Camping with your dog: prepare well

Home on the road: that's what a holiday with your own camper or caravan feels like. How much more so if your faithful four-legged friend comes with you! Because they provide the ultimate feeling of home, while you're still enjoying your trip. Are you going camping with your dog for the first time? Then prepare well! We'll give you some tips.

First of all: where are you going? When making your choice, keep your dog's character in mind. What suits him? Long walks in a hilly area are great for a healthy, active dog. But if you have a dog that mostly loves to sleep, then you're not doing your faithful friend a favour with exhausting treks. A quiet holiday where you spend a lot of time at the campsite, however, is suitable.

Choosing a destination

Do you have a destination in mind? Research whether there are enough suitable walking opportunities nearby where you can walk your dog. It is also important to look at the expected weather. Especially in the south of Europe, for example, it can get extremely hot in the summer. This is not pleasant for most dogs, but especially for older dogs, this can be a severe strain.

When planning your holiday, also take into account the expected weather.

Rules per country

There are different rules regarding pets per country. Are you going abroad? Then there's a chance your dog will need to be vaccinated and you'll need to arrange certain documents. On the LICG website you will find a lot of relevant information about this.

Choosing a campsite

Have you found a destination that is suitable for both you and your dog? Then the next step is: a campsite where your dog is welcome. This is not the case at all campsites. So it's good to research this thoroughly in advance. A campsite can also offer specific, dog-friendly facilities. Think of places where your dog can swim, or a special play area.

You can often find this information on the website of your preferred campsite. There are also websites where you can specifically search for campsites where your pet is welcome, such as on the website eurocampings.eu. The rules can also be different in the low season than in the high season.

Enjoy your camping holiday, together with your dog.

Training your dog

Before you go camping with your dog for weeks, it is wise to first go trial camping for a shorter period. For example, a weekend trip, close to home. You can then test whether your dog is camping-proof.

Does your dog listen well in this different environment? How does he behave during the day and at night in and around the camper or caravan? Can you leave for a while, or will he make a lot of noise? And how well does your dog stay at your spot? It could be that your dog finds other campers very interesting and that he doesn't stay at your spot. How does he react when he has to be on a leash? You can investigate and teach or unteach all these things. This way you train your dog during these 'trial weekends'.

What to bring?

To make it as comfortable as possible for yourself and your dog, we list some things you can bring:

Ground stake and leash. This way you can secure your dog well at the camper or caravan, but he still has room to move.
Food and water bowl.
Enough food from home.
Water for on the go.
A nice blanket to sleep on, so your dog still has a place that feels like home.
Toys. It's also a holiday for your dog, he'll certainly enjoy having fun together.
Tick collar and tick remover.
First aid kit for your dog.
Tent for your dog.

Looking for?

Still looking for a camper or caravan that allows you to camp with your dog? Check out our current offer. Or read more first camping news.