Hello! My family is very new to RV'ing and we are soon-to-be new dog parents as well. We'll be bringing home a bernese mountain dog pup in a few weeks! We're also considering full timing for a year beginning in late May. Our pup will be about 9-10 months old then. I have many questions, but right now I'm wondering what life on the road will be like for a large breed puppy. I'm concerned about lack of off-leash time. I'm curious to know if anyone has ever used those dog pen gates or something similar to create a small open space around the side of the camper. Obviously we would only allow her to be free there when we are outside and right next to her...we have three young children (1, 3, 5) as well, so it could be useful for easily keeping the kids in 'our yard' while we are cooking and whatnot. We will be working with a dog trainer and hopefully will have a well-behaved dog by the time we embark!Would this be allowed in typical campgrounds? What do you guys do to compensate for so much 'confined' time? I don't want to end up in a situation where we feel we're doing a disservice to our dog!Thanks!

No, CG's rarely allow dogs to be off-leash.

Many dogs get all their exercise at the end of a leash- everything depends on early training. You have a golden opportunity in that this one's a baby. First learned, best learned, right? Every dog should be trained to be accustomed to confinement of freedom when necessary....whatever method you choose, please do commence that training immediately!

Many parks do not allow the type of fencing (x-pens and the like) that you are suggesting. We tolerate them to the extent we allow them as long as the pet owner is outside with the dogs at all times. The pens are not secure enough to dissuade a motivated dog from escaping to chase people, wildlife or other dogs. Dogs outside and unattended will naturally bark more often than a dog inside an RV. Also some dogs are very prone to digging under fences creating an obvious problem. Long walks on a leash is the best option for exercise if there are no off-leash areas either within the park or nearby. For most people, that long walk is also good for them, there is no better exercise partner than a strolling dog.

I have a couple of 4-foot high ex-pens that I latch together and use on the side of the RV that work very well. I have never had a complaint from the campground if the dogs stay in there, and I always stay with them to make sure. Of course, I stay mostly at state parks and federal campgrounds, and the dog rules at private campgrounds tend to be stricter. One thing to make sure of is that the dog can't get away under the RV. I usually use plastic fencing as an apron on the side of the motorhome, which has usually worked. Some dogs, however, can be escape artists and get right through a setup like that; that's why training is so important, especially with a dog as big and strong as a BMD. Another thing you might look for are private campgrounds that have their own fenced dog park that you can let a dog off leash, as long as they behave. Be sure to clean up after her!

Just random thoughts from our experiences as high-energy breed owners:A "walk" on leash sometimes is more tiring than allowing them to rip and tear offleash; plus it helps socialize your dog to the campground lifestyle (noise/confusion/distractions)If you ask at the front desk - many folks will tell you where you CAN run a dog offleash. Sometimes it's a back lot of the RV Park; or a property adjacent to it... BUT... (and this is the biggest "but" of them all) - your dog had better have a "Bombproof recall". As in "My dog will break off a squirrel chase to return to me". Having your pup run off to challenge a pack of coyotes, (or a skunk) for example, is a really bad thing.No offense - but you're going to have a huge rambunctious puppy and little kids all cooped in a small space if you full-time. Right now I have a 12#, 6-month old pup and NO children and I can't imagine full-timing in an RV....LOL!!! But you might want to really look hard at how much frustration your plan can cause for everyone....

Newbie q's re: leashing, etc | Good Sam Community

46 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2013
The park we are in right now, has a strict leash law, but also has a 75 pound size limit. Lucky for me we have two nice off leash parks within a mile of us. So Max gets to run off leash at least twice a day. And as anyone who has ever had a Lab knows, a tired Lab is a happy Lab is so true. While we host at state parks we leave Max outside usually chained to something that will offer some sun and plenty of shade and water. He has choices, and is perfectly content watching squirrel's and people until we return. No matter what, all dogs should go through obedience training to learn to be good citizens. Far too many people want to ignore the rules because their little mutt would not bite or attack.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2013
Just random thoughts from our experiences as high-energy breed owners:

A "walk" on leash sometimes is more tiring than allowing them to rip and tear offleash; plus it helps socialize your dog to the campground lifestyle (noise/confusion/distractions)

If you ask at the front desk - many folks will tell you where you CAN run a dog offleash. Sometimes it's a back lot of the RV Park; or a property adjacent to it... BUT... (and this is the biggest "but" of them all) - your dog had better have a "Bombproof recall". As in "My dog will break off a squirrel chase to return to me". Having your pup run off to challenge a pack of coyotes, (or a skunk) for example, is a really bad thing.

No offense - but you're going to have a huge rambunctious puppy and little kids all cooped in a small space if you full-time. Right now I have a 12#, 6-month old pup and NO children and I can't imagine full-timing in an RV....LOL!!! But you might want to really look hard at how much frustration your plan can cause for everyone....
Dashonthedash
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
I have a couple of 4-foot high ex-pens that I latch together and use on the side of the RV that work very well. I have never had a complaint from the campground if the dogs stay in there, and I always stay with them to make sure. Of course, I stay mostly at state parks and federal campgrounds, and the dog rules at private campgrounds tend to be stricter. One thing to make sure of is that the dog can't get away under the RV. I usually use plastic fencing as an apron on the side of the motorhome, which has usually worked. Some dogs, however, can be escape artists and get right through a setup like that; that's why training is so important, especially with a dog as big and strong as a BMD. Another thing you might look for are private campgrounds that have their own fenced dog park that you can let a dog off leash, as long as they behave. Be sure to clean up after her!
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
Many parks do not allow the type of fencing (x-pens and the like) that you are suggesting. We tolerate them to the extent we allow them as long as the pet owner is outside with the dogs at all times. The pens are not secure enough to dissuade a motivated dog from escaping to chase people, wildlife or other dogs. Dogs outside and unattended will naturally bark more often than a dog inside an RV. Also some dogs are very prone to digging under fences creating an obvious problem. Long walks on a leash is the best option for exercise if there are no off-leash areas either within the park or nearby. For most people, that long walk is also good for them, there is no better exercise partner than a strolling dog.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
Many dogs get all their exercise at the end of a leash- everything depends on early training. You have a golden opportunity in that this one's a baby. First learned, best learned, right?

Every dog should be trained to be accustomed to confinement of freedom when necessary....whatever method you choose, please do commence that training immediately!
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 15, 2013
No, CG's rarely allow dogs to be off-leash.

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Newbie q's re: leashing, etc

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