Big 4 relaxing "no dog" policy

[Sharshebelle1]

Its recently been announced that Big 4's are relaxing their no dog policy,  I doubt that it would be over school holiday period. Personally, Im not a fan of tourist parks, too many bad experiences with ferals,  but I do love taking my dog camping, so, can I put up with the bad parts if it means I can take my fur baby. What are your thoughts ?

[Mace]

I think its still up to the individual Big 4 CP to decide if they want to become more dog friendly.  Restrictions on Peak use times still seem the go where they do allow.

We use Top Tourist Parks when we do stay in CP's  as they have a wider range of dog friendly parks.  Peak period limitations still apply, but that wont ever concern us!

 

[D4D]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=13474

[dazzler]

What are your thoughts ?

How long till this goes pear shaped    

[Fun Police]

I vote no.

Even though I support people's dog ownership, I can't stand them.  Plus have had a couple of bad experiences.  Both big and small.

Sorry,  won't get my support, ever.

[Sharshebelle1]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=13474

I read this recently to go into affect from July 1, but looks like its been in the works for a while.
From my own personal experience, and Ive only been to a couple of dog friendly camps,  the dog owners were more responsible to the feral children we had to endure at Christmas at a big 4,  the parents were too drunk to even know where their little darlings were, and when we asked said darlings to not jump the gutters on scooters into our car we got the bird. 

[Bird]

How long till this goes pear shaped    

From my own personal experience, and Ive only been to a couple of dog friendly camps,  the dog owners were more responsible to the feral children we had to endure at Christmas at a big 4,  the parents were too drunk to even know where their little darlings were, and when we asked said darlings to not jump the gutters on scooters into our car we got the bird. 

even quicker now 

[Sharshebelle1]

even quicker now 

dont get it

[Bird]

dont get it

so all kids are killer PITA to u and doggies are all little darlings.
to others its the other way around.

[Sharshebelle1]

so all kids are killer PITA to u and doggies are all little darlings.
to others its the other way around.

I didn't say that at all,  I have two children of my own,  I was reflecting on my own experience last Christmas at a Big 4.  I was also drawing on the experience that I had at two dog friendly campsites that were very pleasant experiences, not sure why you had to be so rude

[Bird]

I didn't say that at all,  I have two children of my own,  I was reflecting on my own experience last Christmas at a Big 4.  I was also drawing on the experience that I had at two dog friendly campsites that were very pleasant experiences, not sure why you had to be so rude

Im not being rude. You asked what I meant, I told...
I'll leave it there. but read the other thread.. it turned the same direction

[D4D]

not sure why you had to be so rude

It's ok he's like that with everyone

[dazzler]

Nostradazzler


Now I predict, on the setting sun of the third month, there shall be, where the electrons flow, a debate shall be had, of fearsome anger,  and 6mmB&S shall it be.

 

[Heiny]

Just another going nowhere thread 

[Jenko67]

We take our dogs everywhere with us, so another option for us....

[NewcastleKnight]

Pretty simple really, some kids are a PITA and some dogs are a PITA.  There is one common denominator really....parents and owners....lol

[kiwipete]

"We have No problem at all with Dogs and camp grounds"     I actually find that it makes the experience even better i.e. where else can you stay and have pets around....   So I applaud Big4   -   Only thing is I think they may have some caveats (Funny That)   See "South Durras"

http://big4-south-durras-holiday-park.nsw.big4.com.au/dogs-welcome.aspx

Dogs Welcome
Suitably behaved, small  dogs under 10kg (subject to managers discretion), friendly, well-mannered and cared for dogs are now welcome to come on holiday with their responsible dog owner/s to BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park.

BIG4 South Durras is only 100 metres from a “dog friendly beach”; perfect for exercising your companion!

We have allocated 3 sites for guests and their dog. Doggie waste bags and waste disposal bins are provided. Dogs must be on a lead of no more than 2 metres at all times, occupy the allocated area only and not be left unattended. Refer to full conditions of stay in the "BIG4 Dog Owner Agreement".

[BrindiCruiser]

I like the idea of some limits on the number of sites where dogs are allowed.

I love dogs, but my wife and daughter are pretty worried around dogs.

I went to a dog friendly park recently, and it felt like almost every campsite had a dog, and they were a constant companion on the beach. Definitely made things more difficult for me and the family.

So Sth durras would appeal to me.

[Nomad]

F'wits are F'wits whether they're on their own or with dogs or kids . I've got both and you are welcome to come over for a beer, unless you are an F'wit. Neither of my dog or kids will jump up and drool on you, or sh!t in your campsite.

If you treat where you are staying as your own home or local beach or what ever and act as a decent person would you should be no worries.

Cheers Nomad.
 

[Pete_R]

The problem with dog friendly parks are usually the dog owners. At Xmas/New Year stayed at a caravan park at Nambucca (not Big 4). Woke up one morning to find a couple of dog sh$#s near us on the road & no sign of dogs or owners.
Another time at the same park, the dog owners left their "cute" little dog locked in their caravan whilst they went out for about half a day - obviously the dog was distressed because of this & yapped & whined the whole time they were out.
Kids can be a PITA as well because some  parents don't give a damm about what they are doing.

Yes, I have 2 youngish kids & I like to know where they are & what they are doing. I also have a small dog which I refuse to take on holidays.

No matter where you go, there will always be parents or owners who don't give a damm & this just ruins it for everyone else

[Sharshebelle1]

Ive stayed at two dog friendly camp grounds, 7 mile beach holiday park (many times), and Mudgee Riverside camp ground,  before being a dog owner and again since we got our dog. I can honestly say the owners on all of those occassions were very respectful of other guests,  and you hardly noticed the dogs, they were all kept on leads and close to campers/caravans. Being dog friendly didn't influence my decision to stay at these places before I became a dog owner, but only makes them more attractive since we got her.
Some of the strong negative responses on this topic have surprised me,  I wasn't overly fussed about dogs before we got ours and that didn't affect our enjoyments of our holidays at dog friendly parks,  I dont know,  maybe we've just been really lucky that we have only encounted responsible owners.
To us,  the kids included, yes I am a parent of two young children, our dog is now a major part of the family and Im sure that there are many others that feel the same, and I'd miss her terribly if we had to leave her in a boarding kennel.
Of course it is all going to depend on how strickly the park enforce the rules,  you are going to find the odd selfish asshole everywhere. 
The point of my original post was "is the change in policy enough to get me over my dislike of Big 4's, I'd have to say probably not if some of the attitudes on this thread are anything to go by,  I'll stick to independents or bush camping.

[dazzler]

I our dog is now a major part of the family and Im sure that there are many others that feel the same, and I'd miss her terribly if we had to leave her in a boarding kennel.

This is where it gets tricky.  And I mean no disrespect at all so pls dont take any.  Its a DOG.   
Its not a member of the family its a dog.  It will be fine in a quality boarding kennel.  It will have food, exercise and it can sleep as much as it likes, lick its nuts if it wants and generally do what dogs do - eat, poop and chill.

I guarantee that as you drive out of the kennel the dog will chill out and wont give you a second thought. 

I have border collies dogs and they are great.  But dog ownership is tricky.  There are lots of people out there that simply dont like them and I think that should be respected by not inflicting our pets on others when they are trying to have a holiday.  By all means start a 'dogs only caravan park' and go crazy.

Whats funny is this though. I manage an area of local govt part of which is dog control (the dog catchers).  Every single dog attack they have ever had, bar one, the owners said that fluffy would never do such a thing.  Well fluffy is a wolf only cuddly and belongs in his yard, in a kennel or in an area that they are expected.  Most people dont expect to see them at a caravan park hence the blowback.

Remember no offence meant. 

[9775Andrew]

Dazzler

Nicely said

In general dogs not he problem, it's the owners

I have and love dogs .............. but leave them at home

[lilstookie]

Leaving our dog in a boarding kennel for a year or more is not an option for us, neither is leaving her with family or friends. A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. I take this seriously, so finding a new home for her is also not an option. The chances of us using Big4 on our trip are slim to none as they seem to want resort prices for a patch of grass. They also attract families which puts me off. I used to work for the golden arches and seeing parents with their little darlings almost puts you off having kids. Even now (with two of my own) watching kids in playgrounds trying to push my son around because he is a gentle and polite (but very big) 2yo makes my blood boil. Even moreso because their parents seem to have no idea of what's going on 
I train my dog, I pick up after my dog, I make sure my dog doesn't bother you (unless you invite her), she doesn't pee on your canvas, she doesn't go through your rubbish and now I'm penalised because of other idjits. I guess one advantage we have is that (when we're free camping), people see the dog bed and kids clothes/toys and decide to camp further away from us 

Lil

[griz066]

   
Its not a member of the family its a dog.

I guarantee that as you drive out of the kennel the dog will chill out and wont give you a second thought.

Remember no offence meant. 

None taken, but not all dogs are the same. 

Last year we went on a 7 day cruise, we booked Darlings very spoilt Cocker Spaniel into a kennel, she howled sooked and cried for the whole time to the point of loosing her voice. It was the strangest thing to hear her try to bark. It took a good 3 months to come good.

She is most certainly a member of the family along with our 2 kids (all grown and left home), 

I would take her any day over feral children and there are plenty of them around. 

We did the Big 4 thing when the kids were small as they are awesome, they have so much for the kids to do, now there is just the 2 of us we tend to keep away from feral kids and use pet friendly van parks frequented by the grey nomads. 

We aren't grey yet but it won't be long.