Our first extended trip with a dog

I'll just add "lots of walks". Tired dogs tend to be good dogs :-) And as others have said, practice situational awareness. Before you go strolling down a nice path, be aware of potential predators. Here in FL, people have been hurt (or worse) trying to rescue their dogs from alligators looking for a snack :-( Even in our condo complex (214 homes), our neighbor saw a Bobcat trotting down one of our paths. When in doubt, carry bear spray.

P.S. It's pronounced she-tsu not sh!t-tsu

Good advice given. As well as predators, remember that even if your dog won't get out of the pen, another loose dog can get into the pen.

With tie outs, remember that your dog is stuck. If you go inside for just a moment a loose dog can attack your dog and your dog cannot get away. Never leave your dog outside unattended - pen, tie out, or otherwise.

Like others have said pet should not be left alone outside, most campgrounds have rules against unattended pets. And for the dogs safety as well from predators. Always clean up after your pet as well.

Dogs make great traveling companions but do require extra maintenance. If I go to a restaurant or store I leave them in the RV with the A/C on as well as the tv or radio.

We have used the folding wire pens with our dogs, but have never left them alone outside even in the pens. One moment of excitement and even a small dog could be out and gone. Common campground rule is no unattended pets outside.

If you are thinking of leaving the dog in the RV while you go sightseeing, try some test first. We have parked beside people who left their dog(s), and they would bark continuously until they returned. I have mentioned it to a couple of them and they didn’t seem interested. Leave the dog inside while you wait around outside for a while and see what it does.

Always make sure your dog is wearing a harness, especially when tied up. Our dog did a back flip and damaged his growing plates. Big mistake we didn't have a harness on him when he was tied up.

We use the X-pens(as they are called) all the time but we are generally sitting within them while the "kids" are outside. At last count we carry 3 such pens with us so as to give us a larger area to sit with them(then being four rescued doggies). I make a complete rectangle so that they cannot get under the RV or stair step. With a smaller non leaping doggie, I'm sure you could get by with the 24" models(smaller and lite weight). Since we have a jumper..we have the 40" models. We Love them!!

Your dog is cute, but much depends on where you are going.
We were in a northern (lower 48) camp and neighbors had an little dust mop like that. I was watching and saw a golden eagle that was doing target circles over the little dog in the pen. When alerted, his people came to get him just as the dive started. They lucked out. To see a big bird put on the brakes like that is a real sight.

I little guy like that looks like lunch to many raptors and any coyotes that happen to be about.

Our gentle 70# girls has been know to stare down coyotes to protect her little (adopted) sister.

Matt

Be careful with that cutie. A hungry animal will remove it from a pen or off the end of a leash.

We travel with 3 dogs. Steel pens work fine, but they are a little cumbersome to haul around. For a little dog maybe a plastic pen.