We are hoping to use our new van at half term in Feb and i want to take our dogs with us. Hubby thinks it might be best to go dog-less the first time as there will be lots to do and get used to.I am hoping to persuade him othrwise - after all we have 2 strapping teenagers to help him while i look after the dogs! Our dogs are not very obedient and would need to be staked down if in the awning in the day and i was just wondering how other people do this as we have a softex groundsheet and obvioulsy would not want to put holes in this.
Doggie questions
- Thread starter scottiemad
- Start date
Hi Scottiedottie
Welcome to the world of caravanning. I agree with you, you should take the dogs, you'll soon get into a routine.
I have two dogs. When we are putting the awning up, both dogs have their own crate and if it's not raining, they are put in their crates whilst we set up. It's really easy to forget the dogs for a few seconds, turn round and they're gone. You could put them on their stakes too whilst you are setting up (subject to weather conditions). If your dogs chew, make sure you use unchewable tethers and don't tether them too close to each other for their own safety.
We have a brand new softex ground sheet which we've never used. Personally, I wouldn't want to put a stake through it either. We don't bother with a ground sheet, maybe you could consider that or just leave an area of grass where you tether the dogs in the awning?
Just bear in mind, that grass is grass to dogs, even if its covered with a softex groundsheet the dogs will use their scenting/marking instinct. They can't diferentiate between ok on grass - not ok on softex.
p.s. Get some basic obedience training in before you go away - no excuse for untrained dogs I'm afraid. (No offence but that's my philosophy).
Lisa
Welcome to the world of caravanning. I agree with you, you should take the dogs, you'll soon get into a routine.
I have two dogs. When we are putting the awning up, both dogs have their own crate and if it's not raining, they are put in their crates whilst we set up. It's really easy to forget the dogs for a few seconds, turn round and they're gone. You could put them on their stakes too whilst you are setting up (subject to weather conditions). If your dogs chew, make sure you use unchewable tethers and don't tether them too close to each other for their own safety.
We have a brand new softex ground sheet which we've never used. Personally, I wouldn't want to put a stake through it either. We don't bother with a ground sheet, maybe you could consider that or just leave an area of grass where you tether the dogs in the awning?
Just bear in mind, that grass is grass to dogs, even if its covered with a softex groundsheet the dogs will use their scenting/marking instinct. They can't diferentiate between ok on grass - not ok on softex.
p.s. Get some basic obedience training in before you go away - no excuse for untrained dogs I'm afraid. (No offence but that's my philosophy).
Lisa
Hi, Some sites will not allow you to leave your dogs a lone, in vans or awnings, so it would be worth checking this before you go.
Just a thought.
Liz
Just a thought.
Liz
Sorry scottiedottie but as a dog lover I agree with Lisa about the training. If you cant control dogs dont have them.
Colin.
Colin.
sorry just read my post and it looks a lot more rude and aggressive than it was meant to be. I meant almost all dogs can be trained and if they cant they probably should not be kept as pets.
Colin.
Colin.
Hi Colin
A bit of basic training does go a long way. I'm sure yours arn't all that bad scottie.
A couple of years ago, we had the misfortune to pitch next to some people with a gsd which they initially refused to put on a lead when they took it out. It came in our awning twice and the third time, I only just managed to grab my older dog. If she had got hold of it, she'd have done it some serious damage I'm sure.
I did speak to the owners after the first two episodes but I was so bloomin angry after the third time it came in the awning and what could have happened, I got hold of it by the scruff (as it wasn't wearing a collar) and marched it back to the owners. I advised them that it had just had the mother of all lucky escapes. (Smiley icon thingy).
They then put a collar on it and walked it on a lead after that.
Not aimed at you Scottie, just commenting on something that happened to me.
What sort of dogs do you have? Scotties by any chance? LOL!
Lisa
A bit of basic training does go a long way. I'm sure yours arn't all that bad scottie.
A couple of years ago, we had the misfortune to pitch next to some people with a gsd which they initially refused to put on a lead when they took it out. It came in our awning twice and the third time, I only just managed to grab my older dog. If she had got hold of it, she'd have done it some serious damage I'm sure.
I did speak to the owners after the first two episodes but I was so bloomin angry after the third time it came in the awning and what could have happened, I got hold of it by the scruff (as it wasn't wearing a collar) and marched it back to the owners. I advised them that it had just had the mother of all lucky escapes. (Smiley icon thingy).
They then put a collar on it and walked it on a lead after that.
Not aimed at you Scottie, just commenting on something that happened to me.
What sort of dogs do you have? Scotties by any chance? LOL!
Lisa
Hi lisa that post didnt sound much better did it its easy to see why people fall out on forums when its hard to convey feelings. By the way my wife has a special dognap bag ready for gaylord she loves him.
Colin
Colin
Hi Colin
I'm sure Scottiedottie will understand no harm was meant.
This is what I take Gaylord out in, I don't have any pics of him in it at the mo. Every dog should have one
I'm sure Scottiedottie will understand no harm was meant.
This is what I take Gaylord out in, I don't have any pics of him in it at the mo. Every dog should have one
Sheesh, no wonder Staffies have got bow legs :O)Hi Colin
I'm sure Scottiedottie will understand no harm was meant.
This is what I take Gaylord out in, I don't have any pics of him in it at the mo. Every dog should have one
LMH
Does that basket come with weight training lessons, only I will need them if I am going to put Toby our Black Lab in one.
I would not want him to miss out on something every dog should have
;-)
Does that basket come with weight training lessons, only I will need them if I am going to put Toby our Black Lab in one.
I would not want him to miss out on something every dog should have
;-)
Jeremy
You might be better with one of these then, you can push him and if you have to go up any hills etc and get tired, you can sit down and have a rest.
Try having a Staffordshire Bull Terrier sit on your shoulder (like a parrot) at every opportunity like mine does, I'll be going off sick soon if he doesn't stop it!! LOL!!
Lisa
You might be better with one of these then, you can push him and if you have to go up any hills etc and get tired, you can sit down and have a rest.
Try having a Staffordshire Bull Terrier sit on your shoulder (like a parrot) at every opportunity like mine does, I'll be going off sick soon if he doesn't stop it!! LOL!!
Lisa
Toby does actually believe he is a lapdog quite often - much to everyone elses amusement - as it usually my lap he wants to sit on.
Hi Scottie
I've got 2 labs who are 8 & 9 years old and had never been away with us till last year. Whilst they are very well behaved it still took a few outings for them to settle down in an unfamilar environment , and for us to get used to where their place in the van was to be. We went away locally for a couple of long weekends at first.
When we are setting up I tend to do the caravan and the wife takes the dogs for a walk , well worth considering as the dogs will need to stretch their legs after a car journey.
Fianlly whilst mine are OK to leave untethered in the awning , if we open up a panel say in the summer I then use one of those screw type anshors and clip a long training lead to it. Whilst I know the dogs wont go hurtling off , its more out of respect for other campers as not everyone likes dogs and seeing one un restrained gets some all hot and bothered!!!
As others have said invest in some training as well. Dogs are never too old to learn and it will help you and them relax in the long run.
I've got 2 labs who are 8 & 9 years old and had never been away with us till last year. Whilst they are very well behaved it still took a few outings for them to settle down in an unfamilar environment , and for us to get used to where their place in the van was to be. We went away locally for a couple of long weekends at first.
When we are setting up I tend to do the caravan and the wife takes the dogs for a walk , well worth considering as the dogs will need to stretch their legs after a car journey.
Fianlly whilst mine are OK to leave untethered in the awning , if we open up a panel say in the summer I then use one of those screw type anshors and clip a long training lead to it. Whilst I know the dogs wont go hurtling off , its more out of respect for other campers as not everyone likes dogs and seeing one un restrained gets some all hot and bothered!!!
As others have said invest in some training as well. Dogs are never too old to learn and it will help you and them relax in the long run.
Hi
We have a doggie bag, big enough for both our dogs, fold up to small rucksack size. A absolute must for all dog owners, they even sleep inside the bag, inside the van..
We have a doggie bag, big enough for both our dogs, fold up to small rucksack size. A absolute must for all dog owners, they even sleep inside the bag, inside the van..
Hi I'm sure you have had more than enough replies already but here goes! We have an Italian Spinone who comes away in the caravan (well actually the awning) with us. We always keep him tethered either using the screw in type and long lead, or by putting long lead round one of the caravan legs or by making use of a nearby tree (dependent upon where we are staying and their rules and regulations). Luckily although a big dog he is not a dog who barks a lot and I think this helps appease the neighbours when this huge scruffy hound arrives next door. Until recently he slept in the awning in a cage (as he does at home although at home the door would not need to be shut), we have now bought a canvas cage for him, looks a bit like a folding travel cot only with a on and doors for him to get in and out. It is great because it is SO much lighter than his cage was (big dog - big cage!), obviously to consider this option the dog would need to be over the chewing phase. We find it brilliant. I would recommend trying it out at home first and always keeping a dog tethered. We have had dogs for years and they are well trained but at the end of the day dogs are dogs and I don't think you can be 100% sure that they won't run off or take a disliking to another dog or something. It is just not worth the risk. Hope this helps
Before we got the caravan we went on narrowboat holidays (if you have not tried one do, they are brilliant) the first time we hired one we were not going to take our dog, as he was young and the boating lark was all new to us , we sorted out someone to take care of him, just before we went he hurt his leg and the person looking after him was not happy looking after a injured dog, so we had to take him with us, by the time of the boating trip he was fully well and he made that holiday , he is part of the family and we had so much fun with him on and off the boat , so I say take the plunge and always take the pets, they are family after all, and you would not leave the children behind, well maybe some would if they could !
Hi Scottiedottie.
Yes take your dog/s on your first outing, the quicker they get used to caravanning the better. We did not take ours on our first trip and regret it.
Both our collies love the caravan and took to it like ducks to water. We only have to mention the word caravan and they are ready to go!
Our two stay in the car untill we are set up, then settle down very well. We have not had any problem with them 'marking' on our breathable ground sheet. BUT did have a neighbouring caravanners dog, who was allowed to wander free pee on it, much to my anger, When I pointed out why we were having to wash the ground sheet, they could not have been less bothered. It's these dog owners that give the rest of us a bad name
Hamsih C
Yes take your dog/s on your first outing, the quicker they get used to caravanning the better. We did not take ours on our first trip and regret it.
Both our collies love the caravan and took to it like ducks to water. We only have to mention the word caravan and they are ready to go!
Our two stay in the car untill we are set up, then settle down very well. We have not had any problem with them 'marking' on our breathable ground sheet. BUT did have a neighbouring caravanners dog, who was allowed to wander free pee on it, much to my anger, When I pointed out why we were having to wash the ground sheet, they could not have been less bothered. It's these dog owners that give the rest of us a bad name
Hamsih C
Hi all,
If our dog could not go then neither would we! she is a two and a half year old Siberian Husky, we have a dog bag sold by a roofbox company which folds into a rucksack and weighs very little, it stays in the car and she travels everywhere in it nice and safely. When we arrive we leave her in the car until we are set up, if we put the awning up I use a wire tether fastened around the caravan chassis and she will not scent or toilet within the tethered area, we have not trained her to do this she just wont go in her own area. At night we sleep in the fixed bed at the back and she sleeps on a throw over at the front. Caravanning would not be the same without her as everybody on rallies knows her and not us!
spj.
If our dog could not go then neither would we! she is a two and a half year old Siberian Husky, we have a dog bag sold by a roofbox company which folds into a rucksack and weighs very little, it stays in the car and she travels everywhere in it nice and safely. When we arrive we leave her in the car until we are set up, if we put the awning up I use a wire tether fastened around the caravan chassis and she will not scent or toilet within the tethered area, we have not trained her to do this she just wont go in her own area. At night we sleep in the fixed bed at the back and she sleeps on a throw over at the front. Caravanning would not be the same without her as everybody on rallies knows her and not us!
spj.
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