Camping with dogs
Tips and tricks for the perfect vacation with dogsOur dearest furry friends don't always make traveling easy for us. Unfortunately, air travel is almost impossible, long car journeys are often a pain and pets are not allowed in most hotels. So the only option is to stay on a balcony or leave your beloved four-legged friend in your care during your vacation? Absolutely not. The motorhome not only offers a compromise, but also meets all the needs of both parties. However, there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure that your vacation with your home on wheels runs smoothly. Read now how Camping with dogs works without complications.
Table of contents
Vehicle selection
The general arguments in favor of renting or buying can be found in this Blog post can be read up on. If you want to travel with your four-legged friend more often, you should consider how much space your dog will take up before making a decision. After all, camping with dogs is also a question of space. The following questions are relevant here: Where will my dog sleep? How much space do the dog's utensils need? Does the vehicle have internal access to the garage? Does the vehicle have an outside connection for water to clean the dog?
Travel planning
A few planning steps should precede the start of the trip. Step one is the destination. Essential questions at this point are: How far is it to my destination? Is it necessary to drive in stages due to the length of the trip? Are dogs allowed on the campsites? Will I have to pay an extra fee for dogs? How sensitive is my dog to heat? Then the time of travel is also crucial. Instead of mid-August, you should go to the Mediterranean at the end of September so that you can enjoy empty campsites at the same time. Once these questions have been answered, it's time to prepare. The first step is to plan enough water and food for your dog. This is particularly important for longer trips. Foldable dog bowls and portable dog water bottles are highly recommended. They take up little space and hardly weigh anything. Keeping your dog safe during the journey is also always an issue. The dog crate should be secure, reasonably space-saving and comfortable. Depending on the size of the dog, we recommend storing it in the garage of the motorhome. In many Ahorn Camp models, the garage can be accessed through the door under the bed area.
It is also essential to find out about the legal regulations before traveling. Owners of so-called "listed dogs" in particular should pay special attention to country-specific regulations. There are also some general regulations to observe. In Switzerland, for example, the import of docked dogs is prohibited and in Austria muzzles are compulsory in some federal states. In Sweden, the dog must be declared to customs in advance. When traveling to southern Europe, it is advisable to protect your dog from the so-called Mediterranean diseases. It is also compulsory for every dog owner to carry an EU pet passport for their pet. So don't just think about the passport for you and your loved ones, but also always have your pet's passport with you. You can also find out about any regulations such as vaccination or compulsory chipping in some countries by doing some research beforehand.
If your dog is not yet familiar with the camper, it is a good idea to start getting your dog used to the camper two weeks before the start of your trip and also to practise driving in the camper.
Pitches and campsites
If you are traveling with your dog on a Pitch or campsite once you have arrived, there are also a few basic rules to follow. Firstly, you should always keep your dog on a lead. Many campsites require dogs to be kept on a lead. There are some helpful gadgets at your own pitch, such as a foldable fence or a DogSitter dog leash plate that can be easily attached under the tires so that you can let your dog run free safely. Alternatively, there are also ground anchors to attach the leash. You should also be careful if you leave your dog alone in the motorhome, as it gets just as hot there as in a car over time. A shady parking space and open roof hatches are important here.
Once you arrive at your destination, you naturally want to take your dog with you everywhere. There are helpful apps to find out where the best dog beach, the most dog-friendly restaurant or a dog meadow is. Some of them are listed here:
- Dog's Places
- Dog beaches
- Pets on Tour
Where does my dog sleep
It is best if the dog has a permanently assigned place in the motorhome. In motorhomes that have single lengthways beds, a space between the beds is a good option. Otherwise, the footwell in the driver's cabin is also an option if the vehicle is parked for a longer period of time. During the day, the space in front of the motorhome is also a popular place for pets to lie down. Make sure there is always enough shade and a bowl of water within reach of the dog. It is also best to have an old towel ready so that you can briefly wipe the sand or dirt off your four-legged friend's paws before they enter the motorhome.
If you pay attention to a few things when dealing with your dog during your camping trip and prepare well for your vacation together, a vacation with your dog will be a real dream vacation. Without any worries or stress, you will not only enjoy your vacation, but also the time with your whole family, including your dog. Thus Camping with dogs made easy.
