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wishin_andhopin's avatar
wishin_andhopin
Explorer
May 26, 2013

Big Dog - Small Trailer

Looking for suggestions and I think I can make this work.

Several years ago, we had an old 31 foot class A motorhome and loved being on the road with it. At the time, we had a rottie who loved going with us.

Now,she is no longer with us, but we have another rottie mix and a 20 lb mutt. We don't have an RV, but are considering our options.

Here is what are thinking:

A 21 ft ultra light of some sort w/slide; we really want small. We will be pulling it with a Dodge Dakota that will have a camper shell where we will have the dogs crated during transport. We are figuring on modifying a portable exercise pen so that it will form a large half circle around the door when we are parked and "at home". This way the dogs will have more room. The rottie is not a jumper or climber due to knee issues and minds quite well; the small dog is more of a concern because he thinks the funnest game in the world is playing chase me (I intend to resolve this with training). They will bark when people approach our home and I think the rottie would be protective if an aggressive or dangerous person approached, but I am not sure.

Here are my concerns:

1. Leaving the dogs. This goes against my grain the same way it would if I were leaving a small child alone in a trailer. I have been reading threads where this has been discussed. If we are in a park or area that allows our dogs, how do you resolve this or this an absolute no-no? I intend to take them with us as much as possible, but that is not always possible. Their safety, comfort, and well-being is my primary concern. Some parks don't allow you to leave your dogs at all.

2. Campgrounds that are not only dog friendly, but Rottie friendly. I completely understand the limitation of this breed. An irresponsible owner can create a dangerous situation. How limited will we be? How do we find out while traveling the restrictions ahead of time?

3. Stealing the dogs. I read a thread where someone said this is a concern. When and under what circumstances?

I see that some of you travel regularly with large dogs. Any other insights you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks, so much.

20 Replies

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  • Pawz4me's avatar
    Pawz4me
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    wishin'andhopin' wrote:
    We intended to use the enclosure only when we are there and supervising the dogs. With such a small trailer, I was looking for ways to give them more space, especially with such a large breed.


    In general, the rule you'll see is a leash no longer than six feet. In reality, many people use ex-pens and tie outs that are longer than six feet. Not to mention retractable leashes. I've never known of anyone getting in trouble with a campground's management for any of those, but that's certainly not to say it doesn't happen. I think (and strictly my opinion here) that what most campgrounds are after is simply the use of common sense and courtesy -- securely restrain your pet(s) and keep it from bothering others.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2013
    wishin'andhopin' wrote:
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    As long as you know what the temperature is back there at ALL times. If you have a slide back window in the cab area you can use an outside oven temperature gauge they have a real long cord to reach the counter so you can monitor the temp in the back while you are driving.

    Very good advice...I didn't even think about that and I should know better living in the desert.



    They make tops for expens. I RV with 4 dogs and 3 expens with lids. More so to keep inquisitive adults and children's fingers and out of my my dogs face's when they are outside in the expens.
    Which also brings about the issue of expens. Many CG's will not let you put them on your site.

    This, I did not know.


    It's not in any CG rules I've read. I don't ask I just pull in pay go to my site and set them up. A few CG owners have asked me to take them down AND some CG owners come over and are in wonder how cool they are for safely containing pets and comment that they wish more campers used them!


    ""Exercise Pen Tops
    These exercise pen tops are the best accessory for your exercise pen! The 540-WM wire mesh top provides you with safety and security for your pet. Combine this with the 540-SS Sunscreen and you have the perfect area to safely allow your pet the much needed exercise with the best available comfort and safety! Click her for more information...""



    The top folds in the middle so you just open one end to take the dog out or put them in. I have a roll of sunscreen that goes down first and then the expens on top of that.

    My dogs just can't wait until I finish parking and set up the pens.
    Throw them a blanket/water and they are down for the count outside safe and sound.
  • wishin_andhopin's avatar
    wishin_andhopin
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    westernrvparkowner wrote:
    Your three biggest issues are 1) the barking: never acceptable in a campground situation.

    I agree. It would annoy me too. I am all about proper manners and if I could not get that under control, I would find a work-around.

    2) potential agressiveness: nothing will get you sent down the road faster than a dog that is being agressive and nothing will get you sued for everything you are worth faster than a dog that attacks a wandering child. You cannot know what your dog would think a dangerous or aggressive person looks like, so if your dog has the least bit of aggressive potential you need to never, ever leave it where others could approach.


    This is true. Although I do not think she is aggressive, any dog can lash out if they are nervous.

    3) any kind of pet enclosure will be frowned upon at many RV parks. Your dogs really need to be an indoor dogs. RV parks are not the place for dogs that spend the majority of their time outside, unless you intend to be right there with them.


    Going by your name, I assume you are a park owner who has a lot of experience with this, so I am particularly interested in your perspective.

    We intended to use the enclosure only when we are there and supervising the dogs. With such a small trailer, I was looking for ways to give them more space, especially with such a large breed.

    If we are outside with them, how do parks feel about the dogs being on a long tether?

    What about more rural areas like state park campgrounds that allow dogs?
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2013
    Rotties are one of the breeds often stolen out of people's yards for the purpose of dog fighting. They may not always be used to fight, but could also be used as a trainer dog for a fighter. Small dogs are often taken for sale to a research facility, or as a trainer dog (awful). They usually are taken from unlocked cars, but more often from peoples fenced yards, or yards where the dogs are chained, tied out and left alone. In some state it is more prevelant, but caution is always good.
  • westernrvparkow's avatar
    westernrvparkow
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    Your three biggest issues are 1) the barking: never acceptable in a campground situation. 2) potential agressiveness: nothing will get you sent down the road faster than a dog that is being agressive and nothing will get you sued for everything you are worth faster than a dog that attacks a wandering child. You cannot know what your dog would think a dangerous or aggressive person looks like, so if your dog has the least bit of aggressive potential you need to never, ever leave it where others could approach. 3) any kind of pet enclosure will be frowned upon at many RV parks. Your dogs really need to be an indoor dogs. RV parks are not the place for dogs that spend the majority of their time outside, unless you intend to be right there with them.
  • wishin_andhopin's avatar
    wishin_andhopin
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    As long as you know what the temperature is back there at ALL times. If you have a slide back window in the cab area you can use an outside oven temperature gauge they have a real long cord to monitor the temp in the back while you are driving.


    Very good advice...I didn't even think about that and I should know better living in the desert.



    They will bark when people approach our home and I think the rottie would be protective if an aggressive or dangerous person approached, but I am not sure.


    The barking and most 'definitely' the aggressive issue that you are 'not sure of' "IMHO" needs to be taken care of or eliminated before you take them to a CG in close quarters with people, dogs and children.


    She's not aggressive, but is protective, as most dogs are.
    They make tops for expens. I RV with 4 dogs and 3 expens with lids. More so to keep inquisitive adults and children's fingers and out of my my dogs face's when they are outside in the expens.

    Which also brings about the issue of expens. Many CG's will not let you put them on your site.


    This, I did not know.
  • wishin_andhopin's avatar
    wishin_andhopin
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    PapPappy wrote:
    1.) Usually leaving the TV on, will create enough noise, that they are distracted, and will often just sleep.


    I'll try that, thanks.
  • Pawz4me's avatar
    Pawz4me
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Many CG's have rules that you can NOT leave your dogs unattended in the camper. In 'my' travels it seems it's this rule they enforce the most. Again call ahead and ask if this is one of their CG rules.


    We've only encountered that at one campground in six years. Many campgrounds word the rule rather ambiguously (on purpose, IMO) -- "Pets may not be left unattended." Unattended outside? In the RV? When we've called and asked we've always (except in that one instance) been told that it's fine to leave dogs alone in our RV as long as they won't nuisance bark. In the one case where the rule was that pets must not be left alone even inside the RV, we just politely told them we'd give our business to another campground.

    So all that to say . . . yes, call and ask.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2013
    Kudos for the crates for the dogs in the bed that has a cap for traveling with the dogs! As long as you know what the temperature is back there at ALL times. If you have a slide back window in the cab area you can use an outside oven temperature gauge they have a real long cord to monitor the temp in the back while you are driving.

    You seem to already know most of the difficulties of traveling with a banned breed so him being over CG's weight restrictions is a moot point.
    Sadly with a banned breed dog you will not have the pleasure of traveling and stopping at will at the next camp ground available.

    You will have to make numerous calls ahead to find a CG that will accept a Rottie. They ARE out there but not on every corner per se.

    They will bark when people approach our home and I think the rottie would be protective if an aggressive or dangerous person approached, but I am not sure.

    The barking and most 'definitely' the aggressive issue that you are 'not sure of' "IMHO" needs to be taken care of or eliminated before you take them to a CG in close quarters with people, dogs and children.

    They make tops for expens. I RV with 4 dogs and 3 expens with lids. More so to keep inquisitive adults and children's fingers and out of my my dogs face's when they are outside in the expens.

    Which also brings about the issue of expens. Many CG's will not let you put them on your site.

    Many CG's have rules that you can NOT leave your dogs unattended in the camper. In 'my' travels it seems it's this rule they enforce the most. Again call ahead and ask if this is one of their CG rules.

    I just call and ask them to send me a copy of their CG rules. Then I don't' have to go into all the rhetoric of breed, size, quantity, etc with them on the phone.

    We are figuring on modifying a portable exercise pen so that it will form a large half circle around the door when we are parked.

    This can be done but you DO have big modifications to schelp with to cover the bottom of the RV with in this half circle.

    Many do successfully RV with banned breeds. It's just more challenging! Good Luck.
    Happy Camping. :C
  • PapPappy's avatar
    PapPappy
    Explorer
    May 26, 2013
    1.) I understand the concern about leaving them....but they should be OK in the TT, provided that they don't bark all the time. Usually leaving the TV on, will create enough noise, that they are distracted, and will often just sleep.
    If the park doesn't allow the dogs to be left when you are gone, you may (and I will say that it's probably rare) be able to have someone in the next campground watch them for you.
    You may also be able to find a local kennel, and board them for the day, if you are going someplace that won't allow you to have them with you.

    2.) Best thing to do about the breeds allowed, is to contact the CG you plan to visit. You can check their website (they will often post this information), or check with one of the "Pet Friendly" sites that lists various CGs that may allow you to stay with a Rottie.

    3.) I don't know if you will have to worry about someone stealing a Rottie....but who the heck knows?? This is when you want to become a good neighbor, because it's your neighbor, who will look out for you. Does it happen...sure, but I'd consider that it's a very low percentage of the number of dog owners who are out camping...so I wouldn't let it stop me from going. The same things were happening when you traveled in your "C"....though now days, we just hear about them more, because of the internet and news agencies.

    Happy Camping:)

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