Our first trek in the RV. Bring the Dog? Yes or No?

[ChrisFMA]

We are going on a three week trek and I really would like to take the dog. My wife is concerned about leaving her in the rv when we are out for the day exploring sites where the dog can't come. I get her concern, but am thinking that with the generator and AC on the dog will be fine and also a good burglar alarm. My wife is telling me there are a lot of campgrounds that don't allow pets but I am seeing almost every Good Sam on the map is pet friendly. My biggest concern is we have a planned stop at the Mall of America (God help me), I would volunteer to spend the day at the RV with the dog, but the wife won't like that. Looking for advice. Past experience, etc to help us make the right decision. Thanks!

[ppine]

Make your dogs a part of the family and take them everywhere.

[ro_sie]

We always take our two yorkies with us. We bought our first RV because we had a dog and didn't want to leave her. If we come upon a place that says no dogs, then it is no us either. First it was "ADULTS ONLY" and no I guess people are suggesting a " NO PETS" setting. No children, no pets, how boring. I need both children's laughter and a happy pet in my life.

[ppine]

what are you planning to do on your trip that is so important that you would consider leaving your dog alone for long periods of time?

[DownTheAvenue]

Crowe wrote:
And you, sir, do not understand dogs.

I beg to differ. It depends on the dog as to whether or not it would be bored. My first Gordon, no matter how much we exercised it prior, would probably have destroyed his crate and the RV. My two current Springers-a 10 minute walk and a hug and they are fine. (They are easily fooled!)

I would at the very least try a shorter trip for the first time out. Try the driveway camping as suggested. Only you know how your dog handles being left alone for any period of time.

You are absolutely correct. Each dog is an individual who has inherited his genes that make him have a propensity towards certain behaviors. However, the poster I quoted was speaking in very general terms and I responded in equally very general terms.

[Pawz4me]

jarata1 wrote:
Some campgrounds won't allow you leaving pets alone in camper not everyone wants to hear your dogs

Many campgrounds state that dogs can't be left unattended. And they leave it at that, which is a bit vague. For almost ten years now I've called every single campground we considered staying at that had that wording. And with the exception of one place on Cape Cod I've always been told it was fine to leave dogs who aren't nuisance barkers inside an RV. One place in ten years of RV'ing. So it's not a big problem. However, I do recommend that everyone call to make sure. FWIW, our travels have mostly been up and down the east coast with just a bit of the midwest and Canada. For all I know things could be different in other areas.

[Crowe]

And you, sir, do not understand dogs.

I beg to differ. It depends on the dog as to whether or not it would be bored. My first Gordon, no matter how much we exercised it prior, would probably have destroyed his crate and the RV. My two current Springers-a 10 minute walk and a hug and they are fine. (They are easily fooled!)

I would at the very least try a shorter trip for the first time out. Try the driveway camping as suggested. Only you know how your dog handles being left alone for any period of time.

[MetalGator]

Our dogs stay at home for 10+ hours some days when we are at work. I have web cameras so I can spy on them while we are away from the house. Every time I check in on them, they are sleeping. Same thing with our travel trailer. The first several times we stayed in the TT, we didn't leave the rv park/campsite. After a few trips, they got used to staying in the RV and they just sleep while we are gone. As others have said, we usually take the dogs on a long walk right before we leave and we usually don't leave them for more than 4-5 hours although we have left them as long as 7 hours. We also monitor the inside temperature when it's hot out to make sure the AC is working. We use a device called temperature alert. Each dog/animal is different but I would definitely get the dogs used to being in the camper until they get used to it so it doesn't stress them when you leave. The main reason for getting the RV was so we could take our dogs with us. They are our family.

Burch

[jarata1]

Some campgrounds won't allow you leaving pets alone in camper not everyone wants to hear your dogs

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I agree with the others that a tired dog is a good dog! We left ours for 7 hours (after a vigorous walk!) so we could take a boat tour in Valdez, AK; and they were still sound asleep when we returned...LOL!

Do some driveway camping - once your dog realizes that the RV is also "home", being left behind is normal and nothing to get excited about. Of course, you also are creating a monster - once they realize that the RV takes them to wonderful sniffable places, at the first hint that you're packing for a trip - your dog will be stuck to you like velcro 😉

[ppine]

I avoid air planes as much as possible so I can bring three dogs. We take them everywhere and never leave them in the RV. We leave them for short periods of time in the truck with shade. We design a lot of our activities around being outdoors with the dogs.

I would never leave them in the RV for the day.

[DownTheAvenue]

Tyler0215 wrote:
How would you like to be left alone in the camper all day? A bored dog is an unhappy dog.
I think your dog will be much happier left at home with family or boarded.

And you, sir, do not understand dogs.

[bbaker2001]

We triedto board our boston for 4 days. He is such a people person, he did not eat or drink much whille there. Had to take to vet and give him Iv
he loves to go with us, and loves the 5er.

The moment we start to put things in 5er he knows we we are going.
one time when I backed on to hitch, I left the door open, and he jumped in. I did not see him and shut the door. Worried me when I found him.. we love to take him

[Pawz4me]

One of the primary reasons we got into RV'ing was so we could bring our dogs along.

There's no way short of a dire emergency that I would board a dog for three weeks. Being away from their people in a strange environment surroundeded by strange dogs is extremely stressful for most dogs.

[colliehauler]

I always take my Collie RV'ing but I never leave him alone for more then 3 or 4 hours. Before I leave him I take him on a long walk. I always try and pick a shady spot for the rv. I suggest a trial run to see how it works out. Next thing I do is controversial but I always leave my rv unlocked when the dog is inside. If these things catch fire there burnt to the ground in minutes. Most outside activities I take my Collie along, he's part of the family.

I do agree that a day in the camper for me would be more pleasant then MOA.:B I also would second the idea of visiting the North Shore area.