Dog / Puppy and caravanning - advice please.

[TheTravelMan]

Hi there,

I am looking for some advice about dogs / puppy and caravanning with them.

We have the chance of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy, if we decide to have one it will be ready early May.

We are a family of 4.

We are given this lots of thought at the moment, looking at all the pro's and con's. Currently we do not have a dog at all, so other than me having dogs as a child growing up, this would be a new experience for my wife, children and me.

How do you manage, what do you do, what happens if away on holiday and you decide you'd like a day at a zoo or theme park?

Is it sensible to go away caravanning with a new puppy, as we are booked to go away towards the end of May.

Does anyone leave their dog in the caravan to go shopping etc and if so for how long a time??

I would just like to get my head round these sort of things and the comprimises before we commit ourselves.

Looking forward to hearing your advice and caravanning stories with dogs / puppy.

Many Thanks

Andrew.

 

[Heethers]

Andrew we have two Yorkies, wouldn't dream of leaving them in the van, don't let that put you off dogs can bring so much more when you are away with them.

One of the reason we went back caravaning was so we did not have to leave them if we went away.

Think very carefully before you take the decision, dogs can get stressed left alone in the van so much that they could annoy your neighbours by barking due to being upset.

NGH

 

[James_374408700]

Hi Andrew,

We have been caravanning for many years now and have two Boxer dogs. Yes,you will have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. We have always toured round the country, so the dogs are quite at home in the car and travel really well. If the weather is warm, you can't really leave them in the car if you wanted to visit a Zoo or some other place where dogs are not allowed, the car heats up so quickly they can easily die.

We do leave them in the caravan alone, but for only short lengths of time, if we are not going far, but of course only when they have passed puppyhood!!!!! You don't want to come back to caravan and find things all chewed up - believe me we found out the hard way!!!!

The answer is to know when it will be OK. First they have to be comfortable being left alone, no barking or whining. We normally leave the radio on or some noise distraction and pull the blinds down. If we are going out for a meal we normally take the dogs with us and just leave them in the car outside cos then you can just pop out and make sure they are OK.

They are a tie at times, but the joy they bring, for us anyway is enormous. We do lots of walking and meet all sorts of different people.

One thing I will say is from the minute you get your puppy keep taking it out in the car so it is used to being there. Make sure you don't feed the puppy before travelling - another tip learnt the hard way!!! Also you will probably need plenty of the puppy training pads in the first instance.

We love caravanning with our dogs, but you will have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly.Hope this helps and we feel our lives are richer for having them.

Celia

 

[David_374384526]

"A dog is for life not just for christmas"

We caravan with two dogs and regularly go away for weekends, we never leave the dogs in either the caravan or car. We take the attitude if the dogs are not welcome, we are not welcome this has stood us well for over 20 years. You will also be amazed how many people will welcome well behaved dogs, even pubs if you ask correctly.

Both myself and my wife work full time so the dogs are left at home during the week so when we are away it is dog time, they know if we are in the caravan they go where we go! but before we do anything we always consider the dogs first.

 

[Nellie2]

Hi Andrew,

We had our labrador pup on the Tuesday and took her away in the motorhome on the Friday,She was 8 weeks old.We did have to cover the floor with newspaper,to catch the little accidents.After a few months we decided that the motorhome was getting too small for us and a lively growing labrador,so we changed over to a caravan.

We bought her a lightweight colapsable cage,with the intention of putting her in it at night.But that didn,t last long,our now 5 and a half stone pup sleeps on the bed with us(spoilt).We do still use the cage if she needs time out,or if we go for a pub meal etc,otherwise we keep her with us all the time.Hope this is of any help.

Nellie

 

[trucker]

Hi Andrew, we go caravanning with the dog, it goes wityh us all over the uk and europe.

As has been said you may have to adapt your lifestyle a bit, but so many places accept dogs now. You have to think about the kids as well if they like to do lots like swimming (pools) Zoos theam parks then it will be difficult to fit in the life style, however if you plan things you could have a day or 2 out and about without the dog and put it in day kennels.

We went to a caravan site which had kennels we paid

 

[LMH]

Hi Andrew

Caravanning with dogs can be a mixture. Some dogs will quite happily go vanning (make no crying noises and barking), some will not. It all depends on the individual dog and how the owner deals with things.

The youngest dog I've ever taken caravanning was a four month old.

You need to remember a few things. A pup will toilet anywhere, however, if you remember the basic rules:

When it wakes up, take it outside immediately

When it's been fed/watered, take it outside immediately

When it's been playing in the van or awning, take it outside every 20 mins

when you have visitors (pup gets excited) take it out (ten mins after visitors arrive and pup has been admired and petted)

Praise and reward is key. Each time it goes to the toilet outside, praise and reward (food normally helps). Personally, I wouldn't bother with puppy pads, if you keep taking it outside frequently, that should suffice.

I am an advocate of crates (with covers), a crate is a den and dogs love them. Introduce them gradually, feed in the den. A dog (particulary a pup) should feel safe in a crate. Buy one for your home and take it with you for use in the awning.

Provide toys (but always supervise the pup as bits can and will be chewed off and can become a choking risk).

You need to get this pup of yours socialised to all situations, until it has had its second vaccination, you can carry it in your arms. Needs to be socialised to pepople wearing glasses, hats, uniforms, noise of buses cars, planes, dogs, the wind, the rain etc, etc. There's nowt worse than a spooky dog.

When it has had its second vac, enrol in puppy training which is excellent for socilisation to other dogs and humans and also the trainers will help you should you have any issues. Training should be reward based.

Leaving a dog in the van is a bit of a no no really. As others have said, in the summer the van can get very hot and also all that foam etc is a haven for a chewer.

There are places which offer day kennel facilities, you could google that.

Always remember that a dog is a dog, not a child and treat it as such.

Speaking from a personal point of view, even as a dog lover, if I was pitched next to a van and the occupants had a dog which yapped or whined, I'd be pretty cheesed off.

It's never a good idea to leave a dog such as a CKCS in a car (whatever the weather conditions) because they are quite desireable to thieves. Also, it's not a good idea to leave your dog tied up outside a shop unattended for the same reason.

Re going shoppping etc, I'm afraid the only answer, in my opinion, is to leave a responsible adult in the car with the dog, or outside the shop with the dog.

So, the upshot is, in my humble opinion, it's feasible to go away with a young pup but you must know what you are doing and not annoy your neighbours. Also, everyone in your party needs to have their wits about them because pups (and older dogs) can sneak under the awning when you're not looking and go missing.

Good luck and please post some pics when you get the pup.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Hi Andrew

Caravanning with dogs can be a mixture. Some dogs will quite happily go vanning (make no crying noises and barking), some will not. It all depends on the individual dog and how the owner deals with things.

The youngest dog I've ever taken caravanning was a four month old.

You need to remember a few things. A pup will toilet anywhere, however, if you remember the basic rules:

When it wakes up, take it outside immediately

When it's been fed/watered, take it outside immediately

When it's been playing in the van or awning, take it outside every 20 mins

when you have visitors (pup gets excited) take it out (ten mins after visitors arrive and pup has been admired and petted)

Praise and reward is key. Each time it goes to the toilet outside, praise and reward (food normally helps). Personally, I wouldn't bother with puppy pads, if you keep taking it outside frequently, that should suffice.

I am an advocate of crates (with covers), a crate is a den and dogs love them. Introduce them gradually, feed in the den. A dog (particulary a pup) should feel safe in a crate. Buy one for your home and take it with you for use in the awning.

Provide toys (but always supervise the pup as bits can and will be chewed off and can become a choking risk).

You need to get this pup of yours socialised to all situations, until it has had its second vaccination, you can carry it in your arms. Needs to be socialised to pepople wearing glasses, hats, uniforms, noise of buses cars, planes, dogs, the wind, the rain etc, etc. There's nowt worse than a spooky dog.

When it has had its second vac, enrol in puppy training which is excellent for socilisation to other dogs and humans and also the trainers will help you should you have any issues. Training should be reward based.

Leaving a dog in the van is a bit of a no no really. As others have said, in the summer the van can get very hot and also all that foam etc is a haven for a chewer.

There are places which offer day kennel facilities, you could google that.

Always remember that a dog is a dog, not a child and treat it as such.

Speaking from a personal point of view, even as a dog lover, if I was pitched next to a van and the occupants had a dog which yapped or whined, I'd be pretty cheesed off.

It's never a good idea to leave a dog such as a CKCS in a car (whatever the weather conditions) because they are quite desireable to thieves. Also, it's not a good idea to leave your dog tied up outside a shop unattended for the same reason.

Re going shoppping etc, I'm afraid the only answer, in my opinion, is to leave a responsible adult in the car with the dog, or outside the shop with the dog.

So, the upshot is, in my humble opinion, it's feasible to go away with a young pup but you must know what you are doing and not annoy your neighbours. Also, everyone in your party needs to have their wits about them because pups (and older dogs) can sneak under the awning when you're not looking and go missing.

Good luck and please post some pics when you get the pup.

Lisa

Sorry, finally, get it chipped and put a tag on its collar with your mobile number and landline number.

Please ensure you buy from a reputable breeder (see the pups with the dam) and ensure it is clear from birth from any hereditory diseases.

Lisa

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

totally agree with lisa on all accounts. its not easy either.

but please make sure the puppy is kc registered, you see the mum of the pups, its best if there home reared not kennel reared and have been socialised. most of all please make sure this pup and its parents are both health tested and clear for that brain disease that we all seen on that programme if not please dont buy this pup.

good luck and keep us posted

jo

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Andrew.

Follow Lisa's sound advice.

We took our two Springer Spaniels away when they were 10 weeks old for two weeks in Cornwall.

We had a cardboard box for them to travel in. It got them used to us, to the car and the caravan.

They are babies so expect accidents but as Lisa says take them out regularly and encourage them, we use the phrase "be clean".

Also as babies they need lots of sleep. Your childrem must remember that.

Never ever leave the dog alone in the car or caravan at this stage, it may get too hot and the dog may bark. This is an excellent time for bonding, reassuring the puppy and helping it to adapt to its new family and its name!

We had the odd accident but as we regularly took the pups out of the caravan it wasn't too bad.

We were very careful to watch the chewing. That could cost you money if you are not didligent. Hence whilst I didn't use one I have to say Lisa's advice regarding a crate / kennel may well save you a lot of trouble.

Plenty of water, sleep , toilet traning you should be ok.

I don't know about the theme parks but maybe one of you will just have to stay back at the caravan with the pup? We did take our pups to the Caravan show at the Three Counties Ground and the attention they received was out of this world.

There you go then, I'd do it again.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

this might be of help www.cavalierhealth.org. its about the health test etc interesting reading.

 

[Dustydog]

this might be of help www.cavalierhealth.org. its about the health test etc interesting reading.

You're up early again! Can't you sleep??

Dustydog woof woof

 

[LMH]

Guess what happened to us on our first outing with the then four month old pup???

My daughter and I got the brand new eco ground sheet out (it was folded up in a square shape) and I asked her to keep an eye on the pup whilst I went to fill the aqua roll. When I came back, the eco sheet had been chewed through almost from top to bottom. We had massive holes in it. However, at least all the holes matched up when we laid it out. LOL!

That groundsheet was never used for the purpose it was intended and ended up quite happily providing a nice cushion base under the 12x12ft pool. LOL!!

Lisa

 

[hogrider56]

We caravan with 6 cavaliers, two of whom are pups from lastlitter, 5 month old now. Best bit of equipment you can get is a cage...largest one you that you can comfortably carry in the van. It makes life a lot easier. Also puppy training pads (from Wilko's), they look a bit like thinner baby nappies...put them on floor like a mat, and the pups soon know that they pee on them. We've been away with pups as young as 10 weeks old...they love it. As for leaving them alone, that depends upon the nature of the dog which you will get to know as they mature. If you would like advice or tips on Cavaliers, email me on hogrider56@hotmail.com

 

[tigger2]

Hi

We usually take our Golden away with us. She had her first caravan holiday when she was about 3/4months. What we did for the first couple of trips was just go somewhere local, for a weekend, to see how she would like it. That way if it was disaster we didn't have far to go home!

Anyway she loved it. She sleeps in the van.

We do find it a bit of a proplem if you want to visit theme parks etc. We have used day kennels, or as I don't like rollercosters I will stay behind with her and chill, while they go to be scared to death. lol

There is a website called dogfriendlybritian where you can find places that allow dogs.

We find we now do a lot more walking now we have a dog and tend to go where the walking is good.

Tigger

 

[Glenn_5132962]

We have a collapsable cage (argos) that our terrier travels in the car in. We also put her in there in the caravan if we need to go out for a meal etc where she can't come. Her bed fits in the cage & she's quite happy in there for the odd hour or 2. When we first did this I kept sneaking back to make sure she wasn't crying or barking. I wouldn't leave her in the van without the cage because I don't want her jumping on the seats or the bed or chewing anything.

 

[Toro]

We have a collapsable cage (argos) that our terrier travels in the car in. We also put her in there in the caravan if we need to go out for a meal etc where she can't come. Her bed fits in the cage & she's quite happy in there for the odd hour or 2. When we first did this I kept sneaking back to make sure she wasn't crying or barking. I wouldn't leave her in the van without the cage because I don't want her jumping on the seats or the bed or chewing anything.

we have had two dogs while we caravan and would never leave them in a caravan at all anything could happen when they are alone.

We had a van next to ours once they left their dogs alone for a few hours and he ripped the place to bits and howled all the time they were gone annoying everyone else and the park warden gave them a good telling off on how to care fo pets while caravanning

You have to treat your pet like one of the family and as they cannot be left alone neither can a dog so be careful when thinking about a pet in the first place as your life will change for as long as you have a pet

 

[baggy2508]

Hi.I agree wth Glenn.

We also have a collapsablecage which our terrier fits into along with his bed, sometimes he prefers to go into this rather than lounge on the settee.

Regards John B.

 

[Steve L]

We have a 4 year old chocolate Lab. He is full timing with us in our van and has done so for a year now.

He doesn't have a cage and often is quite happy to follow us around without a lead. You see, we allowed him to choose us as his partners and as such he is perfectly happy to tag along. He does go on a lead and behaves very well.

The caravan is home to him and he usually lies on the floor infront of the shower/loo door which is fine until he does that when your still inside there! Then try moving 40Kgs of snoring labrador.

We particularly liked the Eden project as a visitor center. It has dog friendly car ports to park your car under and they have a warden patrolling, so you can leave the dog in the car with the windows down under the shade of the shelter knowing he'll be fine. It is a great pitty that more attractions don't follow suit.

Longleat has a dog kennelling area prior to the lion enclosure which is free and again shaded.

We have occassionally left the dog in the car parked under a shady tree but we ALWAYS leave the sunroof open wide and the windows down. I have also fitted a 9 inch electric fan to circulate air and fitted shades to the windows. We also top that off with a heat reflective blanket over the rear (estate) window.

I realy don't care if someone wishes to steal the radio or open the glove box. They certainly get a shock when the dog starts barking in the back because he rocks the car violently and makes a right racket. All that concerns me is thta the dog is cool and has water etc.

Yes you do have to think about planning your holiday around fido, but it is amazing just how much you can do with a dog and it is much more fun. Our dog makes so many friends both young and old. He is a right people magnet and knows it.

We purposely have an older estate car so that we don't have to worry about his hairs in the mobile dog kennel as we call it.

As for food he is a cheap comodity, he uses a 17Kg bag of WAGG dried food every 3 wks at

 

[ERICA_374227614]

Hi we have 4 dogs at present, did have 5 last yr. We have no problems with ours during the day if its dry and not to cold out we put ours outside, tied up on dog screwers. If its raining etc. we all stay in the caravan, dogs and all. Each dog seems to have found its own place to lie down. If its a puppy then I,d keep my eye on it, maybe just leave it outside with you when your outside sitting down or just stood there, maybe to cold in May to leave a young pup outside. We also have a cage for travelling 2 dogs. and a harness strapped on to the seat belt for the other two, we have no problems with travelling. The dogs aren,t left alone in the caravan, they come everywhere with us. If the dogs cant go then we dont go either. just remember to clean up after the puppy on caravan club sites etc. and you wont have any trouble. Hope this helps you.

 

[botty]

hi we have a cav king charles they are the most adorable and loving dog you can wish for our jack is 2 year old now and we took him from 12 weeks old the best advise is to get a cage from day you have him its the best thing we got and he loves it travels in the car in it also sleeps in it at night get the pads for puppy training and always take him out after food and a drink and he should not take long to train we leave jack up to about 3 to 4 hours in the caravan in his cage he even sleeps in cage at night in van in between the 2 side seats leave blinds closed in the day and windows on breath and he never barks as we have asked people but he is a laid back dog like i say cavs are brill pets and good with children

ps when training put a cushion in bottom of cage dont leave a space for paper or dont feed it in the cage and he should not make a mess in the cage jack as never done

 

[TheTravelMan]

Thanks to all of you for your comments so far.

This is the main topic of discussion in our house at the mo, and probably will be for the next few weeks.

We are responsible people and want to provide a loving and caring home for our puppy, we realise that dogs require a lot of looking after and that they become part of the family, hence the reason for posting on here as it is good to hear other peoples experiences, advice and tips.

Its looking very likely that we will get a puppy, so I will keep you all posted.

Again, Many Thanks and keep your stories and experiences coming.

Andrew.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi andrew dont forget www.cavalierhealth.org you dont want big vets bills. good luck with your new pup when you get it.

jo