Holiday home manufacturer’s models are ‘better than houses’
Editor Victoria Galligan spoke to Willerby product managers Rob Lawrence and Phil Parks about the success of the company, and its new-for-2019 models… Based in Hull and employing more than 1,000 people, Willerby recently announced year-on-year sales growth of 12.7%. Here, the product managers explain what goes on behind-the-scenes at the firm’s innovation division, and why the brand is (after 70 years) the UK’s largest manufacturer of holiday homes and lodges. Willerby – the brand Phil works on bespoke models, park homes and modular holiday lodges which include luxury leisure versions. He worked on the “Hobbit Houses” which Willerby produced for Alton Towers’ Enchanted Village. So, what makes Willerby models such a hit with customers – is it all about offering the highest specifications? Rob, who comes from a background in the furniture industry before joining Willerby last autumn, says, “Willerby has always had a great reputation for providing quality holiday homes, and as the largest manufacturer of holiday homes in the UK the company has invested a lot in new technology in order to maintain our high standards. People recognise a quality product when they look at Willerby homes.” Phil added, “We don’t design purely on specifications – although we do like to match or beat our competitors on this where possible, instead, we aim to produce the most affordable homes for our customers. “We work out what to deliver to our customers by asking them via social media, speaking to dealers at trade shows and speaking to customers at shows and via the Willerby Owners Club who offer us fantastic feedback and insight. We ask them what they want and why they want it, before the design and production stages. “Of course we also look at market trends and visit housing associations, kitchen manufacturers and find out what the public want in a home.” Acting on feedback Some examples of Willerby acting on customer feedback include the pet-friendly “Simply Pawsome” package – which can be added on to holiday homes to provide a dog pen, stable door and outside tap – as well as the Oslo wall system in the Juniper Lodge which are durable enough to hold wallpaper and bear up to 40kg of load on a single hook all created due to customer demand. Phil adds, “This year we’ve revised the Clearwater model, which is our best-value and best-selling lodge, so it was a big deal for us to make changes to. “However, we’ve made a lot of improvements by listening to feedback, looking at trends, and enhancing the space, the price and the specs, making it arguably our best-value holiday home.” The Avonmore holiday home has also had an update this year, including an innovative new sofa with built in storage for iPads and phones – plus handy USB plugs. Rob says, “All of our models are TV ready and we’re looking at adding Smart TV fittings to more models.” Rob says customers are always on the lookout for more storage in their holiday homes, adding, “It’s a big thing; our new Linwood entry-level holiday home has extra hidden storage in the lounge, kitchen and wardrobes. It was a design challenge as we’re constrained by size but we have managed to find significantly more space by making a few small additions throughout. “We also surveyed customers to find out where they spend the most time in their holiday home and, not surprisingly, they said the lounge. But when we asked where they would rather invest the most money in, the kitchen was considered the most important room in the home. That’s why we’ve made the kitchen bigger and included branded kitchen appliances such as Hotpoint microwaves.” Excitingly, the new Waverley model is the first Willerby holiday home to feature a kitchen island. The Waverley, which launched at The Lawns show, offers luxury touches such as black light fittings, touches of copper and sky pink tones in the upholstery. Robs commented, “It’s very stylish, with a really nice seating area and a window seat in the bedroom which we hope are modern touches that will appeal to a modern day customer.” It’s all in the build Willerby is all about creating the home-from-home experience – and Rob says this has influenced the new Integritas Wall SystemTM which will feature on mid-range models like the Avonmore and upwards as part of Willerby’s Simply Better Build range. He explains, “We’re removing the knock-in beads, and replacing them with a bonded wall system. Not only does this look nicer, and remove the beams to give a smoother look, but it actually makes the walls stronger by 70%. “Since launching, the response to the Simply Better Build concept has been really positive as the changes that we have made aims to make our holiday homes look and feel as much like the customers’ own homes as possible.” Meanwhile, as Willerby launch their luxury lodges later this autumn – the Rowan and Acorn – Phil is confident that the design which has gone into the homes will ensure they prove popular. The Rowan is the latest addition to the premium Botanical range; tastefully designed and appointed with an abundance of natural light allowed through its feature windows. The Acorn represents the best value for money at its price point, featuring bi-fold doors and engineered flooring as standard. The luxury lodges are made as twin units, using Glulam (glue-laminated) beams, which fit together easily onsite after leaving the 90-acre Willerby headquarters. Phil adds, “The beams create a strong lodge, which is going to last a long time, something which we know is important to our customers, who want to be confident they have the highest quality holiday home on the market.” Changes in innovation Phil agrees that the face of the caravan park industry has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. He commented, “We have to move with the times: customers want the latest colours, specs and the best technology. They want Bluetooth connectivity and in some cases our homes are
Tingdene Homes to unveil new and improved website
Tingdene Homes will be unveiling its transformative new website this month, which has been commissioned to redefine the digital experience for both buyers and park owners in the holiday lodge and park home sectors. The new website is part of Tingdene’s own reinvention, which coincides with the Wellingborough-based company’s 50th anniversary and their recent re-brand that encourages customers to discover the Tingdene Difference. With on-site journeys tailored to the needs of distinct audience personas, the website aims to revolutionise the online customer experience, and draws upon five decades of expertise and innovation to aid both customers and park owners as they browse the site. Tingdene’s Commercial Director Jamie Wilkins said: “For the past fifty years we’ve been known as trendsetters in our industry, so this latest evolution of our company is just another sign of the innovation that we hold at our heart. We have high hopes for the new website – not just in helping Tingdene to set a new benchmark for excellence, but in helping buyers and park owners to find the information that will change their lifestyle or business for the better.” The website is filled with unique interactive tools along with a comprehensive ‘help and advice’ portal that’s planned to be one of the industry’s most extensive resources. An innovative and easy-to-use Park Finder tool will be launched in a later stage of the website, providing a promotional platform for park owners, whilst at the same time bestowing customers with a wide choice of endorsed leisure and residential parks. Owners and operators of leisure and residential parks are invited to register their interest in Tingdene’s new Park Finder tool by contacting marketing@tingdene.co.uk Tingdene Homes LTD announce new stock finance relationship with Hitachi Capital UK Tingdene Homes Ltd, manufacturer of park homes and holiday lodges, are pleased to announce that they have launched new stock finance facilities with Hitachi Capital Business Finance. The new finance deal, which will start with immediate effect, will provide Park Operators & Dealers with between 90 and 180 days ‘interest free’ stock finance, with a max 360 day funding period for all new supplied Homes. Simon Baker, Head of Sales at Tingdene Homes Ltd commented: “The new stock finance scheme with Hitachi Capital is definitely a game changer for us and something our customers have been requesting. Now we will be able to provide alternative stock finance payment options to our Park Operator customers. Cash flow planning and risk mitigation is critical as Tingdene continues to grow its market share and we look forward to working closely with Hitachi Capital in supporting the increasing demand for holiday homes. This is a funding relationship that we hope will develop alongside the increased pace of the growth in the park and holiday home space that we have seen recently. Gavin Wraith-Carter, Managing Director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance, added: “We are delighted to be working with Tingdene Homes Ltd. This new partnership with a high quality, respected Holiday Home manufacturer is a further clear illustration of our planned strategy to become the number one funder in the Leisure sector. Hitachi Capital Business Finance, a subsidiary of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, provides business asset finance to over 25,000 customers across the UK, powering both SMEs and bigger corporations to meet their goals and grow. Working across multiple sectors, the business works through finance brokers and with vendor organisations to provide products including hire purchase, operating lease, finance lease solutions and block discounting. For more information on Tingdene, please click here
Heaven in Devon: Brixham park reveals new luxury lodges
One of Devon’s most dramatically located holiday parks, Riviera Bay in Brixham, will shortly be raising the curtains on a new development of luxury lodges. Perched on a cliff-top with breathtaking views across St Mary’s Bay, the newly-built lodges will give families the chance to own a holiday home like no other in the West Country. Park Holidays UK describes the development as the most prestigious it has ever completed, and is holding a public preview weekend on 16/17 June. The celebration event will see the official opening of the development with guests enjoying guided tours of the lodges, and free day-long use of all the park’s facilities. These include an swimming pool complex, entertainment centre, and bar and restaurants. The 17 new lodges for sale in the first phase are located in separate grounds adjacent to the main park, and owners will have access to a beautiful dog-friendly beach via the coastal path. Starting at just over £157,000 and rising to almost double that figure, the lodges are just a fraction of what it might cost to own a cottage in picture-postcard Brixham. And that, says the group, would be minus the views, privacy, and living space of its lodges. Lodge owners will also be able to enjoy holidays throughout the four seasons in their leisure homes as Riviera Bay is open for eleven months of the year. All-weather comfort is assured by the high-efficiency central heating and the superior levels of insulation with which all of the lodges come equipped as standard. There is a choice of two and three-bedroom models – and all have two bathrooms, generous living areas, fully-fitted modern kitchens, luxury furnishings, and a large external veranda. The amazing setting, says the group, is likely to provide a massive second income potential through sub-letting via Park Holiday UK’s optional management programme. There will also be a substantial cost saving for early buyers on the new development as the company is promising free pitch fees for the next two years. The official opening of the lodges takes place on Saturday 16 June at 11.30am with a glass of bubbly and canapes for everyone attending. Tours are available on both the Saturday and Sunday. To book a visit to Riviera Bay, call 01803 220 564 – or email rivierabaysalesmanager@ParkHolidays.com. There is more information about Riviera Bay at www.ParkHolidays.com
A year in the making – the Victory Leisure Homes manufacturing process
Here, Nick Glaves explores the story behind Victory Leisure Homes’ new models and the cyclical process which incorporates trade shows, customer feedback, design and build… With new or updated models launched every year by major manufacturers, the holiday home and lodge industry is anything but static. Indeed, almost as soon as next year’s models have been launched, work gets underway on the following year’s, meaning the merry-go-round of product design, development and launch never ends. It is a cycle Peter Nevitt knows only too well. Peter is the managing director of Victory Leisure Homes and has more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, much of that time successfully heading up Cosalt Holiday Homes. He has dedicated his career to creating the best holiday homes and lodges he possibly can, which has led to Victory Leisure Homes forging a reputation for excellence. “Development of the new models starts almost immediately after the launch of current year’s models,” Peter said. “There is no break. So, for example, September 2017 we had the launch of our 2018 models, and after that the process starts again, planning our 2019 models.” The process starts with collecting rigorous feedback on the latest models at shows such as Cottingham in September and Beaulieu shortly after that. This is where the trade examine the models for the first time and make their initial assessments. Further feedback comes via Victory Leisure Homes’ sales team who speak to the company’s network of clients on a regular basis and collect more in-depth information about how the trade views the ranges. Collating these views is the first step in creating the new models. ‘Trade shows give us around 70% of our feedback’ “The summer and autumn shows at Hull, Beaulieu and West Point give us around 70% of the feedback we need to get the ball rolling,” Peter said. “But we can’t just focus on the next year’s models. At the same time we need to have an eye on what we’re doing for the mid-season launch. Do we have a gap in one of our ranges? Our customers will soon tell us if they think we have, and we need to fill it. “Of course, we’re in full production of the current models during this period to fulfil the orders we have on the books, so we’re really working on all fronts.” After extensive discussions assessing the feedback, Peter puts together a design brief for the new models. With nearly 40 different models across Victory’s ranges of holiday homes and lodges, this is no small task, particularly as most if not all are subject to some level of development every year. The brief is then passed on to Gary Woodifield, director of development and technical services at Victory Leisure Homes, who has 38 years’ experience in the industry. Gary heads up a caravan design team and a lodge design team, and together they create an ‘information package’ for each new model, which contains every nugget of information the production team will need to make it. He also works alongside the director of operations, Gary Corlyon, to ensure that it is possible to build the designs his teams will create. “I work to three key dates,” Gary says. “Pre-show, when some of our customers come to visit us at the factory to get the first glimpse of the development models. This usually takes place in the second week of June. Then there is the start of new model production, around the second week of July, and then the September show at Cottingham. It is absolutely essential all the models are perfected by then. “Once Peter hands me the brief, I can estimate how long the models will take to make and map out those dates from there. “We then decide on which models we need to prototype first, which gives us a sequence to work to. Then it is up to me and the design team to create the information packages that will eventually go to the production team.” As Victory Leisure Homes doesn’t have a dedicated prototyping facility, all development models must be slotted into the ongoing production schedule. ‘Sandra has a great eye for what is fashionable’ This means the designs Gary’s teams create must be as close to the end product as it is possible to get. The designers use AutoCAD for the holiday home or lodge design, and sophisticated 3D graphic design software to create visual representations of the furniture that will go into each model. As 90% of the furniture is made in-house, the software enables the team to design and piece together the whole interior long before the plans hit the factory floor. Next comes the task of liaising with suppliers, choosing colour schemes and ordering upholstery and soft furnishings. It is an area Peter and his wife Sandra come into their own, as Sandra works as the company’s interior designer. Peter said: “Sandra has a great eye for what is fashionable. She will go to show homes, read magazines and look at what is popular in the shops for inspiration. However, we need to be careful because we’re about three seasons behind household interior design and we need to reflect that. Our market can be conservative, so some of the ultra-modern designs wouldn’t work for us.” Peter added that themes and colour schemes will often come about after they have visited suppliers and seen what they have got. The carpet, particularly, is important in choosing a colour scheme. “We will often pick the carpet first and design around that,” he said. “This is because carpets are so difficult to retro-fit into a colour scheme and design theme. If you start from the bottom up, so to speak, you usually end up where you need to be. “Other times we might just see a colour or a fabric we really like and go from there. Inspiration can take many forms, but if you feel something is right, it probably is.” All this information – furniture design, colour schemes, soft
Serenity Sets Out Growth Plans In Park Homes Market
Park homes operator, Serenity Parks has announced ambitious plans for expansion following the success of its first two ventures in the North West. A newcomer to the parks homes market, Serenity Parks was established just over twelve months ago after founder’s and Director’s Gary Burns & Andrew Wilson seized an opportunity to acquire the two prime sites in the Cheadle Hulme and Frodsham. Following major investment, both parks have achieved strong sales with a GDV of £4 million and just a handful of plots remaining. Burns, who also owns long established and successful £14 million turnover civil engineering business NMC Group with Wilson, said, “Through our many civil engineering contracts we have long been involved with infrastructure and development works for many residential park home estates throughout the country. Given the steady increase in this market and changing perceptions of park home living, we identified a strong opportunity to diversify our business interests and this has proved successful.” Chesters Croft in Cheadle Hulme near Stockport was acquired by Serenity Parks in November 2016 and has since seen major investment in surfacing, drainage, curbing, landscaping and further plot allocations. Serenity bought back a number of plots to upgrade the new homes for sale. The location is arguably one of the most desirable in the North West and as such only five plots out of 47 remain available for sale. Alvanley Park, also in Cheshire, has undergone major upgrade with new homes leaving just 4 remaining for sale out of 40. It sits in a prestige location in the Cheshire countryside and next to National Trust woodland but with easy access to amenities in Frodsham. Now Serenity Parks is seeking new site opportunities with the cash already in place for the right opportunities. Gary Burns continues, “There has been a seismic change in perceptions of park home living, especially among the over 50s who are placing more importance on leisure and the freedom that park home living can give them. The changes to housing policy last July also means that residential park homes are now accepted as a dedicated form of housing giving us more confidence in planning policy for more plots. “According to research by Sanderson Weatherall, over 60% of park home sales have been in the South East and South West with just 30% in the rest of the UK. I see this as a fantastic opportunity to pursue the roll out of more luxurious, high end park homes in the North but our interest remains national. “We are ready and able to invest in redevelopment opportunities where we can transform tired sites to offer prestige park home communities in desirable areas. We have set out ambitions to double the size of our portfolio year on year over the next three years and promote the Serenity Parks brand nationally. Serenity Parks is an independent park home operator and developer which focuses on making luxury living affordable. It is accredited by the British Holiday & Homes Park Association (BH&HPA) as a fully compliant park operator. www.serenityparks.co.uk
Willerby’s new Juniper lodge allows owners to wallpaper its durable walls
A new luxury lodge that enables customers to tailor their own unique model, decorate the super-durable walls and gain a more restful night’s sleep was revealed by Willerby at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, Birmingham NEC. The Juniper lodge is the second installment from Willerby’s luxury Botanical Collection. With configurability at its core, the lodge offers owners options to shape their space, including panoramic bi-folding doors, two colour schemes and four-bed layout. For those with mobility requirements, the Juniper offers the option to adapt the bathroom to provide users with wheelchair-friendly access, a feature which is complemented by the extra-wide doors and hallways throughout the lodge. Customers can also decide how to utilise the third room to suit their lifestyle. At the NEC show, the marker leader unveiled the Juniper’s unique new wall system. Impressive in its high durability, the Oslo Wall Syste can be painted, plastered and wallpapered again and again. It is also much stronger than plasterboard, with up to 40kg hanging from a single nail, meaning owners can hang pictures and mirrors wherever they like. The Oslo Wall System, exclusive to Willerby, is also highly insulating and proven to improve heat retention by 20%. Willerby’s marketing director Kirsten Bolton explains, “Both the Juniper lodge and our new wall system are a response to the growing desire of our customers to be able to shape their holiday homes to suit their own needs and tastes. Owners can now create the space, look and feel that works for their lifestyle.” Willerby also provided advice from “The Sleep Geek” James Wilson, who was on hand at the NEC to answer all questions sleep related, after the company teamed up with British mattress makers Hypnos to offer two bespoke upgrade options. A survey recently conducted by Willerby revealed the extent to which Brits enjoy a good night’s sleep on holiday, with 74% saying a comfortable bed is top on their list of priorities when it comes to holiday accommodation. So its Simply Better Sleep option offers either the Hypnos Cranborne luxury pocket sprung mattress in double or king-sizes, as well as the Super Sleep Singles range. In addition, to celebrate the launch of the new Juniper lodge, Willerby has made a pledge to support the plight of the Juniper berry that has faced near extinction in recent years, by planting bushes in a number of holiday parks across the UK. To find out more about the Willerby Juniper lodge, please visit willerby.com/holiday-lodges/juniper Willerby’s CEO Peter Munk on the new Juniper lodge Caravan Industry & Park Operator’s sales representative Lisa Ryder spoke with the delightful Peter Munk, CEO of Willerby, about the new Juniper lodge. Peter was very excited to introduce the Juniper, saying, “This beautiful lodge is very unique in the industry as it is not only finished to the highest quality, the walls are made from OSLO Wall. This is a different materiel used than that of other park homes. “The Oslo wall is so strong that owners can hang heavy items – including bike racks – on to the wall and be reassured that the walls will not be damaged. Owners can also decorate the interior walls to their preference, including painting and wallpapering.” Peter added that the lodge comes with an option of packages to create a home-from-home feel. He said, “This includes the ability to re-position the furniture to taste, additional third and fourth rooms which can conveniently be a bedroom, a study or utility room.” The interior has a luxurious and stylish finish with a choice of soft furnishing styles, and Willerby designers have even teamed up with Hypno Mattresses to give the owners a relaxing sleep while on holiday. Willerby have also ensured the Juniper is suitable for those needing accessible holidays, with wider door frames for wheelchairs. The Juniper can also be fitted with the additional Simply Pawsome pack, which will provide a holiday for the four legged family members as it offers a ‘pup gate’, stable door, and outdoor tap to stop mucky paws bringing in the dirt. Whilst at the show, Peter shared the news that Willerby had already made a sale to Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay, Cornwall. Meanwhile, the NEC show proved a huge success with its selection of park homes, lodges, touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans, Glamping and camping. They included all the big names in the industry plus a fantastic array of latest products and accessories. The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show had a holiday park layout to really create the excitement of planning the next family getaway – it was fun for all the family. Highlights included activities for the children such as a climbing wall, creche area and bush skills work shops, as well as dog agility shows, guest speakers – including the explorer legend Ranulph Fiennes – cooking demonstrations and the opportunity to practise the skill of towing.
Installed Music Systems Hitting The Right Note With Customers
Static caravan manufacturers can satisfy the growing demands of music loving consumers by equipping their premium models with integrated high performance audio solutions previously only used in luxury buildings. That is the message from Paul Hilditch, Brand Manager at Systemline, who has seen a huge uplift in sales as the caravan and static home industry looks to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-savvy customer. Systemline’s audio solutions are currently being utilised by a number of leading manufacturers in order to provide added value to prospective buyers. As a result, the company has seen a 25% year-on-year growth in sales to the industry, including major manufacturers in the UK and now also France. Key clients include ABI (who install the E100 in certain models) and Carnaby (who equip various homes with the E50). Both the E100 and E50 feature a control panel that fits within a double gang back box and comes complete with speaker cables and two high performance 6.5” ceiling mounted speakers from Q Acoustics. Both products include Bluetooth connectivity so caravan owners can benefit from unrivalled access to online music services, whilst the E100 also features a DAB+/FM radio. Paul Hilditch said: “People make a significant investment for the future when purchasing a caravan or static home. Therefore they deserve a high quality audio solution to maximise the enjoyment of listening to their favourite music when on holiday. “Due to the rise in popularity of smartphones, tablets and digital assistants, the population is becoming increasingly technology focused – and it is vital for manufacturers to embrace this growing trend to provide added value and convenience to potential customers. When investing in a luxurious caravan, consumers will be drawn to a clutter free and easy-to-use solution that offers seamless access to their music libraries or radio stations.” https://www.systemline.co.uk
Maxview Launches Remora 40 Suction Mount Satellite TV Kit
Is the reception in touring caravans driving your guests to distraction? If interference is their nemesis, then this clever piece of kit could be the answer to this caravan conundrum. Maxview have just launched the Remora 40 – the ideal portable solution for receiving satellite TV in motorhomes, caravans, HGVs, van conversions and many other mobile vehicles and applications. The Remora 40 is a portable suction mount satellite kit designed to receive satellite TV for people on the move or who want to receive satellite TV when away from home. The manual satellite system uses a unique dual suction mount to offer complete flexibility within a compact 40cm dish package. And for those concerned about the set-up, Maxview have ensured the Remora 40 is easy to install. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Remora 40 combines a range of innovative features to simplify the assembly and alignment process for effortless set-up and take down. The Remora 40 is the ideal satellite for easy, temporary attachment to any flat, vertical surface. The Remora 40 kit is a three-part design which requires no tools for assembly. Maxview’s unique flexible F to F cable is also included in the kit and makes the connection of the dish to your satellite receiver easier and neater. The Remora 40 even comes with a protective storage bag for safe transportation and storage when not in use. The only thing guests will need is a satellite receiver and TV, or a TV with integrated satellite receiver. The Remora 40 Satellite TV Kit retails at £114.99 and is available direct from Maxview or from a Maxview stockist. For more information on the Remora 40 product or if you are interested in distributing products please visit maxview.co.uk. Review opportunity: please contact Caravan Industry & Park Operator magazine on editorial@euromediaal.com if you would like to review the Remora 40 satellite TV kit and give your feedback! NB: This would be a loan of a review model Remora 40 which would be returnable after the review.
Why Willerby’s Simply Pawsome Pack is a treat for dog owners too
By showcasing their pet-friendly holiday home add-on the Simply Pawsome pack at the Manchester Caravan & Motorhome show recently, Willerby proved that bringing a pet on holiday can be made less stressful for both dog owners and their furry friends. David Campbell, co-founder of The Animal Behavior Centre, tells our editor Victoria Galligan why parks are trying to be even more dog friendly than ever before… Why did Willerby decide to create the Simply Pawsome pack? Is there a big market for dog owners in the holiday home trade? With approximately 8.5million dogs in the country, many owners prefer to have a family holiday in the UK and their pets play a big role in their family life. Dog owners make purchases with their animals in mind, they may choose a specific type of car for their pets to ensure that they travel safely or even buy houses with their dogs in mind. Holidaying is no different, ask most dog owners and they will say, “If my dog isn’t welcome then I don’t want to go.” What does the Simply Pawsome Pack offer to make like easier for dog owners? The Pawsome Pack contains some practical features that makes holidaying with your dog easier: for example there are times when you may wish to restrict your dog’s movement to a specific area of your home such as meal times, when they are muddy or when visitors arrive. One feature of the pack is a child and dog-friendly gate system that allows for this. A second feature is a stable door that can be fitted instead of a solid door – this allows your dog or young puppy to remain safely within your living space without wandering outside while you relax or carry on with your chores, whilst at the same time enjoying fresh air by having the top door open. The third feature, whilst simplicity itself, is a real bonus to those of us that enjoy walking our dogs on the beach or when it is muddy and would prefer that our pets left the sand and mud outside before coming indoors – and that is the option of an outdoor tap to wash your dogs off before they come inside. I said it was simple but the best ideas are, I only wish someone would invent an outdoor tap for my car! How do dogs respond to the Pack? Whether you choose some or all of the features offered by Willerby, your dog will benefit from those additions. Dogs gain much of their knowledge by things remaining consistent and so regular use of an outdoor tap after exercise, or times of restriction such as meal times will allow your dog to relax and gain confidence in his new surroundings. Of course it is not always possible to have your dog in sight but the addition of a stable door will give both you and your dog a feeling of greater safety and well being. What other tips do you have for park owners when it come to accommodating dogs? As an animal behaviorist and trainer, my role not only includes working with animals but also educating owners and other professionals who work within the the pet industry. This may be with regards to issues they are experiencing or simply offering tips, such as reminding dog owners that whilst on holiday they should ensure their dog’s identity tag is relevant to their current location so their pet can easily be returned should they go missing. Park operators and owners understand the importance of preparing for the season to come and pre-empting how busy they are going to be at key areas of the season such as Bank Holidays and weekends. Unfortunately whilst their clients are having a well-earned break, so are many other professionals including local vets and so it is well worth contacting the vets in their area to see if they operate a 24 hour service should the need arise. Of course not everyone loves pets and whilst I have found that very few people actually dislike them, many can consider them to be a nuisance and so it is important that a balance is kept – for example if you provide a dog-free children’s play area, why not also provide a dog area that is open to adults and supervised children only? And, of course, provision of a dog waste bin or two will make life easier for all concerned. See willerby.com/pawsomedogs for more information about the Simply Pawsome Pack, and dog owners should check out theanimalbehaviourcentre.co.uk for information about dog training in the North West.
