Would you take your dog to Centerparcs?

[gracebf]

We are thinking of spending 5 days at Centerparcs in April and have to decide whether to take the dog or put him in home boarding. We have never been to Centerparcs before so its hard to make a decision.

It works out financially almost exactly the same so wondered from those of you who have been to Centerparcs before, how easy it is to have your dog there?

He is a smallish dog but we could not let him out around the house without a lead on as he would run after wildlife.I worry it would mean we would have to be more careful about keeping patio doors shut etc and would make the holiday less relaxed.

What are the dog exercise areas like?
What are the dog friendly apartments like? I have heard stories about them being smelly and covered in dog hair, but cant believe thats true.

I like the idea of 5 days without having to worry about walking him, being home regularly etc but then it might be nice having him around.

What would you do/have you done if you have a dog and been to Centerparcs?

We took our dog once, it was a bit of a tie to be honest. She loved walking through the woods and the dog areas were ok, but we liked to go off for 3 or 4 hours swimming and this meant her being left in a strange place alone. The apartment was clean enough though, no different to the non dog ones.

We've been to centre parcs every year (1 / 2 times a year) for the past 10 year and love it. In Septmeber we got our dog (now nearly 3). We would much prefer taking her than leaving her in kennels (as would she!). Obviously this is our first time there with a dog, but I'd rather her be in a strange place for 3/4 hours and us coming back to her than leaving her alone for 3/4 hours in a strange place and strangers coming to her.
I know a family who love centre parcs as much as us. They've had a dog for many years, who they take with them, and they go year after year.

we took our dog a few weeks back and he did like it but hated being on lead at all times and the dog walking pens are not very big for large dogs.
Also we couldnt do anything the first day really as you cant get into appartment till 3pm and couldnt have left dog in the car and the same the last day too.
The apartment was lovely and clean and no dog smell at all.

We took ours.

She has zero recall (she's deaf) especially around wildlife so she doesn't go offlead anyway.

We just kept the front door locked and didn't leave the patio door open and it was fine.

Accommodation seemed fine to me.

We never leave our dog behind when we go on holiday so I guess I don't know waht it would have been like wihout her.

The exercise areas are pretty secure but not overly big.

It's true about leaving them in the car - we were going to have brunch before we left on the last morning but decided against it.

Dog was ok in the car heatwise as it was late September and pissing with rain and v cold. But didnt want to leave her in longr than necessary.

I had no qualms about leaving her for 3/4 hours though - she's crated at home and we crated her there and like elephantpoo says she is happier in that scenario than being left with strangers.

I will add our dogs are left with family not in kennels :) so they don't mind being left, in fact they love their little holidays.

dogs are not allowed off lead at any thing unless in exserice pen

no qualms about leaving her in the villa I mean

jezebelle.....I think our dog would like the staying with family option too

I went to CP last summer and we left our dog at home with house sitters, and for us it was best.

Dogs must be on lead at all times apart from in the exercise areas which are too small to run about in. My dog is used to roaming about off lead, and would have hated it.

We are going back in May, and he is booked in with a lady who takes dogs to board in her home. She has dc the same age as mine and is an ex-vet nurse, and I know that Patch will have a fab time with her.