First-time campers (with dog!) - advice?

mrsdee

Hello
Have never camped before but desperate to try this summer in the UK. Would be two adults, two children, one labrador. Wondering whether it is best to buy tent on ebay or borrow one from friends - are there certain things we should look out for?
Also, am concerned that if dog smells rabbit nearby it will dig its way through the tent!!
Any advice welcome - thanks!
Also, re location, we'd love somewhere near the south coast - quiet - no entertainment or bar etc... but within walking distance of pub. Would love to hear ideas if anyone has them. Thank you! :beer:

jenniferpa

Having spent many years camping with 2 dogs I can give you one tip - make sure their claws are clipped before camping. Actually, we've never had any trouble with attempts to dig out - sometimes a deer wandering by has caused a level of excitement, so the claw clipping ensures that their paws "bounce off" the tent fabric. Also, it's more comfortable when they stand on you. Most dogs seem rather more subdued by the whole thing - it's pretty strange for them and unless you do it frequently and for long periods they don't consider it to be their territory and they are rather more circumspect than they might normally be.

Jennifer

jellycat40

Our dogs love camping. You need to get one of those curly things to twist into the ground to attach his lead as all dogs need to be kept on leads on campsites.

If you have never done it before borrow a tent. We did, to see if we liked camping, if we could co operate with each other and to see if it was fun. All three were positive. If you are going in a tent you will need to have good showering and toilet facilities. Try going on line or try the Caravan and Camping Club Big sites book. If you know people who camp they may have one or your library may have a copy.

If you are borrowing a tent then you will probably get the equipment to go with it. But you will need an emergency box of first aid, matches, torch and toilet paper. Don't forget you will need to take something to use for the toilet at night as the toilet block maybe a walk away.

Good luck, it is good fun and great team building for your family.

Louise

mrsdee

jellycat40 wrote:

Our dogs love camping. You need to get one of those curly things to twist into the ground to attach his lead as all dogs need to be kept on leads on campsites.

If you have never done it before borrow a tent. We did, to see if we liked camping, if we could co operate with each other and to see if it was fun. All three were positive. If you are going in a tent you will need to have good showering and toilet facilities. Try going on line or try the Caravan and Camping Club Big sites book. If you know people who camp they may have one or your library may have a copy.

If you are borrowing a tent then you will probably get the equipment to go with it. But you will need an emergency box of first aid, matches, torch and toilet paper. Don't forget you will need to take something to use for the toilet at night as the toilet block maybe a walk away.

Good luck, it is good fun and great team building for your family.

Louise

Thank you for these tips! My husband is a little more reticent than me on the idea, hence the thought of borrowing the gear from friends first of all to see how we like it - now I cant wait! Plus it seems cheap as chips compared to renting somewhere (and more fun too, no doubt!). Am hoping that with money saved by a) not going abroad and b) not renting expensive holiday cottage in this country, this can go towards our new kitchen (current one has not been touched since - get this - 1957 :eek: )

Louisa_Jane_2

Have a look on the message boards of https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk