Finding the perfect dog camping bed.....

[HerGU]

Hi All,

We are searching for the perfect dog bed setup for our 2 dogs for camping as we set off on our lap next year.

They currently have a large sling bed each, but on cold, wet and windy nights they get a little damp and cold when we are camping. Their beds are normally just outside the awning on the camper (we only have a small awning), but any damp nights they are freezing when we get up from the dew. They do both have a waterproof jacket each but it doesn't help when it rains.

Wondering if anyone has the perfect setup?

We are looking for a collapsible and removable frame covered in canvas preferably with windows that can be attached to their existing beds or to a bed that can be separate.

The picture below is one we found online that perfectly meets our needs, but.... of course that business is not contactable anymore. Damn it!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

We dont like the idea of the hound house or the mutt hutt as the beds cannot be used without the cover. 1 of our dogs doesnt like her wooden box at home unless its really cold, so its better that we can choose to put the cover on and off.

The Maxie swag also needs to have it held up by rope which is not always possible if no trees around and would be a Pain to put up and down everyday so its not in the way.

I have found a few other options online but as usual, cant get it shipped to Australia and quality is somewhat to be deired.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Photo on the bottom helps you to appreciate how small a space we have which is why we put them outside the awning when we can.

[Hoyks]

I found these Dog Swags while looking for something else. You could tie them to the trailer or the awning so the mutts are happy you won't be too far away.

http://www.maxieswags.com/

[NatGav]

What a great idea.....we are looking something two for our American bulldog and golden for a 12 month trip...so I like the idea of the raised plaftform, then the swag and cushion....can be set up in the awing, in our tent section, or just the raised platform.....can the swag be set up using our tents poles?
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[NatGav]

Hey Hoyks, i just spoke to Chress at Maxie swags.
Amazing chick, lovely to speak too and is going to make me a XXlarge one for my two dogs.
Sounds like a great product and will suit our needs perfectly.
THanks again...

[Kit_e_kat9]

Mine finds a lap is a little more comfy than any chair, so maybe invest in a few of those?  Check out my canvas dog bed thread and see what we've bought.  Doing my research found that dogs really are spoilt for choice, but it's owner may find it very confusing.  I wouldn't be too fussy, but some dogs are, as you may not find what you want.  I didn't, but I found what I needed ... my new beds have (in theory) ticked all the boxes, and came highly recommended.  They are now at the PO, so I'll grab them Thursday (I'm pretty chuffed with overnight delivery). 

If all else fails, get someone to make it, but be prepared to pay a goodly chunk of the folding stuff.

Kit_e

Post Related Blatant Family Member Exposure

[HerGU]

I found these Dog Swags while looking for something else. You could tie them to the trailer or the awning so the mutts are happy you won't be too far away.

http://www.maxieswags.com/

Hi,

The Maxie swags i dont think are suitable for us as i can see our big doofus dog turning around on her bed in the middle of the night and pulling the entire awning down. They also make it so you cant put the walls up with the ropes through the awnings....this is why we want something free standing that can be moved around to avoid the sun on hot days.

[Jon]

What ever you end up with, get a cheapo closed cell gym mat and cut it up to guard against the cold coming up through the floor/base

[NatGav]

I'm thinking about the portable hound house....made of canvas, folds flats and is off the ground. Good for cold night's, my two will find an extra large one together....then some sheep skin rugs to lay on...also some of that rubber flooring as well

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[welchygq]

I'm thinking about the portable hound house....made of canvas, folds flats and is off the ground. Good for cold night's, my two will find an extra large one together....then some sheep skin rugs to lay on...also some of that rubber flooring as well

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Nah - as we posted in the original post the hound house is not for us.

[Stozz]

I know you don't want one, but we have the Hound House and love it.  Well, the Dog loves it.  He is happy to go in there when it is hot or cold.  In the really hot weather, we have put the windscreen solar shade (silver thing you put up inside your windscreen when parked in the sun) over the top of the Hound House and secured it with pegs. Works a treat.  I have seen that you can now get a clear soft plastic door flap for them too so the rain doesnt come in (we dont have this). To collapse it, you just take out the roof bar and it folds flat - we store it on the roof of the camper or behind the back seat of the car.



What about one of these (have had no experience with them) : http://waggle.com.au/egr-b25/umbra-pet-p352

[welchygq]

unfortunatly one of our dogs will not use a kennel unless its really cold so need to be able to take the top off.  As far as i am aware this is not an option with the hound house?

So not an option to us.

[Stozz]

unfortunatly one of our dogs will not use a kennel unless its really cold so need to be able to take the top off.  As far as i am aware this is not an option with the hound house?

So not an option to us.

Nope, you cant take the top off the Hound House.  Would they sleep in a small dome tent? might keep them warmer but not feel so closed in? you can pick up a small dome tent for < $50 these days.  You could put their uncovered trampoline beds inside the tent?

[welchygq]

HAHAHA - if you knew our dogs you wouldnt even suggest this! 

First time they wanted out - i dont think it would matter if the door was wide open, they would just run in the direction of the noise!
 

[Stozz]

Hmm, I am thinking they might just have to put up with coats and their sling beds.... We have been known to put a hot water bottle in our dog's kennel on a really cold morning...

[HerGU]

Hmm, I am thinking they might just have to put up with coats and their sling beds.... We have been known to put a hot water bottle in our dog's kennel on a really cold morning...

I will get something made if i cant find somethine suitable soon. I have made some enquiries with the company that makes the picture up the top and just waiting to hear back to see if they will do a one off for me. Otherwise i will look into getting something made up. Frame shouldnt be too hard to make, just have to get the canvas and shade cloth sewn up to fit.

[chester ver2.0]

Sorry i do have to laught and i apologise in advance its just that all of my dogs have been working dogs so i am still chuckling at the pictures and lengths people will go to

But just a simple sugesstion maybe a seat cover or large blanket and toss em in the back of the patrol if they are that affected by the cold

[Stozz]

Sorry i do have to laught and i apologise in advance its just that all of my dogs have been working dogs so i am still chuckling at the pictures and lengths people will go to

I don't know what you are talking about. Our dog has a very tough life as a suburban cattle dog, chasing balls and birds, swimming at the beach, sleeping, chewing bones, guarding the gate and barking at the postie...

This is how I found him last night... Clearly he has been working very hard

[Paul Mac]

Hi, i recently went through a similar process trying to find a suitable sleeping kennel for the shep and finally decided to buy her a 2 man dome tent for $45 at Aussie Disposals. Its free standing and relatively quick to set up and pack up. I lay a blanket and her matress inside the tent which makes it reasonably comfortable.

Looking at the cost of some of the travelling kennels this option is quite cheap.

Hope this helps.

[Jon]

Either a spring pop up beach shelter or instead of something with visibly solid walls, get some clear vinyl sheet from a plastics place and make like an A shape shelter like the maxiswags above?

[HerGU]

Thanks for the replies all.

I have thought about a dome tent before but the other half wasn't keen. I also thought about beach shelter but locally havent been able to find one that doesnt have the sides missing.

 

Sorry i do have to laught and i apologise in advance its just that all of my dogs have been working dogs so i am still chuckling at the pictures and lengths people will go to

But just a simple sugesstion maybe a seat cover or large blanket and toss em in the back of the patrol if they are that affected by the cold

Chester, i know why and what you are laughing at  The other half continually tells me  "they are just dogs" and i finally got permision to do something more sturdy for the dogs so i am taking it and running with it while i can lol. Although they will never be allowed inside (even at home) i am the one who gets up at 3am when it rains cause they are tied to a tree getting soaked to move them under the awning. As i said at the top, we are heading off for 2 years on our big lap next year and figure with our record, it will rain more often than not because "we" will be camping lol. So whoever needs rain just tell us where you need us to camp 

We have a wagon so they cant just sit in the ute. 

[adrian]

We bought ours a camper trailer, and we sleep in swags outside 

[Sharshebelle1]

We bought a canvas crate on ebay, she lasted five minutes in it looking at us with her puggy eyes and now sleeps on our bed. The problem was she got home from camping and refused to sleep anywhere else again.

[Kit_e_kat9]

There is my favourite minkie blanket again!  LOL!  I've got no dog hair on mine!!!!   

Kit_e

[Sharshebelle1]

There is my favourite minkie blanket again!  LOL!  I've got no dog hair on mine!!!!   

Kit_e

I know, it's spending more and more time in the washing machine these days, but it's worth it, she makes an awesome hot water bottle,