Do you mean theft of your dog or theft of your possessions? That's one reason why our dogs sleep in the awning - they would soon let us know if there was any one around. Also our sleeping area is our space, not the dogs'.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Thanks for all your replies, guess we have been unlucky with the barking dogs but hopefully it won't happen too much. We went to Low Park Wood in Kendal last weekend and took our 15 month old spaniel for the first time. We have taken her camping loads and she is tiny so went in a cat bastket in the tent and we never heard a peep from her but she is now too big for the basket so we have her sleep in a crate at night at home which she loves. Trouble is crate is too big for caravan so we took the blanket out of the crate and put it at the bottom of the bed, well she wined all night long and even did a wee on the bed, we have two young kids and we don't get any trouble from them overnight so it's a bit annoying when the whole family are kept awake by the dog! I just don't think she knows how to settle down when she is not in her crate.
The idea about the crate in the awning might be good for the summer and maybe we will just have to leave her with family when weather gets too cold.
Just a thought, but couldn't you buy a soft dog bed or something that would be suitable for the caravan and get her used to sleeping in that at home?
Dogs are creatures of habit and a new sleeping place along with a strange environment was probably just too much in one step. It's worth a try rather than leaving her at home. Our dog can tell when we are getting the caravan ready to go away and follows us in and out of the van just in case we leave him behind!
Took our 3 year old dog away on our first trip at Easter and I was a little worried as to how he would behave. I needn't have worried, he was fantastic. Bought a spike with long lead which allowed him to go in and out of the awning and watch the world go by. Took our crate which he sleeps in at home but I also bought a soft bed which we put in the floor of the shower, perfect, he found his spot and when he was ready to go to bed each night wandered into the bed in the bathroom and even slept much later than usual.
our two labs (6 and 2) sleep in the van with us, both take over the front seating that has been covered in blankets,During the day a large blanket is over our fixed bed and they both lay there,rather than be out side i cant keep them out of the van!!!
she keeps sneaking onto our bed, i dont mind during the winter as she keeps us extra warm!!
We dont tie them up out side but have wind breaks all around and unless other dogs go by not bothered by anything, Our eldest at 6 worked out from a early age to poke his nose out under the windbreak to watch the world go by, but we have never had any escapes.
She barks at anyone too close to us or walking passed,only what she can see when in the caravan. we do stop her but as she is only two will grow out of it,we hope!!
When we go out for a while all blinds come down(not the curtains as they can be opened easily!!) and i put the radio or leave the tv on, and dog chewies and we have no problem. what they cant see or hear they cant worry about!!
They would be very miffed if we went away with out them, i am packing the bits to take away tomorrow and they know already that something different will happen, and will be taking residence in the car so they dont get left home!!!
Couldnt imagine holidays with out them,,we are not people who sightsee everything in sight but pick hols suitable for the dogs, good walks, fresh air, and just chilling out, and hubby loves his fishing,
if we are relaxed so will your dogs be and a better holiday will be had
Quote: Originally posted by ian and jean on 23/4/2008 Couldnt imagine holidays with out them,,we are not people who sightsee everything in sight but pick hols suitable for the dogs, good walks, fresh air, and just chilling out, and hubby loves his fishing, if we are relaxed so will your dogs be and a better holiday will be had
We are exactly the same as that but without the fishing! Our dogs would never speak to us again if we left them at home!
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
we camp with 2 pyrenean mountain dogs, they sleep in the van at night, sometimes on the floor, and sometimes on our bed, if we left them in the awning they would take it on themselves to guard the campsite, you would all be safe, but you would,nt get any sleep. Penny
Foster sleeps in between us he is only a little yorkie We have a fixed end bed and the other night i was up n down all night going to the looe so me and hubby swapped sides so he could get some sleep . Foster woke up and gave me my usual wet sloppy morning kiss it was so funny when he realised it was hubby and not me lol hubby wasnt to pleased eoither lol
Mine sleep in the awning on warm night and in the space under the made up beds (they are small dogs) when its to cold for them to be outside, they just love camping so are happy to go along with us.
We use the single beds and Stitch has her own bed in the middle and is very happy. We only got her in February but even on the first night in the caravan at the end of Feb, she was perfectly at home and she loves it. She does bark occasionally when she sees squirrels, rabbits and birds but not often.
Our dog has to take her teddy (elmo) with her, She has a bed that stays in the caravan. During the day if we havnt gone walking shes happy to stay in her bed, but at night once we go to bed she crawls under our bed and dosnt return untilll i put the bed away the next morning. If we go out for a meal and leave her behind we leave the TV on low and shes fine.
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: caravanning with dogs
