Dogs in RV parks

[mz-s]

My wife and I are seriously considering buying a camper within the next year or so, so that we can travel around our great country while towing our own "home" everywhere we go. We also want to be able to travel with our cats, which will allow us to be away from home longer without needing to worry about having someone stop by every day or so to feed/water/scoop box.

I'm reading on a lot of forums that people travel with their dogs, probably for the same reasons we want to travel with our cats.

Do you find that dogs barking is an issue in RV parks? Do people with dogs make sure they're well-mannered? Obviously there will be bad apples and irresponsible dog owners wherever you go, but in general what's been your experience? The last thing we want to do is sink thousands in a camper then never use it because we're always dodging dog refuse around the RV park, or we can't sleep because people have yappers going all hours of the night.

[ford_truck_guy]

Corky12 wrote:
I do not think I have ever been on a hiking trail that did not include dog poop or been in a campground that did not have at least one dog running loose and/or barking. You will also see many "service dogs" in their internet vests in grocery stores, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc. I will never understand the American people's fascination with dogs

?? really? What land do you come from that does not have pets?

[mz-s]

Campfire Time wrote:
We've been camping for over 32 years. Tents, a pop-up, and 2 hybrid trailers. We've boondocked, stayed in state parks, rustic RV parks, fancy RV parks, and COEs. it's pretty rare to encounter out of control barking dogs. Campers with dog are generally pretty respectful and also really like it when you ask about their dogs.

It's far more common to hear someone else's music blaring because they want everyone to know what genre they like. It's far more common for the guy with the F350 to think it's a good idea to start his diesel at 4 am and let it run for an hour. It's far more common for the neighbor's kids to be out of control and running through your campsite dumping your chairs over and pulling your plug out of the pedestal.

Corky12 wrote:
I will never understand the American people's fascination with dogs

:h Umm, how is this just an American fascination?

Sounds like I should worry less about the dog and more about the other end of the leash! LOL

[Campfire_Time]

We've been camping for over 32 years. Tents, a pop-up, and 2 hybrid trailers. We've boondocked, stayed in state parks, rustic RV parks, fancy RV parks, and COEs. it's pretty rare to encounter out of control barking dogs. Campers with dog are generally pretty respectful and also really like it when you ask about their dogs.

It's far more common to hear someone else's music blaring because they want everyone to know what genre they like. It's far more common for the guy with the F350 to think it's a good idea to start his diesel at 4 am and let it run for an hour. It's far more common for the neighbor's kids to be out of control and running through your campsite dumping your chairs over and pulling your plug out of the pedestal.

Corky12 wrote:
I will never understand the American people's fascination with dogs

:h Umm, how is this just an American fascination?

[ncrowley]

I am a very light sleeper and I have not been kept awake by a dog barking yet. I would not decide whether to purchase an RV based on a worry about dog issues. Get one and enjoy it.

[Ralph_Cramden]

And we're off LOL.

Love to read these dog threads.

PA State Parks have dedicated pet sections/loops/sites. It adds another $2 per night to the cost. At one particular park they recently upgraded about a dozen sites in one of the pet sections to full hookups. Despite those sites designated as pet sites they are now occupied at least half the time by non pet campers who simply wanted the hookups. Most of the time these people go off bitching and moaning about dogs to the host or ranger. Typical busy bodies. People.........no figuring them out. Its simple, there are many places that do not allow pets or have sections that are non pet.....use them.

[steveksfc]

Actually we have 7 Dachshunds that all love to go camping and being in the camper and play with the kids who show up. Hook on their leaches and they beeline to the back door of the truck wanting to get in. This is something I never thought would happen but they fooled me. LOL They travel well also, never a issue yet. (Knock on wood)

[newman_fulltime]

If only i could put that owner of that loud truck at 5 am on a leash

[StephJohn2010]

jplante4 wrote:
Almost everyone that RVs has a dog. It's less of a problem than imagined because if more than 5% disregarded the rules, it would be chaos.

On our 6 month trip, Bubba the mini-schnau was starting to fail. We set the tablet to record and we figured out that he barked when we went away. He had a lot of separation anxiety so we just took him with us everywhere we went. If we could leave him in the car while we had dinner he was fine. If it was too hot, we just stayed home or hit a drive-through. A lot of places had outside seating so we just brought him into the restaurant.

The good news is if you run into a bad dog owner, you can just move.

This "you can just move" is a false narrative, please stop saying it. If you booked a month and you are in a popular park that gets sold out 12 months out, you can not just move.

[MarkTwain]

WILDEBILL308 wrote:

2oldman wrote:

ScottG wrote:
You're just shocked this hasn't turned into a flaming war.
(So am I).

I am.

It could go POOF at any time.
I wonder what all these sensitive people do at home? You can't walk through any neighborhood and not see dogs loose dog poop or not hear dogs barking. Yet they want a totally perfect experience when they go camping. No dogs barking, birds singing (but not to loud or during quiet time) people talking in hushed tones, NO veieacal noise what so ever. Just saying....:S
Bill

VEIEACAL IS NOT A WORD IN THE DICTIONARY:)

[WILDEBILL308]

2oldman wrote:

ScottG wrote:
You're just shocked this hasn't turned into a flaming war.
(So am I).

I am.

It could go POOF at any time.
I wonder what all these sensitive people do at home? You can't walk through any neighborhood and not see dogs loose dog poop or not hear dogs barking. Yet they want a totally perfect experience when they go camping. No dogs barking, birds singing (but not to loud or during quiet time) people talking in hushed tones, NO veieacal noise what so ever. Just saying....:S
Bill

[2oldman]

ScottG wrote:
You're just shocked this hasn't turned into a flaming war.
(So am I).

I am. I'm more shocked it hasn't been moved.

[ScottG]

2oldman wrote:
4 pages and it's still in Beginning.

Your just shocked this hasn't turned into a flaming war.
(So am I).

[2oldman]

4 pages and it's still in Beginning.

[Expyinflight]

Getting two dachshunds calmed down before you go camping again????

Let us know how that works out for you. LOL

As the owners of two dachshunds for a few years, I can tell you.....it ain't gonna happen. 😄

[ken56]

We travel with our 2 cats. They never go outside. Never have had issues with dogs although there are some inconsiderate dog owners out there. The critters settle in pretty fast when we finally get set up in a spot. Only issues we have are when traveling. One travels well and one not so well even though he is getting better with it.

Even though cats are fairly self reliant they are still social animals and don't like being left alone for long periods. You are their "family" so I hope you will take them along with you no matter how long or short a stay you plan on. As stated before, start getting them used to riding in your truck now. See how they react on a short trip around town.