We are looking at going away this summer with our two dogs, but would like to know what the rules are regarding caravaining with your dogs. For example do dogs have to be on a lead all of the time when on your own pitch, or can you create a small but enclosed garden out of netting or windbreaks as seen at dog shows etc.
we normally make a little pen of wind breaks at the back of our unit/awning, this allows them alittle room to lie and do there business without the chance of people standing in it and gives you a small area to pick there business up from, our dog only goes on the lead if we have the awning open to the outside world,or were off out with her,
also i dont know any site that likes you to leave the dog in your van/ awning unattended.
Virtually every campsite rules I have seen stipulate that dogs should be on a lead at all times. I suppose whether your solution for keeping them confined will depend on the size and strength of the dog. As Steve has said above many people tether their dogs on reasonable long leads so they can wonder around the pitch and see what is going on but not bother other people.
Buy one of those dog spikes and screw it into the grass. I believe you can get one from poundland and its only a £1 (). I have a greyhound and if he is off the lead he walks about 6" from my left leg. I made a mistake of walking back into a club site after a good walk and into the awning to give the dog and myself a drink. I then had 2 officials within seconds telling me that they had complaints about me walking the dog off lead which was the only time but rules are rules. I personally dont agree with people corralling their dogs or boundaries with windbreaks as I think they are anti social and can mess up the pitch - and because this is becoming more popular a lot of sites are now banning them. This can also lead to your dog becoming very protective and possibly aggressive (barking etc) if anyone strays near to your pitch.
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ive not heard sites banning a little wind break area for your dogs, the anti social side would depend on how you do it of course, if you totally surround your pitch i would agree with you, but we make a small area at either the front or the back of our pitch whichever is most out the way, for our dog.
id love my dog to be like yours but she isnt, and she is already a protective dog windbreaks or not,
when were set up we have used a long tether to allow our dog some freedom. but only if were out there with her, as shes a strong dog and broke a few of those spikes.
Most dogs will stay close to their owners but with children that havent been taught to respect a dogs space ie dont touch unless you check with the owner, dont tease or intimidate I think it best for all concerned to keep our dogs on a lead. Our is always on a lead he has a harness rather than a collar for comfort and is on a longish lead attached to a spike. (we have several different length leads so that we can give him just enough not to annoy anyone else).
We always choose a site with a good length dog walk so the exercise is good for him and us. He is usually quite happy to watch the world go by while we relax with a book. He is off the lead in the caravan and awning which we make sure he cannot escape from.
We are sure he enjoys camping as much as we do, he gets very excited when we bring the caravan home from storage to get ready for a trip and cant wait to get in the car when it time to go.
I think if he was unhappy about being teathered he would object to going away.!!!
Many sites stipulate that dogs must be on a lead at all times which will include whilst being on your pitch. It only takes a second for an untethered dog to run at a passer-by even if they're surrounded by windbreaks.
Our Gabby (a GSD/Collie cross) is a very sociable dog and thinks that everyone is there to fuss over her and pat her!! We always use a screw in dog anchor with a long lead when we take Gabby away with us. We place the anchor close to the unit so she has the option to be inside or out. Depending on the weather, we sometimes use a windbreak but that is more to offer her extra shade than to fence her in!
Taking her on plenty of long walks during the day ensures she isn't too bouncy with excess energy on site and we ALWAYS clean up after her.
Basically, use your common sense as you know your dogs.
Honey has been coming with us since she was 10 weeks old she is always on her harness, clipped either onto her tether , or a lead, she's happy to sit on my lap and watch the world go by,I am paranoid that she will be stolen,so I never let her out of my sight, I've had a dog stolen and it broke my heart, I always clean up after her, make sure she has long walks, a tired dog is a relaxed quiet dog, when in the caravan then she's allowed to be loose, and spend her days looking out the window, children are very attracted to her as she's small and fluffy ( she's a toy poodle) so they always want to stroke her or fuss her, which she enjoys, I just make sure children know how to respect her space, and ask before they pet her.
She adores caravanning , you should see how she dances when we start packing the van up, I only have to press the key fob with the van alarm on and she gets so excited, she really loves it, it wouldn't be the same without her coming.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Thank you all for your help - is this the same rules for france and spain etc?
Generally yes. Some Continental sites won't accept some breeds of dogs like those that are akin to Bull Terrier breeds Campsite websites will often give such information.
I believe taking your dog to Europe is a whole different ball game and require very different regulations. Speak to your vets to obtain the relevant documentation and inoculations.
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with a limited inventory
Dogs must be kept on a lead all the time when on site. The most well behaved dog is not guaranteed not to react out of character. We once had a milkman whose own Alsatian suddenly turned on him for no apparent reason, leaving him badly scarred around face and neck.
Consider site owners' responsibilities in law, apart from the distress should a dog attack a child, and I think that says it all really.
Our dog Sam, is really well behaved generally but even then will wonder off if not kept on a lead. The only fair way is one rule for all I guess, so all dogs when outside, and not in the owners direct control should be on a lead.
Sam is the same Murano, he knows when we are getting ready to go and camps by the front door. As soon as he gets a chance he bounces out, and places himself firmly in the back of the car. A small explosive wouldn't be able to move him once he's there Lol. We've only ever not taken him on three occassions in eight years, and he's determined it wont be four.
Might have to be this summer though as we're not sure about taking him to France with us.
Tony we are considering France too, we are in two minds over it though, I'm researching the rabies vaccine and also the ease of getting them back into the country, I don't want to leave her behind though.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Hi Murano, we're also considering the options and weighing it up. We were considering heading down to the warmer areas in France, but might stay North in order to open up the possibility of taking the dog.
Our local Veterinary is holding an evening shortly on travelling abroad with Pets so I'm going to pop along to that.
Sammy is 12 now, so I'm torn between leaving him at home due to journey length and all of the other up heaval for him, or taking him. Leaving him at home will really upset him though, so I might make the decision to take him but to stay North.
We went to the isle of white last Octobr with him, so a short ferry ride, and substantial journey in total. He managed fine with this, so I think the chances are we are going to take him, but just keeping an open mind for now.
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Topic: Rules for caravaning with dogs?
). I have a greyhound and if he is off the lead he walks about 6" from my left leg. I made a mistake of walking back into a club site after a good walk and into the awning to give the dog and myself a drink. I then had 2 officials within seconds telling me that they had complaints about me walking the dog off lead which was the only time but rules are rules. I personally dont agree with people corralling their dogs or boundaries with windbreaks as I think they are anti social and can mess up the pitch - and because this is becoming more popular a lot of sites are now banning them. This can also lead to your dog becoming very protective and possibly aggressive (barking etc) if anyone strays near to your pitch.
