Taking the Dog on Holiday Without Telling the Caravan Site… Am I Mad?!

[oceanmountain]

So I’m going away in a couple of weeks and had a dog sitter all sorted… and now they’ve just cancelled because of a family emergency.

I’ve tried everywhere and can’t find anyone else to take the dog on such short notice, and I really don’t want to cancel the trip and upset the kids. So I was thinking of just taking the dog with me and not telling the caravan site.

Has anyone ever done this? My dog’s tiny and doesn’t shed, so I honestly don’t know how they’d even notice.

My friend said I shouldn't do it but I cant see any other option?

This, absolutely. Some people will have asthma attacks triggered by dogs. Asthma attacks can be fatal.

Totally selfish. If you can't make alternative arrangements for your dog then you can't go. Apart from the smell it will leave and the dander etc causing potentially serious consequences for others, the site will ask you to leave when they find out. Have you thought that they might have all pet friendly caravans together and somebody will notice you have a dog and report you? Put your dog into kennels or don't go.

I’m hoping this is a wind up, and not another post by a selfish entitled twat.

So what? Every dog that ever goes in kennels has a first time.

You're not usually allowed to leave dogs unattended in caravans, dog friendly or not. Even when my parents take their tourer the campsite rules are always no unattended dogs.

You should put your dog in kennels, it will be adjustment but the children must come first. I suspect you will just take the mutt anyway because you're coming across entitled and selfish and were hoping for a different response.

But it’s not just about you, what about the people after you who may have booked a dog free van due to allergies, or the smell, or for whatever reason? It’s not possible to be sure every skin cell, saliva etc etc is cleaned, hence the need for dog free vans.

If you try to sneak DDog in I suspect you will get discovered and lose your holiday forfeiting what you've paid.

Animals are not allowed to be left in vans on their own!
You haven’t got a animal friendly caravan so you won’t be allowed to take the dog!

The issue isn't whether the dog is tiny or the best behaved dog I the world. The problem is if staff are not aware they will clean the caravan as a regular clean after you leave. What if the person who stays after you a severely allergic to dogs ?

At least if you speak to them and offer to pay for a proper clean after they may consider it. You can even phrase it as you are still looking for a dog sitter but just wanted to see if this was an option.

I won a week in a holiday static van. Unfortunately, no dogs allowed. DH stayed home with Ddog, I took a friend instead. There were dogs in other vans..it made me pine for my dog not dh 🤣 but I knew and accepted the company rules that said no dogs.

You could find a replacement if you really tried. Post on fb or travel further. We've had people board dogs with us from counties over purely because we could accommodate or we were along the way to the holiday destination. You cpukd make it work if you wanted to but it sounds like you dont want an alternative you just want to take the dog

Just a thought, can dog stay in your car and not come in van. We used to leave our last dog sleeping in the car when visiting a relative as they had a cat..took him out for walks then he was happy snoozing.
This time of year its not hot to leave them presuming this is uk.

You risk being caught OP and asked to leave. That would be extremely embarrasing all round and upsetting for your kids, to say nothing of a huge hassle.

I’m allergic to dogs. It’s a terrible idea.

You clearly don’t understand allergies. You can’t hide a dog in a caravan that will be rented to people who may have allergies and requested a dog allergen free cabin.

Sorry, but you need to find somewhere else or break it to your children that one of the consequences of pet ownership is responsibility for your pet - and this may mean cancelling things. Speak to the caravan place and see if they would consider allowing you to come in April/end of term instead of Feb half term.

YABVVU.
Don't do it. Dog free caravans are dog free for a reason. It is vital that some accommodation is dog free so people with severe allergies can feel confident that the place they are staying in wont have any allergens there.

Dogs in dog friendly accommodation are not allowed to be left alone either. So not only are you happy to break the rule about having your dog there, you are also wanting to break the rule about leaving your dog alone.
This sort of entitled behaviour gives responsible dog owners a bad name.

There is also no such thing as a 100% non-shedding/hypoallergenic dog. This is a myth sold to you by breeders for £££.

Post on social media about your plight. I imagine that there will be a sitter that would take your dog at short notice. Otherwise, you will have to cancel your holiday. Shit happens.

I think you would be very wrong to take your dog.

Last year our dog sitter let us down the day before our holiday and we just didn't go.

I feel like this is a wind up thread to be honest. But on the off chance it’s not - have you not heard of kennels? Your dog, your problem. Don’t make it other people’s. Hopefully if you do take it you get caught and sent home. Imagine how upset your kids will be then.

Non shedding dogs don’t exist. Also what about hygiene and smell. Dog owners are oblivious to their dog’s filth and nose blind to their stench.

YABU.

You are clearly both stupid and selfish! It’s not generally the hair that people are allergic to it’s the dander which all dogs shed! What about the next family who maybe allergic to dogs? Sites have dog free caravans for a reason. You either put your dog in a kennel or you do t go!

Op I agree this is possibly a windup thread targeting people with allergies. If it's not then I apologise. If it is then Shame on you.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are posters who feel so strongly they will be inclined to report this thread to Haven head office in order for extra policing of caravans in the timescale you mentioned. It appears your only option is trying again to find a dog sitter or a kennel. There are people who run businesses taking in dogs while owners are on holiday.

Fair better to massively disappoint your children, clearly, OP! That's the Right Thing To Do.

Don't break a fucking Rule, whatever you do.

Somerimes Mumsnet really grinds my gears.

Whether it's on balance the best thing to do to take your dog to this particular caravan, I don't know. There is the risk of getting caught..... You'll have to weigh it up. I know lots of people do similar all the time and get away with it. Of course they do. And if they burn in Hell afterwards - well so be it.

But the posts I have read here, bascially implying you are some kind of monstrously evil psychopath and a MURDERER (because undoubtedly the people staying in the caravan after you will have a fatal dog allergy, which will be triggered no matter how hard you clean the place....) for daring to think that you might put your kids' well being above the need to comply with regulations.....

I have no idea how some posters function in the real world.

Not fair due to people with allergies booking a dog free caravan and I say that as someone with a tiny non shedding breed. They are still a dog.

Not only is it unreasonable from an allergy point of view - but it is also mad to think that the dog will remain silent while left in the van while you go to the entertainment. If anyone notices it, they will notify the park management and you will be asked to leave. If the dog is so easy, surely someone else will have it!?

Of course non shedding dogs exist