Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by Atherwitzend on 31/5/2008

---

Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 31/5/2008

---

Urine's sterile, and in a field it's most unlikely ever to reach sufficient concentration to smell, so I see no problem with it. Even where there is a designated area for dogs, unless it's very close by most dogs will wee before they get there anyway. Dogs can't distinguish between one bit of grass and another.

---

So by the same token, if one of my little ones is desperate and can't make it to the block I take it you would have no objections to them weeing near your tent? 

---

 

I wouldn't have a problem with it at all!

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 31/5/2008

---

Camping is about getting a bit closer to nature, I feel, so a bit of general compost around is part of that and I accept it as such. However I've never heard of anyone saying they're looking forwards to going camping in a dog toilet.

---

It would require every camper to have several dogs and be very remiss about clearing up after them before it got that bad. You've already accepted that there is no greater risk to health from dogs' "output" than from wildlife, so I really can't see what the problem is.

 

And there are plenty of sites where dogs aren't welcome, if you feel that strongly about it.

Quote: Originally posted by fatbloke28 on 30/5/2008

---

Quote: Originally posted by santamed on 29/5/2008

---

Only had a dog for about 3 months and have not been camping since we got him. Had a look at a site at the weekend and was surprised that it was an extra £2 for the dog. There were no facilities for dogs - not even a walk, no doggy playground, he is unlikely to use the showers or washrooms and no where to put his 'poo bags'. Am I the only one that thinks it is a bit of a cheek to be charging extra for dogs?

---

we stayed in that very large site on the turning to charmouth and they charged us £2 a night for a cat that never left the camper ,we didnt mention it as it wasnt a dog but it was spotted sunbathing in the window and we were "summoned" to the office
we paid up! it was a high season time and we couldnt get into the smaller charmouth sites

---

where do they draw the line? wonder what they'd do if you took a budgie?

If all dogs were well behaved and owners cleaned up their poo there would not be a problem.  However the evidence of a significant minority of people do not is left stinking on our streets every day this is a fact unfortunately.  Most dogs however are just a pleasure to be around.

There has to be a balance..... if I was a campsite owner I would provide good facilities for dogs as many campers are dog owners and are great with them but I would make a charge of about a £1.00 a night.  Facilities would include a decent dog walk, pooh bins... water bowls at the entrance and an area dedicated outside for a dog shower for the time the little darlings decide to roll.  There would be some sensible rules of expected behaviour around the campsite, ie no fouling, respect for other campers etc.  Would try and keep one area if poss dog free for people who may be terrified of dogs, (might be difficult).  One of my pipe dreams is to own a campsite and would love to run one with an attached kennel business so that could offer a dog sitting service for the day.

Would ask people with more then two dogs say in the party to phone and discuss because if there are a substantial number in one unit it maybe that they will need more space and ground rules so as not to impinge on the enjoyment of other campers. 

Finally if the dog proved unruly, ie excessive barking or if was agressive they would be asked politely to leave.  Badly behaved dogs just give the good owners a bad name.

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 30/5/2008

---

Urine is sterile when it leaves the body, and is quickly washed away by rain. Poo on the other hand is a different matter.

Went to a site last weekend that only charged 50p per dog and they had set aside a large part of a field, nicely fenced, for dog walking, They had mown a "path" around the edges so the owners could walk without wading through the long grass, but the dogs could run around and play.

---

Hi Badcaz, which campsite was this as it seems ideal for us?

Quote: Originally posted by tentpegjenny on 31/5/2008

---

If all dogs were well behaved and owners cleaned up their poo there would not be a problem.  However the evidence of a significant minority of people do not is left stinking on our streets every day this is a fact unfortunately.  Most dogs however are just a pleasure to be around.

 

And responsible dog owners are the most hacked off with that minority, because they bring us all into disrepute! 

There has to be a balance..... if I was a campsite owner I would provide good facilities for dogs as many campers are dog owners and are great with them but I would make a charge of about a £1.00 a night.  Facilities would include a decent dog walk, pooh bins... water bowls at the entrance and an area dedicated outside for a dog shower for the time the little darlings decide to roll.  There would be some sensible rules of expected behaviour around the campsite, ie no fouling, respect for other campers etc.  Would try and keep one area if poss dog free for people who may be terrified of dogs, (might be difficult).  One of my pipe dreams is to own a campsite and would love to run one with an attached kennel business so that could offer a dog sitting service for the day.

---

I've always wanted to do that. I think it would be a great boon, it would definitely be something that would attract me.

I briefly toyed with the idea of a boarding kennels and campsite on the same site, but then I realised that the noise of the dogs would be most unpleasant for the campers!

 

Quote: Originally posted by chez78 on 31/5/2008

---

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 30/5/2008

---

Urine is sterile when it leaves the body, and is quickly washed away by rain. Poo on the other hand is a different matter.

Went to a site last weekend that only charged 50p per dog and they had set aside a large part of a field, nicely fenced, for dog walking, They had mown a "path" around the edges so the owners could walk without wading through the long grass, but the dogs could run around and play.

---

Hi Badcaz, which campsite was this as it seems ideal for us?

---

Oooh, BadCaz - I like that!

It was Wolvey Caravan Park, near Hinckley.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Posted by Fran1000:

I wouldn't have used that field. For a start, how can you pick up after your dog in long grass, and if it's unmown and sets seed, there'll be he potential for getting seeds in ears, between pads etc all of which can lead to costly vet's bills (a grass seed cost my friend £250 a couple of years ago!).

Plus I have small dogs, and they don't like long grass to run in, and I can't see them if they do!

Your dogs could have stayed on the mown path if you preferred - they didn't have to go into the long grass and get lost.The unmown grass hadn't gone to seed, and my dog has long legs which he likes to stretch. He also likes to poo in long grass so I'm used to picking it up there - on a walk he always goes to the side of the path where the grass is longer.

Well, this one's caused a bit of friction hasn't it?  And quite rightly so. 

Each to their own, if you want a dog free site - there are plenty of them.  However, I have to put my five penny worth in here ...  I have four grown children and four dogs.  I have always tried to ensure none of them have caused a nuisance to others (dogs and children) however...  we have had more visits to restaurants, beaches, cinemas, parks etc. blighted by other peoples badly behaved children than other peoples dogs! 

What on earth is all this fuss about dogs for?  We have police dogs, assistance dogs, guide dogs, search dogs, protection dogs the list is endless - for goodness sake - live and let live.

I do not know what the UK figures are but in the US, there are 5 million unwanted dogs per year that end up in animal centres. Of them, 2 million are rehomed and 3 million are destroyed.

Knowing these figures, which greatly sadden me, it is nice to belong to a fraternity where so many of us have well loved dogs that are not only part of our family, but also come on holiday with us.

On a recent UKCS Meet, one of the first priorities after setting up the campsite, was to find the nearest dog friendly pub and then let everyone know where it was.

That is what I enjoy about UKCS, thoughtful folks online and on campsite.

Christina the question was whether a charge was reasonable. I think that some believed dogs shoudl be free whereas some of us thought that it was reasonable to charge a modest fee IF facilities were offered.  Most of us I think agreed to charge exhorbantly when they were not was not fair.

Forgive me but it depresses me when people site bad behaviour in another group as justification for poor behaviour in their own sector.  What I mean is there is no justification for the minority of dogs owners not clearing up or allowing their dogs to bark and harress campers because there is also a minority of children whose parents let them run riot and do not control them. Two wrongs do not make a right.  Am sure that your dogs are wonderful most dogs I meet on a campsite are.. as are most children incidently.