camping DS's 2 teenage friends bringing dogs

[violetqueen]

We've been going to same site for years and know it and owner well .
Dogs allowed ,have to be on lead at all times .
Tips and advice ? I'm not a dog owner .
Will tell DS to point out to friends that dogs will have to be supervised at all times .
Where will they sleep ?
What if it rains ?
How could we leave site as a group in our one car ? I'm guessing that's not going to be feasible ,they'll have to hang out at campsite ,go for walks etc .
What if it rains ?
( I'm fine myself with rain and tents ,but factoring in bored teenagers and wet ,muddy dogs .... )
I'm not the most relaxed of people ,feeling a trifle anxious about all this .

Any advice anyone ?
( apart from the obvious " don't do it " )

Buy dog stake, tie dogs to it while you cook. Dogs sleep at your feet inside the bed pod, on top of sleeping bags.
If you have a hatchback, get a dog guard (bout £15 from argos) and put the dogs in the back.
Ours love camping!Took 3 last year and they were fine, dogs love walking and most people do lots of that when camping. EG when walking to pot wash place, we take the dogs for the walk.
Take spare towel for the dogs.

You will be fine, could not imagine camping without dogs. We tend to find more stuff in the are this way...someone will say 'just going down there to let the dogs wee'...back half hour later saying 'come and see this'!

Have to say I would not be happy about this situation - how old is DS and his friends? Are you 100% confident that they will take full responsibility for the dogs - knowing most teenagers they may want to do their own thing and then who will be looking after the dogs?

I am really uncomfortable around dogs and if you are not a dog lover you surely won't want to go to the trouble of doing the things lovesdogsandcats suggests (no offence meant - I appreciate it is good advice - but only if you do love dogs and cats ).

Well I am uncomfortable ,I'm a bit of a worrywort .
DS 18 ,friends 16 and 17 . They camped with us last year ( but didn't bring their pets ) and I have to say that they were delightful.
I'd rather the dogs didn't come ,but DS has v. limited social life ,and I don't want to rain on his parade .
Camping a little dull for him with just his eldely mum and dad .
I'm happy to fund a dog guard and spike thingy ,some teenagers have more expensive habits I guess.
Thanks for replies .
Any more ?

Violetqueen - now you've got me worried; we too are 'elderly' parents - fortunately DS has not yet asked if he can bring friends on holiday but this could be me in a few years time ............... I will be over 60 with a teenage son - not implying you are as old as me of course !

Good luck.

how good/bad depends on the dogs and how well behaved they are. will they bark/go carreering round the site chasing things or are they a joy to have around (my dog!). We've found that she's a bonus if the weathers good, but a problem if it rains - all the places you usually hang out eg swimming pools, pubs, cinemas are off limits with a dog. she sleeps in my children's pod, quite often on their beds which they all love. how big are the dogs - will they fit happily into the tents or are they like mini ponies?

Ragwort - funnily enough ,yes we're in our 60's .
DP retired couple of years ago ,and I work part time .
I worry at what role model this gives DS....

Violet - going off subject from the original posting but I would say that my DH (slightly younger than me!!) is a fantastic dad and I have no worries at all about the role model he is providing for his son. He is a real 'hands on' dad - (to be honest much more into parenting than I am) - he does loads with our DS - camping, sport, fishing, just enjoying watching TV together etc etc. I was just thinking about this the other day as he was in the park with our DS and lots of other children; my DH organised a game of cricket - no other dads to be seen.

Sometimes I feel that we are noticeably older than most of the other parents at the school gates but DS has never commented - the worse thing was in hospital when DS was born and my DH was asked 'is this your first grandchild' !!

Why are they bringing their dogs anyway?

I would just suggest to them that it isn't practical to bring dogs.

We sometimes take our dog camping and it can be a pain, if you want to go to the shops or go to the beach. The dog is never any trouble.