Caravan in Bucegi Natural Park, Sinaia, Romania.
If this spring you are thinking about embark on a doggy adventure in a (car) caravan, These tips will come in handy. Patricia, a canine educator (pateducadoracanina.com), has traveled first in a 'van', with three of her dogs, and then in a caravan with hers plus those of her husband for several months. In fact, She offers workshops to prepare dogs for these and other tasks. In total, six dogs, a cat and two humans were traveling throughout Spain!
“I never thought there was someone worse than me, and there was! her (she confesses between laughs). The first time we traveled together and with them we were a total of eight. Two dogs of mine, he had four and one more in foster care and, also, around that time, we adopted Domi. Now Klaus found his family, Silke was very old and died last year and Nico stayed with my father, because they fell in love with each other and became inseparable”, This adventurer tells us that she has dogs of different ages, breeds and sizes. We have spoken with her so that she can give us all the necessary clues so that you can prepare yourself so that you can live together. a doggy adventure this spring.
Dogs are man's best friend... and motorhomes.
1. GET UP TO DATE ON FIRST AID
Eye, you have to Have minimal first aid training. "I don't know if you've seen the movie Expedition Hapiness, about a German couple who goes to the United States and travels with his dog in an old American school bus. Everything happens to them, but because, between you and me, They have no idea about dogs! The poor animal almost got a heat stroke, then he got an infection because he drinks from I don't know where... I mean, if you know about the physical needs, and a little canine first aid, you save yourself from messing it up like that”.
In addition to taking into account heat stroke and checking the place where they drink, it is important know in advance where the emergency vets are located in every city you visit. "In case something happens, you don't have to stop to think."
2.THE PAPERS OF THE DOG, ALWAYS WITH YOU
Must take the dog's card with you, although, as she confesses, “they have never asked me yet. Of course, if you are going to travel far, it is necessary”. Passport, vaccination record, veterinary certificate (depending on where you travel) and chip documentation.
3. PLAN YOUR MEALS
Even if your dog eats natural food at home, It is advisable to carry feed when you are traveling. "In my case it is not feasible with five dogs to carry the meat on board. Like me, I don't eat according to what things when I'm traveling in the caravan, well, they do the same”. And also don't forget to “put a collapsible and fixed bowl and a large jug of water in the vehicle”.
You have to check the places where they drink water.
4. TAKE TOYS FOR THE TRIP
"For me it is essential to take your toys these days that we are out: smell games (olfactory carpet), interactive toys (Kong type) and toys to interact with you (teether type, edible prizes)”.
5. ORGANIZE THE SPACE INSIDE THE CARAVAN
If your caravan or your van is not very big, it is important that you organize yourself. “I have traveled in a van and also in a caravan. In the first we were only three dogs and one human. We couldn't fit any more. Now we go in the caravan and we have traveled eight, although it is not recommended. To distribute them we have a kind of little house behind: the trunk is for them, and we have adapted a window and a small door that connects them with the caravan”.
Very important, if you are several, “It is the feeling they have between them. For example, Domi and Abel never go together (the big man with spots and the greyhound), because they don't have a very good feeling between them; they coexist and respect each other but you cannot put them together in that space. And the rest, we are combining them. Also travels Hook, the cat. He gets along with everyone because there was a previous job as a puppy. He goes upstairs, there are some shelves. He also usually goes in the traspontín”.
You have to know where the emergency vets are located in each destination you visit.
6. LOCATE THE CARAVAN IN A REMOVED PLACE
If you travel with many dogs, the most important thing is where do you locate the caravan “Although they are very sociable and used to people, we look for places where we can go for a walk with them in the middle of nature. That is, we prefer natural places more than cities. Although we have also gone to cities.”
The way you position the caravan is also essential: "For example, in our case, that the window falls in a quiet place. They are guardians by nature and will always bark if people who are passing by approach. The further away you are from the place where other people pass, the better, so you can all rest”.
7. BE PATIENT THE FIRST DAYS, THE MOST DIFFICULT
Yes, it doesn't matter what kind of dogs they are. The first days are difficult. “After two or three days traveling, they already go into travel mode. First, because they are already tired –travel tires us all–. Being away from home there are many things to manage: tests, outings, other people, other dogs, other smells... **But after the third day there are no dogs, **at least in my case”.
The game will be your best ally.
**8. CHOOSE THE CAMPING WELL (OR DO NOT CHOOSE IT) **
The topic of pet friendly campsites is for another article. But, in general, "we we never go to campsites because we take many dogs and they usually charge per dog, without giving any service in return”.
Yes indeed, if you travel alone and in a van, they are recommended. “Traveling in a van is not as safe as traveling in a caravan. And at that time I opted for the campsites. I found everything: in which the dog was really one more (they always charge you between €5 and €10) and in which they do not give you any service for the dog and charge you more than for a person. In Saragossa, for example, I was with three dogs and they hardly let me take them out of the van. And that per dog paid 15¬.
If you opt for a campsite it is important “Choose very well where you are going to locate the caravan. Although they assign you a plot, insist that they let you do it, because if they put you in a place with a lot of traffic, your dog, no matter how used he is, he will not stop being alert. If you choose a more remote plot, without so many steps, everyone's rest will be better”.
Of course, “they will always have to be tied and you will have to try to keep them from barking as little as possible. And if they are outside, have them with the harness and the leash so that they do not come out to say hello someone who doesn't like this. We have even been to Montmeló and they behaved great. In fact they **behaved better than a lot of people who were there totally partying”. **
Choose well the place where you are going to park the caravan.
**9. PARK THE CARAVAN IN PLACES AND NATURAL PARKS **
The most recommendable thing, especially when you travel with five dogs (imagine what it is to pay them for three days in a campsite), is find a quiet place to park the caravan.
“When I travel with my partner in the caravan, we go to nature and to a place the more remote the better. He is a born explorer, an expert in finding the right place and moving around the mountain. One of those who set up a hiking trail for you, even if it isn't signposted, and they know where they are going…” explains Patricia. “In my case, and for those for whom orientation is not their strong point, I recommend doing it too, but hiring a mountain guide”.
10.ALWAYS TRAVEL OUT OF SEASON
This is another key to the matter. When to travel? "Us We always travel in June or October. You have to avoid doing it in July and August by all means... unless you can afford it." If not, you have to adapt.
You have to organize the interior of the caravan very well.
**11.MY FAVORITE PLACES: TARIFA, ASTURIAS, PYRENEES AND PORTUGAL**
"Rate It was one of those perfect places to go with a caravan and with a dog. But now they have put a lot of restrictions on caravans. The dog was really one more there. But I say Tarifa, not Algeciras (laughs). I was in a very comfortable campsite and it was the expedition in which I stayed the longest. I stayed ten days because I needed to rest and it went very well”.
Other equally recommended places are Asturias or the Pyrenees. “In them there are a lot of places to be freely with your dogs. And outside of Spain, I loved Portugal. There are many kilometer-long beaches that are enjoyed a lot”.
12. ADJUST THE TRIP TO YOUR DOG, WHICH YOU HAVE TO KNOW WELL
It is very idyllic to go 'van' with your dog, but Patricia explains to us that “if your dog is already afraid of the car, for example, first you will have to influence that. In the caravan there is a lot of noise in the back. In my case, Abel goes in the passenger compartment because he is very sensitive and the noise affects him much more than the rest. Therefore, the rest go back and he does not. I mean, you have to adjust." **It is not about doing what the dog wants, but "if you know that your dog is afraid of the city, of noise... first it is time to adjust". **
Tarifa with dogs is a perfect destination.
** 13. MAKE A PREVIOUS, BEFORE TRAVELING IN A CARAVAN **
Because… Is your dog used to traveling? “If you are going to travel for a few months with the caravan it is important to get them used to the place they are going to occupy in the car: if it is a carrier or another compartment… You have to get used to the place of rest from now on. **They also have to learn to be alone –even though they are social animals–. **
14. GET USED TO EVERYTHING
Above all, to socialize. For this you can perform exercises on obstacles, noise, surfaces... You have to give them tools, experiences, so that they know how to act whatever they find. My dogs are used to being together all morning, then being alone or spending a whole afternoon in the caravan, because we leave with the bikes... That is not by chance, it is a preliminary work that must be done.
15.THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS: NATURE, REST AND PLAY
"For me that is the perfect balance of the trip. And the urban that is also, if it has to be, but to a much lesser extent. It's like when you go with a child: you're not going to go to museums or watch five-hour movies... You adjust the trip to the child: amusement parks, beach... Well, it's the same with dogs. And if you are looking for a more urban vacation, then nothing happens if we do not take them. We take them on trips where we think they're going to have a good time.