CARAVANING WITH DOGS

A book called Bush Camping with Dogs is worth a look, gives you dog friendly camping areas in Australia
www.femap.com.au/bushdogs or phone 08 84317750
Most good book shops should have it as well
Good luck
Ray

G'day,
We take our mutts everywhere with us and you are a bit restricted as to where you can go ( National Parks ) and I am looking at which places have boarding kennels so that might be something you could consider as well for day trips into parks.
If you get off the beaten track and go bush, real bush, then be aware that baits can be about. There should be posted signage about, but be careful anyway. Ask locals before you get into the bush, they usually know whats on the go.
Our dogs have done the 5 deserts and are no bother.
A few parks won't take dogs but your camping book should advise you on that.
Just remember they usually like a drink too when it's morning tea.
I put out a 10m light rope(1 each) tied to 2 points so they can move up and down for a bit of sniffing instead of sitting in the same spot.
Train them to a dog whistle in case 1 gets loose.
U can do it.

I am one of those that has limited tolerance of dogs camping, usually of the owner more so than the dog.
Most will say they keep a good eye on the dog's, but what they consider acceptable may not be same for the people next door or nearby.
You will not be able to tour the country without camping next to others, and yes you will find other dog lovers, but you will also find people with no tolerance at all, so some unplesant contacts may occure.
Besides that you will be very limited to where you can camp, most national parks wont let you in, and the biggest percentage of caravan parks.
What do you do with them when you want to do a 2 hour flight or a 4 hour river cruise, or need to go shopping for a while or any other things where you cant take them?
Personally i cant understand why people have to take the family pets on holiday, most would be better off at home being looked after by family or friends etc, and yes I am ducking for cover from the missiles coming my way.
My opinion.

Cheers Pesty

Depends exactly where you are going as to how easy or hard it will be to find places to stay. Our dogs love camping and the reason they come with us as they are much better off sitting at home all along with a visit for only one hour a day for feeding or sitting in a small concrete jail cell at the kennel.

You may just need to plan ahead a bit and when we went away for just 2 weeks I had every book every printed ie Camping with Dogs, Camps 3, Life Be in It, RSPCA, etc, etc. Between them all I think we had most places covered. I have found NSW and VIC quite dog friendly out the further you get away frome the cities the better.

Just remember to respect all rules ie Camping in National Parks. I have heard several stories about actually driving through ie one ranger said we could drive through but obviously not stop and let the dogs out at all while another ranger said we couldnt even drive down a few kms of road and keep the dogs in the car .

Places like Double Island Point they can be on the sand below the high tide mark but not above that point because their smell can linger and upset territory based animals which affect feeding patterns.

So there are lots of little things to consider but certainly go for it and just plan a bit ahead. Make sure your dogs are well behaved and well trained ie barking is the biggest complaints. Maybe start with small trips away for a few nights and build up to longer times away so that your dogs are used to the car and camping arrangements.

Remember to keep them protected from nasties such as ticks and fleas and I believe Advantix now protects from sandflies and mossies as well.

Good luck with your travels, wish I could do the same with our dogs.

This might be of some help

Dog friendly parks

.
.

We bought a caravan because we wanted to travel with our dogs a Retreaver and Border Collie. Then we just did it. Checked which parks let you have dogs and which don't and then hit the road.Free camp when we can and just get on with travelling with our dogs, we've never asked the advice or approval or others if we are or have done the right thing, we don't care.

Why does everyone have to check what the next bloke is or has done. Why can't people just decide to do something and make their own plans wihtout the approval or advice of the masses.

Give it a go and make your own informed decision and see what happens.

I love bush walking wth my dog and she reckons it's heaven on a stick. Occasioanlly we take her camping. But doing a lap with her? No Way! Dogs are restricted from most places of interest. And something no-one else has mentioned above, Dingoes are a real issue. I've heard numerous stories of wild dogs lureing campers mates into the bush and attacking them, presumably to get rid of the foriegner. Sometimes they succeed. A dog in camp does attact other dogs, including the ferals. When we're out there, we love to see the Dingoes enjoying their environment, and hearing them singing before sunrise is a tonic to start any day with.
Do yourselves and your dogs a favour. Take a holiday without 'em.
Besides, wouldn't the kids back home miss them?

Geoffrey, I've always taken my 2 dogs with me on holiday for approx 10 weeks a year for around 15 years. No problems. It all comes down to common sense. Be responsible for your dog(s) and you too will have no problems.

Cheers

Phill

It's odd isn't it... about dogs... even some of the people who own them (can one own a sentient animal? Buddhism doesn't think so) seem indifferent to them yet, to me, a dog is one of the closest friends we'll ever have in this life and I would never leave my friend behind.

Mike Harding