There’s something truly special about hitting the open road with your furry best friend by your side. Travelling in a campervan with your dog offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation and quality time with your canine companion. Whether you’re an experienced camper or just starting out, bringing your dog along can enhance your experience in countless ways.
Love Campers is a dog-friendly campervan business. Darren and Clara have two of their own: Lucky and Merlin, who accompany them on all of their campervan adventures. We love the freedom and joy that campervans bring for owners and dogs alike.
Below we share some of the things we’ve learnt over the years designing campervans for customers and their pups!
Planning the perfect trip together
A well-planned trip can make all the difference in ensuring a memorable experience for both you and your dog. Here’s how to plan a camping adventure that your canine companion will love:
- Research: Spend time researching dog-friendly campsites in your chosen destination. It’s useful to read reviews and recommendations to gain insights from other pet owners about how suitable the campsite will be for your needs.
- Dog-friendly destinations: Don’t assume you’ll be able to bring your dog everywhere – seek out pubs, beaches, and attractions that welcome dogs. Some beaches are only dog-friendly off season so you might want to factor time of year into your plans as well. This will ensure your furry friend can join in on the fun.
- Acclimatisation: Before embarking on a long trip, gradually get your dog used to the campervan. Take short trips to help them adjust to the new environment and reduce anxiety.
- Plan for pit stops: Make regular stops during your journey to allow your dog to stretch their legs and do their business.
- Countryside over towns: Consider choosing countryside destinations over bustling cities. Rural areas often offer more open spaces, fewer distractions and a more peaceful atmosphere for dogs.
Helping your dog feel safe and at home on the road
When embarking on a camping trip with your pup, their comfort is really important. Consider these tips for creating a cosy and safe space for them:
- Travel safety: While driving, you must secure your dog using a crate or a dog seatbelt. If using a crate, place it somewhere that minimises discomfort and allows for easy access when parked. If you choose to go for a cage or crate we will be able to add points on the flooring to secure it in place.
- Sleeping arrangements: Whether it’s a familiar dog bed from home or a dedicated space within the campervan, provide a comfortable spot for your dog to rest. For larger vans, a designated area can even offer your dog a sense of security and privacy.
- Reactive dogs: If your dog is reactive, consider using curtains or parking away from other campers to lessen external stimuli and minimise stress.
Designing a dog-friendly campervan
It’s an absolute joy for us to welcome customers and their pets to the workshop, and we always do our best to design your campervan with your dog’s comfort in mind. We have first hand experience of campervanning with dogs, so we can offer advice and inventive solutions to help your dog feel comfortable while on the road:
- Darker interiors: With a Love Campers van you have the opportunity to customise the interior design with your choice of finishes. When travelling with dogs we’ll often recommend darker upholstery over lighter colours as it’s more forgiving when in contact with muddy paws!
- Vinyl flooring: Vinyl flooring is a practical choice for campervans as it can be easily swept and cleaned to remove dirt and hair.
- Showers: We can fit a cold water dog shower from the rear of the van, perfect for washing muddy dogs before they get back in.
Keeping things clean
Keeping your campervan clean and tidy is essential, especially when travelling with a dog. Here are some tips to help you maintain a hygienic and comfortable space:
- Muddy paws: Provide a designated area outside the campervan for your dog to shake off mud before entering. A shower, as mentioned above, can also be helpful for cleaning dirty paws.
- Cover up: Use blankets or seat covers to protect the interior of your campervan from dog hair and dirt. These can easily be removed and washed while the seats underneath are kept hair-free.
- Spill-proof bowls: Opt for spill-proof water and food bowls to minimise messes and keep your campervan floor clean.
- Towels: Bring plenty of towels for cleaning up spills, messes and muddy paws.
By following these tips, you can create a memorable camping experience for both you and your dog. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy your time together in the great outdoors.
Time for you and your pup to hit the road?
If you’re interested in taking the plunge and getting yourself (and your dog) a campervan, then please get in touch with us. We’d love to welcome you to our workshop to have a look at our campers in person.
Don’t forget we cater for lovely customers across the whole of the UK and we can easily arrange a video tour of our campervans with you for an initial chat.
Give us a call on 01273101407 or email hello@lovecampers.co.uk and we’ll help you to build the most paw-some dog friendly campervan you can imagine!