Tips for travelling with dogs in a caravan

Firstly, many people choose to buy a caravan specifically because they have a dog – or more than one dog – and want to take the dog on holiday. After all, we all get pets because we want to spend time with them – and what better time than holiday time, whether that be your main holidays or weekend breaks?

Secondly, if you already have a caravan and are thinking of taking your dog with you on holiday, maybe for the first time, you can be sure that having your dog with you will enrich your holiday – making it more fun. So, any which way you approach the idea of caravanning holidays with dogs, it’s a win-win.

Caravanning with a dog – or more than one dog – is just so easy. An awning helps, of course – especially in providing somewhere to towel your dog’s fur after a rain-soaked walk, and to wipe muddy paws.

The presence of a dog in the family may influence the layout of caravan you choose. Enough floor space is key. And that strongly depends on the size of the dog.

Again, awnings are an advantage and, the smaller your caravan, the more you will appreciate the extra space an awning provides for your dog to eat, possibly even sleep (in a dog crate so that he can’t get out of the awning).

From a dog’s perspective, they love being with people – and in a caravan they’re closer to the family than in a house. And they love going for walks, of course. It's easy to build walking into your holiday route.

The first thing to consider when planning caravanning travel with a dog is keeping the dog happy in the car – and safe. In terms of happy, we mean keeping the car well ventilated so that the dog doesn’t feel too hot, and giving him his own bed so that he is comfortable.

Safety is a much greater consideration, though; that’s about making sure that the dog is confined to one area of the car, either the back seat, or the luggage area in an estate car or hatchback. Being confined to one area will prevent the dog from entering the driver’s space (essential!). It also means that, in the event of heavy braking or a collision, the dog can’t be thrown forward into the front seat area, or into the back seat if he is in the luggage area.

Dog seatbelts are available; these attach to the car’s seatbelt system. There are also dog crates on the market; most fold when not in use. These originated for transporting show dogs and are now in common use by pet owners.

For caravan owners, dog crates have a double use, for they can be used to confine your dog within an awning, to make sure he can’t get out without his lead and run around the campsite.

Water is essential; plus, of course, a bowl. Depending on the length of the journey, you may wish to pack some dried dog food.

Kitchen paper is a good idea, to wipe muddy paws after you have stopped to give your dog a chance to 'go to the loo'.

The Highway code states "When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained, so they cannot distract you while you are driving, or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seatbelt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

You can restrain or contain your dog in various ways:

• Dog guards/barriers placed behind front or rear seats can block off a section of the vehicle
• With a wide variety of shapes and materials, a small or medium dog crate (or travelling kennel) may fit on the back seat of most towcars. You may need to adjust seats to fit a larger crate in. Crates should be large enough to allow your dog to stand up, lie down, and comfortably turn around
• Car harnesses should be manufactured to withstand the impact of a car accident; the tether attaching it to the seatbelts should be as short as possible to reduce the distance a dog is thrown during an accident

Whatever the distance of the journey, you will need to consider the frequency of stops that you will need to make to keep your dog happy.

That’s not just about ‘toilet’ stops, it’s about making sure the dog doesn’t get bored – because bored dogs can get restless and may bark – and that can distract the driver.

Ensuring your dogs travel securely is easy, but here are our top tips for travelling safely with dogs in a caravan:

• Research your travel system – look for a system that’s been crash tested
• A distressed dog who is restrained can still be a major distraction – build up training, beginning with just sitting in the car and giving your dog treats. Step by step you can move to closing doors, starting the engine, and then short journeys
• Check your breakdown cover will permit dogs to travel with them in the event of your vehicle needing to be recovered
• Never allow your dog to put their head out of the window – it may look fun but, as well as the obvious risks, dust and dirt particles can hurt your dog’s eyes
• Don’t travel with your dog sat next to an airbag
• On longer journeys, give your dog plenty of breaks 

If your dog is not a good passenger, it’s not something you (or your dog) need to learn to live with. It’s time to put in place an action plan! 

The first port of call is your vet. Any health issues could be causing your dog to be in pain or extra anxious when being driven. 

Once your dog has a clean bill of health, then you can begin to work on their travelling environment. 

If your dog doesn’t enjoy travelling then they may already have negative associations with it. You can begin to rebuild their confidence with some travel training. 

Take it slowly and break it down into stages. Start with the car stationary and use treats or toys, whatever motivates your dog, to build positive associations. 

Keep sessions short – don’t allow your dog to get to a stage where they can’t cope. This training will include getting your dog used to his safety devices, such as a seatbelt or crate.

Once your dog is happy in the car, you can then start to build up to doing short journeys. 

The vast majority of campsites parks accept dogs. Those that don’t are usually those that have their own beaches. Check when booking anyway.

Many dog-friendly caravan parks have dog walking areas; some have small fields that are fenced, where you are permitted to let your pet run free of his lead.

Almost all campsites that allow dogs have a rule that says ‘dog on leads at all times’. That means not just when out for a walk, but when the dog is outside around your caravan. You can buy spiral dog securing points that go into the ground and have a loop at the top to which you can secure a lead or longer tether.

Windbreaks can be useful to show your dog where the pitch boundaries are – and some windbreak systems can be bought complete with ‘gates’. Our advice, though, is not to rely on a windbreak to confine your dog – they can easily ‘break out’. That goes for awnings, too. And, as the vast majority of campsites do not allow dogs to run loose, you need to make sure your dog doesn’t escape.

Some campsites have dog showers – these are fantastic for getting your dog clean after a muddy walk.

Our own Campsite Finder lists dog-friendly sites in many parts of Britain.

Wherever you choose, it’s worth remembering that late night and early morning barking – and lots of barking at any time – is not considered good campsite etiquette! It’s also worth remembering that, while many people absolutely love dogs (not only their own), there are some people who really don’t like dogs!

Having all the gear you need makes life so much easier. Prepare a doggy ‘suitcase’ with all the essentials, such as food, treats, toys, bed, crate, leads, collars, brush, drying towel, medication, and anything else you might need. You can buy items that have been forgotten, but it’s better being prepared. Write a list, as there is often much more than you realise! 

For starters, don't forget the basics:

• A towel ‘bag’. These are like very close-fitting dog coats; you put the dog inside the towel bag and rub his fur dry
• Collapsible bowls. These save space in caravan lockers and are also great for taking out on day trips
• A ground-screw dog tether – position it where the dog has access to shade
• If you allow your dog to go on the seating in your caravan, invest in some covers to protect your caravan’s upholstery
• A folding kennel for your awning, to confine your dog; these are made of fabric and have mesh areas. They're a great alternative if you don’t use a dog create. Check out the Dog Bag listed below

After that, there are a few other things to consider, starting with toys! Whatever his favourite toy, it will help his happiness in the car. A bed is a good idea, whether inside a crate, or on the back seat if the dog is anchored by a lead to the safety harness.

Another good option is the Dog Bag, which is a pop-up kennel built from mesh fabric that filters out UV rays and keeps your dog cool in hot weather. It's easy to keep clean and can be used in the car, too.

Water, as we mentioned earlier, plus dried food (if your travel includes a time that he would normally eat a meal) – and ‘bribery’ in the form of dog treats.

Make sure you pack a lead, collar and harness, as many places in the UK that you might visit on holiday – like the Lake District, for example – require you to keep dogs on the lead. One of our favourite options is the Dogmatic head collar, which has a unique design that enables you to control your pooch without causing them distress. It will allow you to explore further with your best friend in comfort and control.

You will need to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) from your pet's vet for each individual trip you wish to take your dog to a country in Europe, including Northern Ireland. And, of course, you will need to check when you book a campsite abroad that dogs are allowed at that campsite.

Many dog owners choose to cross the Channel via the Channel Tunnel, to avoid the potential hassles of travelling on a ferry with them.

In order to obtain an animal health certificate, you will need to make sure the dog is microchipped and has had a rabies vaccination. Some countries, notably Malta, Norway, Finland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, also insist that the dog has had tapeworm treatment.

You need to obtain an animal heath certificate in the 10 days before you enter the EU from Britain. Animal health certificates are obtained through your vet. Rules for countries outside the EU differ; check the requirements for each country you may be visiting well before your departure date from Britain.

Enjoy holidaying with your canine companion! Caravan holidays with dogs, whether you are a family with children, a couple, or on your own, can be great fun.

Plan ahead, choose the right campsites for your dog, make sure he’s comfortable and happy while you tow the caravan, and invest in a dog crate for use in your car and in your awning. And don’t forget to pack enough of his favourite food, just in case it’s not available near to where you are staying.