New Breed Of Dog [Owners]
I have noticed over the last couple of years an increasing number of what I assume to be a new breed of dog owner. There was a time, that you got a dog for it to be part of the family. We are all aware [perhaps not for this new breed!] that dogs are pack animals, that do not enjoy being on their own or left out of family fun. They love to please their family, they enjoy being praised for being good and doing what they’re told and they enjoy just chilling out with the family, even if it’s only sleeping near you. They are fantastic companions and they give both loyalty and trustworthiness.
However, this new breed of owner only seems to want the dog on their terms, with no consideration for this animal’s thoughts or it seems other campers. They arrive on site, set-up the caravan, screw into the ground a large stainless steel anchor, tie the dog to it and promptly leave it there. The dog, now confused, in a strange location, wonders what they have done wrong. So they start to bark in order to attract attention, letting their owner know where they are and that they want to be with them. Alas, all this falls on deaf ears their new owner doesn’t want the dog at this moment, he is with his family and together they are having lunch and do not want to be disturbed. Instead the rest of the camp site has to endure this endless barking/yapping from this poor animal that is being ignored.
This, I assume, new owner has also selected a site that doesn’t have a dog walk. It is requested that dogs should be walked off site, he ignores all this and walks the dog the minimum amount within the curtiledge of the site until the dog obliges – he does, thankfully, collect the deposit. Then, after this very short interlude the dog is back to the stake, left again and the endless barking/yapping continues.
Over the years my wife and I have been on many camp sites and each one will have had a number of dogs on them, the vast majority are perfectly behaved and with well caring owners[parents]. Unfortunately, like all things it is the minority who are spoiling things for the majority, other well meaning and caring owners will begin to be tarred with the same brush. Something needs to be done to prevent this minority destroying the good reputation of other dog owners. Like most people who go to a Caravan Club site we go for peace and quiet and not the bombardment of someone’s dog who is constantly barking. We are getting to the stage where we dread seeing someone arrive next to us with a dog – this is not right and needs to be addressed.
Perhaps I should have approached the owners but, you wonder what sort of response you will get – especially considering their attitude to the animal. Do you report them to the Warden? this always seems like the “Please Sir, Johnny is .....” and if reported then what? should the owners be put on a yellow then red card system? I don’t know what to suggest, what I do know is that the selfish attitude of this minority is starting to ruin our caravanning experience.
Pennine Man