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 thread reminds me of those ones where people ask "aibu to take my child who vomited to their birthday party today, because I have paid £££ already and they were only sick once" ...

Op, you clearly aren't going to listen. Most people are telling you YAB MASSIVELY U.

NO - you should not take your dog to an accommodation that is NO DOGS. 🙄

This is the perfect example of how dog owners think their dogs are absolutely wonderful and no harm to anyone, while everyone else who hates dogs wants them out of spaces they don't belong.

The dog isn't allowed in the accomodation you've booked. End of. Find a kennel or dont go. What's worse - disappointing your children or making your dog a bit sad for a week? It's a dog. 🙄 Ask the kids what they'd prefer.

you VERY obviously don't own a dog.

A family dog would not be happy locked in a freezing car all night without it's people. Do you really think someone who wouldn't even consider putting their dog in a kennels would this is a reasonable alternative?

OP is quite obviously just going to take the dog with her, not sure why they even posted tbh, they don't care about anyone else.

I have a toy breed, also non shedding…. People have still had allergic reactions to it. YABU

Most dog friendly vans have the rule that you cannot leave them unattended in the van so you shouldn't be doing that anyway!

Op definitely bangs the roof and tells the driver to fuck off in front of their small children. Gotta protect those elderly dogs

Yep. Problem solved.

My dog is very happy in the car for several hours. I’ve never needed to leave him there overnight but I would do it in the OP’s situation without a qualm.

It’s not shut in the car for days! The dog is allowed on site, just not in the caravan. It’ll be outside with his people most of the time, just sleeping in the car overnight.

I’m a huge dog lover. My dog is my life, but I would never ever take her somewhere where she is not allowed. For all of the reasons above, and also I’m not a dick

Have you actually asked friends and family? Have you thought about going on trusted house sitters and getting someone to come in your home? There are lots and lots of places like that borrow my Doggy etc And you have a couple of weeks to sort this. Maybe you’ll have to go out of area for a dog sitter, but a little bit of inconvenience would mean your children can still have their holiday and you won’t be being exceptionally unreasonable

I have nobody to look after my dog so I always always pay and I have three very reliable dog walkers /dog boarders/ dog sitters So that I always have an option if my regular one is unavailable.

When you get caught and you have to leave I hope it's not too distressing for your children.

You asked, you were told no, you're welcome.

Please, please don't

My DP have the most scary asthma reaction to animal danda - really scary. He even gets it with small dogs, cats, hypoallergy dogs, walking passed horses in a field type thing. All living mammals shed skin - you do, I do, your dog does. It's not just the hair or fur, it's the skin cells too

And it can take years for the effects in a house where a pet has been for the effects to fade away. The caravan has been designated as dog free for a reason - the owner maybe like my DP.

I'm sorry your dog sitters have let you down but you've booked a dog free caravan and I really think you should respect that booking condition.

It definitely is an option.
Why have you bothered asking? Everyone here has said you shouldn’t do it. Your friend has told you the same, but you’re going to go no matter what.
You need to read this thread regarding how dog allergies actually work as you seem to think the issue is shedding.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5484986-do-you-think-there-will-ever-come-a-time-when-business-need-to-take-account-of-the-needs-of-those-of-us-allergic-to-dogs

Exactly, and if your child is terrified of dogs, going to a holiday park that allows dogs (which the park does) would be a silly thing to do. I’d just take the dog and do a thorough clean after, even though most people will tell you its selfish. Have you looked at a sitter who comes to your home?

Yes you are wrong. Yes your kids would be disappointed but it’s a lesson in the responsibility and issues of dog ownership. I have a cat, if I can’t get a sitter I wouldn’t take the cat with me, I’d cancel as she is my responsibility. The site has its rules for a reason & no matter how much you clean that caravan will smell of dog after. Dog owners can’t smell it, but most others will

Well I do bloody care, and I love dogs! I also don't have any allergies, and I love the normal, or wet smell of dogs! However, as I am actually reasonably normal, the only dog smells that I don't like - and that is a lot - are when they have rolled in something like a fox or badger poo, or eaten something like a baby's poohey nappy, one that they might have got out of a nappy bin that was waiting to be emptied, but unfortunately the baby's mummy, who is also the daughter of the the dog adopter, and is actually me, forgot to empty the bin that morning! (That was over 40 years ago, but you never forget those particular smells 😷🤢🤭)

Sadly, I have decided that because of the state of my age and health, it would not be fair of me to have another dog, as I would hate to die and possibly upset my poor dog. But hopefully, nothing will ever stop me caring about other members of the human race, as well, of course, as all the dogs and cats, and all animals really - even the ones that scare me.

I am still saying @oceanmountain
that you would be totally unreasonable, and extremely selfish, and an absolute idiot as well, if you decide to still take your poor innocent dog with you to a non dog friendly accommodation of any type. As I suggested before, get him into kennels near where you are staying, then you could take him out every day if you so wished.

I don't suppose we will ever know for certain what the OP decides to do?

Lots of sitters available on Pawshake.co.uk - its very quiet for them at this time of year.

Gobsmacking arrogance OP, you clearly don’t give a toss about the implications of someone with an allergy staying in the caravan after you.

Bring an outdoor cage/kennel.
You can't sneak a dog into a non dog room.

My sister often finds dog sitters who are close to her holiday accommodation. Is that an option?

Another ignorant, selfish dog owner. Educate yourself @oceanmountain

Yes but your caravan isn’t dog friendly and I think most parks ask you to pay extra to bring a dog. You need a dog friendly caravan and if there isn’t one then you need to cancel. I hope someone tells on you and you get kicked off the park.

How will you take the dog out to do it's business without being spotted?

Check out the app, Rover. I used it to find a dog minder. You can search for someone who lives near you and read their reviews, visit them beforehand etc. They charge a daily fee to have your dog in their own home. Worked a treat for me when my usual dog care options failed.
Don't smuggle your dog to the caravan place, you'll spend the whole holiday stressing about being caught.

Just find a kennels. No dog is used to a kennels, until it goes into one. 🤷‍♀️

Don't risk other people’s health. 🙄

Yet another entitled dog owner who thinks the world revolves around their dog.

YABU but it’s obvious you don’t care.

Have you considered trying to get a dog minder closer to where you are staying? I used to leave my small dog with someone who looked after dogs in her home. If there isn’t anyone close to your home, on the way or near where you are staying gives you more options. Whereabouts in the country are you?

Where is the dog going to pee and poop? People will see the dog when you take it out to do its business. Why cant you pay for kennels? YABU!