The Best Co-Pilot You'll Ever Have: Celebrating National Dog Day With a Getaway
There's a moment every camping dog owner knows. The moment you pop the campervan door, unfurl the awning, or peg down the last guy rope and your dog does a full lap of the pitch, nose down, tail up, already three fields ahead in their head. They've decided this is the best day of their life. Again.
Today is National Dog Day (26 August), and here at The Getaway Show we can't think of a better reason to celebrate the four-legged adventurers who make every trip that bit more joyful. Because if there's one thing we've learned from talking to caravanners, campervanners and tent-pitchers across the North East of Scotland, it's this: a getaway is always better with a dog in it.
Why dogs and the great outdoors were made for each other
Dogs don't need five-star luxury. They need fresh air, new smells, a patch of grass to claim as their own, and you nearby. It's a remarkably short list and it maps almost perfectly onto a weekend in a campervan, caravan or tent.
For working breeds and energetic terriers especially, a camping trip is the ultimate enrichment: long walks by day, a cosy spot by the stove or under the awning by night, and a soundtrack of birdsong and wind in the trees instead of traffic and television. It's the kind of slow, outdoorsy rhythm that suits a dog's instincts down to the ground.
And the benefits run both ways. Studies and seasoned owners alike will tell you that time outdoors with a dog lowers stress, boosts mood, and turns an ordinary weekend into something you'll both remember. The dog gets the adventure. You get the adventure and a genuinely enthusiastic travel companion who has never once complained about the weather.
Tips for caravanning and camping with your dog
If you're planning your first trip with your dog or looking to make the next one smoother here are a few essentials we hear again and again:
Secure them on the move. A dog harness clipped to a travel seatbelt point keeps your co-pilot safe (and stops them "helping" you drive).
Pack their home comforts. A familiar blanket or bed, their usual bowls, and a favourite toy help a new pitch feel like home fast. (Vet bedding is brilliant for this - machine-washable, warm and tough.)
Bring the good treats. A long-lasting natural chew is worth its weight in gold on a rainy afternoon in the van, and high-value training treats are perfect for recalls on the beach.
Mind the temperature. Vans and caravans heat up fast in the sun and hold the cold at night — never leave a dog unattended in a vehicle, and keep water available at all times.
Plan dog-friendly stops. Scotland is packed with dog-welcoming campsites, pubs and cafés — but a quick check ahead saves a disappointed turnaround at the gate.
Treat your co-pilot at The Getaway Show
This National Dog Day, we're especially proud to shine a light on two brilliant dog treat businesses joining us as exhibitors at The Getaway Show. If your dog is the reason you bought the campervan in the first place, you'll want to visit both.
AberK9 Treats: Founded by Jamie — an Aberdeen dog walker who switched his own dog Loki to a fully natural diet and never looked back — AberK9 Treats sources premium, all-natural dog treats from trusted UK suppliers . From puffed chicken feet packed with joint-supporting glucosamine to the generously stuffed 'Loki' treat box, everything is air-dried to keep the goodness in and the additives out +1. It's the kind of honest, healthy stash you'll be glad to have on the road.
Jacobite Dog Chews: Run by two sisters from their natural treat shop in Crieff, Perthshire, Jacobite Dog Chews was born from a simple frustration: finding good-quality, affordable natural treats when you've got more than one dog in the house . Their range spans everything from grain-free tripe sticks and chicken & salmon bites to paddywack and beef ears — and they also stock hard-wearing vet bedding that's ideal for the back of a campervan or a tent porch +1. Quality treats, sensible prices, and a genuine love of dogs running through it all.
Come and celebrate with us
National Dog Day might come once a year, but the adventures last a lifetime. So here's to the dogs who sit shotgun to nowhere in particular, who bark at the awning rolling out, and who remind us that the best part of any getaway isn't the destination - it's who's sitting beside you.
Join us at The Getaway Show, 25–27 September 2026 at P&J Live, Aberdeen — the North East of Scotland's biggest showcase of caravans, campervans, motorhomes and outdoor living .
Come for the inspiration, stay for the treats.
Grab your tickets: thegetawayshow.com/book-your-tickets