Snowbirding with several (more than 2) dogs?

[empty_nest]

We have several 2-5 lb. Chihuahuas and are looking for ideas for being able take them with us to warmer climates during the winter months. They like the cold and snow about as much as we do.

Most parks "advertise" no more than 2 dogs, if any at all. I don't know if that's a hard and fast rule, or do they make exceptions and if so, where do they draw the line.

We are fairly private folks and don't need any amenities. As long as we have hook-ups, we're good.

Just wondering if anyone else has a similar situation and/or if there are any ideas floating around that maybe we haven't thought of.

Thanks for your (serious) input. 🙂

[homefor2]

I will start by saying I have had several dogs in the past and I do like dogs. What I don't like it stupid inconsiderate owners and I have come across many of them. I've just had it with people that think it's OK to leave their dog in the unit while to go out for the day and the dog barks at everything that goes by.

Last year we had a woman beside us that had a dog that barked non stop while she stopped and chatted with other dog owners. She was oblivious to the barking and ignored it. I chose to try tolerance but it just about drove me nuts. I agree that most dog owners are considerate but the ones that are not, ruin it for everyone.
At another park, I guessed 80% had dogs. I counted the seconds between periods of no barking in the park and it was about 30 sec. If you calculate 100 dogs in a park and each one only barks for a few seconds, it still is a pain in the As*%. If I could find a NO DOGS park, I would be there.

[sljohnson1938]

I have been bitten twice by dogs in campgrounds. The first time I had just arrived, the dog owner came over and we shook hands, the dog ran over and bit me. A few minutes later the dog was outside with a muzzle on it. Funny the owner just happen to have a dog muzzle laying around. I went to the office and they just did nothing. do I smell lawsuit. I should have called the law and an attorney.
The second time, in a different campground, we, my wife and I, were just walking around and a couple with a small dog, walking by in the other direction, the dog ran across the road and bit me on the foot. She said 'oh my that has never happen before'. Ya - right.
Then there is the time the people behind us would leave the camper and the dogs would bark until they got back.
I have never seen a campground say 'no dogs', it there is there is where I will be.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We went to Florida for several years with 3 dogs: 25, 55, and 75 lbs. KOAs have always been our "go-to" parks; but I don't think we ever had problems finding a place, assuming we were staying away from heavily-camped places like Orlando.

Regarding bad dog owners: While Ed and I try VERY hard to basically be invisible and silent, following all the written and unwritten rules to a "T" - I also think it's silly to expect peace and tranquility, in an activity like RV park camping where we are all crammed into a tight space. Dogs will bark. Children will run and shriek. A noisy truck will be started. It's camping - just roll with it.

Some folks insist that "dogs be boarded". I, like so many others, am unwilling to board my dogs for more than a few days; so have purchased an RV (actually three) specifically to bring my dogs along. I, and millions of others, are supporting the RV industry - I don't know where one could find the statistics, but I wonder if pet-owning RVers might even be the majority?

[sher9570]

rockhillmanor wrote:

Comment: I would hope the rv parks don't make exceptions to the rules.
If they did what good would the rule be ?

We have to keep in mind that CG's are privately owned, private property. They and they alone create their CG rules. And they differ from CG to CG.

The number of dogs, weight of dogs, CG pet rule is the 'same' as the 10 year old RV rule. They are put in place so that the CG OWNER can decide case by case whether they want those RV'ers on their property. And the rule in place makes it easier for them to eject or reject campers.

You have a 12 year old RV is in mint condition they WILL let you in. You have 3 WELL BEHAVED dogs they will let you in.

Perfectly explained Rock...we travel with three dogs now. Our snowbird park this year instituted a 2 dog rule. Thankfully we are grandfathered in as are all that last year had three, they also put in a under 35 lb. rule, we also have a Lab so we are pushing all the rules.

Thankfully our dogs have made a good impression and most would tell you they would prefer a Lab than the ankle biters.
They have made friends with everyone and we've been asked many times if our dogs know how to bark?

It's up to the owners and the park owners to what will be done but one thing I wholeheartedly agree with, is if they make an exception and you don't live up to the rules, they use it to evict you and that's fair.

At our park we have two different rv's that have 4 Chi's in one and three Shelties in another...they are beloved and are not a nuisance.

SHer

[rockhillmanor]

Comment: I would hope the rv parks don't make exceptions to the rules.
If they did what good would the rule be ?

We have to keep in mind that CG's are privately owned, private property. They and they alone create their CG rules. And they differ from CG to CG.

The number of dogs, weight of dogs, CG pet rule is the 'same' as the 10 year old RV rule. They are put in place so that the CG OWNER can decide case by case whether they want those RV'ers on their property. And the rule in place makes it easier for them to eject or reject campers.

You have a 12 year old RV is in mint condition they WILL let you in. You have 3 WELL BEHAVED dogs they will let you in.

[Walaby]

Funny how some people automatically assume that the OP's dogs are not well behaved, yap all the time etc...

I am a dog owner. I only have one, so I don't have a need to ask for an "exception" to the rule. If the park gives an exception, that's fine, as long as it doesn't infringe on me. Just seeing more than two dogs at a site isn't an infringement. Running around, barking etc, would be. That can occur with 1, 2 or 20 dogs.

toedtoes hit the nail on the head... the word COMPROMISE doesn't seem to exist anymore. If you cannot stand having dogs in your vicinity, go to a campground that doesn't allow dogs. If you have a dog, take care of the dog, and if you have 5 well behaved dogs, and a campground gives you an exception, Im perfectly fine with that.

And, for the record, I have no issue with anyone leaving their dog in the camper while they are out sightseeing for a while. As long as the dog isn't barking incessantly. We leave our pets at home alone, and the RV is the home away from home. Our dog understands it is home, and she is perfectly content to relax at home while we are out and about.

Mike

[toedtoes]

joebedford wrote:
I'm not going to comment one way or the other but it is my opinion from years of observation that dog owners are the biggest cause of stress between RV park neighbours. Well behaved dog owners cause no stress.

I agree that it is the behavior of the owner and not the dog that makes the difference. But, I will say that there are some folks who will complain about a well-behaved dog with conscientious owners just because they don't like dogs. That's why it's a two-way street - those with dogs need to reduce the impact that their dogs have on others, but those without dogs need to accept that dogs are a part of our lives and will be around.

It's a word that seems to be disappearing from our culture: COMPROMISE. We can't all have everything we want so we need to find a way to make it work so we don't lose everything.

[pennysmom09]

joebedford wrote:
I'm not going to comment one way or the other but it is my opinion from years of observation that dog owners are the biggest cause of stress between RV park neighbours. Well behaved dog owners cause no stress.

X2

We stay in a very full snowbird RV park in Florida and you are right. Thoughtless pet owners are the biggest complaint. Barking and leash free ankle biters are the worst, especially when attached to poorly controlled flexi leashes. They often charge when we walk by and I have to swoop her up in my arms to avoid the potential conflict. Our dog is silent when we aren't around, since she has no prey drive at all and only feels possessive when we are with her. I keep her on a short leash when walking her, and always clean up after her. I go out of my way to avoid her peeing on anyone's site. I take it as a perk she is allowed at all and try to keep her "invisible" to fellow campers.

[RandACampin]

empty_nest wrote:

darsben wrote:
If you parked next to me and they yapped I would be right to the office.
You want the dogs do not expect others to like them.
leave them home or go with the rule.
You are as special as the next guy

WOW!! It never fails! Ask for some constructive advise and you get this. Whether I have dogs or not, I surely wouldn't want to be sitting next to you.

You can close the thread now. I'll figure it out myself.

WOW!! It never fails! Some people when faced with the rules want everyone to ignore those rules to accommodate them! If you have more dogs than the rules then don't go to that park. Simple enough?

[joebedford]

I'm not going to comment one way or the other but it is my opinion from years of observation that dog owners are the biggest cause of stress between RV park neighbours. Well behaved dog owners cause no stress.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Got to chime in here. We travel with 3 Shelties. They are really sweet dogs and somewhat mellow for Shelties. They are crated while we are gone for the day. We run the air conditioning or humidifier to create white noise. We've had people tell us they didn't even know we had dogs until they see us walking them.

Many times we've stayed next to an RV with a dog or dogs that bark at the slightest noise and bounce all over the seats and dash. I think some owners don't know how badly their dogs act when they are gone, some don't care and some think their little yappers are cute.

Many parks do have a 2 dog limit. We are always upfront when making reservations and tell them if our dogs are a problem, which they never have been, we will leave the park without a refund. We always make a point to do a meet and greet with owners, managers or work campers when we are out walking. A couple of places we stay actually have a note in our computer file stating we have 3 Shelties and to make an exception.

In ten years of extensive RV travels, we've only found one park that strictly enforced the 2 dog rule. They didn't get our business.

[empty_nest]

rockhillmanor wrote:
> A definition of 'several' would be of use to respond to your post.

I travel with 4 small dogs. Yes it is challenging because 'most' CG's DO have a 2 dog limit.

That said it can be done.
I full timed for 6 years and found a CG to sleep at every night that accepted the dogs.:W

Here is what I found out.

If you want to stay in any of the real popular snowbird destination CG's or Resorts, they most likely will NOT give on the 2 dog limit. You are parked in like sardines at that type of CG and there is just no room for an RV'er to have several dogs and keep them quiet in those ridiculous close quarters. Henceforth why they restrict the number and do stick to it no exceptions.

But there are thousands of other CG's in Florida that will. And as mentioned above the state and fed parks don't have restrictions.

KOA CG's are VERY dog friendly across the US. My go to and ended up being my first choice of a CG as I traveled.

Find small mom and pop CG's, they tend to be lenient on dog restriction rules or don't even have them. And I have found them to have nice roomy sites for me and my RV also!

The size and breed of your dogs is a plus so you won't a problem with that regarding size/weight restrictions and banned breeds.

It CAN be done. Just sometimes you won't be able to pull into the first CG you see. Happy Camping with your dogs. :C

Thank you very much!! Just exactly what I was looking for. Just some ideas as to how it all works. I'm trying to plan ahead a little.

And, darsben, if you must know, I have 5 small Chihuahuas. Two of them are getting pretty old and I don't even know if they will be around in a couple more years.

[toedtoes]

Whether we like it or not, some parks DO make exceptions to their rules. And that is their right and if someone gets that exception, then that's between them and the park owner. If you disagree with the park's choice, then you can go elsewhere. It's a two-way street and the main thing is that people get to make their own choices - whether it's the dog owner, the park owner, or the no pet RVer. If you don't like the way the park handles their rules, then pick another park.

Having said that, I personally prefer parks who stick to their rules. But, I don't condemn those that don't, I just end up going elsewhere because I read the rule and cross them off my list.

[Guy_Roan]

A question and a comment:

Question: How many is several ?

Comment: I would hope the rv parks don't make exceptions to the rules.
If they did what good would the rule be ?

Guy