Traveling with dogs

paul&stella · 25-07-2008, 11:08 AM

I've not found anything yet relating to this subject, but my apologies if it has already been covered.
What I want to know is; how do you experienced MV owners get on with traveling with your dogs and staying on sites? We have 2 largish dogs which my husband is convinced will love MV life, I'm not so sure and have visions of anti-dog people complaining if they bark in the night (which certainly can be annoying) I also am not sure if my collie would be allowed to run on a site, being the nature of a collie he needs several miles run every day, even if its just round in circles chasing his ball, and I can see us having to pack up every morning just to drive to a vacant field to find a run for him!
Any experiences and advice would be most appreciated.

American Dream · 25-07-2008, 11:12 AM

I must admit that most of the sites we've stayed on are very rural with adjacent public footpaths and fields.

We've seen lots of dog owners walking their dogs and my kids love them.

A lot of owners are on this site with valuable information for you.

Try John (Roadrunner).He's got a couple of SMALL dogs

They're great........GREAT DANES that is.

Also Jim as well.

madbluemad · 25-07-2008, 11:23 AM

Hi

We have one small Westie and she goes everywhere with us. All of the sites that we have been on insist that dogs are kept on a short lead at all times and so yes you will have to find somwhere else to excersise your dogs.

A few weeks ago we stopped on a site in Yorkshire. A young family parked next to us and they had two large dogs that needed a lot of excersise, they didnt get it and barked all day and all night.

The only way they could stop the dogs from barking was to put them in a cage, the cage was locked with chain and then blankets put over the cage so that they couldnt see anything. This to me was cruel.

In general most people are very tolerant of dogs and everywhere we go there are a lot of them. Its the same old thing. Act in a responsible manner.

Jim

gypsyrose · 25-07-2008, 11:54 AM

Whereas I agree with Jim (above post)...we have 3 yorkies and they travel everywhere with us....2 are quiet but the 3rd is not! He is young yet though and we are training him to not make too much of a noise (use small pop bottle filled with little stones...ie it makes more noise than he does so he shuts up!!)

The other thing we do is use a similar bottle filled with water and squirt him or just threaten to!!) . He never barks at night without good reason. What I am trying to say is that you can normally quieten the dogs down!!
As for exercise, I head out of the site and if I see a dog owner, I ask where the best walks are....
Soooo many of us have dogs and most create no problem....they also get to enjoy it.....

Parcverger · 25-07-2008, 01:20 PM

You may find Enjoy life with your dog (this covers mainly the UK but also the continent) to be helpful. We accept dogs, but require them to be on leads when on site, though there is a superb dog walk close by.

The French see animals differently to the Brits, so there is much acceptance of dogs here.

Bob

Wildman · 25-07-2008, 01:31 PM

We motorhome with two medium size dogs but don't use sites, we wild camp. I personally would not like a dog barking near me if I was on a site, as we go for the peace and quiet, it is also important that as responsible dog owners we pick up the mess they leave behind. Ours love travelling and have their own safety harnesses which are always worn when on the move, a flying dog can cause a lot of damage, to itself and others so make sure they stay belted up. Otherwise enjoy, the dogs will.

Road Runner · 25-07-2008, 02:19 PM

Most campsites accept dogs (some wont) but be careful the more greedy ones will try and charge as much as £5 per night per dog (but do your homework and many are free)

I have caravanned with my dogs and Bruno my older one has been to virtually every European country we as Brits are allowed in and Amy has been through 3 countries now.

You need a pet passport to leave the UK with your pets and will take 6 to 8 month to get all the tests and vaccines done before they can travel.

They also need to be inspected by a vet on the Euro side 24 to 48 hour before your return to the UK for check over.

Driving you have to stop ever 4 hour or so to let your dog stretch his legs and other doggy things.

We gave up caravaning when we got the 2nd Great Dane as they literally were destroying the inside of the van moving around (furniture more fragile in caravan and euro stlyle motorhome) but again depend on your dogs and how good they are, mine are large 15 stone each.

Both travel superbly especially now they can sit up front with us and our Amy thinks she's in charge when arriving at sites (see picture

)

Remember on sites to keep your dog on a lead and try not to let them have accidents in public areas and always clean up after them and you'll be fine.

I find the biggest problem with the dogs is attending the shows as mine are so large and at shows vehicles tend to park nearer to each other some mine can be a handful with other dogs around.

Saying all of this if the dogs cant go we dont either.

madbluemad · 25-07-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Runner

Most campsites accept dogs (some wont) but be careful the more greedy ones will try and charge as much as £5 per night per dog (but do your homework and many are free)

I have caravanned with my dogs and Bruno my older one has been to virtually every European country we as Brits are allowed in and Amy has been through 3 countries now.

You need a pet passport to leave the UK with your pets and will take 6 to 8 month to get all the tests and vaccines done before they can travel.

They also need to be inspected by a vet on the Euro side 24 to 48 hour before your return to the UK for check over.

Driving you have to stop ever 4 hour or so to let your dog stretch his legs and other doggy things.

We gave up caravaning when we got the 2nd Great Dane as they literally were destroying the inside of the van moving around (furniture more fragile in caravan and euro stlyle motorhome) but again depend on your dogs and how good they are, mine are large 15 stone each.

Both travel superbly especially now they can sit up front with us and our Amy thinks she's in charge when arriving at sites (see picture

)

Remember on sites to keep your dog on a lead and try not to let them have accidents in public areas and always clean up after them and you'll be fine.

I find the biggest problem with the dogs is attending the shows as mine are so large and at shows vehicles tend to park nearer to each other some mine can be a handful with other dogs around.

Saying all of this if the dogs cant go we dont either.

Saying all of this if the dogs cant go we dont either. Absolutley (Love my Money, Love my Dog)

Jim

saxon · 25-07-2008, 05:10 PM

We have two spaniels, both lively and one a good barker. We are up early with them each day so come bed time they both flake out. Wherever we go, they go. We did wild camp a lot but always found good locations where they can run and run. Just being with us 24/7 seems to be enough. Tried the dog harnesses, but it stressed them both, and found the perfect solution which we all enjoy - they both lie in their bed by Shirl's feet. No where for them to go if I brake hard. They love the MH and we love having them with us. France next year (both chipped already) - have taken on board what's needed and are getting prepared now.

paul&stella · 25-07-2008, 06:36 PM

Thank you all for your advice, all of which has been taken on board. I think that, at first, I will insist that we book ahead to those sites that welcome dogs until we find our feet (or wheels!) and see how they react to the MV. One dog is rather elderly and since being badly kicked during a robbery at our house, has understandably become anxious of strangers, though she is good on a lead. The other is a totally mad 7-8 year old collie who firmly believes the whole world adores him, he's dreadful on a lead but its the only way to stop him launching himself for a cuddle at unsuspecting people and other dogs!
Anyway, all this info is being carefully stored away for the day we sell our villa in Turkey and rush off to buy an MV - can't wait!