Traveling with Pets

This topic came up in another thread and I thought it would be better to start a new one.

Pat,

I love Bailey to bits and he is a great travel companion (once the car is no longer moving.)

If you are thinking about getting a dog for your travels, you need to consider what you are going to do with him if you want to do something where you cannot take him along. Do you feel comfortable leaving him alone in the camper? Is the weather ok to do that, i.e. not too hot. What happens to the dog if something happens to you while you are on the road?

I have left Bailey alone in the camper for quick runs to the store. In October, I left him alone for the first time while the people I was camping with and I went square dancing. We were gone 4 hours.

I was on another trip in August where I had no hookups. Because I had Bailey with me, I did not go on the bike rides or hikes that others took. My other option for these trips is to board him which is an additional expense for the trip and something I am sure he does not enjoy.

I love having him with me but there are tradeoffs.

I know there are others who travel with their pets. Any thoughts?

 

Yah, Joan, I hear that...

I've done the same thing, going back and forth on should I or shouldn't I and each time as much as I would thing it would great, those items and more bring me back to reality...

So dong without.. but as you say, it's a Trade Off...

Bummer...

 

We are lucky to have family close by that can watch Mina for us when needed. We do bring her on some trips. I never bring her on my long trips though. She goes and stays with her "cousin" and they have way more fun than she would hanging out in the car. Plus, you are right on about activities being limited. I love my pup, and you are spot on with the trade offs.

We were at Coastal Farm Supply yesterday and they had these great pop up dog houses. We hummed-and-hawed it a bit and decided against it, but they were sure neat!

 

Dogs are wonderful companions and make great early warning systems. The Leakey family (for all you Anthropology fans) always kept a passel of hounds around to warn them of approaching leopards and lions when bone hunting. Came in handy several times.

Back on the subject, dogs are wonderful, but can be limiting. Many State Parks do not allow pets and as Joan said, there are questions about how to keep them safe when you leave for a bit.

There are pluses and minuses to your decision. You may not get to do and see everything you want when you want it, but the reward of limitless love and companionship is priceless. It's just something you have to figure out for yourself. Dogs are family and a long time commitment. If you choose to adopt one, just be prepared to adjust your lifestyle for (hopefully) many years.

Good luck on your decision.

Sue

 

As a veterinarian (retired), the more people I meet, the better I like my dogs.

The thing to remember is that as much as YOU love YOUR pets, not everybody is gonna share your affection. Especially if you leave them behind and they yap. We had that in Arizona this fall. I came close to B&E and liberating said mutt.

Also, before any long trips, just like with the teardrop, I'd suggest a shake-down cruise. Make sure Fido ain't a puker. But also, it's easy to forget to provide cool fresh water and that they actually drink enough to avoid dehydration.

And as I said before on another thread, we've found the 550 is perfect for two things. 2 people. 1 people and 1 dawg. We found out that a threesome gets complicated….spacewise. Settle down folks… but I like the way you're thinking.

Also make sure you have all the vaccine records and stuff especially if you are crossing state lines or if you have a nipper.

 

Joan,

There's one other option for your dog while camping. If Katie is in the park she will faithfully walk (or run) your dog all day long until both are too tired to crawl.

 

I can't believe this topic has come up! We are just now in the search for 2 toy poodles...went to an AKC show last week in Brooksville, Fl. Of course we'll be changing the name of our camper, to, ta da,

4NA CAN

Insert laughter here.

That's right!! We are having puppies!!!
Alan will be my puppies daddy!!

 

I'm glad your trailer's last name isn't Kate.

 

I travel a lot with Bella, the 8 pound rat terrier.

She did exceptional on the month long Florida vacation, espically while at my parents when she could bark at the caged chickens.

When leaving her in the tear, I like to leave the radio on, fantastic fan going, and water in the teardrop. Only once did she throw up in the tear.

Bella and I have a good routine, works well for us. Guessing I will probably always have a small dog for companionship and early warning system.

Jean

 

This is a great topic. I would probably have a dog already except for the one thing a lot of you mentioned. Trying to keep the dog safe when I want to go off somewhere where the dog isn't welcome has been my biggest concern. I have always taught my kids that if they have a dog it belongs with the family. Tying it out or leaving it in the yard is not an option. They need company as much or more than we do. I will be making some trips and finding out how the teardrop works for me before I consider a dog.I don't think it would work out on a traveling trip but would be fine on camping trips.
Katie did keep your dog pretty well entertained at Mosey Rock.

 

Puttin down a blue tarp then a comforter takes the yuk factor out. We take ours with us all the time and they do very well, typically we dint have then alone very long....but the AC, radio, and vent fan move enough air and make enough noise that the dogs just sleep.

The only trouble we've had doing this is the random critter they bring with them....bugs. But I've had the same problem without the pups....so I'm not convinced it's just them.

We also make sure to walk them frequently and to have one of the wire folding kennels from camping world. We keep them on leashes or in the kennel,around the camp site.

They seem to enjoy it...except for the people who want tours, that's a stress point.

 

We purchased our 560 because of our dogs. We were tired of going on vacations, even long weekends, without them. Our boys go everywhere with us. After a short trip to Las Vegas without them we decided that it would be our last.

Yes taking them will limit you in certain aspects i.e. where you can set up camp, activities, length of trip. With a little research you can avoid the places that don't allow dogs; some state parks that don't allow dogs, NONE of the national parks allow them (a good number do allow them in camp, but not on hiking trails), most of the national forests allow dogs. We have found that most of the places we want to go have simple restrictions, such as leashes in camp.

A good portion of the dogs compatablity on a trip is actually up to the dog. As previously mentioned they need to travel well. Be well trained, and quite in camp.

In my opinion, provided you have a friendly-outgoing-well trained-quite dog the benefits of their companionship far outweigh the limits and restrictions that you must work around by bringing them.

 

Agreed...I try not to leave my dog at home, she's just too much part of the family and I feel guilty when I travel with out her.

We took her on our first camping trip (tent) over thanks giving and while she was a bit nervous with my brother and sisters dogs, once they got to know each other, they had a blast.

 

We occassionally take our Blue Heeler with us. She's a mellow dog and a good traveler. We don't take her on the long hauls, but she goes to visit my folks with us, or quick weekend jaunts.

2 Things: she sleeps in the back of the station wagon. Only once has she slept in the tear, and that was because it got super cold and we plopped her up on the top bunk with a baby blanket, oldest toddler in the bottom, baby with us. woke up the next morning and she hadn't moved an inch, spoiled girl.

If we go wandering and can't take her, we put her in the station wagon. she won't bark if she's in there, but she'll bark if she's tied up at the campsite.

Some folks have super yappy dogs and it spoils the fun, so be careful.

 

One of my problem is I have always loved big dogs. I love German Shepherds and Chows. I think a chow would not be suitable for travel as they have a tendency to possess their owners instead of the other way around. I also love Labs. They are a great travel dog except they love to roam free and are happiest if kept busy doing something. I need to research and find a smaller dog that would be suitable for travel. But first I need to get used to travel myself.

 

Another good thing about big dogs...if your car dies, you can hitch the dogs up to your CI and "mush" all the way home.

Just sayin'.....

Sue

 

Great point. You are funny. I enjoy your posts.

 

Traveling with Pets you cannot be a person set in your ways... always be ready to change your plans. If somewhere is not pet friendly we're moving on. When stopping in summer you are always looking for shade, no shade... moving on.

Pets are best trained as puppies. We starting traveling immediately when our puppies were 8-10 weeks old. Just be ready to stop at alot of waysides as puppies only last 2-3 hours with needing a break.

Socialing them as puppies sets the tone for dealing with many differents types of environment. Either being with people, other dogs, noise, smells, trains your dog to many different types of experiences.

Lastly keep a big stock of Plastic Bags on hand. Our back of the seat map pockets are filled with plastic bags. Respect for others goes a long way.

 

Another thing to consider along with points already mentioned about heat and having to forego certain experiences:

When traveling alone with my dog Kitai I also had to deal with what if he wants to go out to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night? (Not sure if you're a man or a woman Pat but I guess this applies more to women) Would I always feel safe to go out alone with him if it was dark and not too many people around? I quickly realized sometimes yes and sometimes no. I did figure out if I took him out at my last gas stop of the evening before stopping at the next location for the evening he would be good with one more quick break until morning. Only once did he need to go out in the middle of the night.

I also found that grocery stops were best done in the early morning because parking lots had more space for the trailer and it was cool enough to leave him in the car for a few minutes while I ran in.

Traveling with a dog with two or more people would be a piece of cake compared to traveling alone with one unless you have a tiny dog you could slip into your purse or a carry bag. Kitai weighed 24 lbs so there was no easy way to carry him anywhere for very long.

Sadly he passed away two months ago and I'll soon be relocating so I'll wait until I've settled down before finding a new fuzzy co-pilot for my trips.

 

Well, All I can say is that wnen I travel with "Hot Dogs", several of them mind you, they are great.

Aways cool, don't need to take'em out until you need to, they 'relish' when working with them and are always able to 'Mustard" up another one if needed.

When it gets 'Chili' out you can always wrap them up and they will always "Ketchup"

Loooowwwww Maintenence..... and can go anywhere....
They are, as some might say, the "Cat's Meow"....
(A puns were badly intended)

sigh, I'm bored.. heheh, always waanted pet, but for the reasons above, we're not yet compatible...excepting the "Hot Dog" breed...