I'm a newby RVer and intend to travel with my little dog, Abby (cockapoo - very sweet, likes to travel in the car). I'm worried that when I have to leave her in the RV, which will be new to her, she might panic and have a bad experience that will make her unwilling to travel. How do seasoned RVers handle this situation? I'm thinking of buying a soft-sided, crate that folds up when not in use. That, at least would keep her from destroying anything in the RV if she should panic. Abby is three years old now and she hasn't been crated since her early puppy house training period, so she might not find security and comfort in a crate. I'd love to know how other travelers have dealt with this issue. Thank you, in advance, for your help.

I would take her along to the Rv when you are preparing for a trip. Or just sit in it for a while in the afternoons... just to get her used to it. I tried the soft sided crates, and felt that the heat built up in them quicker, I've also seen some where dogs chewed right through the sides of them. I have wire crates that fold down and can be put out of the way when not in use.When we leave the RV, we make sure the temp is set, we crate the dogs, give them water, close the curtains, and leave the tv on. That way the dogs can't see people outside and the tv muffles outside noises. The aim is so that the dogs dont' bark.During hot weather, we don't go far or for too long in case something would happen to the electric. The MH can heat up fast on a hot day.Our dogs were older when we started RV'ing. I wasn't sure how they would do and I was pleasantly surprised. I told my husband, bottom line as long as they are with us, they are happy. They love going.

when we started it took the dogs awhile to get comfortable with the camper. ours is stored at home so I was able to let them run in and out when I would stock or work on it. we would have happy hour in the camper on the weekends and they would hang out with us, it took then a little while but once they figured it out they were fine. the dogs we have now we crate when we leave and also set the temperature so they are comfortable. time to time I will ask a neighbor if the dogs barked, usually the don't- I just want to be a good neighbor.

Same as the above - we tried the collapsible soft crate and one time the pup collapsed it while we were gone - not sure that was a good afternoon for him. Now we only use the wire crates, bring their beds and toys from home. We only leave them for a couple of hours at a time with the temp set, lights off and TV or radio on.Honestly, they got so much more wore out camping from endless walks that I think the appreciate the "naps"!

Depends entirely on the dog. Some do well, others not. Seems smaller dogs don't do as well as larger dogs, but that is just my opinion from hearing barking from RVs.How does she do when left alone at home?If she is crate trained, that is probably the best solution. She probably feels safe an secure there.If not, take her for a test trip. While you are at your site, leave her in the RV, close the door and blinds, and go outside where she cannot see you and wait. If she starts barking you will know you can't just leave her alone or she will probably bark until you get back. Have heard too many of those from neighboring RVs.Our Golden just goes into a dark corner in the bedroom and sleeps until we return. Just as she does at home.

Wire crate. Air conditioner on. Never gone more than an hour. Close blinds so dog can not see out side to eliminate barking as much as possible. But we do not leave our dog behind. We plan our trips to include the dog, not leave him behind.

leaving dog in RV | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

AuntSmurf
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
WVKatie wrote:
Thanks for all your very helpful responses. I plan to spend time in the RV with Abby once it is parked on my property. We'll spend several nights in the RV together before I drive it anywhere. I'll get Abby a crate and introduce it to her in the house, then in the RV. I'll leave her in the crate in the RV and stay nearby to gauge her reaction. I'll make sure that she has some really yummy treat while she is alone in her crate. This should be doable because Abby is a smart, level-headed little dog who is able to calm herself down when left alone in the house. Great responses from you all! Thank you.

You are doing everything exactly right! You and Abby will be fine and will have lots of fun. Turning on the tv when you leave her will cut down on the outside noises tremendously.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
We bring our dog on every trip and most times when we leave the site she comes with us. However when we go to dinner or somewhere she is not allowed, she stays in the trailer. The first few trips when we did this, I would wait 10 minutes outside the site just to be sure she didn't bark. Upon returning, I would ask the neighbors if they heard her bark at all. Most times I would get the same response. I didn't even know you had a dog.
ediemarie
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
a big reason that we bought our rv is so we can take our dogs with us when we travel.

we started out by putting them in the rv at home in the drive for a 15-20mins. no going to lie, they barked. kept up for several tries and by the end they would just pick a spot and lay down. the GC's we've been to we always wait outside for 10mins or so to see how they're going to do.

I did read on a separate thread, somewhere out there!, one persons suggestion that if you feel comfortable doing it. give your cell phone # to a neighbor with a request to please call if the dogs are barking continuously. I haven't done this but it sounds like it might not be a bad idea.

I agree with an earlier reply. my dogs bark at home when someone rings the door bell or knocks on the door etc. I expect them to do the same in the rv.

won't be staying anywhere that tells me I can't bring my 'kids.'

cheers - EM
twotoes
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
As others have said spend as much time with the dog in the RV. Before you leave your pet inside alone for an extended period of time do several trial tests runs. I would go outside and sit in my campsite for a few minutes and go back inside. Repeat this several times on several occasions staying outside for longer periods of time each time. This way your pet gets used to being inside alone and knows that you will always come back. It also gives you an opportunity to listen if they bark while you are gone (outside).
frmAloha
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
We have also no problems leaving our dog(s) alone inside the RV. And we've been traveling with one/two dogs for well more than thirty years.
WrongWayRandall
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Oaklevel wrote:
Most parks we run into it is fine to leave them inside the RV unattended but not outside unattended.

This has been the case in our experience as well. In 30 years of camping bringing our family along has never been an issue in any park.

As for noise, children, people playing games, get-togethers, diesel engines, golf carts, generators, etc. all make noise during the day - as long as it is not quite time I see no difference in the source of the noise, although some people just don't like dogs for whatever reason.

- Randy
sue_t
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Our dogs catch up on their sleep when we leave them in the RV. Because we're travelling during the day, they don't get their daily beauty sleep. So when we leave them, they're happy to curl up and nap.

If we're leaving them for an extended period, maybe 3-4 hours, they get a good hike before we go. This helps put them to sleep.

Generally though, they go with us everywhere we go, unless there is a no-dog restriction. And if there is a no-dog rule, possibly we won't go either.
WVKatie
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Thanks for all your very helpful responses. I plan to spend time in the RV with Abby once it is parked on my property. We'll spend several nights in the RV together before I drive it anywhere. I'll get Abby a crate and introduce it to her in the house, then in the RV. I'll leave her in the crate in the RV and stay nearby to gauge her reaction. I'll make sure that she has some really yummy treat while she is alone in her crate. This should be doable because Abby is a smart, level-headed little dog who is able to calm herself down when left alone in the house. Great responses from you all! Thank you.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2014
After the very first night we spent in our RV - our dogs understood that it was a "house". When they were younger, Ike and Jack would get taken on long walks before we'd leave them, with shades drawn and the TV on for background "noise" (just like we do at home). The longest we left them was 7-1/2 hours while we took a sightseeing cruise in Alaska (after walking the perimeter of downtown Valdez) - they were STILL passed out when we got back :-)

And if you can, just take "baby steps". Leave your dog for just a short while (maybe just stand outside the RV for 5 minutes listening for sounds) - then increase the time gone. As others have said - most dogs who are fine at home are fine in an RV.
Karfae69
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
We started out with crating our dog(55 pound amstaff) as she was crate trained at home. Start crate training at home. You want to make the crate their sanctuary. Comfy blankets, toys and give a treat, put the dog in and leave for a hour first then gradually lengthen it. We used a sturdy collapsible crate as our dog is big and a fixed one would take up way to much room. We don't crate our dog anymore and travel to 4 NHRA drag race events a year and leave her alone for hours at times. We leave water, vents open and make sure we do what we need to that she is cool and comfortable. Our dog just sleeps the whole time. My dog goes to work with me everyday and loves chilling out in her crate.