So we've just bought a caravan and will be travelling the UK for a months holiday. We have 2 spaniels, one came from kennels so she's quite hardy and often howls at night to be let out so she can kip in the garden, the other, well, shes been in the bed with us every night since a pup, sometimes she takes herself down to the sofa to sleep - not so hardy. Hubby is adamant there won't be dogs in the van at night as there is no room for a crate. We've been thinking of crating them in the awning.. Just wondering what other dog owners do whilst caravaning?!
We have a five year old shih-tzu an a six month old golden retriever, the shih-tzu usually ends up at the bottom of the bed and the pup sleepsin her canvas crate.
We have an 18 month old mini schnauzer and she sleeps in a crate in the awning. We put extra awning carpet underneath and cover it with varying layers depending on outside temperature. She seems quite happy with this arrangement and is allowed in the van at other times.
Our jack Russell collie cross (strange dog no longer with us, intelligent and grumpy) slept under the bed. As soon as we pulled the slats out to make the bed up she shot under.
Our cavalier sleeps in her rightful place on the spare seat on her own blanket.
If you have one that howls at night I don't think you will be popular in the morning.
We always take ours out for a short walk before going to bed, as it helps them settle.
Slightly different we take 3 cats with us, bit of a squeeze at times on the bed, our youngest two are just turning one but are Norwegian forest cats! X
My 2 Bichons sleep in their crate at home but in the van they have their own beds.
However as soon as they think I am asleep, they suddenly find my bed much more to their liking and I end up with 2 furry hot water bottles.
our two start in the front of the van in their beds, but at sme point during the night they will have managed to slide the door open and sneak in, one ends up nudging me and lifting the quilt and getting down the back of my legs and the other sleeps on the top at my feet strange thing is they never ever go to hubby to do this always me! so what with the dogs and hubby I end up pinned against the wall
We are about to take our nearly one yr old retriever. Not sure what she will make of the van or where she will want to sleep. She will probably be so relieved to be out of car (very travel sick) she wont mind where she rests. I hope she will sleep on her large cushion on floor of van...otherwise spare bunk/ seat facing son!
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
We recently had our first trip away and took our 2 dogs with us. We have a small cross breed and a Pug. Our caravan is on the dinky side so there's just no room in the van for them with 2 adults and a child so they sleep in the awning, crated. They were crated from pups at home although we no longer use it in the house, they were more excited about getting back in the crate when we put it up in the awning than the fact they were away!
We use an awning carpet, they get their blankets in the crate then we also cover with another thick blanket at night to keep out any draughts. No issues at all and they thoroughly enjoyed their holiday too!
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: Caravaning and dogs...
