Inconsiderate Dog owners

It's unfortunate that this "confusion" between dogs and children has cropped up yet again.

Let's stick to the point. As even the most ardent dogs dislikers agree, it's a tiny minority of owners (not dogs themselves!) who are irresponsible enough to let their dogs bark continuously - it's this tiny minority who should be tackled. On a similar thread to this the OP said that they had a word with neighbours whose dog was annoying them by barking repeatedly - they (the neighbours) accepted it, moved the dog inside the van and the problem was solved. Far more productive than coming on a forum after the event moaning about things!

Charging for dogs will do nothing to stop them barking and little to reduce numbers; in fact it's likely to force folk to look elsewhere and' given the number of dog owners in the club, that loss in revenue will force prices up for everyone else.

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I think the figure of 70% is too high, was it not said last year that about 40% of members bring one or more dogs with them?

We have only had about 20 nights on Club sites this year so far, but our impression has been that we have seen slightly fewer dogs than usual, or perhaps they were just quieter and better behaved!

I've long been of the opinion, M, that charging for dogs is likely to encourage irresponsible behaviour rather than curb it. Can't you just hear it "I'm paying for my dog so why shouldn't he bark / why should I pick up after him / why shouldn't he go in the facility block?". Delete as appropriate. 

I may well be wrong but thought I read somewhere the actual percentage of dog ownership in the club was 69%

Visiting Club Sites with Dogs 

 

according to this leaflet, not the current one I know, the figure was about one third.

I doubt it has doubled since then!

Mod Comment - Post edited to shorten link

Thank you for reading my post so carefully and pointing that out, David! 

Let me rephrase the second part of that sentence to remove the contradiction -

" in fact, IF it's used to force folk to look elsewhere and, given the number of dog owners in the club, that results in loss in revenue, it will force prices up for everyone else."

I agree with you; it just isn't going to happen! 

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The bottom line is that the Club has rules regarding dogs on sites - see page 669 of the Sites Directory and Handbook.  Are these rules enforced on sites?  Not in my experience and I travel extensively from Club site to Club site (with both Clubs) - 85 nights in my caravan so far this year, and counting (it is a hobby in my retirement).  Dog numbers on sites seems to be on the increase; probably because caravanning is one of the few options for holidaying with dogs. I have spoken to the inconsiderate owners of dogs in the past and have received verbal abuse as a result - criticising a dog seems to be worse than criticising a child!  I have also spoken to site wardens but nothing seems to be done.  My main gripe is the way that the majority, yes majority, of dog owners seem to be oblivious of the disgusting habit of allowing their dog(s) to poo and pee anywhere on sites (poo is cleared up but pee can't be) instead of using the dog walks (see club rules).  And yes, it is possible to train a dog to poo and pee where you want it to - it is normally the laziness of the owner that is at fault, not the dog.  Charging for dogs is not the answer as mentioned by others - that would only make matters worse. Enforcing Club rules would be a start.  Not everyone likes dogs - some people, especially children, are easily frightened by dogs.  Their requirements should also be considered.  The Club should consider making some sites dog-free. Alternatively, on some of the larger sites, it would be possible to allocate a section of the site as dog-free.

Discuss ...........

Well, I'd certainly challenge the statement that it's the majority of dog owners who allow this to happen Bongo, unless your hobby extends to counting that as well! 

As for dog free sites, it's just not going to happen is it ( unless you also have child-free, TV-free, BBQ-free etc etc sites as well!) Dog free areas I can just about imagine, certainly better than dog-only areas.