Campsites and dogs

[annierich]

I am a newbie and would like to ask a question about campsites and dogs. We don't have a caravan yet- but are seriously considering it- but are wondering how those of you with dogs cope. Where do your dogs sleep,do they object to having to be on a lead all of the time and what's it like taking them to Europe. I know about Pet passports but its the practicalities that we are wondering about. When is it cool enough for them to cope in say France?

Sorry about all the questions but we are novices!!

 

[LMH]

Hi Annie

Welcome to the forum.

Part of the reason I bought a caravan was so that we could take our dogs on hols with us. They absolutely love it.

I take two crates. The dogs sleep in the annexe (which attaches to the awning). I also have clip on water bowls (stainless steel) which I clip on to the inside of each cage. The jury's out on those as the dogs tend to kock them and spill more water than they drink.

They are perfectly happy to sleep in the crates. If the weather is cold, I'll direct a halogen heater onto the crates. (Halogen heaters are good because if they get knocked, they will switch themselves off. My older dog sometimes wears a jacket at night if it's cold. However, if we go away with just one dog, that sleeps in the caravan with us but I won't have two dogs in the caravan at the same time.

Mine are fine to be on leads around the campsite. I sometimes attach a lead to a stake and put the dogs outside. However, one of my dogs is dog aggressive so I have to put a windbreak in front of them so she can't see other dogs.

It goes without saying to pick up after your dogs. I like the idea that they have to be on leads as that should stop other dogs running up to yours which can be a pain in the backside.

The only thing that really annoys me about some dogs (well the owners) is when they are constantly left to bark. I have been on campsites where the owners are even sitting outside with their dog/s and they have allowed it to bark. I don't agree with that.

Bear in mind that it can get very very hot inside an awning and the caravan. Most campsites have a rule that dogs are not be left unattended whilst on site.

Also, make sure you dog/s are ok travelling long distances. I had a dog many years ago which wouldn't relax in the car and he stood all the way to Cornwall and all the way back (330 miles each way), that's not good for a dog, particularly in hot weather and without air con.

When you are looking at campsite tariffs, always see how much they are charging for dogs because prices per dog vary from nothing to

 

[trucker]

Hi Annie we have a JRT and he always comes with us when we go away in the caravan. As soon as the van is outside the house hes in his cage in the boot of the car and wont budge untill were on our way. He sleeps in a dog bed at the front of the caravan between the 2 seats. and he does not come up on the bed unless invited to. We have taken him to france twice now. First time last september which was very hot, he went swimming alot just to cool down, and the last 2 weeks which heat was not a problem. Nor was swimming as he just had to stand outsite to do that!!.

If your dog loves traveling they will love being with you.

The only problem we find is that when we come home and go back to work he sulks for a couple of days as hes got used to not being left alone for a few hours

Kevin H

 

[annierich]

Thanks both for all that useful information. We have 2 crossbeeds - one a 'Who knows' breed loosely based on a GSD and the other a Springer x Pointer. They both cope with travelling very well. At present the 'Who knows' sleeps in a cage at night time (door open) and the Spaniel x sleeps in a dog bed. They travel in our car with a dog guard. We are thinking of changing our car and are considering buying a double cage for it which would double as a 'home' for them on camp. Is this what you do?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[LMH]

Hi Annie

It's good to hear the dogs are restrained when travelling. (I am in the emergency services and I could tell you some horror stores about unrestrained dogs travelling in cars which have been involved in an rtc).

I always use seatbelt harnesses rather than crates in cars. The only drawback is this allows the dogs to be able to reach each other and they can 'mess about' whilst travelling.

You probably know this but you can get specific models to fit your car. They are really good and very secure. As I already had two cages, I use them in the awning.

I'd go for whichever you prefer and will fit in with your budget. Just bear in mind some crates are very heavy to lift in and out of cars. Also bear in mind, if you have two crates fitted to your boot, that reduces the amount of storage space in your car.

Lisa x

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

We have 3 small dogs and they all sleep in the van. Our choice of sites is based on the dogs and if theres decent walks to take them. The dogs love it in the caravan and going away, all new walks with different smells. We haven't been to France with them in the summer so I'm not too sure how people keep the dogs cool but here we carry a fan and open the windows, hekilight etc. and also put the extractor fan on. We also pick up every one of our dogdumps, no matter where it is :O)

 

[Diane1]

Annie as i said before in the day the dogs live in the awning, but we also use a special ground spike with a long lead attatched to it as My Fox hound X GSD, likes to jump in and out of our pick up. The back has Tinted glass and stays cool. Max our 18month old Rottie is just fine as he goes under the van to cool down. At night i just throw two big throwovers over the seats and Hunter sleeps there, While max has his blankey (aw) on the floor-rotties don not like the heat.

Again as Lisa said some sites are funny on what dogs you have, but then its there problem, i would'nt want to go to a site that my dogs not welcome or a country for that matter.

I also keep a large stock off ice cubes in the fridge as the dogs love to chew/suck on these and they keep them cool. Maxie also loves frozen carrots while keeping him cool, they keep him quiet for hours. I have the largest crate they make but my dogs don,t fit!!!!

 

[annierich]

Hi Lisa

Your comments about dog harnesses were interesting. Our 'Who knows' can get out of one in 2 seconds flat -Houdini would be proud of her! - so we will be sticking to dog guards and cages!

I'm so impressed by everyones' friendly helpful answers - are all caravanners as friendly?

 

[LMH]

Hi Annie

Most people on here are A+ but we have had probs with trolls. LOL!

Spk soon.

Lisa

 

[Steve L]

We have two labradors. One is what I call standard size (white) and we also have a chocolate dog who is about 30% bigger.

A lot of people have said that they have seen smaller horses. He has a 24 inch neck (collar size).

They both sleep with us inour van ( 20ft twin axle) and go where we go. They thouroughly enjoy themselves and are perfect companions.

We use our awning as their day room and eatery. When in the van at night Teddy the choc reverses under the double front bed for his sleeping spot and Misty sleeps in the kitchen area.

We use a Laguna estate purely for the dogs and as you can imagine it comes fur lined.

Most site cater fairly well for dogs in that there are walks near by, but not many go the whole hog and provide excercise area's our favourite our is Fforestfields at Builth.

 

[GillandMike]

Hi Annie

Welcome to the Forum. We have two large dogs (Golden Retrievers), which we don't allow in our (small) caravan. They both spend the day, when at the site, either in the awning or lounging outside. They are on their leads all the time and like Lord B. we tend to use campsites that are suitable for dogs and have dog walks. The Caravan Club sites dont't charge for dogs apart from the sites that are affiliated to the Club and they may charge. Some sites charge quite a lot and don't provide any facilities which makes me wonder what they are actually charging for! Our dogs are 9 and 10 years and we only started caravanning with them two years ago and they thoroughly enjoy it and have been no problem at all. So long as they are fed, watered, walked and cuddled they are very happy. They sleep at night in the back of the pickup which has tinted windows and is notably cooler on warm days. We were particuly glad that they don't come in the 'van as they picked up alot of ticks whilst on holiday in Devon this year. Fumigating the back of the pickup was easy.......!!!

Haven't been abroad yet so can't comment on that. I'm sure your dogs will settle very well and enjoy their new type of holidays

Gill

 

[Angela_5076436]

We had a dalmatian - and he loved stretching out in his latter years.

He chose where his bed was to be - and we lost the shower to him.

One snag we did have - if it was cool at night he would wet his bed - once we sussed the problem - we dealt with it - a fan heater , pointing towards him, on at a very low setting - controlled by the thermostat - that kept him warm enough.

Originally for travel he was in the back of the car - a Ford Galaxy but as he got older and his spine and shoulders were worrying him more we took out the middle row of seats and he had that enormous space for his bed.

Make sure your dogs get enough breaks from the car - we found that 3 hours was as long as Leo could go without a break - and in fact we rarely did more than a 6 hour day in total - particularly in France.