Dogs on camp sites Forums

TheFoxes

Hi all, just a quick question about dogs on camp sites etc. Firstly I should say that we are very new to motor homing, and are just planning our first few days away. We have spent the odd night away but nothing longer yet.

I was reading a post earlier about a rally at Butlins in Somerset and thought that it maybe something that we would enjoy as well as being a good 'try out' before we hit Europe. When I started reading the costs I saw that it included up to four adults and up to 'four dogs'.

I am not a dog lover, in fact the thought of a dog touching me fills me with dread to the point of feeling physically sick, it is a feeling I have had for many many years and is just something I have learned to live with. I have even crossed the road to avoid a dog on the pavement ahead of me on numerous occassions.

Anyway, back to my point, are dogs on campsites kept under control at all times or are they left to run around as their fancy takes them? The same goes for rallies in fields etc? When I say under control I mean is there any liklihood I could come into physical contact with one against my wishes because it is not kept on a lead. I fully appreciate that no one can give asurances for someone else, but I would just like to hear your experiences and observations on this for my own peace of mind.

Many thanks

Paul

RedSonja

Paul

That must be really awful for you. I would suggest that you might be better sticking to sites that have a no dog policy, that way you would feel safe and not worried that you could come into contact with a dog. Most people do keep their dogs on leads and under control. - However there is always the odd person who walks their dogs off the lead and also the escapee who makes a bolt out of the door with owner chasing behind. My dog even though getting on a bit if it sees an open door is off like a teenage whippet.

Sonja

Steamdrivenandy

Barring the odd accidental 'escape' We've only ever seen dogs properly on a lead.

However you will find more dogs at some sites than others either because they're ideal for dog walking, such as the Clumber Park CC site or because there's a dog show in the area, such as say Blackmore CC site in Malvern at certain times or Chapel Lane CC site, Birmingham for Crufts at the NEC in March.

If you book direct by phone I'm sure the wardens will know if there's anything especially doggy going off in the area.

Andy

artona · Moderator

Hi Paul

I think you will be ok on campsites here but when you "hit" Europe you might have a problem. We have seen loads of dogs running wild in Europe, especially Spain

stew

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

damondunc

Firstly can i say i would hate to have your aversion to dogs , but understand it as i am the same with spiders,though i have handled a tarantula Shocked

Campsites generally have a "dogs on lead policy" and most responsible dog owners adhere to this , i would steer clear of the dogs that are tied outside for the duration of a campers stay without being walked as they can be a bit bouncy due i think to being so darn bored.
Hope wherever you go that you have a good time Very Happy

Chris

mrtrilby

Another reason to phone the site - some have separate areas for campers with dogs. Not sure how common a practice that is though.

silversurfa

I understand how you feel, but why not try to overcome this phobia as you could have so much to give to an animal and get the same in return. we share this world with lots of strange and wonderful things ,

cronkle

We do see lots of dogs on sites but they are nearly always properly controlled, in fact I can't remember the last time we saw one being a pest. The more organised sites tend to take a dim view of fouling and so the responsible owners tend to want to know where their dog is so that they can sort out 'packages' with a plastic bag fairly quickly. The side effect being that dogs are, in my opinion, better supervised than in the past. I find this to be true both here and abroad.

Enjoy your new past-time.