Traveling Companions and the RESTRICTIONS

[FrankNJulie]

We travel with 3 Pomeranians, and they are pretty well behaved. All dogs bark, all dogs poop, and even some will bite, when provoked. Ours do all but the biting thing... We carry a pen like enclosure. It is very neat, matches our rig, and we have done some renovations to make it comfortable for our dogs, and that fits our rv. We have made a short wall that goes along the underside of the basements, and the outside is 2 feet. We have been told at several parks that enclosures or fences are not allowed. We use this to keep from having to run 3 leads (that inevitably tangle upon hook up), but also to protect the ever running, peddling, and vocal children at play. We also clean up after them and our enclosure is not in any way going to destroy any grass or site. We have been told that the reason that some parks do not allow these enclosures is that people will leave the pets outside unattended. This is a no-no in any camp setting. I say that if these "people" do this, then that would be a reason for their immediate dismissal from the park. I personally don't think that is the reason, but if so, let us Good dog owners have our comforts of the road, and kick those non-animal lovers out of the park! I would love to get these parks to change their policies, and just pay more attention to the ones that are breaking the rules.

[toedtoes]

I'm going to suggest that there is also a difference between "Camping" and "RVing".

Camping - spending a particular length of time in a natural setting to enjoy the outdoors. The reason for choosing that location is specific - because you want to enjoy that space of outdoors.

RVing - setting up "home" in a particular location for a particular length of time. The reason for choosing that location is varied - both between different RVers and between different locations (e.g., to visit relatives in the area, to see the sights of a particular town, etc.).

To me, putting up fencing while camping is so wrong. The concept of camping is that you are a part of a bigger thing, you are sharing the space with others for the enjoyment of that space. Putting up a fence says "this is MINE - stay out" which contradicts the idea that the space belongs to everyone.

RVing on the other hand is more like setting up a temporary "home base" that is yours. You're homesteading - however temporary. I can see people putting up fencing, area lighting, decor, etc. as part of that homesteading.

As a camper, I don't want to see homesteading. I'd rather someone use a portable pen to enclose a small space than to put up fencing to enclose an entire campsite. Fencing (no matter how inconsequential) just doesn't mesh with the idea of camping.

[TugCE]

Just a quick comment (Okay Now So Quick) on the picture of the pen that had the Mat underneath it. Just about EVERY Camper that I have seen uses at least one of these, if fact some use more than one, usually the length of their awning. To use the excuse that having something like this is a joke. Now, if they want to say that keeping the dogs in the same place, (confined), then maybe but I believe this is because of the Stupid Pet Owners that will always push the issue and bend the rules to the point of breaking.

Now, I know that NONE of us have ever broken the rule of leaving out pets in the RV when we go out, right. Unfortunately, these rules have been put in place because of the few pet owners that think they can do as the like and that ruins is for the rest of us. Now, just to be clear, I have never used a pen for my pups but I have considered using fencing to keep them with us and safe. In fact I have seen several campers using low fencing to keep their young children from wondering.

[AZPops]

toedtoes wrote:

kcmoedoe wrote:

•Pets may not be kept in autos, trailers, kennels or fencing outside an RV or Cabin. They may not be tied outside cabins. Pets may be tied outside an RV as long as a guest accompanies them.

So my pet is not allowed to sleep in my TT with me? 🙂

It's all a matter of interpretation of the rules! ... LOL



Calvin


PS If me an Pops owned a RV Park, ... All pets MUST have their person on a leash. It may be a good idea for some to be muzzled as well. ... :B


OK gotta go. Pops is taking me to Fry's Electronic Store, cause I get to sit with grandma in the care while he's in the store.

Hope grandma's got some snacks fur me!

[lovemytt]

I think they refer to the kennel trailers that dog trial people sometimes use with lots of dogs. I thought the same thing.

[toedtoes]

kcmoedoe wrote:

•Pets may not be kept in autos, trailers, kennels or fencing outside an RV or Cabin. They may not be tied outside cabins. Pets may be tied outside an RV as long as a guest accompanies them.

So my pet is not allowed to sleep in my TT with me? 🙂

[kcmoedoe]

Stars101 wrote:
I've never run into the "no pen" rule.

Is it clearly stated on the rules/FAQ's page? I'd hate to get to a CG and find out I couldn't use my pen b/c I have had waaaay too many loose dogs run into my site. Of course they are all "friendly" but I don't let loose dogs run at my dog. Period.

I feel safer knowing he has one level of protection between him and the "friendly" dog. And we always sit outside with him. If I need to go inside to use the bathroom he comes with me. His leash in hanging right on his pen for everyone to see.

From the website of a park we often frequent:

"Pet Policy - Pets are welcome in RV Sites only. Pets are not accepted in cabins. To continue welcoming pets we enforce a pet policy. A responsible owner and well-behaved pet will find these to be basic requests.

•Pets are limited to 2 per RV Site. Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin sites.
•Pets may not be kept in autos, trailers, kennels or fencing outside an RV or Cabin. They may not be tied outside cabins. Pets may be tied outside an RV as long as a guest accompanies them.
•Local Law requires pets to be on a short leash (6 feet or less) at all times. "

So yes, there are parks that specifically restrict fencing, and it is surely within the rights of the park owners to restrict that fencing even if it is not specifically mentioned somewhere. It would be impossible to list every single prohibition a park would have, so sometimes "because we said so" becomes the justification for a rule.

[lasparrot]

We've camped for 8 years with 3 dogs (2 of them large), and a large fenced area. We carry enough xpen panels to make a yard that fixs the picnic table, chairs as well as a grassy area. This area is considered part of our living space, so no pottying allowed. The area is no more roughed up than if they dogs were tied up as the wear on the site is evenly distributed. In fact I would dispute that it may even be less .

We do not leave them unattended, and I believe the dogs are more relaxed and better campers than if we had tied them up. We also take the effort to keep our site neat and well kept. On multiple occasions we have had campground hosts/owners, and even other campers comment on our set up in a positive manner.

And then there are the ladies with their orange fence that ruin it for everyone.

[CA_POPPY]

We found somebody online a few years ago,who would make a bungee leash with multiple swivel hooks on it. He made them to order with the spacing requested and it was not expensive. This worked out great for our two little dogs They couldn't get tangled if they wanted to. If you have the nice little fenced area, there will always be a Gladys Kravitz to report you. Although, you will see that other people have the same and they are allowed. Maybe those are long term tenants, I don't know. I don't have the name of the company that made the bungee multi-leash, but I am sure you could find it. The bungee was not the very loose type, either, just very sturdy. He made them for the size dogs you have.

[Gunner45]

We see a lot of x pens at dog shows. We saw our first one camping the week before the Independence Day holiday. It wasn't ours and the owners were responsible. We didn't realize how nice it was until they left and people started walking through our campground all day long. I guess the neighbors dogs keep people out of both sites while they were there!

[Lantley]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If a CG allows 'pens'.......use them

If a CG doesn't allow 'pens'......use leashes OR go somewhere that does allow 'pens'

Simple.

I have to agree. I occasionally encounter breed restrictions.
I don't bother pleading my case. I simply move on and find a CG willing to take my dollars and my dog.
I consider it their loss. I'm sure the CG does fine without my revenue.
While I understand it's good to vent sometime. At the end of the CG sets the rules. It is the campers duty to respect the rules or move on.

[Stars101]

I've never run into the "no pen" rule.

Is it clearly stated on the rules/FAQ's page? I'd hate to get to a CG and find out I couldn't use my pen b/c I have had waaaay too many loose dogs run into my site. Of course they are all "friendly" but I don't let loose dogs run at my dog. Period.

I feel safer knowing he has one level of protection between him and the "friendly" dog. And we always sit outside with him. If I need to go inside to use the bathroom he comes with me. His leash in hanging right on his pen for everyone to see.

[jtaylor1920]

Merrykalia wrote:
.......they hit a water line and water went a'squirting about 10' into the air!!

They pulled that piece out of the ground and went on stringing up their fence.

A prime example of an irresponsible person ruining it for others. Our pen is free standing and I know better than to drive anything into the ground in a sprinkled area. One park we stayed at had a drip system throughout the turf and if you drove anything into the ground you'd end up with a soggy mess and a bill from the owner.

[Old-Biscuit]

If a CG allows 'pens'.......use them

If a CG doesn't allow 'pens'......use leashes OR go somewhere that does allow 'pens'

Simple.

[raindove]

AZPops wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

lovemytt wrote:
Campgrounds also limit the number of people per site. Just an observation. We leave ours at the vet which limits the amount of time we get to camp due to costs. No easy answer when it comes to animal parenthood.

I agree. I have to travel occasionally for work and the dogs stay at a kennel during those trips. So, when I have time off, I want to be able to enjoy it with my dogs. The RV and dog-friendly campgrounds make that possible. I do everything I can to make sure the campgrounds I visit continue to be dog-friendly no matter the inconvenience to me.

Well said!

Pops

I totally agree, also. I consider it a privilege to be able to travel with our dogs. They are well behaved, and we clean up after them. We follow the rules. Ever since we got our MH and started going, we have had a senior dog. The oldsters need a lot of extra care as far as meds, special diet, etc. No way could I leave them in a kennel environment with all the special care they need.

I guess we've been fortunate in our choices of places to camp. They have been very dog friendly, and more campers than not have dogs. It's too bad everyone can't be more tolerant and just get along.
Kids and pets seem to be hot button issues.