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 hi  all we are thinking about camping with our spaniel this year

 we have allways left him in a kennel but  we have decide to take him with us any advice and tips and any campsite you can  recommend  

 we are a family of 4 with 2 children 13 and 6 

thanks xx

We always take our Bailey, who's a black labrador, with us, he loves camping!

Advice would very much depend on what sort of dog he is, ie his temperament.  Is he sociable, would he bark at everyone that passes the tent?  The reason I ask this is that Bailey does tend to think everyone is there to come and see him, and does tend to bark as people go past.  So we have windbreaks up to divert his gase! 

I think the main thing to consider is courtesy to other people while making sure you and your dog have a good time too.  Obvious ones like cleaning up after your dog, preferably exercising him away from other tents, although we all know accidents happen.  Another obvious one, don't leave your dog in the tent on his own.  Sorry if this is teaching granny to suck eggs, but I'm just trying to think of the obvious basic stuff.

We find that if we give Bailey plenty of exercise during the day he just wants to settle down and sleep after tea, but be warned, if your dog is anything like ours, don't get out of your bed or he'll be in there like a flash!!

Hope you and your dog have a great time.

  I can't claim to know everything about camping with dogs as we have camped only twice with our eight month old cocker.  However gathering the advice from here and I would suggest you use the search facility on the subject.

  But musts are having one of those screw in the ground spikes, with I would suggest a couple of different length leads, we have a 3m one when we are somewhere quiet with plenty of space for her to walk hither thither... and a short one for when she needs to be kept on a short reign.

  Plenty of dog towels, preferably those micro material ones and all the usual kit, bowls, food, snacks, toys, poo bags, etc

  We have a cage (used at home as a bed and her own space but rarely close the door) which has been very handy camping.

  Either way, she has absolutely loved camping, those early morning walks for a wee when we first get up (saw the sun rise at May Day weekend, wow) last thing at night, and all those other walks when the kids want to take her and just being with us outside all day.......and of course all that bbq treats she gets!!!

  Happy doggy camping

  Best wishes Sam

I think that it may have been Jeepster that gave the excellent advise of making sure that your dog can reach his water when he is sitting outside the tent with you.   

We are taking Comet (our puppy) next week, and have a corkscrew device to keep him tethered,  and I will admit that although I would have water for him inside, I probably wouldn't have thought about having something within his reach when sitting outside.

We have just ( 2 weeks ago) taken our 10 month old springer jack russell for the first time. It was great, he loved it and settled into the relaxed camp life straight away, to our amazement!

He did whimper a bit when one of us, or especially if all the kids left the tent for showers etc.. but that improved as the days went on.

he was really good on his stake and lead, but we did try to get him used to it a bit at home first.

We would try to choose sites that actually have dog walking facilities, woods etc.. rather than having to find somewhere  else to take him.

The first couple of mornings he did wake early, but i took him out, then he settled down again for a couple of hours until the kids were moving about.

The next two sites we are going to, both have lakes / ponds, so will wait and see if he tries to go swimming or not!! lol

Be aware that not all campers like dogs as much as you do and act accordingly...Dog on a lead or tethered at all times on site unless on the dog walk..and I would say tethered within the bounds of your own pitch...And remember..some sites have a rule that the dog can not be left unattended in any unit..so check for that when booking..Last thing..of course stay within the rules..but relax and enjoy the fact that your dogs there with you...Im sure you and the dog will have a great time.Go Enjoy.......

Jelboy.

Quote: Originally posted by Librasam on 21/5/2009

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  We have a cage (used at home as a bed and her own space but rarely close the door) which has been very handy camping.

 

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We always take 3 cages! They have one each for car journeys, they just stay in the car, and one big one that they share if we need to shut them in the tent for any reason.

 

If we get great weather, you'll need to make sure they can get into some shade when they're tethered, as well as reach their water. We improvised a shade with a sheet from a charity shop and some canopy poles.

Quote: Originally posted by linny2008 on 21/5/2009

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Do you think those corkscrew things would work with toddlers?

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Reins, a padlock and a towbar is better. A smart toddler will learn to unscrew the the stake form the ground.<G>

Quote: Originally posted by linny2008 on 21/5/2009

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Do you think those corkscrew things would work with toddlers?

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