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Dog_Folks's avatar
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014

Dogs Riding And Tired

All through our regular camping lives(+30 years) and now over 8 years of full timing, The dogs we had at the time LOVED to go camping. I understand why, but something universal always happened.

No matter how long the trip, upon arrival, whatever dog was on board at the time would be all tired out the next day.

One move was only about 75 feet, to a different site within the same park! The dogs we had acted as if they just traveled 500 miles.

But no matter the distance, 75 feet or 300 miles, the dogs are always tired out the next day, as if they ran and played all day rather than riding in the truck.

I don’t think out was the “stress” of riding in a vehicle. Most of our dogs loved to ride.

Other campers have told me the same happens with their dogs. Any ideas why?

Is there something "scientific " about this Dr. Doug?

8 Replies

  • Happytraveler's avatar
    Happytraveler
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    Our dogs sleep the whole time we are traveling. When we get to a campsite they're ready to go. The only time my dogs get tired is when we have company over. They're so exhausted the next day, LOL. We have game night every other week and sometimes our company don't leave until one in the morning. You would think they were the ones entertaining. They are so wiped out the next day.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Apr 22, 2014
    When I travel on a long trip the Collies sleep as long as I have the A/C cranked. When I stop after 900 miles there ready to go but I'm ready to sleep. Back when Andy was alive he loved to look out the window when traveling.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    Deb and Ed M wrote:
    I think one part of making your dogs tired, is whether they've had their full quota of daily naps?? So even if you moved the RV 75 feet - there was still activity involved, that might have prevented the early-morning nap and the late-morning nap; or the early afternoon or late afternoon nap (not to be confused with the mid-afternoon snooze)....


    Sounds reasonable. I guess we will need to plan better to travel during the hour or two a day they are awake! :B:B:B
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    Our dogs acted the same whether we were at home, in the RV or on a long/short trip. They always nap rather than full hours of sleep. They might sleep for two hours at a time and then get up to get water,food or get rid of water or food. Sniff around a little then lay down and nap again.
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Apr 22, 2014
    I don't have a clue. I know all of our dogs (and cat) have gone through the pooped out syndrome.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    Dog Folks wrote:


    One move was only about 75 feet, to a different site within the same park! The dogs we had acted as if they just traveled 500 miles.


    I must say that sometimes it's the same for me! (j/k)

    Some dogs don't really have a sense of time, so it doesn't matter if a trip is hours long or just a minute. It was a trip and, from prior experience, a dog knows that after a trip he needs to rest.

    I like dogs like this. Recently I met a nice dog (Tara) who was as excited and happy to see me after I'd been gone for five minutes as she was to see me after a two day absence.

    It was a delightful contrast to my cat's "Oh, it's you again?" cattitude.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    I wouldn't know how to tell if my dog was "tired". Seems to me she's always sleeping unless there's something interesting going on, at which point she becomes instantly Awake and Ready For Action.

    Even at her present ten years of age, she can be sleeping away after spending the whole day playing fetch with the Grandkids and STILL come out of her bed like a shot at the sound of the lid coming off the treat jar.
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2014
    I think one part of making your dogs tired, is whether they've had their full quota of daily naps?? So even if you moved the RV 75 feet - there was still activity involved, that might have prevented the early-morning nap and the late-morning nap; or the early afternoon or late afternoon nap (not to be confused with the mid-afternoon snooze)....

    This is how I'm able to bring my dogs to work. I've provided plenty of space, either in a soft crate or dog beds located under my desk. For most of the day, my dogs sleep; but by about 4 PM - they're ready for some action! That's when a good game of "chuk-it" happens out back..... then they go back to sleep....LOL!!!

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