the morning.
The black out cover for the van is arriving today, and I plan to try it out next week to see if it makes a difference.
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$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 02/7/2021
Lowering the blinds in the kitchen where Bean sleeps appears to have helped with him getting up later in the morning.
The black out cover for the van is arriving today, and I plan to try it out next week to see if it makes a difference.
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 02/7/2021
Lowering the blinds in the kitchen where Bean sleeps appears to have helped with him getting up later in the morning.
The black out cover for the van is arriving today, and I plan to try it out next week to see if it makes a difference.
DK
Let us know how it goes. Wishing you good luck.
Been out for another trip, and the black out cover helped.
He woke up at 05:00 one morning, and went back to sleep when I ignored him!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: Bean the Puppy`s First Trip
via mobile 30/6/2021 at 7:04pm
