All About that Pug Life – RVing with DDogs are so essential to human society and families that we will do anything for them. In fact, people began taking pictures of their pets shortly after the invention of photography, with the first dog photo dating back to the 1850s. To put this in perspective, photography itself was first developed in the 1820s. Dogs were domesticated by humans more than 30,000 years ago. It follows that going camping in an RV, tent, or camper is one of our favorite social settings for spending time with our furry friends.
It is fairly easy to locate pet-friendly campgrounds because over half of regular RVers and campers bring their pets with them, with dogs accounting for over 90% of these trips. Toto will undoubtedly be subject to rules in these organized settings, so be sure to abide by them. Not only can camping provide you with a lot of companionship, but it can also provide Rover with pawsitive enrichment! Here are some excellent tips for traveling in an RV with your dog!
- Avoid Giving Your Dog a Bad Time
Pets, including dogs, react to environmental changes differently than humans do, so they may take some time to get used to living in an RV. Introduce your dog to your trailer or RV early on so they have time to get used to it. If they will be spending time in a crate, set them up in there and give them some time to get used to it. Otherwise, start by letting them explore while it’s stationary (the idea is to prevent them from becoming stressed out).
After doing this, try taking Marley for a quick drive in whatever arrangement you have planned for them—a secured crate or riding in the passenger seat—if you’re traveling in a motorized vehicle (you should NEVER drive a camping trailer with an animal inside it!). Consistency in maintaining the same seating arrangements can reassure your dog. If your dog gets nervous, we suggest doing this with a helper present.
Consider how you’re going to keep them comfortable at camp in addition to this. Bring food, bedding, toys, and a collapsible water dish for hiking. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the sun, bring a large water dish. Basically, anything they may need in your RV and can easily access at home.
- Leash renegotiation
Many people who boondocke camp will frequently give their dog more leash freedom, though this can vary depending on the dog’s training level and personal preferences. Make sure you never forget about your pet’s safety!
If your dog is allowed more space to run around, make sure it doesn’t sneak into another camper’s space and keep an eye out for any potentially harmful wildlife or plants your dog might come across. A long leash, either affixed to the side of your camper or secured to a ground stake, would allow your dog some independence without requiring you to keep an eye on them all the time. In this manner, you’ll allow them plenty of space to roam while imposing certain restrictions.
- Complete a Detailed Lab Report
Before making a reservation, always confirm the campground’s dog policies, or give them a call if it’s first-come, first-served. Certain dog breeds or sizes are prohibited in certain campgrounds; enquire about and abide by any such restrictions. There’s nothing more repulsive than learning that a campground banned pets due to unruly proprietors.
- Unfamiliar Environments
Dogs can sometimes have a bit wider of a net when they travel in an RV or camp, but you still shouldn’t leave them alone, especially outside. Depending on your dog, the abundance of unfamiliar people and stimuli at your campsite may either stress them out or make them behave differently than they would at home. To avoid any accidents involving Scooby or other campers, never leave them unsupervised.
- The paw-ty is where?
At home, you most likely turn on a light so you can see your dog in the dark when they need to go outside, but at camp, you might not have that luxury. Regardless of how early or late the sun rises and sets, everyone can be much more comfortable when you take your dog outside in the dark with the aid of a glow collar or headlamp.
- Not a single pup-sicle
Once more, never allow your dog to travel in the trailer! Similar to horse trailers, animal travel trailers are designed with the comfort of those animals in mind. Human camping trailers are uncomfortable to drive and do not have temperature control while in motion. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep Maramduke in the temperature-controlled car with you on extremely hot or cold days.
You can purchase covers to keep your seats clean while traveling if excessive mess is a concern. For additional advice on traveling with dogs, see our post [INSERT LINK TO: Traveling with Dogs]
Of course, there may be occasions when you are unable to bring your dog with you to camp. In these situations, make sure your camper will remain at a comfortable temperature and that they will have access to water. Also, make sure they won’t get too hot or cold while you are away!
- Learn to Use the Doggy Paddle
Although we mentioned it in our post on traveling with dogs, let’s just say that nobody—not even our four-legged friends—enjoys long distance travel. Plan to take games or walks as breaks on the days you travel. Pongo will be much happier even though it might take longer to get to these stops than your average bathroom break!
Once you’re at camp, taking long day walks is also fantastic! Happy campers and a tired dog go hand in hand!
- A gem in the rough
Take advantage of your outdoor shower—your dog will thank you for it! Has Fido been playing in the dirt? Perhaps taken an impromptu swim in the lake? You can clean them off and prevent them from bringing all of that into your camper by having an outdoor shower.
Rick’s Advice: Place a bigger outside mat outside the camper door! It can assist two-legged travelers as well as your dog in drying their feet before entering.
- I promise, I’m a dog-tor
It may be necessary to see a veterinarian at any time, so be sure to carry current medical records and any prescriptions. These details will come in very handy in an emergency, and if at all possible, try to stock up on your pet’s prescriptions before you leave so that you don’t run out.
- Will I Ever Make It Home?
It’s a good idea to microchip your pet in addition to giving them a tag. In the worst-case situation, collars and tags are crucial for reuniting pets because they can break or come off.
- Never Climb the Wrong Tree
Find something special for Chance, Clifford, or Comet while you’re out and about. Traveling should be enjoyable for all parties. If they enjoy hiking or swimming, this could entail letting them do those things (though keep in mind that the smell of a wet dog can be quite overpowering in smaller areas). Check out your neighborhood pet stores for a fun new treat or toy for your couch-potato friend!
Rick’s Tip: It might be best to find them alternate housing while you’re away if you know they won’t be able to participate in part of the adventure and will be cooped up a lot.
And that’s worth applauding. Do you travel with Pluto in any particular way, and will you be bringing them along on your upcoming adventure? Tell us in the comments below.