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?

Please don’t do this. It’s not the right thing to do, you need to look at other options.

Absolutely not! For goodness sake!!

Don't do it! Just like smoker are obviously to how much they smell of smoke, dog owners are obviously to the smell of dog. If they have dog friendly caravans and you choose not to book one, don't make others suffer.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

Yes the park may be dog friendly but the specific van you are renting is not dog friendly.

Have some fucking respect for the actual owners of the van! Because it’s very likely the van isn’t owned by the park. The van will be owned by someone who rents a pitch on the site.

Please do not be that selfish person who goes against the rules because you think you think your dog won’t shed. Put the dog in kennels! If not, don’t go on the holiday.

You don’t deserve to holiday in someone else’s property if you disregard and disrespect their rules.

if its not dog friendly, then no. Someone could go in after you with a dog allergy and have an anaphylactic shock. Don’t be so selfish

You’re clearly being unreasonable but don’t wish to hear that.

No you shouldn’t take the dog. I have an allergy to dog fur so the idea of renting somewhere and the previous selfish owner snuck their dog in, is awful of you honestly.

I hope someone sees you, reports you so you get kicked off the site.

I agree. I was just as baffled to see the sticker.
My thinking was that it was a Haven owned caravan so they can change things a bit. Not so much if it is a private caravan rented out via Haven where the owner can say for definite that no dogs are allowed.

My child is so allergic to dogs he has been hospitalised by someone doing this. We book pet free accommodation for a reason. I’m not being picky, I can’t tell if you’ve had a non shedding dog in my accommodation but my son’s immune system can, even if the accommodation has been well cleaned. You don’t want your holiday ruined but you’re happy to potentially do that to the person after you.

how very dishonest and inconsiderate of you

Such an arsehole move. Don’t do it. I’m guessing you haven’t booked a dog friendly caravan.

How do you know that the children or adults after you are not allergic?

Do it then you will be kicked off th site if found out you have a dog in a dog free caravan. Did you not get insurance cover on the cost of the holiday? I always get it have had to change the dates a few times because of illness or an accident. It's well worth paying a bit extra for.

I would be beyond livid if I'd paid for pet free accommodation and some selfish dog owner inflicted their dog dander ,saliva etc etc on our living space . I've had to collect my son from school trips,sleepovers etc because his whole body erupts on fire from certain dogs. It takes around 48hrs of steroids ,allergy meds ,hours spent in a bath to cool down ,no sleep ,him then being angry and in tears from it all. And then dealing with the aftermath of his sore skin can take several more days . I cannot believe you'd consider doing this to another family . It's advertised as pet free for obvious reasons 🤷

There is a huge difference when allergic to dogs between walking in the fresh air & passing a dog in the park & being in an enclosed space space being subjected to dander. Most people with this allergy will ensure the dogs are kept at a safe distance. My friends with dogs respect my allergy & don't bring them when we occasionally meet. They also understand when I refrain from welcome hugs. It's no big deal to them.

why not leave the tiny dog in the car while you're at the caravan park? why does it need to enter the caravan at all?

Would you want to be shut in a car for days?

Utter madness to think that is a serious suggestion.

If it’s too late for a refund, what do you have to lose. Chances are your dog is hypoallergenic if it doesn’t shed. If it doesn’t bark, then no-one should find out. Just work out you will do first and last toilet duties of the day.

Just be prepared to be asked to leave if you get caught.

Imagine going on holiday and your dog free caravan smells of dog because an entitled dog owner has tried to sneak a dog in

This.
I ask for pet free if I book stuff due to allergies.
Don't take a dog, unbelievably selfish

What? I'm not a dog owner but you can't seriously think a dog could live in a car for a week's holiday or whatever?!

I'm allergic to so called hypoallergenic dogs as are others I know. There is no such thing. They may shed less dander but they all shed it & leave it behind on furnishings & clothes.

The caravan the OP is talking about may well be owned by a private owner, as many of them are. They have said no dogs for a reason. If the OP goes ahead she may be in for a huge fine or worse. Imo it's not worth the risk or the possibility of prosecution if the family who are next to use it have been promised a dog free van & have children with this allergy who become ill.

YABVU OP. You're also tight, which is why you didn't book a dog friendly caravan in the first place isn't it. Put your dog in kennels. If there's none available near your home, find one near your destination or on the route to your destination. It's February, hardly peak holiday time in the UK. Someone somewhere will have a kennel space. You'll just have to suck up the payment. Or don't go on holiday.

you forget - it's a 'tiny' dog so the car wouldn't feel all that small - equivalent to putting a spaniel in a big truck? - and it would be a warm, wind-proof, familiar, private, comfortable space. it's really not all that different from a human being 'shut in a caravan' for days (something the OP is paying to do, for herself & her entire family)

in any case, it wouldn't be shut in the car for days on end.
its loving owner would be taking it out for nice walks around the holiday park, and maybe even some day trips nearby.

it would sleep in the car at night, and hang out in it whenever the owner was busy elsewhere/ at the on-site evening entertainments etc

Sorry, but that is cruel.

Don’t be so bloody stupid. Rules are rules, and you are being totally unreasonable to even consider this.