Big Dog - Small Trailer

Good_Ol_Boy wrote:
Karen, some people are tying yellow ribbons to their leashes to signify that the dog needs space, look up "yellow dog project" but just like with horses there is a small percentage of people that will understand it. .

I hadn't heard that. (Obviously, I'm one of the majority that didn't realize there was a color code.) I think it's a great idea. Now, if it could be publicized more....

Thanks for the link!

Karen, some people are tying yellow ribbons to their leashes to signify that the dog needs space, look up "yellow dog project" but just like with horses there is a small percentage of people that will understand it. I HATE it when people let their kids just run up and molest my dogs, luckily I have access to little kids that I let test my dogs and they are bulletproof anymore. I had a little kid run up to us in a store and poke my older one in the eye and start tugging on his ears before his mom even noticed he was by me. I have 2 bully breeds that are amazing with people, and I plan on always keeping it that way, too many breed specific laws out there already.

We travel with 2 boxers and they were one of the reasons that we went from a B+ with no slides to a Class A with 2 slides!

Tired dogs are GOOD dogs. Comfortable dogs are GOOD dogs too. Tired and comfortable dogs are EXCELLENT dogs! I walk ours a lot. I'm estimating at least 3 miles/day when we're camping and they have cots with pads to lay on when in camp. I use cables which I hook around the back right jack. I would be concerned about using an X-pen with them just because IF they got interested in a deer or squirrel or a loose dog, I'd be afraid they'd break out.

As far as monitoring the temp, you could also use those weather stations that have a thermometer that one puts outside. Just put it in the TT and the monitor in the cab. They're pretty cheap now.

Our boxers are people magnets. Adults and kids are drawn to us and while my 2 have never shown any hint of aggressiveness, I ALWAYS watch for any indication that they don't like the attention. After all, they ARE dogs and have teef. ;) Most people are considerate and ask if they can pet them but once in a while a kid just charges up and that always makes me so nervous. Maybe there should be a universal warning color like trail riders have for their horses which indicates if the horse is a stud or kicks or is green that dogs could wear! Colored ribbons to tie to their leashes which let others know if it's okay to approach them?

We have left ours in the MH for a few hours but not often. They pretty much go where we go and we're limited to where they can go! They really do limit what we can do in many places since dogs aren't allowed on NP trails.

I use the flexi leashes and find them much easier to use than the 6' leashes but do use the 6 footers in some situations. The trick to the flexis is training the dogs and using the brake. Mine know "wait" "stay" "slow" "leave it" and "go around" which is handy when we wind up on opposite sides of trees. LOL!

ALWAYS carry poop bags. I have one dispenser on a flexi and one on a 6' leash. Clean up after your dogs...both dogs. Little dog poop is just as nasty as big dog poop. When we're out sight seeing, I carry a gallon of water and a bowl for them. When we're hiking in the places they're allowed to go, I carry a bottle with a small tray or share mine so they can have a drink too. There are cooling mats and jackets available now.

I think those of us that travel with dogs need to be cautious, considerate and responsible. I do not want anything I do (or don't do) or the behavior of my boxers to give anyone a reason to add further limitations or worse...ban dogs!

We travel with about 240lbs of dog divided by two. The trick is to start when they are pups. There can be 600 yorkies in the CG, but one Mastiff will be the dog that attracts attention. If you have a large, protective breed, it had better be bullet-proofed socialized. Small dogs and kids, in close, unfamilar surroundings will bring out some strong behavior's in dogs. If you don't have the ability to control your dog's behavior, don't expose the public to danger. Stick to boondocking.

sue.t wrote:


We tether our dogs using the plastic covered metal cables (don't break and can't be chewed through). The cables are secured to either the bumper of the fifth wheel OR the tie-downs of the truck camper. If space is limited, the leads are shortened accordingly, but if there is lots of space or nobody around, the leads are left at the full length of 25'.

If we're not outside, our dogs aren't outside either. If we're sitting around the site or campfire, then they may be outside with us. Except for the big girl who likes to put herself to bed at about 9 p.m.

We prefer to take them with us wherever we go, easy to do with the camper. But with the fifth wheel, they might stay in it at the campsite. We walk and hike with the dogs, 3-4 times a day. If we have to leave them for an extended period, they get a good walk (an hour or more) beforehand. Then they're more likely to snooze while we're gone. Neither are barkers and usually use their alone time to catch up on their sleep.

They spend time alone at home and are good there ... the fifth wheel and camper are an extension of their home-space.

This is what we do with our little 13-lb Tiki-Bird (bichon). He is very good at home and inside the camper, no barking. But he can be fearful of people and new places, so we keep him leashed at ALL times. He is never off-leash, not even in my own backyard. We have a similar tie-out to yours and I attach it to the TT steps, or to the picnic table if there is a metal or concrete one. If we're going to be outside reading or messing with the fire, I bring out his crate and let him retreat in there. I plan to get him and X-pen so he can have a little more walking around room. Where we camp the sites are made of little pebbles or sand, depending where we are. We aren't killing any grass, nor do we allow him to pee or poo anywhere on our site. That's what long walks are for.

When we walk Tiki, he wears a muzzle and we take care to keep him away from strangers, especially children. We had two boys come up to us last weekend, asking to pet the dog. Tiki was growling and all fuzzed up, so DH picked him up (for safety.) I explained that Tiki had been beaten up by some bad boys and now he is afraid of children. The boys understood, and one even said, "That's so sad. Who would beat up a little dog?" So sweet. We didn't tarry, but parted ways and walked him back to our camp without incident.

ETA: We are working with our vet and a trainer. They both seem to feel that this dog has potential for rehab, so we are committed to that. In the meantime, we are guarded about where Tiki goes. Thankfully, he is quite comfortable in the TT and we have no problems with barking, whining or tearing stuff up.

Westernrvparkowner: I don't interpret anything you have said as mean. I need to know this before we make a purchase and venture out. I completely support you, as a park owner, taking the stance that you do. With RV's in such close proximity to one another and so many transient personalities, I can only imagine what types of difficulties this creates.

Sue.t: Thank you for your insight. I was really worried that people would respond negatively to my idea of taking a large dog. I really appreciate that no one has been negative, but has given me a realistic heads-up as to what to expect. Traveling without my dogs is a deal breaker for me, so I'm really glad that there are options.

Now, I am off to work on the rest of the Old Fella thread (currently on page 45). *Goes and grabs another box of kleenex.*

Any other suggestions/insights welcome. :)

sue.t wrote:
.... If we're staying at a commercial campground, I usually ask for the most secluded or isolated site so our dogs don't bother other campers. S.......

This is something I do also it is an excellent tip that many dog owners perhpas don't think of or know that it IS available to them.

When you pull into most CG's they assign the sites one right next to each other up and down each row until filled. The rest of the park can be wide open with 40 or 50 sites. It's just what they do.

I ask to be put 'out in the lower forty' so to speak. A site the furthest away from everyone else. There is no hard fast rule at CG's that you can not request this. I have never been refused this request.

The dogs enjoy the remote CG site probably more than I do. No kids squealing and running up to them before I have even finished setting up my site. And for me none of the dog owners that feel the need to walk up and down the CG roads and come up to my dogs with their dog and say, "my doggie wants to meet your doggie" ARGHHH, this is THE and really the only thing camping that just makes me go crazy. I don't RV and Camp with my dogs to be your dogs's play date. :B

We now travel with two dogs, one 90lb and 50lb. Just returned from a short trip with the 8' truck camper.

Don't often stay in commercial campgrounds, preferring instead gov't campgrounds or boondocking in the wilderness. In campgrounds, we choose a site based on good space for the dogs. If we're staying at a commercial campground, I usually ask for the most secluded or isolated site so our dogs don't bother other campers. Some people fear dogs and it is best they not park next to us!

We tether our dogs using the plastic covered metal cables (don't break and can't be chewed through). The cables are secured to either the bumper of the fifth wheel OR the tie-downs of the truck camper. If space is limited, the leads are shortened accordingly, but if there is lots of space or nobody around, the leads are left at the full length of 25'.

If we're not outside, our dogs aren't outside either. If we're sitting around the site or campfire, then they may be outside with us. Except for the big girl who likes to put herself to bed at about 9 p.m.

We prefer to take them with us wherever we go, easy to do with the camper. But with the fifth wheel, they might stay in it at the campsite. We walk and hike with the dogs, 3-4 times a day. If we have to leave them for an extended period, they get a good walk (an hour or more) beforehand. Then they're more likely to snooze while we're gone. Neither are barkers and usually use their alone time to catch up on their sleep.

They spend time alone at home and are good there ... the fifth wheel and camper are an extension of their home-space.

There have been so many laws passed in most all of the states regarding tethering, that the chain around a tree attached to a dog is no longer a happening anywhere. And if the state allows certain 'types' of tethering, deciding if it is with in these exceptions falls on what ever official is called out.

Unless that is if one prefers the "police" not the CG owner telling you about it as they write you out a ticket and consider impounding your dog for his safety. :R Thank peta for that, and I'll bet there will be follower in every CG that will call it in on you.

Bottom line the CG owner is not going to be the one to decide if you can tether or not within the guide lines set forth for that state. The state laws will dictate that.

Pens and tie outs are murder on the sites. People have used tie outs around trees and girdled them in days leaving a 10 year old tree dead. The grass under a pen will die quickly due to the constant trampling by the dogs, the dog's urine and some pens are solid bottomed killing all vegatation. Also, dogs in pens and on long tie outs are not considered fully restrained by many other guests, especially when they are the larger breeds with less than stellar reputations. This causes other guests discomfort, which is not acceptable. I am sure you will be able to find many places that will allow you and your dogs to be comfortable and will allow you to house them as you see fit, but it will not be everywhere. If you were staying at one of my parks, we wouldn't allow the tie outs or pens and would have a low tolerance for problems. If the dogs caused no trouble, we wouldn't have a problem, but if an issue arose, we would most likely not be on your side. I am not trying to be mean, but that is the factual way of things when we deal with large, potentially dangerous dogs, which rottweilers undoubtably are.