Camping with a dog

Sealine

Sealine

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We're considering taking the cockerpoo we look after on one of our campervan trips. I've not camped with a dog before but the dog will sleep in the van with us. We have heating so that's not an issue. I assume we'll need a tie stake but I'm not sure what to use to attach the dog to the stake. I've seen the cables. Are they safe to use or can anyone recommend a better or safer solution? He'll never be left unattended and well do some practice at home in the garden to get him used to it. I'm also interested to hear any other tips for camping with dogs.

Here's a pic of him stealing/hugging my slipper.
 

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We have a lunge line which we just attach to the grab handle in the side door, but you could attach it anywhere by putting the end through the loop on the other end. My dog once got his back leg stuck in one of those stakes and it was terrifying for all of us. Thankfully he was ok, but I won't use one again.

Take plenty of towels for the dog, both for drying and putting on his bedding to stop him making that damp. Also an extra blanket in case he gets chilly at night. We've always taken dogs, in tents, vans and caravans and it's always worked well.
 
I have always taken mine. He just loves it. Pre campervan I used to hammer a tent peg right into the ground with a loop of string attached to it that I threaded his training lead through. It never failed to hold him (9kg terrier) and believe me it was often tested as his enthusiasm knew no bounds😁

Now with a campervan I just thread a bit of twine through whatever is most convenient, wheel trim, swivel seat fitting or anything solid and tie him to that. Training leads do come in very useful!!

I second towels, a change of bedding and spare lead/ accessories as never available nearby when you need them. My poor lad spent half a day shivering in pouring rain in Cornwall, last June as I didn't bother taking a coat for him. I ended up trying to fashion a coat for him out of a fleece I was wearing. It's amazing what you need when you don't think you will.
 
My two will be living in my van with me from May, I think about two thirds of people who live in vans have dogs, so its pretty common. You can buy a special lead with a spring in it, I just attach to around the wheel. I dont trust anything hammered into the ground!
 
Lunge line looped around towing hook is easiest. If ground hard then stakes can be a pain to get in and out.
Drying coats are great.
Used to take my Bernese Mountain Dog in a two man tent. He loved it.
 
Rocco will be coming with me to medieval camping events this year. I'm buying a decent bell tent as I want to take his crate so he has he own space / somewhere safe at night. He'll have a wooden stake to be tied to outside (supervised) and otherwise will be with me. A drying coat is a good shout - I should add that to my pup packing list (which mostly consists of medievalish collar, lead, heraldic surcoat for court...).
 
Thanks everyone. I’ve should have a lunge line somewhere so that will save me from buying anything. I’ve got loads of dog towels. We’re not planning big trips. We look after him a lot when his owners are away for weeks at a time so it will be good to be able to just go away in the van if the weather is looking good at the weekend. I’m just wondering if he’ll sit on my paddle board? 😂
 
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