Hi all,
Haven't posted for a while (a few years!) but it would be good to get your top ten tips for caravanning with dogs.
We now have a dog and we are going on holidays in our van to Wales (2 adults, 1 x 11 year old in a van with 2 double beds (5 birth ranger). What tips do you have ?
The dog is medium sized (about 18 kilos) and is 11 months old.
Hubby is not crazy about dogs so I want it to succeed.
Cheers
Feezee
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
Having a dog will get you chatting to people on site, which is a good thing, but always be aware that some people, understandably, are not dog friendly. So keep your pet off other peoples pitches and try to ensure it doesn't bark at passers by.
Any holiday with a dog will need a bit of thought before you go. Are ther any dog friendly pubs, cafes etc nearby. If the weather is bad, where can you all go, with the dog.
Also, for the safety of the family and the dog, make sure he/she is secure in the car when travelling. A crate is ideal, but not everyone has room for it, as a minimum you can get a cheap harness and clip it to a spare seat belt.
Have a great holiday!
I like dogs, I don't own a dog, when I'm out in the caravan I usually have a wife a daughter and 2 grandchildren to look after so I really don't have the time to devote to a dog. The vast majority of dog owners (and dogs) are responsible, unfortunately there are a vast minority that are irresponsible and can give dog owners in general a bad name. The following link gives some good advice Dogs
Parts of North Wales can be hard with a dog, there are now many beaches that don't allow dogs on them at all... pay attention to all the signs and make sure you are on a dog friendly part of a beach, or risk a fine from the dog wardens.
Not sure about South Wales, it might be different there.
Thanks all, sensible answers. Geoff - great link. Max thanks will follow up, and Olivia love the pics. Only it I am not looking forward to is the 5.30am pee. X
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
Quote: Originally posted by Feezee on 28/7/2017
Thanks all, sensible answers. Geoff - great link. Max thanks will follow up, and Olivia love the pics. Only it I am not looking forward to is the 5.30am pee. X
Sometimes in hot weather when he drinks a lot of water..........it can be 3.00am! or like a couple of weeks ago on a THS, we had a fox in the awning, that got him up.
We've just returned from three weeks touring, on five different sites. We have a Black Lab called Max, who expects at least two good walks a day off the lead and with copious ball-chasing.
First, research the campsites for dog-friendliness and look for reviews that explicitly praise them for this Four of our sites (Peak District, N Yorks, S Wales & N Wales) had really good dog fields with excellent dog walking off-site on public footpaths. Some even had a river, which he loves. One though (Cotswolds) said it was dog-friendly when really it tolerated them in a niggardly way (dogs weren't even let off the lead in the dog field!).
Second, except for winter camping, Max sleeps in the awning. He'd prefer to be inside with us, but he's happy once settled down. We let him in when we get up and he's deliriously happy.
Third, more research using t'internet. Are pubs nearby dog-friendly? Can we have a bar meal with Max? Will any attractions you want to visit allow dogs? Do any walks have high stiles (he's 30Kg and a hell of a lift)?
Fourth, does your dog behave? This is down to training mostly, though there are exceptions such as mistreated rescue dogs. A well-behaved dog that desists from barking and returns on command will make life easier. All dogs of course need to be tethered on the pitch, but a constant yapper will test your neighbours to breaking-point (even if they're too nice to complain) while a tail-wagger will break the ice and make you the campsite favourite. If your dog might bite a stranger, put up a sign saying not to approach - you'd be surprised how many people ignore a dog's plain warnings or even let their kids approach!
Fifth, pick up the poo. I say this for completeness, for my experience is that campers are very particular here anyway.
Done right, dogs and camping are like fish'n'chips
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
Quote: Originally posted by Hairywol on 28/7/2017
We've just returned from three weeks touring, on five different sites. We have a Black Lab called Max, who expects at least two good walks a day off the lead and with copious ball-chasing.
First, research the campsites for dog-friendliness and look for reviews that explicitly praise them for this Four of our sites (Peak District, N Yorks, S Wales & N Wales) had really good dog fields with excellent dog walking off-site on public footpaths. Some even had a river, which he loves. One though (Cotswolds) said it was dog-friendly when really it tolerated them in a niggardly way (dogs weren't even let off the lead in the dog field!).
Second, except for winter camping, Max sleeps in the awning. He'd prefer to be inside with us, but he's happy once settled down. We let him in when we get up and he's deliriously happy.
Third, more research using t'internet. Are pubs nearby dog-friendly? Can we have a bar meal with Max? Will any attractions you want to visit allow dogs? Do any walks have high stiles (he's 30Kg and a hell of a lift)?
Fourth, does your dog behave? This is down to training mostly, though there are exceptions such as mistreated rescue dogs. A well-behaved dog that desists from barking and returns on command will make life easier. All dogs of course need to be tethered on the pitch, but a constant yapper will test your neighbours to breaking-point (even if they're too nice to complain) while a tail-wagger will break the ice and make you the campsite favourite. If your dog might bite a stranger, put up a sign saying not to approach - you'd be surprised how many people ignore a dog's plain warnings or even let their kids approach!
Fifth, pick up the poo. I say this for completeness, for my experience is that campers are very particular here anyway.
Done right, dogs and camping are like fish'n'chips
Was the dog unfriendly site Oakfield Farm near Chipping Sodbury by any chance? we fell foul of their draconian dog rules there, but I see that they have now changed their website (after I complained) to state that dogs must be on a lead in their fields. They still don't say that they must also be on a lead for the few steps from caravan to car!
as we caravan with up to 5 collies we do our research very carefully. dog walks close to or on site, beach close by,cycle paths away from roads as we cycle with them.a tired and well socialised dog will be a very quiet dog. we have witnessed bad attitude from dog owners who usually have small dogs with an attitude problem
Not helping fellow campers in need is the highest form of unreasonable behaviour in my opinion. So I'd certainly not want to be linked to that comment.
What others do or think is for them to live with. All I know is that I'm 100% certain that nobody has ever regretted being pitched next to us. We are not silent, and don't expect silence, but we try not impede on others enjoyment.
Those who have no understanding of how their behaviour affect those around them will not get what I'm saying, so I just hope I don't end up next to any of them.
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: 10 Tips for caravanning with dogs
