Cavalier Puppy Goes Caravanning in Dorset
We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is 7 months old, we took her on her first caravan trip to Dorset Wareham forest tourist park in Easter. (we did have hunters moon C&MHC site booked but users on this forum mentioned the scrap yard near the site and the fact that wareham forest tourist park was cheaper so I cancelled the booking and booked WFTP instead.)
Wareham was great for dogs, the walks were good, dog walk on site and dog wash. The whole area was very dog friendly. We have 2 children age 8, we took the dog with us to Studland beach, Swanage Steam Railway and had lunch in the greyhound pub (where she got given dog biscuits) in Corfe Castel. I did a lot of research before went so had options the kids would enjoy where the dog could join us and Dorset location very good for kids and dogs and pub lunches in dog friendly pubs.
Poppy (the dog) slept in her crate near the kids bunk beds, she warmed herself up on the air blown heating at the front of the van. (See photos.)Taking a dog with you is more work but its worth it- so much fun!
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Thanks for the tale and the pics HC. It’s good that everything worked out for you with Poppy.
Birchwood is a great site as well any time you can’t get in WFTP. You’ll likely have seen HM's neighbours
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Looks like she's found her favourite spot, HC.
Is this your first time caravanning with a dog ? Looks like you have settled her in well, the "hard work" gets easier all the time and the happiness and fun that's to be had by bonding with your dog, can only be appreciated by all who love them.
Here's wishing you many happy times in the future and please keep us updated.....
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Thanks for replies.
It was our first time caravanning with a dog . We just spent BH weekend in Peak District 2nd trip with the dog and much easier. She seems to get used to where you want her to be and what she can do. tis a great area for dogs with all the beautiful walks and we had the fabulous weather.
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Which site did you stop at in the Peaks? Glad all seems to be going well with you new little Cav. They are a lovely breed of dog, but they have their moments. Lizzie (and we) have seperation problem!! Hope the cage works and that it all works out well in the caravan.
David
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We stayed at CCC Tevesal and drive to peaks. I really want to stay at chatsworth, we visited the house but booking the site is tricky to get BH weekends at Chatsworth impossible. In Tevesal I also researched doggy day care and found a great place- we left poppy there while we visited a food fair for 3 hours. I'd recommend this option for people who want to take the dog caravanning, but also want to visit non-dog areas like zoos, food fairs. We're off to Dorset in half term and I've found another day care to use. The days cares are people's homes rather than kennels, as this works for our dog. She's with us 80% of the trip and very much part of the family. The crate works really well, but we crate trained her from the start, so she knows we come back and doesn't worry. Cavaliers are great for caravans, kids and super gentle cuddly dogs- we've not had one before and did lots of research into breeds and are delighted with her, she's a great fit for our family.
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We have people locally who offer dog day care, it's a good scheme, nice to read you all had a good holiday.
We have always had our dogs with us, one way or another we find ways to visit places, even if we take it in turns but a few hours of dog care sounds like a sensible idea too.
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If you are up at the Peaks area again, it might be worth trying Blackshaw Moor CAMC site. Although not strictly Peaks (it is actually Stsffordshire Moorlands), its close enough, and plenty of places to visit such as the Roaches and Tittesworth Reservoir at Meerbrook. Some good doggy pubs too.
Hope all continues to go well with Poppy in the Caravan.
David
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We stayed at Highlands End holiday park, Bridport, Dorset in half term.... best yet for dogs. it had 2 dog exercise areas, one was huge field. They allowed dogs in area of the restaurant (another area without dogs). There were 2 walks from the site down to 2 beaches both of which allowed dogs. I also found doggy day care in west bay so for 2 of the 7 days we were there she went for the day to doggy day care and we were able to visit the swannery and other things that don't allow dogs. Would definitely go back for kids and dog friendly.
Also been Littlehampton CMHC and its was good for dogs too. Small field for dog exercise but perfectly adequate.
For people with puppies trying to get them used to caravanning- Poppy has made great progress. She didn't like being on the log lead tied into ground but now she's used to it. she is really happy travelling in the car, being on the caravan and being tethered. We crate trained her and use the crate at night in the caravan. Its all working really well. training and getting used to things is the key. For us doggy day care options for long trips with kids to allow us to do things without the dog for a day and gives us all the options we need. .I find I need to research before I go, things like local dog friendly beaches, pubs that take dogs, and have playground and have good food reviews etc. so I make lists and have the details ready for the trips. so far its worked very well. Dog friendly beaches, dog friendly pubs and trip advisor all good for research.
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On the subject of dogs in pubs, may I strongly recommend the DoggyPubs app which you can download on to the phone from Google Play Store or from the equivalent Apple site. It costs the grand sum of 89p, but it is one of the best 89p I have spent. Wouldn't be without it for finding a pub where you can take the dog.
Another useful app is called 'Dog Friendly'. Not as good for pubs but it does list dog friendly beaches and other places too. That one is free.
Hope that helps.
David
P.S. We're off to Wareham/Studland for part of the summer (been to the area quite often) and to Littlehampton CAMC site sometime during the summer.
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