Taking your dog on a caravan holiday?

The pet lovers amongst us know that taking well behaved (or at least reasonably well behaved!) dogs with us on a break can can make it that little bit more special.

Not only do you tend to explore more of the countryside when you go walkies, but taking your dog with you can offer a greater sense of security to owners – especially those who caravan on their own.

They’re also great for socialising – just walk into a country pub or clubhouse with your dog and you’re likely to get chatting to other dog lovers.

Dogs are scientifically proven to help you relax and reduce anxiety, so how do you maintain this wonderful calm throughout out your break?

How to have a dog friendly caravan holiday

Before you arrive at your destination, don’t forget to plan your journey well. Walk your dog before you head off. When you are on the road, make sure you include stops, and take bottles of water and a bowl.

Don’t forget that Rule 58 of the Highway Code states that you need to ensure that your pet is suitably restrained, so that they cannot distract you while you are driving, or if you stop quickly. Make sure you have a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or a dog guard fitted to keep everyone safe and sound.

Is your caravan site pet-friendly?

This may seem obvious, but make sure the site you are going to is dog friendly. Please be careful before booking your site as there are many levels of ‘catering for dogs’ that you are likely to experience at different sites.

While some are pet-friendly, and permit animals on site, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have facililities such as a dog wash, day care (or dog creche nearby), a specific dog walking area, or allow dogs into the club house, for example. Choose a site that would work best for you and your best friend.

Is your caravan dog-friendly?

Going on a caravan holiday can overstimulate your pets and there could be a few more accidents than usual. Protect your fabric with a specialist spray if you can, or take newspaper for the floor during the evening, and throws for the furniture so that you can easily pop them in the wash.

Awnings are very useful to have when touring with a dog as they can eat and sleep in there (as long as its not too cold for them). For smaller dogs, a play pen could be useful while you are cooking outside, for example, however ensure you offer enough shade and that your dog doesn’t overheat.

Take a ‘corkscrew anchor’ to attach their lead to, so they can lay in the sun in the day time and not wander off too much.

Check that all of your door and window locks secure tightly. The last thing you want is your dog to bolt while you’re preoccupied or asleep. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Research dog friendly places to visit

Make sure you have a plan! It’s important to research the places you’d like to visit and check whether they are dog friendly in advance. And if they are not, consider where your dog will stay during the times you plan to head out to human-only locations.

This could mean prebooking a local doggy creche in advance, or speaking to the caravan site about their rules on leaving your dog unattended.

As the owner, you should know your dogs temprement and how they would react to being left in the caravan or on the site when you are out for the day. If you are planning to leave your dog unattended, it is critical to ensure that your caravan is both secure and correctly vented, so there is a fair bit to consider.

Exploring farmland with your dog

While exploring the beautiful countryside with your furry friend you may come across some farmlands where other animals are located.

Respecting the farmers land and animals is key – they are allowing you roam freely and experience their land after all.

Therefore, you must keep your dog a lead as they could easily scare or spook animals.

Taking your dog to the beach

Remember if you are going on a coastal holiday, do some research on which beaches dogs are allowed to go on before turning up. Many beaches allow dogs at certain times of the day or during the year, and these details will be available on the beach website.

One of the benefits of taking your dog on a caravan holiday is that if they get mucky, you won’t have to pay for cleaning costs as you would with many holiday lodges or cottages. However, you still have to share your space!

Carefully plan your ‘wet days’ – from the beach to lakes and rivers! The more experienced caravanners will tell you that the dreaded wet dog smell can quickly take over your caravan.