Large dog

[Frank55]

Please list any positive or negative issues traveling with large dogs. My wife wants a German Sheperd and I do not see anything but problems. From scratching the floor to tbe issue of what to do with one while we are away for the day. I do not think it is right to leave a large dog locked inside a trailer all day.

[Jayco25E]

Our two Greyhounds always go with us on camping trips. We never let them alone in the camper more than a few hours at most if we need to do something we cannot take them along for. In fact we once rented a boat to go from one island to another just so we could take our dogs along as the ferry would not let pets on board. Our Greyhounds even have life vest just as we would for our two legged kid. Most times if my dogs cannot go then we do not go. But that's just us. You have to figure that out for yourself.

[JIMNLIN]

Most dog owners thinks their pets or the breed are nice and friendly. Not so. Those type of pet owners are very naive.
Some pit bull owners swear how nice their pet is towards humans of all ages. These are in the "very naive" category.

Many pets are untrained how to behave around strangers...other pets and show aggression. Most pet owners simply aren't trained themselves on how to train a big or small dog breed.

Wanna' know how the breed stacks up overall as a biter. Google is full of that type info from many sources and hundreds of pages.. like this one.

OTHER DOG BREEDS THAT CAUSE FATALITIES
After pit bulls, there are a number of other dog breeds that caused fatalities between 2005 and 2016:

Rottweilers – 11 percent
German shepherds – 3.8 percent
American bulldog – 3.6 percent
Mixed breeds – 3.3 percent
Mastiff/Bullmastiff – 3.1 percent
Husky – 3.1 percent
Unknown, unreleased, or a combination – 7.3 percent.

OP.....stand your ground on choosing a non aggressive pet.

[js218]

^^^^^ yes always clean up after your dog, that's part of being a responsible dog owner.

[DutchmenSport]

Remember, the bigger the dog, the bigger the poo pile. Pick up after your dog, regardless of size, and regardless of where "it" is.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Most of our RVing was done with a large Australian Shepherd and a Cattle Dog - both are high-energy dogs. If we were going to do something that they had to remain behind, a brisk walk was sufficient to have them snoozing while we were gone.

The biggest advantage? Protection. We had a sticker on the door of the RV that said "dogs on board". I figured when we were parked for dinner at a restaurant or whatever, any thieves who might be eyeing our RV would go elsewhere if they knew dogs were inside. And if they were bold enough to try the door handle, they would be met with some serious growls. Granted, a teacup poodle is also protection - but a GSD growl is probably more convincing 🙂

The disadvantages? At National Parks, you are limited to the paved areas of the park. Hubby and I aren't hikers, so this is no problem for us. A large dog sprawled in a small RV makes moving around difficult. When you arrive at your site, instead of sitting back and sipping a beverage, you will be walking a dog. And ANY dog rapidly learns to LOVE camping - as you start to pack for a trip, you will be listening to excited whining until you actually allow them entrance into the RV......LOL!

On the other hand, a dog encourages you to be more active, and you generally meet more people. I think my life is richer and healthier, thanks to my dogs

[js218]

My dog Buster is a Russians bear dog weighs 170 pounds fully trained he has been to the southern tip of Baja Mexico and as far north as the Artic Circle. Been traveling with me since I purchased the rig, don't stay in RV parks mostly state parks and boondocking. Never had a problem with any parks refusing entry due to my dog.

[wa8yxm]

Ed_Gee wrote:
German Shepards are usually on the list of dog breeds banned from many RV parks. Food for thought.

I do not recall ever seeing a ban on Shepard. they tend to be nice friendly dogs.. now Terriers. pit bulls. Rot's Malamutes (part wolf) and so on..... Most of them are nice dogs too.

One Malamute I met you'd have thought he was a kitty cat, in fact when I stopped petting him he reached out with a paw bigger than my hand and pulled my hand back so I could keep petting him EXACTLY like my cat (I have cats).

Chihuahua Now those little hairless rats are VICIOUS.

[lakeside013104]

Frank55 wrote:
Please list any positive or negative issues traveling with large dogs. My wife wants a German Sheperd and I do not see anything but problems. From scratching the floor to tbe issue of what to do with one while we are away for the day. I do not think it is right to leave a large dog locked inside a trailer all day.

I traveled all over the USA and Alaska with a 72# retired service K-9, of the Belgium Malinois breed and only had one issue: Uncontrolled little white poodles that want to show how tough they are and dumb handlers that think that action was funny.

Otherwise there were no issues. We made memories from Maine to Florida, and from Texas to Alaska. Wonderful experience. My girl loved to swim, so every place we stayed at that had water, she was swimming. The Atlantic in Maine, the brown water bogs of Florida, the Gulf in Texas, The Pacific in Alaska and hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in between. I smile as I write this and end with a sorrowful ache in my heart for my partner has crossed the 'rainbow' bridge.

So to the OP er, take your pet, be a responsible pet owner, and make some memories.


Lakeside

[valhalla360]

Big question is where and when to you camp?

Occasional weekend camping where you spend most of your time hanging around the campsite...no problem as long as you train properly.

Full time where you often spend most of the day away from the campsite...a lot less viable. Not impossible by any means but a major commitment...particularly since it sounds like you aren't pro getting the dog to start with (ie: will it become a point of friction when it's a rainy night and you get told to take the dog because he needs to go walkies)

[2oldman]

Dog forum?

[winniman]

Having dogs with you limit what you can do, and how long you can leave them in the rv. If they are not used to it, they tend to bark the entire time you are gone, which can lead to problems with the neighbors. Im sure it stresses out the animal as well. Only you can decide if you are willing to do what it takes to have a dog. Myself personally, I wont get an animal, because I want the flexibility to change my mind at any time, and not be committed to have to return to the rv every four or five hours. I travel with friends who have dogs. I see the problems it creates, but people who love their dogs, love their dogs, and are willing to sacrifice certain things for their pets. Many rv parks don't allow dogs over 80 lbs. For ease of travelling and size, I would try to pick a breed under that size, and not on a banned list.

[badsix]

we travel with a 45# Boxer that loves people. she's very comfortable to leave in the trailer for around 6 hours. I don't like to leave her longer but I don't think she would mind. she will stretch out on the bed and sleep all day. the one important thing is they must mind and do what you tell them. I will sometimes have her out off the leash when i'm hooking up and tell her to set. I will walk around the camper raising the stabilizers and picking up things. if i'm at the rear putting away the hose and electrical cord I will call her back and have her set ( she likes to watch me)she will never move if I tell her to set and stay. we have never been to a camp ground that we couldn't have her. we have a lot of fun with her and she likes to go.
Jay D.

[dodge_guy]

I agree that some campgrounds may not want them because they are considered dangerous. I'll argue that, because my small 20lb dog is not a good people/kid dog. Our male shepherd we had was a people kid dog. I would never hesitate to leave him alone with kids. We now have another shepherd and she is good with kids and people also.
With that said they are easy to travel with. The only time you have to worry about them damaging anything is when they are puppies. After that they are great dogs that are very easy to travel with. You will have to stop for bathroom breaks before the dog.
I would highly recommend them, and skip the campgrounds that don't want your money! The amount of campgrounds with breed restrictions is low compared to the new that are pet friendly.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

If you can live with skipping beautiful camping sites and attractions that don't allow dogs. Or, if you can forego to places because you have to go back and attend to the dog's needs, then go for it.

And if these are good trade off for the wonderful companionship and loyalty of a dog.

[B_O__Plenty]

Ed_Gee wrote:
German Shepards are usually on the list of dog breeds banned from many RV parks. Food for thought.

I have seen them in RV parks from time to time but many parks won't let them in. I wouldn't travel with one. They're big dogs that need a lot of room and exercise.
B.O.