Tips for travel w/dog??

[GGibson]

I'll be traveling with 50# Lab this summer thru hot mid-west, going with 5th wheel.

He will be crate trained. I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Do most RV parks accept pets?

Will he be required to sleep inside the trailer?

How about travel in back of truck on short leash during day?

Will I need a folding fence to set up under 5th wheel overhang for afternoons/evenings?

Any other suggestions (besides don't take a dog) about how it works for you guys??

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by GGibson

I'll be traveling with 50# Lab this summer thru hot mid-west, going with 5th wheel.

He will be crate trained. I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Do most RV parks accept pets?

I'd check ahead. Most do, but there's a growing trend toward banning dogs.

Will he be required to sleep inside the trailer?

Probably, since leaving dogs outside unattended is against the rules of most RV parks and, even if it's not, it's not considered very good campground etiquette. The prevailing feeling is, "Why should other campers have to listen to your dog bark all night (or all day)?"

How about travel in back of truck on short leash during day?

No comment - our Shelties ride in the back seat of our QC.

Will I need a folding fence to set up under 5th wheel overhang for afternoons/evenings?

See earlier comments about leaving dogs unattended. We carry some long leashes that we can tie to a tree, the picnic table, etc. , but when we go in the RV, the Shelties go in as well. If you're going to be out with the dog, a portable pen is usually fine in most RV parks.

Any other suggestions (besides don't take a dog) about how it works for you guys??

Get some plastic sandwich bags and please pick up after your dog. Irresponsible owners whose animals disturb others with their constant barking and who don't pick up their dog's "droppings" when they go for a walk are the reason more and more RV parks are banning dogs. Please help all of us dog owners who RV keep the privileges we have.



Have a great trip!



Rusty

Moderator, iRV2.com

 

[Fireman]

Rusty covered it pretty well. I would add, if your dog rides in the back seat use some type of restraint device (barrier or harness) to keep him in the back. Having a 50# dog jump into your lap on the highway could be somewhat dangerous. In the event of a wreck a 50# dog hurled toward you can impact with 1000# of force, again not healthy for you or the dog. We love our dogs and we love to camp, because they can come with us, so I would encourage you to take your dog. Be safe and have fun.



If you will send me your e-mail address I will send you some pictures of a portable fence that you can make easily and inexpensively. I wouldn't leave my small dogs unattended in it, but it gives them a bit of freedom and mobility when we are around.



Fireman

 

[Casey Balvert]

If our dogs don't go, we don't go. We consider our two as part of the family and they like camping. Fireman is right about the restraints. Ask my wife. She ended up with our 58 pounder on her lap. Worse yet is when she bothered me while driving. I bought restraint harnesses for both of them and use heavy nylon ropes with eye splices to attach them to the child seat restraint system in the back seat. They have sufficient freedom to move around in back and only enough to allow the nose to reach just over the front seat back cushion. I may find that is still too long and I can adjust it if need be. It is for the dog's and your safety.



Our dogs sleep in the trailer. It is best to take your dog if you go somewhere. Sometimes ours will stay in the trailer if it is too hot out and we are outside but usually they are within a few feet of us and certainly in sight. Also depending where you go, wildlife could pose a danger as well if the dog is left out unattended.



Take a five gallon jug of water from home. Give them only water from the jug. As you use water from the jug, keep it full by adding the local water. Repeat the process when you leave for home. Dogs digestive systems are as sensitive to changes as yours. This give them time to get used to the change in water slowly.



Feed them lightly before you leave and provide water as needed. They can get car sick too. Get them used to it with short trips. If your dog travels often and is fine with it, these precautions are probably not necessary. Dry dog food is best as it is easiest to store and doesn't spoil if left in a bowl all day. Don't forget that the dog needs a regular pit stop too.



Give your pooch a chance to get used to the trailer before you leave. This represents a significant change in the environment. At the beginning of each camping season, we put them in the trailer for short periods of time while we pack so they get to know this is home too. This keeps the anxiety level to a minimum.



Make sure you dog is vaccinated against rabies, is on heartworm preventative and is vaccinated for Lyme Disease if you are in tick territory which is just about everywhere.



Microchip your dog. My dogs are registered with a microchip company that has a website that you can put info on it like when and where you are on vacation, numbers to call, etc. Put identification with a phone number of a person back home that can be called in the event your dog is lost. I often will put my campsite number on the girls.



Carry a doggy first aid kit. See http://www.superk9.com/articles/health8.asp



As stated, please clean up after your dog. People will love you for it and probably want to kill you if you don't.



One could write a book on this. Check your local pet store for books on travelling with your dog. There is good info at a number of websites as well. Try http://www.petsmart.com/pet_library/home_remedies/travel.shtml

 

[bighammer]

A couple of potential problems with having the dog sleep outside are barking at the passers by in the night, and the possibility of encounters with the campground "wildlife" that checks sites thru the night. Skunks are very common in certain areas and could put a serious damper on camping fun. Snakes, scorpions, racoons, etc. could also change the happy state of being. Dogs try to protect you and you should try to protect them. Find a spot inside the camper if possible, and everybody will sleep better. JMHO of course.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Tip for car sickness.

I borrowed a friend's RV for a three day trip so I could take the dogs because it was over xmas and not convenient to leave them home.



My big dog gets car sick so I asked the vet about pills for motion sickness. He said got any Benidryl? That will work. I don't remember the amount he recommended for his weight. I gave him half being cautious. He did fine where as he usually pukes withing 15 miles.

 

[DHawthorne]

My 75lb lab hates my truck. She was fine in the Crew Cab I had before with cloth seats. I think its the leather seats in the rear. She can't keep from slidding around even with a good cover back there. She will just stand for hours and can't wait to get out. Really have no room in truck bed for a gage. She would hate that.

She stays in the Trailer with us, as she does at home. You'll get to stay in the ole Poop Loop in some RV Parks.



Dave

 

[Loren]

GGibson,



Plan on taking the dog with you on side trips. We made the mistake of leaving our (we thought) trained dog in the trailer while we were sight-seeing all day. There was a nasty note on our trailer about his barking when we came back. I'm sure we deserved it too.



It's been said here at least twice so far, but I'm going to say it again... Carry baggies, or the equivalent, and pick up after your dog.



I think the main reasons dogs are excluded from many parks are the piles of poop left by thoughtless owners and the barking. (I'm guilty, but I learned. ) If we dog owners can take care of these problems ourselves we will continue to enjoy our travels with our pets. If we don't, then more places will exclude us.



If you put your pooch in the back of the truck, remember to provide shelter from the sun. Heat is much harder on dogs than cold. I'm sure you already know not to leave him in the truck in the sun, but I'll mention it for web surfers.



Happy traveling.



Loren

 

[Underdog]

Somebody already recommended getting your dog

vaccinated. Make sure that you take records of the shots,especially the rabies shot,with you. Also have the dogs

license record.









cbarber,per forum guidelines

 

[randyn]

Years ago we used to leave our small mixed breed shaggy coat dog in our van when we had to. This was in the middle of summer in Dallas, TX. !!!! Yes it was really hot inside! We made him a cool coushion consisting of a large zip lock bag full of ice w/ fabric cover. You could use a pillow case. We tested this initially for short durations, but then later would leave him for longer periods, maybe an hour or so. He wouldn't even be panting when we got back. Sometimes he would be off the coushion, but usually would be just sitting or laying on it, no big deal w/ him. I'm not promoting this, but it did work great for us. We just made sure it was placed so he could easily get on it w/ no risk it could fall and not be accesable.



RandyN

 

[Hale on wheels]

Perhaps I misunderstood, but are you considering allowing your dogs in the back of your truck, while traveling down the road, with a 5th wheel? Couldn't they get caught in between the trailer and bed or something else while turning? I have a bumper pull so I don't know if this is possible, but I would be careful nonetheless.

 

[GGibson]

I've seen some guys use a large crate in the space between the hitch and cab. This has water and a cover for sun protection. I have an extended pin on the hitch which moves the trailer into the back end of the bed. I'm sure there will be frequent stops for walks etc.

 

[DHawthorne]

As I mentioned before, my lab rides in the back seat and I don't have any room in the bed for a gage.



I don't think it is a wise idea, even if you have the room to place a gaged dog in the bed. The wind blast that comes off the front of of the fifth wheel is so great at 65-70 mph, it could hurt the dog. The other thing is when you are past by a 18 wheeler or you pass one, the blast of air increases two times in the bed.



My 3/8" thick rubber bed liner tries to get air born when I pass a 18 wheeler. I have to use a 40qt cooler full of ice to keep in in place.



Dave

 

[cwcox]

Hey there, just a side note about pets in the truck bed. I read a letter in a magazine a few years ago from a fellow who traveled with his two beloved German Shepherds. He didn't want the dogs loose in the bed to get hurt, jump out, etc. So he fashioned a setup to "leash" them in, and still leave room for them to move. After several miles on a gravel two lane, he noticed in the mirror that one dog was missing. He assumed it got loose and jumped out, and as he was about to turn around, he noticed the leash hanging over the tailgate. He jumped out to find that he had dragged his pup to death. Horrible tale, he and his wife had a hard time getting over it. The bed is for cargo. Not dogs, or kids, or your buddies. It's fine at five miles an hour out in the woods, but at any driving speed, it is just too unsafe. Good luck traveling with your pup, thay are great companions!

 

[Dean Upson]

There has been a lot of good advice given here, especially about picking up after your dog and leaving him unattended to bark or chase kids on bikes, etc. One irresponsible dog owner can ruin it for the rest of us in a hurry. I have to strongly say that the bed of the truck is no place for a dog (or person) to ride at any time for any reason, very dangerous place.



Dean

 

[pwr2tow]

The trouble with most pet owners is they treat their dogs like they are mentally handicapped.



A dog needs training, repetition, and more training, repetition over their life span. I have had two dogs in my life time and when we go to camp grounds they are trained well enough that they don't even poop in the camp area, even when left outside sleeping at night, they know to wait until I get up in the morning to take them to a safe place to go bathroom. We treat our dogs like they are a part of the family and expect to act as close to humanly as possible. Training is what dogs need, good training, and I don't mean abusive training, good repetitious training with respect to them and love from you, just like you would raise your kids and your dogs and you will be happy.



To the person who left their dog in the truck bed with too long of a leash, what an idiot, they deserve the night mares they face at night. In this area it is common practice to let your dog ride in the bed of the truck, I don't condon or condemn this practice, you have to know your animal and his or her ability of self constrant.

 

[Philsram]

Camp with dog

I have a tip on camping with the dog. Unless you are going into bear territory, leave the dog home.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I have a tip on camping with the dog. Unless you are going into bear territory, leave the dog home.

Sorry, I have to disagree with this. My dogs are part of my family, just like my kid. I wouldn't leave my kid home. As has been said before, it's the irresponsible dog owners who make it difficult for the rest of us. I follow the guidelines made by park owners, and state laws. If more people did that, along with using common sense, a lot of problems could be solved, and that doesn't just apply to owning dogs.



Jim

 

[Dean Upson]

I agree with Jim. If my dog can't go, I don't. He bothers no one and has made friends where ever we go.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

I agree with Dean and Jim. Our girls go where we do. They too are a part of our family. We follow the park rules and use common sense and courtesy for others that share the park. Some parents would do well to follow the same guidelines. Don’t paint everyone with the same brush. My two cents.



Casey