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Topic: Is camping with family & a dog advised??

chambersclan

07/5/2013 at 7:57pm
Location: Waltham N E Lincs
Outfit: Outwell Vermont XLP

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Hi everyone - just after a bit of advise from Dog owners please...

We are a regular camping family (mum&dad plus 2 kids - 4&6yrs old) and love spending time cycling & walking when we go camping as well as having days out to places like local castles and other attractions. The children also love going to the local cinema and swimming pool so we don't spend all our time at the tent.
My question is that when you go out for days out/a few hours out to cinema etc, what do you do with your dog when you're camping in a tent? I know that dogs are obviously not allowed to the cinema or swimming pool but we would obviously hope to go on days out altogether.

We have the opportunity to re-home a dog (we have had dogs previously) but with our new camping lifestyle, we just wanted to know how other people manage to take their dogs with them yet still enjoy some days out?
We witnessed a dog locked in a caravan last year while the owners were out and all I can tell you is that the caravan was rocking a lot and the poor dog was barking the whole time!
We are by no means expecting to leave her day in day out but there are obviously activities we would like to do that aren't dog friendly.

Thanks in advance for your advice

dk168

07/5/2013 at 8:12pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
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I camp on my own with the dog, and take him everywhere with me, and plan for activities that we can do together as much as possible, like walking and cycling.

I take sufficient provisions with me for the trip, so that I don't have to go shopping once I am at the camp site, as I do not wish to leave him in the car while I go shopping.

He is left zipped up inside the tent on his own when I go to the facilities block. Otherwise he is with me all the time.

DK

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adsheadv

07/5/2013 at 8:18pm
Location: Manchester
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If there's something where dogs can't be included we mainly take turns to do things with the children whilst the other spends time with the dogs. It can be restrictive sometimes but we all (kids included) love having them with us so it's well worth any adjustments we have to make. We'd never go out & leave them alone.

There was one year where we booked them into local kennels on a 'day care' basis from for 2 days so we could do a safari park & a theme park. We were careful where we booked & were lucky enough to find a lovely place where the owner trains & works his own Cockers. It was a little embarrassing seeing ours next to his though - they looked like hooligans compared to his perfectly behaved dogs

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Milady B

07/5/2013 at 8:20pm
Location: None Entered
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Hi Chambersclan,

The vast majority of sites don't allow you to leave your dog unattended in your tent or caravan - certainly not for more than a quick loo or shower trip. A bored or stressed dog is also quite likely to make a bid for freedom, and won't care if that means chewing their way out of a tent!

The best advice I can give you is find a reputable dog-sitting service (some, like Glastonbury Dog Walkers will even stay with your dog on the campsite!), or kennels nearby if you want to do something without your dog. Otherwise, you'll just have to take it in turns for someone to look after the dog or do something 'dog-friendly'.

This site has a 'Doggy Day Care' and 'Dog Walkers' page, but your chosen campsite may be able to recommend a company other campers have used. The Good Dog Guide

There are lots of places you can have a great day out AND take your dog while you're camping:
Dog Friendly Britain
Dog Friend English Heritage Properties

MBx

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Campernic

07/5/2013 at 9:10pm
Location: Northern Ireland
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Having a dog is very tying if you want to go to family activities and attractions with your children. Your options are a)kennel the dog at home for the whole of your holiday b)kennel the dog temporarily while you're away on holiday c)take turns to be the adult to stay behind with the dog.

I love my dogs, but if my kids were younger like yours are I would tend to put them first, and kennel the dogs either for a day or for the whole holiday. Or there's option d) don't get the dog.

TraceyD

07/5/2013 at 9:55pm
Location: East Ull
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As DK says above you just need to plan ahead. Having Bailey with us has never stopped us having lovely days out. We find dog friendly beaches, visitor attractions, even pubs/restaurants.

Our holiday is as much Bailey's as our's, he's one of the family and he loves camping

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dragon5551

08/5/2013 at 7:55am
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Assuming its your family and your dog then go for it but like others have said planning is the key.
But having said that if its not your family or dog then planning is equally important as is duct tape handcuffs etc.

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jelboy53

08/5/2013 at 8:39am
Location: Cumbernauld Scotland
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Big adjustments to be made I think chambersclan if you are considering re homing a dog and taking it with you especially with the holiday lifestyle you have described..

But there are ways and means round that...as has already been mentioned above...Check ahead if going to the beach etc...As some ban dogs from beaches in the summer...Also consider the temperament of the new dog before you take him/her camping...Fine and dandy if its a well adjusted laid back pooch...Not so nice if it has "Issues" like barking etc...as it can stress you out keeping it qiet etc on site...

Time for careful consideration...of a lot of factors before taking a 2Strange dog with you....

Jelboy.

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lidds0

08/5/2013 at 10:25am
Location: Yorkshire
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Our dog goes camping with us, as she's one of the family, but it does mean we need to think about what we can and can't do. We take her abroad with us and even a visit to the supermarket has to be thought about, as someone has to stay outside with the dog and we have to always find - or make - some shade for her.

You say there are activities you would like to do that aren't dog-friendly. Then you'll need to look at where you can leave her and with whom, while you do those things, and if it's going to be workable. If not, it's probably best to see if anyone at home might volunteer to have the dog stay over while you go on your hols.

SummerSky

08/5/2013 at 11:09pm
Location: Central Scotland
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I have 4 kids and a dog and yes, it can be a bit restrictive having the dog with us camping but you do get used to working around it. Like others have said, we just have to plan dog-friendly outings and if there's something we really want to do without the dog, one of us has to stay with the dog while the others go.
I enjoy having the dog with us - it's a great excuse for a lovely walk first thing in the morning/ last thing at night around the campsite

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zivadog

08/5/2013 at 11:43pm
Location: warrington
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it just takes a bit more planning and walks in the country and trips to the beach with the dog may well save you money as u can't spend the day inside somewhere that is a tourist moneypit.you spend a lot more time in the fresh air

Obzi

10/5/2013 at 9:47am
Location: Middlesbrough UK.
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You'll probably find camping a lot easier if you take the Dog and leave the family at home.

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Obzi

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