Paws On Site: Top tips for camping with dogs

Our recent research of pet owners revealed that 71% of us set house rules for our beloved animals before we welcome them into our homes, only for a quarter to disregard these ground rules in the first week and one in 10 on the first day. Luckily, we have some useful tips if you want to keep your beloved furry friends out of your bed, off the sofa and out from under your feet at the dinner table.

• A great solution to keep your pet out of the bed while you’re sleeping is to make sure they have a cosy and comfortable bed for themselves
• If you feel too guilty about leaving them at first or they aren’t trained yet, then their pet bed can be placed in your bedroom until they are used to it, and then moved into another room or downstairs once they have got comfortable in it
• It can be confusing for your pet if one family member lets them on the couch and the other tells them to get off, so ensuring everyone in the family abides by the same rules can really help
• Always feed your dog or cat in their own dish and never from the table. Feed your pet immediately before you sit down to eat your own dinner, as they’ll then be full and less likely to beg
• Training and unlearning bad habits between you and your dog in the home can be a long process, but persistence is key to resolving these matters. Try not to give in to those puppy eyes!

TOP DOG-FRIENDLY SITES

Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Dorset
A quiet, 55-acre woodland site that dogs and owners will love to explore. Take a walk from site into the surrounding Wareham Forest or head to the coast at Poole and Bournemouth. There’s a large play area for children along with a heated pool open during the summer. The whole park is surrounded by tracks, trails and plenty of walking opportunities. The site has grass and hardstanding pitches set among the trees, with a licensed shop, toilets and showers.
warehamforest.co.uk

Old Oaks Touring, Glamping & Camping, Somerset
This award-winning, adult-only site is doggy heaven! There’s a secure dog walking area where mutts can run free, the on-site shop sells dog treats and doggy ice cream and there’s a dog shower for any pets who like to get muddy. You can walk from the site to Glastonbury Tor and explore many local footpaths. Pitches are all-weather and range from electric to fully serviced. Facilities include luxury showers, a fishing lake and takeaway food nights.
theoldoaks.co.uk

TRY THESE

Webbox Festive Dog Bauble  

For pawfect canines who have been extra good this year, the Festive Bauble with bone-shaped biscuits is the perfect gift to hang on the tree, containing milk biscuits free from soya and beef, for adult dogs. Naughty or nice, every pet deserves a Webbox treat this Christmas! Available from Morrisons, Ocado and Webbox.
£2

Webbox Festive Lick-e-Lix 

Made with a soft yoghurt-like texture, Webbox Festive Lick-e-Lix with Turkey & Cranberry are the unique treat for your cat. Feed as a tasty treat, use as a topping or disguise crushed-up tablets for your cat. These tasty and nutritious sachets make the perfect daily treat that your cat will simply adore! Available from Morrisons, Ocado and Webbox.
£1

WIN!

We’ve teamed up with leading pet food brand, Webbox, to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a delicious £25 hamper of goodies for your pet from the Webbox Festive range. ‘Tis the season to be jolly so why not give your furry friend a present they will love this Christmas with the Webbox Festive selection? It’s a range of festive complete foods, treats and toys for your pet to enjoy with the family this Christmas! Pick up your pet’s Christmas pressie in your local Morrisons stores, independent pet shops and online at Ocado and webbox.co.uk

To be in with a chance of winning, send us your best camping doggie pictures to [email protected].

This month’s winner is Keith Hobbs from Southsea

“This is Badger, a 14-month old Jack Russell, resting after a busy afternoon at the Bridgetown village fete and dog show in Devon. It was hard work getting a 3rd, 4th and two special awards!”