Our dog on holiday

[RegandPat]

My wife and I booked up for one week on the south coast, we were both looking forward to the weeks break.
We arrived last Saturday and parked the van and put up the awning, in the afternoon we walked down to the beach to give our dog a look at the sea, he loves paddling.
Our dog is a rescue dog and we have only had him for about four months, most of his life has been in kennels but he is fairly good behaved but dose bark at lorry's, tractors and motor bikes and the odd jet plane.
Not a sound if he sees a car, van, bike or other dogs, walks nicely on the lead and always sleeps through the night.
Now the problem was we seem to be on a flight path for jets so Harley did bark at them but we did our best to stop him and we kept him in the van and awning with us.
The good thing there was no planes at night.
After one day the man across the road in his van kept shouting at Harley, this upset my wife.
The next day we got to talking to a lady on the site and she said she would like to worn us that the man across the road his wife is going round other vans and telling them she is going to do something about our dog.
On Tuesday we took Harley and visited the Mores for the day to keep away from the site but my wife was getting more agitated as the day went on.
At 6pm my wife was in tears and said she just wonted to go home.
We arrived home at 9.30 that evening.
It has turned me of caravanning and at the moment I am considering selling up.
We even contemplated taking Harley back to the kennels.
Thanks for listening
Reg Pat and Harley

 

[ValA.]

Reg and Pat - I hope you've had time to think more about this now, and that you've decided both to carry on caravanning, and to keep Harley. He sounds a lovely dog. However, dogs barking on campsites can upset people - even other dog owners - but it should be 'curable'. You can ask your vet to refer you to a 'dog behaviour therapist' who, probably in just one session, can teach you how to deal with Harley's barking at things he shouldn't - and how to prevent him barking when a plane goes over, or a lorry or motorbike passes by.
Friends who had a dog with a similar problem have now one of the loveliest and most well-behaved dogs you could get - and it didn't cost them a fortune at all.

 

[RickStevens]

To be honest I wouldnt let one person get you into that frame of mind. Did they speak to you personally about Harley, or just moan to everyone else?

Our dog was a rescue dog, we had her 13 years before she passed away 18 months ago, and we found for the first year or so, she was still really settling down. Our dog Benny used to hate my wife and I having a cuddle or any close contact for quite a while, we suspect that she maybe came for a home where there was some domestic violence, but after a while she settled down.

I wonder if Harley is barking at things he isnt familiar with, if thats the case, then I would think that once he does get used to lorries planes etc, he will stop barking at them.

I dont know what sort of sites you like visiting, but its maybe worth looking for sites away from busy roads and flight paths until he settles down.

As for the person who has made the threats, I wouldnt worry about it, or let it put you off caravanning, if they havent got the nerve to talk to you about it, then I doubt they would actually do anything. I do sympathise, as a dog will bark when it wants to, and you have very little say in the matter.

On the other side of the arguement, if I was on a site where a dog nearby was barking all day, I can see how that could intrude on your holiday, I would probably have had a friendly chat with the owners and not gone round other vans and complained to anyone who would listen. If all else failed, I would probably have asked to be moved to a different pitch.

I now await a severe flaming from the dog haters

 

[Parksy]

I no longer own a dog but the attitude of some caravanners really makes me wonder sometimes!
We're all in some form of glorified tin box on wheels in the middle of a field no matter how some people try to dress it up.
If the types who continually moan about things like dogs or kids are so worried or upset by it then why don't they just book into a quiet hotel somewhere and leave the rest of us to enjoy camping which is essentially what we are doing.
It's a fact that dogs bark, kids make a noise sometimes etc so don't be put off by the sort of person who tries to start a whispering campaign behind your back, sooner or later the dog will settle down. He's hardly had chance to get to know you yet so relax and don't do anything drastic because of the nastiness or stupidity of others.

 

[mullsy1]

I'm sure Harley will calm down and will learn to stop barking when you tell him to.Early days in the owner/dog relationship.Try not to take it to heart

 

[kopite]

Dont even think about giving up reg and pat.we have a pup who barks now and then(shock horror)he`s a dog we also have two young children who shout sometimes(gasp).This busybody has nothing better to do i could understand it if it was constant but now and then they need a life let them moan while you enjoy your break.we`re off to ferry meadows this weekend and i bet baylee barks once or twice but i wont lose any sleep.hope to see you on site soon.wayne

 

[Gagakev]

Dear Mummy and Daddy,
First of all I would like to thank you for taking me into your loving home, I always enjoy the walks, cuddles, and holidays you take me on. I did'nt realise I was not allowed to bark at the really loud noises and hope you can train me in time to accept all these things that life will throw at us, but please be assured I will do my best for you if we work on it together.
I do wish the man across the way came to speak with us (then I could have bitten his ankle, SORRY didnt mean it Daddy). Then you could have explained that you took me in as a rescue and we were just getting use to each others way's.
Please dont think about selling the caravan, I want to carry on enjoying ourselves and spending quality time together. Please dont even mention the K-nn-l word again, I am so proud you chose me and promise it WILL get better, love you both XXXX
With Love From
Harley

 

[kopite]

shut up you tart gagakev i now have a lump in my throat

 

[Gagakev]

Sorry Kopit, dont tell anyone but I have just read it back to myself and the wife had to pass me the tissue box

 

[RickStevens]

could you pass me a tissue too please

 

[Mel]

Come on now Reg and Pat, get a grip. You are clearly responsible dog owners and did your best to minimise Harley's barking. Take Val's suggestion of suitable behaviour training and take your next couple of hols on some rural CLs until Harley learns the rules. You have little idea of what Harley suffered before he came to you and so you have to expect him to have "issues". Don't be put off by some idiot that didn't have the manners or guts to have a conversation with you directly, or even with the site wardens for that matter.
As I have posted on her before, I am a foster carer and know what it is like to take on children from tricky situations who have "issues" and whose behaviour on campsites might make your hair curl. (At least Harley doesn't know a range of words beginning with F). Don't give up. This world is made a better place by those of us prepared to put ourselves out to help a person (or creature) in a difficult situation.
You can do this.
mel

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Harley, Hope we can meet one day and have a play, by the way my name is Buddy.

 

[Gary-Yorks]

Pat & Reg,
Well done in taking a rescue dog on

Four months is only a relative short time for Harley to settle in with you and associate
what is expected of him,i,m sure if you need help with his fear/barking issue a good dog behaviourist would be able to help you.
Ok so Harley was barking but surely the bloke shouting at him becomes as much as a noise nuisance why did he need to try and stir up trouble when a word to the site owner would suffice

Don,t let this one bad experience put you off caravanning there is still plenty of sites no where near flight paths where you all
can have a good time together enjoy your caravanning and enjoy Harley!!

 

[hogrider56]

Try a CL site, 5 van jobby, and you will see the difference.

Moderators Edit:
I've removed an unfounded comment naming an organisation which is unsupported by any evidence.
Parksy (Moderator)

 

[Dustydog]

Reg and Pat don't you dare give up caravanning.

Harley is barking for a reason, probably because in his other life the things you mention scared him.
Dogs are extremely sensitive and unfortunately Harley will sense you and Pat getting stressed which exacerbates the whole cycle.
My dogs are now well behaved but believe me it took over a year of hard work and patience to achieve a good level of obedience but with lots of fun.
Val A is spot on. I could give you loads of advice but I think a good dog behaviour expert wil help resolve this minor problem fairly quickly.
Strange as it may seem the harder you try to stop him barking the worse it will become!

Watch the dog whisperer and dog borstal and you will soon see 95% of the training is on the owner not the dog. It's all about psychology and understanding what makes the dog tick.
Without wishing to sound condecending, in the immortal words of David Cameron, Calm down

Enjoy Harley and your caravanning

 

[oldagetraveller1]

We've been here before! All it demonstrates is that dogs and camping don't really mix. It's difficult - if not impossible - for dog lovers to understand that, horror of horrors, not everyone likes dogs. It's not just the barking, it's the lack of hygiene etc. A dog needs unfettered space, not keeping on a lead, artificially quiet etc. Fine for those living on a farm, but totally unsuitable for campsites. We now have situations where dogs on sites can outnumber the campers themselves! Some campers take 2, 3 or even 4 dogs with them. Something needs to be done about it. But, one thing I do strongly agree with is that complaints should be made face to face - not as a whispering campaign. That way, all of us can understand the worries of the others. The problem is that dogs are such an emotive issue for the British. Just look at some of the responses. It seems that to say anything against dogs is the most heinous crime in the camping world! When I have spoken to dog owners about noise or their dogs peeing on my pitch, I have generally (but not always) been met with a torrent of abuse. Am I asking too much for a polite response to a polite complaint?? It's no wonder that long suffering non dog owners feel compelled to complain via the site manager. Let's have more tolerance, but also a greater acceptance of the rights of what I believe is now a minority group - the long suffering non dog owner. Finally, let me say that I really like well trained dogs (in fact, all animals), but not on campsites.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Long suffering non dog owners - what a laugh, next we'll have the long suffering children haters!

Reg and Pat asked for advice, IMO your input is not constructive to them oldagetraveller!

 

[Dustydog]

Long suffering non dog owners - what a laugh, next we'll have the long suffering children haters!

Reg and Pat asked for advice, IMO your input is not constructive to them oldagetraveller!

Well said Wendy.

Never mind Oldagetraveller I understand your position but like everything in life there are always those party goers at 2.00am followed by the howling brats at 6.00am and then the countryside **** crowing, the sheep bleating and screaming kids throughout the day that try and spoil things!.
I've just had two weeks in Cornwall and noticed a lot of kids over the bank holiday, remarkably well behaved and happy. Most people had a dog including the 79 year old gentleman and his wife next door. I never saw or heard a bad dog so I guess it's all down to the training and lots of patience. Reg and Pat can achieve this and thoroughly enjoy Harley.

 

[Parksy]

Long suffering non dog owners - what a laugh, next we'll have the long suffering children haters!

............

That comment made my day Wendy!

Of course not everyone likes dogs, my O/H has a dog phobia since being badly bitten when she was a child which means that she's really nervous around dogs and sometimes stays inside the caravan or car if not on site when really she should be outdoors enjoying the weather and the surroundings.
Irresponsible dog owners who allow their pets to roam freely and foul the campsite or worse still, pitches, deserve to be roundly condemned and should be asked to leave the campsite and I'm certain all responsible dog owners would agree.

Old Age traveller does make a valid point however that there are some dog owners who can't accept that other people don't particularly want to have to let Fido sniff and slobber around them and who don't like dogs who make a nuisance of themselves but the fact remains that camping and dogs have always been linked, it's one of the major attractions for most dog owners.

I'm certainly not a 'dog hater', I support Reg & Pat and hope that they continue to enjoy caravanning with their dog but to add some fuel for debate we've noticed one obvious trait which manifests itself every time that we go away in the caravan.

No matter how many signs are erected which state that dogs should be on leads there are always those who consider themselves exempt and some of these are outwardly 'responsible' dog owners who pick up after their fairly well behaved non noisy dogs.

In the past twelve years we've rarely if ever been troubled by really noisy dogs or the filthy so and so's who allow their dogs to foul campsites but practically every single time that we use the caravan no matter what site we use and even on rallies some dog owners invariably fail to heed the rules which clearly and unequivocally state that 'dogs must be kept on leads'.
I'm not talking about on the dog walk area, we never go there, but on the site or in other places where this rule applies.
Most people wouldn't particularly notice a dog off it's lead ambling along with it's owners, Im not particularly bothered but my O/H can start to panic, she breaks out in a sweat and has to get away as soon as she can.
I've tried really hard to convince her that dogs are normally friendly and inquisitive, we've reached the point where she's ok-ish with small dogs but anything bigger than a Westie causes her some degree of anxiety to the point where a GSD or Rottie, even on a lead, will cause her to make a sharp exit.
I really wish that dog owners would realise that when rules state that dogs must be on leads this applies to all dogs, it would save me having to chase after my O/H to reassure her and unlock the car or the caravan for her to seek sanctuary

To return to the main topic,
Nobody enjoys being next door to a very noisy dog but where is the line to be drawn?
What about tractors,cows, sheep, even the birds singing? If noise and some form of intrusion or impact from fellow campers or their children / dogs is such a major issue then perhaps a nice quiet strictly regulated hotel or guest-house would be more suitable?
Reg and Pat obviously care that their dog's barking has impacted on others so hopefully they can enjoy teaching the dog not to do this with some professional advice, some good advice has already been given on this forum and I'm sure that they will be ok.

 

[Gagakev]

There are other alternative's, if I didnt want to hear children I would book an Adult only site, if i didnt want full on entertainment, I would book a smaller quieter site, and if I really didnt want to hear Dogs barking I would book.................................need I say anymore.

 

[Dustydog]

There are other alternative's, if I didnt want to hear children I would book an Adult only site, if i didnt want full on entertainment, I would book a smaller quieter site, and if I really didnt want to hear Dogs barking I would book.................................need I say anymore.

What gets me Kev are those people who move to the country and complain about the **** crowing!
Let's hope Reg and Pat resolve their little problem swiftly and in a very relaxed fashion.
It's interesting to note that some pubs are dog friendly , even where food is being served whilst others emphatically deny a dog entry.
All sorts I guess.

Parksy
As far as your OH is concerned she clearly has a deep rooted phobia about dogs which can be easily remedied . I'd suggest straight away she tries to get close to a gun dog , like mine or Gagakev's. These dogs are soft mouthed, never *** and adore cuddles. Then maybe move onto other breeds.
Dogs can sense fear in a human and that can cause problems as the dog then begins to feel it is under threat. I read a book years ago , by dale Carnegie I think, that said face your phobias head on but in a controlled environment.
When do you want to borrow Pinky and Perky!

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Here is my input .
We go away in our van as a family our DOGS are our family. I understand some of the moaners on this topic but I feel all dogs on this topic are being tarred with same brush.
Each morning we are away our DOGS do no go out of the awning until we are ready to take them for a walk usually around two to three miles on arrival back at the site our Dogs are tied and not allowed to wander the site.If an an accident should occur dog pees or whatever we clear but this would be a rare occasion.(Wash down with Disinfectant) Now as was said the poor dog in question on this topic is still learning and its a shame somebody has to be upset over one person.
So Reg and Pat as you can see there are more people on here in support of you than against.
We did learn a little trick with one of our dogs and Im sure it was something seen on TV get a squirty bottle with a mix of water and lemon juice when poor old pooch barks give him or her a quick squirt to the moth and keep it up he or she will soon get the hang of it
So please dont give up your caravan or Harley as the moaners are in the minority
Sir Roger

 

[Parksy]

Parksy
As far as your OH is concerned she clearly has a deep rooted phobia about dogs which can be easily remedied . I'd suggest straight away she tries to get close to a gun dog , like mine or Gagakev's. These dogs are soft mouthed, never *** and adore cuddles. Then maybe move onto other breeds.
Dogs can sense fear in a human and that can cause problems as the dog then begins to feel it is under threat. I read a book years ago , by dale Carnegie I think, that said face your phobias head on but in a controlled environment.
When do you want to borrow Pinky and Perky!

I've tried all sorts Dustydog and compared to what she was like when we met 12 years ago Herself is a lot calmer around dogs than she was then.
I've managed to convince Herself that not every dog in the world is queuing up waiting to bite her and she actually met Gagakev's lovely Labrador pup Buddy at Stowford a few weeks ago. Herself didn't head for the hills or hide in the caravan and in fact she really liked Buddy and the friendly Border Collie pup from the caravan next door but one to us although she didn't rush over to stroke either of them.
I've always liked dogs myself and always had owned dogs since early childhood, poor mobility prevents me from having one now simply because my health issues would unfairly impact on a dog in terms of excersise etc.
Herself is very short in stature and one of her greates fears is that a (larger) dog would jump up and knock her over. Dogs do attempt to jump up from time to time which may be why she's not quite so bad with small breeds or pups when they are kept under control properly like Kev's Buddy.
All of my good work is rapidly undone when a (friendly) dog comes bounding across a site to greet us, I've no problem and allow the dog to sniff the back of my hand before stroking it but Herself takes off to hide. We visited a farm shop last weekend and there was a large friendly old dog which belonged to the farm and which casually ambled around but Herself wouldn't get out of the car even after I'd shown her how nice and friendly this dog was.
It's a gradual process but I'll get there in the end

 

[JonnyG]

I dont have a dog, and yes it could irratate me to hear dogs barking all of the time, or rather seemingly barking all of the time.
Now what i think you should have done was to *** it in the bud, you should have gone across to the moaners and introduced yourselfs and your dog.Explained the story in full, and its interesting how some moaners once they have heard the full story are far more friendly.
It would work with me,so it should work with most moaners........Good luck with your future caravanning.....

 

[RegandPat]

Hi all, I would like to thank you all for help with Harley and his barking, we are going to seek help from the Blue Cross.
He mainly barks at jet panes that are way up in the sky, like the ones that leave a white streak in the sky, I can just about hear them my self.
So Pat and me have talked it over and we will defiantly keep Harley, we was just upset.
The caravan, well we have to carry on as we have just brought a 4X4, well hopefully to morrow, not a new one but an old banger.
I would like to add we have never had a dog before just cats so we have no experience of training a dog, Pat many years ago was attacked by two dogs, she has scars on her arms and tummy but I talked her in to having Harley and she loves him.
I think it is we are both afraid we are doing something wrong and do not wont to upset other caravaner's.
I am amassed on the responds we have had and loves the letter from Harley, thanking you all again, Reg Pat and Harley