Newbie with a dog, I have questions

[ParistoDisney]

It's been too long since my last Disney trip. I've never stayed on grounds during past Disney visits so all of this is new to me. I'm planning to visit either Nov or Jan/Feb.

I do have one maltese, she is my baby lol. I'm bringing her along because I choose not to board her (no other friends or family can care for her). I'm very particular when it comes to her care.

That being said, here are my thoughts-
I want to rent a camper so my dog can stay overnight with me, however, I do want to check more into the Disney Best Friends Pet Care for her to have fun at doggy day camp. (I plan on calling them with my list of questions). I don't want her alone in the camper, possibly barking and becoming a nuisance to others while I'm away.

Besides my dog, there will be 2 others in my travel party.

I noted the pet loops and studied the map but have a couple questions:
Checking out the rental campers..they don't seem to provide much space, how do guest fit a dog's crate/kennel, food/water inside? (I travel light and will only bring what my dog needs).

I noticed lots of pine needles around each site loop. When I let my dog out for a morning or night potty break, where do I bring her? Does FW have a designated grass area for this purpose?

Any other tips or information you could offer or would like to bring to my attention, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm still reading/researching. Also have a list of question for the couple of camper rentals companies I have in mind.

 

[2goofycampers]

Checking out the rental campers..they don't seem to provide much space, how do guest fit a dog's crate/kennel, food/water inside?

I noticed lots of pine needles around each site loop. When I let my dog out for a morning or night potty break, where do I bring her? Does FW have a designated grass area for this purpose?

Any other tips or information you could offer or would like to bring to my attention, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm still reading/researching. Also have a list of question for the couple of camper rentals companies I have in mind.

We set up our crate on the bed. We didn't put food or water in. (we checked back in often). Some have a water bottle on the side like you would for a small guinea pig.

We let our potty anywhere, except, other people's sites. There are doggie bags on the loops for easy clean up. There are a couple pet walks and a dog park also.

When outside it comes in handy to have a tie-out cable or some with little fur babies have a portable fence set up.

I hope you both enjoy The Fort, our pup loves it there.

 

[KristinU]

We have two labs and set their crates up on the dinette (folded down), as being demonstrated by my DS and his cousin in this pic:

We have used the daycare at Best Friends and have been very happy. They really pay attention to the needs of your dog. Our guy was not loving the group playtime so they switched him over to some one on one cuddle time and let us know about it.

Other than that ditto everything else 2Goofycampers said

 

[sippican]

Frequently, a smaller dog crate will slide right underneath the dinette table. Our dogs like to hang out in that space as it is very den-like. We have two dear fur babies, but we leave them at the homes of our trusted dog-sitters when going to the Fort. Our days at Disney are so long and hectic that it just doesn't seem like a good place to have them along (although they travel with us frequently). We used to utilize kennels, but not since we found wonderful alternatives through www.dogvacay.com. You may want to check them out.

 

[ParistoDisney]

so how do you schedule your day to fit the dog breaks in?

If I rent a camper with a 1-2 sideout, does it give more space to set up a blocked off area to leave my dog in?

Some of the pictures and videos i've seen with 1-2 side outs look more promising. my dog is used to being blocked off by gates or foldable xpen vs crate. Will use crate if I have to but hoping there's a way I can block off space for her to move around a bit.

 

[Sundancer330]

Yes trailers with slide outs will give you more floor space and areas to house a dog. Go to http://www.greenbergrvflorida.com and check out their website, they are one of many companies that will deliver a rental trailer to the Fort. You can look at what is available to rent, they also rent a 8'x8' dog pen for $20 a week that can be set up outside. If your dog is used to a gate you could use one in many of the trailers that have sleeping areas in the rear.

 

[2goofycampers]

We (meaning DH) get up early and give her a long walk. Come back once during the day for a short potty walk. At night another long walk.

Or you can use the daycare program at Best Friends.

 

[KristinU]

so how do you schedule your day to fit the dog breaks in?

We tend to go to parks for rope drop, so we start the day with a nice potty walk (we're up at 5am every day anyway, so the boys wouldn't sleep in anyway) then breakfast then crate time. Then we like to head back to the camper at lunchtime and hang out. Another walk or a trip to the dog park and some hang-out time. Then crate time for an afternoon activity if we all go, otherwise chilling at the camper with whoever is not going.

What we don't do is back to back late night and early mornings, but that helps keep us sane as well.

We do keep in mind that we'd change plans on a dime if one of the dogs was barking or whining. Now that we have two and they're older we don't have this issue, but when we traveled with one and he was younger we had a couple of times where one of us stayed behind with him since he wasn't good and ready for a nap yet and was protesting being left behind.

 

[ParistoDisney]

Thanks to all for the replies and info. My baby is one yr old and clingy so im not sure which i will do yet. Im sure i will be back with more questions!

 

[sippican]

Good point by Kristin. You should be prepared to supervise your pup unless you are sure it will not whine, bark or howl in your absence.
Nothing more annoying than trying to chill at your site while listening to some poor furbaby yapping for hours on end while its owners are in the parks.
Downright rude to subject others to a pet that has not developed good camping behavior IMHO.

 

[ParistoDisney]

Oh I understand completely sippican! That's why I'm doing all my research now to be sure my pup will be comfortable and NOT be "one of those dogs".

She's in training now. I'm working with her to make sure she knows it's okay when I leave her home. I see progress with her.

I left a msg for pet care center but haven't heard back from anyone yet; I have a long list of questions for them as this is still a possibility.

I LOVED talking to Greenberg! They were very understanding and so thorough!

I'm trying to figure out transportation between parks (saw another thread about it) and scheduling my days with dining and puppy breaks if need be.

Which pet loops have ya'll stayed in?

 

[RVMH]

Oh I understand completely sippican! That's why I'm doing all my research now to be sure my pup will be comfortable and NOT be "one of those dogs".

She's in training now. I'm working with her to make sure she knows it's okay when I leave her home. I see progress with her.

I left a msg for pet care center but haven't heard back from anyone yet; I have a long list of questions for them as this is still a possibility.

I LOVED talking to Greenberg! They were very understanding and so thorough!

I'm trying to figure out transportation between parks (saw another thread about it) and scheduling my days with dining and puppy breaks if need be.

Which pet loops have ya'll stayed in?

We like the 1800 loop as it's a short walk to a canal where you can walk the dog for a fairly long way in either direction. 1600-1900 are full hook-up pet loops. 300 is closer to Settlement and a short walk to the off leash dog park but more expensive as it's a premium loop. I think you'll find that camping at the fort with a dog is pretty manageable. Good Luck!