Practicalities of taking your dogs camping with you...?

[MichaelBublesPillow]

We are novice campers, but keen to go just for a couple of nights over the summer and ideally take the dogs with us.

I wondered how practical this is, what are the pros and cons and what gear we would need? (cage? ground spike for tethering?)

Any advice much appreciated!

busy adult springer spaniel and a schnauzer puppy who is very laid back. Pup is used to being crated and very happy, springer is not.....

neither are used to being tethered but they are used to having restricted access to garden as I love my lawn too much to let them have unrestricted access!

We did wonder about only taking the pup as he is very easy, will have a sniff then lie down under your chair and doze, whereas the springer will never ever sit down if there are new smells about! I would feel mean and it seems pointless, we may as well kennel them both if we are going to with one!

Thank you

Very happy to send them as we use great kennels - but they have no space left in the summer - which I predicted but you never know Ah something to think on anyway - thanks so much for the replies

We take our dog caravanning. Most sites demand that dogs are kept on a lead and also have separate walking areas, so spike is a must. Our is fine but there will be yappy moments when other dogs approach.

I took 3 dogs last summer- one was a very bouncy 2 yr old.
Took 2 last month, no prob at all. Use a stake, with long lead/rope for your springer. I find that there is a lot of walking to be done when camping, eg to and froing to loos/showers/washing up/shops. Each time you do this, take dogs for the walk, mine loved it. As long as there are 2 of you, one to do whatever..showering/washing up, and one to hold the dog.

Would not consider going camping without the dogs, they love it too, and LOADS of people take dogs with them. From experience, other campers will put up with anything but barking, and if yours are not barkers, youre sorted.

One last thing, we just zip the dogs in with us at night, they sleep on top of the sleeping bags at our feet. had it not been for the dogs keeping me warm, I would have died from cold on the last trip

Loves that is funny about the cold! Our springer would def keep me warm! They are not barkers at all, well the pup is when scared, but neither just bark for the sake of it and he is easy to calm down.

Scurry a spike is a definite then, so will get one, will be handy for other days out anyway, I always panic they will run off and help themselves to someone's picnic if I dont have them wrapped around my ankle!

I feel quite excited about it now!

We use an extendable lead with the spike and the dog always manages to tip up camping tables and chairs.....she has only been found in a toddler's picnic once!

to be honest, I ditched the spike last trip - sick of tangled leads and stubbed toes. Found the best way is slipping handle of lead under a chair leg. This will only work for your pup, springer probably too strong and will pull it over.

Oh tell me about stolen picnics. And does yours steal hot food off barbecues?

Yes, has also been found in next door's tent and drinking from another toddler's paddling pool (all this while still on (too long) extendable lead.

Ha ha, see, wouldn't it be boring to leave the dogs at home

Our friends take their dog and we use a spike and a spring/coil type lead so that it extends but then contracts (unlike usual extending leads that just extend). Like this No risk of tangling.