Quote: Originally posted by gillsid on 02/3/2006
Just wondering where you let your dogs sleep? My Westie is only 7 months old and although he would love to sleep in the van I know I would spend all night pushing him off my bed. He sleeps in a crate at home-but can't drag that with me. I am worried that he will bark at any passing campers if he is in the awning or the car. I don't want to be thrown off the site for having an unruly dog. I have considered letting him sleep in the back of the car, we have an open boot with a pull across cover, so he couldn't see out, but he'd have loads of room. Would he be warm enough. I know we'll probably have to see what is best for us (and him) but any advice would help
We are stafford breeders / dog showing people who have 8 dogs who we go camping with we have had to take young dogs with us before. the advice i can give is if your dog sleeps in a cage/ crate at home either put them in the awning or the van at one end with a blanket over the whole of the cage make sure you allow your dog to spend the day with you before you leave the dog for the night. he/ she will be fine.
We have a ten month old Westie who has been caravanning since he was 7 weeks old. Took to it brilliantly, though we were panicking the first time we went away. At home he sleeps in his own bed in the hall but in the van he usually sleeps with my daughter. She uses a sleeping bag and Jack( the Westie ) is usually found snuggled in against her. I wouldnt let him get in the sleeping bag or lie on her pillow. He's spoilt and treated like one of us, never left lone in the van, which can sometimes limit us to what we do. But wouldn't have it any other way.
Just been on our first trip ever! Took "Polo" our 8 month old Westie with us, and after reading all your advice we decided to let him sleep under our bed on an old sleeping bag. He was right next to the heater blower-cozy! He settled really well until 3:30am when he decided to get up and wee on our new carpet! Hubbie shot out of bed and had to take him outside! It was about -2 this weekend in Buxton as well! So my first job tomorrow is to scrub the carpet.
Hi, we've got a 1 year old westie that we take with us. Haven't been in the caravan with him yet, but we used to take him camping. We bought a fold up travel box for him from argos, it's canvas type thing with a metal frame. Ideal for the car and for sleeping in the tent. He did not bark as dogs feel safer in a 'den' and so normally do not bark. Only thing is, we can't get him out of it, even at home, so he uses it to sleep in every night and loves it. Best thing I bought.
> He was right next to the heater blower-cozy! He settled really well until 3:30am when he decided to get up and wee on our new carpe <
Sounds like he may have been to cold! Probably because of cold through the floor.
I read you used an old sleeping bag. Our dog has his dog-matress, in fact not unsimilar to a sleeping bag, a bit thicker.
In spite of a warm caravan, i noticed that the floor of the caravan still gets very cold, especially if you have to lay down on it, like a dog. Ours got shivering at a certain moment. I felt his mat and that simply did not insulate enough.
Forutnately I had my canoe-mats (kneeling mats for under your knees when canoeing) in the car, which in fact are old camping insulation mats, and put them under the dogs-mattress, and against the back wall (the dog would lay against it). Shivering over. He had a good nights sleep.
I have some more similar stuff left from long ago small ridge-tent camping, non-inflatable but very insulating. I will put them in the caravan permanently now.
Actually this way heating became less important or even not important. Dogs roll themselves up an get cosy somehow, as long as they can get the surface they are laying on warm.
Thanks for that I didn't feel his bed. We had been warned to wear thick socks but we were suprised how warm the floor was. We will try him on another layer this weekend and keep our fingers crossed
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Where does your dog sleep?
