Taking dogs in your van seemed like a great idea when you got it! You and your four-legged friend, on the road, stopping off for long walks and lots of fun… But when there’s dirty pawprints all over the seats and nowhere else for them to sit, you’ve got yourself a cleaning nightmare. Dogs and campervans do mix though – it’s just about being prepared!
Don’t let them go barking mad…
A lot of dog owners have cages or crates fitted in the van. It’s a safer way to travel, as the dogs are kept secure if you have to brake suddenly/turn corners. These make cleaning mess pretty easy, as a lot of them have plastic or rubber inside.
Make sure you pack the essentials! It’s almost like having a baby on board – you need to remember to bring food, a lead, water and food bowls, towels (if they get wet/dirty), poo bags etc. You should also bring blankets to keep them comfy and bones or toys, so they don’t get bored when travelling.
It’s easiest if you train your dog to only come in and out of the van through the side door and you must never leave them in the van in hot weather – same as a car!
Paws for thought…
On longer journeys, you should make regular stops to let your dog stretch their legs/do their business and get some fresh air. You’ll benefit from this too! It’s a legal requirement in the UK to make sure your dog is microchipped but it’s also a good idea to put a tag on their collar with your contact details, in case they do go missing. If you’re stopping at any campsites, you should check in advance if they allow dogs on site.
Rainy day – jumping in poodles!
It’s up to you whether you let them sleep in the bed with you, on the seat or pop a bed/mattress in the van for them. That being said, if you’re letting them on the seats at all, you need an easy way to clean them.
Our covers sponge off pretty well, but they’re also easy to remove, should you need to machine wash them! They’re made from tough stuff too – they’ll look good as new, even after being subjected to claws, paws and repeated washing.
They’re not just practical though, our covers come in a range of cool colours and styles, and you can personalise them with your name/the VW logo. Take a look at our swatches or give us a call today to chat about your colour scheme.