In the camper van with your dog
It's wonderful to be able to take your best friend on holiday with you, especially on holiday in a camper van. But there are a few things you should consider to make sure your dog has the best possible experience.
Is the dog welcome?
It is advisable to find out about dog-friendly places in advance. There are many places where dogs are welcome, but it is of course safest to make sure that campsites, beaches and restaurants welcome your best friend. You can find a lot of sources on the internet that will give you information about your possible destinations.
Transporting your dog
You must transport your dog safely. There are certain rules and laws that you must adhere to when travelling with your dog in your motorhome. It must either be in a transport box or secured with a seat belt. If it is transported in a crate, it must be positioned so that the dog has shade and good ventilation.
Equipment, luggage or other objects should not fall on the dog and injure it. In addition, the space the dog occupies during the journey should allow it to stand up and lie down comfortably.
Remember to take plenty of breaks on longer journeys so that the dog can relax. And provide him with water and small snacks regularly.
When taking a break in a car park, you should never tie your dog to the motorhome. Every year there are reports of dogs that are still tied up when their owner is driving off. Instead, you can take a special bolting device with you, which you can find in the pet shop. It can then be drilled into the meadow, and you can attach the dog to it.
You can find more information about transport in our guide article ‘Travelling with your dog in the car’.
Arriving at your holiday destination
Never leave your dog unattended in the car or motorhome if the temperature is likely to rise above +25 or fall below -5 degrees. A motorhome heats up quickly, and remember that dogs should only be left in a stationary car for a maximum of three hours.
When you arrive at the campsite, you should demarcate an area for your dog to stay in. Make sure it's cool and that your dog always has access to water.
Tip: Bring a silver cloth to cover parts of the outdoor area for your dog. It's important that your dog has a cool place when the summer heat is on. A silver cloth reflects the sun's rays and makes the area cooler. Always make sure your dog doesn't get too hot.
Be prepared for accidents
No matter where you are travelling or how long you are on the road, accidents can happen, or your dog can get injured. It's always a good idea to take a first aid kit with you for your dog. You may be a long way from the nearest veterinary hospital and a first aid kit can help you out.
Here are some useful things to have with you:
Protective gloves
Saline solution/ wound rinse
Self-adhesive bandages, gauze bandages
plasters
Compresses
Razor, tweezers, scissors
Ointment
Clinical thermometer
Tick tweezers
