Introducing Dogs To TT

[CarpFishermanAn]

I am sorta worried about our first trip with our 2 dogs: 2-year-old German Shepherd sisters. One is fine, the other is a chewer & I worry if we are out during the day away from the TT what might happen. They are crate-trained & I have thought about bringing 1 crate for this reason. They do have plenty of chew toys/bones but this has not stopped the one in the past from chewing on a baseboards & even the loose piece of fabric (that gets tight when you recline it) on the back of a recliner when left alone not in their crates. They generally do not bark unless they hear noises & I worry about this too. We are just weekend campers. Suggestions?

[dadmomh]

Agree on checking the CG rules. When they say "Do Not Leave Pets Unattended" that may or may not include being inside. Would really make for a bad weekend to arrive back at the site only to have the ranger tell you that they've had complaints and you need to move on.

Our beloved Sam was as close to perfection as we'll ever see. He lived to be with his family and to camp. But on that very slim outside chance that he got spooked or just anything unforeseen happened, we couldn't be 100% sure he'd behave perfectly, so he was never left alone. Another consideration is that should the power in the CG overload and go out, your TT could get awfully hot awfully quick. I know dealing with pets and camping is a problem, especially when you consider the cost of boarding a couple of pets, but if there is any way you can arrange it so that they will not be left alone, I think you'll all be much happier.

[Speedogomer]

After getting my new TT, I took my dog in it every day for afew minutes. Gave him some treats in there. Left him in there wwhile I worked around outside, spent time with him in there, even took a nap in there with him. When we started out he was nervous about everything in the camper, the sway when walking, the noises in and out. After a few days, he was excited and happy just to come out in the camper.

Acclimate them prior to going camping, make them enjoy the experience. Give them extra treats in the camper, give them new chew toys. Make sure they view the camper as a fun place, not a place they're going just to be left in. They'll view it as a punishment, and then get destructive.

If they are crate trained, and enjoy their crates, bring the crates.

[chezmoose]

You may want to check the campground's rules regarding unattended pets. Many have policies prohibiting it. A chihuahua left in a camper isn't going to make a big racket. Two GSD's on the other hand...

I personally never leave my dogs behind. If we have to make a store run, the dogs go with us. If it's too hot to leave them in the car, one of us stays in the car with them with the AC running.

[LakeN]

All good responses.....you definitely want to acclimate them to the idea by spending a night or more in camper. I would bring the crate for the one you described. Hopefully, you can fit it in. We have an Australian shepherd & a Sheltie that do well hanging out. We always pull shades, turn on AC or the central fan and radio for them. Both get a lot of walking exercise when camping, so we make sure they are tired when we leave. When camping we do carry bark collars with us. Sometimes they need to wear them if camped near a yappy dog. This is while we are there and out at the campsite. It's their clue that they are not to respond to other dog stimuli! Good luck and have fun!

[michigansandzil]

I always take mine for a nice long walk before I leave them to get them tired. I close the blinds, turn on the AC, and they sleep the whole time we're gone. My rott is free but the mastiff is crated, she's only one and can be naughty but is growing into blissful mastiff laziness, lol.

[rainy029]

We just introduced our 2 dogs to the TT. One is a 4 yr old Siberian Husky the other is a 1 yr old Australian Shepard. Both very active dogs and destroyers if bored. We didn't leave them alone at all the first weekend we went. The second weekend, we left them for about 20 minutes by themselves. Never left CG though. Went for a walk around the CG to see what we heard out of them. BUT they were tired out from a long walk(these dogs get walked every night a mile each)and they had the radio, and air conditioner left on for them. My Aussie is a barker. We been working on that, but it is a outside issue, not when she is in the camper. They were fine. Not a peep out of them. We have never crated either of them. They get the whole run of the camper. They just laid down and slept on our bed. But we do not leave them alone for hours at a time either. IF we will be gone longer than a hour, they go with us and stay in the truck.

[Dennis_Smith]

Lets see, they do bark if they hear something. Your gone for hours and hours, the dogs bark, my camp site is less then 20 feet from a barking dog. Please please either take them with you and never leave them in the trailer by themselves, or leave them at home in a kennel. " Oh I can hear the crowd now, my dog never barks long. Yep they do.

[rockhillmanor]

X2 on the crates.

I strongly suggest that you do some driveway camping with them 'before' you head out. They need to know that this new building you call an RV is going to fun. And not some strange place you are going to throw them in and leave. Bring them out and actually sleep in it with them at night. The next day leave them and go outside for a bit, talking to them so they know you are near. And then expand that time little by little.

This will also let you know at 'home' whether they are going to be barkers when you leave the TT. And you can correct that in the confines of your driveway not the CG.

Trust me the extra time taken at home in the driveway acclimating your pets to the RV will be well WORTH the effort when you get to your first CG. If only every one did that it.

[dadmomh]

Strong believer in crate training for everyone's safety and sanity. It's security for the dogs and if they're stressed by their new adventure with the TT, you can bet the chewer will really have at it.

Several years ago at Petit Jean SP in AR, some folks across from us left for the day and left their small dog and a cat alone in the TT. The poor dog freaked ALL DAY and barked and jumped at the windows leaving the blinds totally shredded. Being huge dog-people, we could live with the barking easier than feeling so badly for the pets. It was dark when the owners got home and we didn't hear or see anything, but I'd bet they weren't happy.

Strongly suggest if it's possible to just spend some time for a few evenings with the dogs in the TT and maybe even Camp Driveway it will help. That said, I would definitely take the crate - or both of them - and maybe even ask for vet for a tranquilizer to help with the stress of you being gone.

Good luck with this and hope it is a great weekend for all. Extra tummy rubs to the pups.

[AirForceAngler]

If they're both crate trained, bring whatever they use at home. They'll feel at home in their crates and this will help to alleve any anxiety issues they may have. Not to mention save the interior of your TT!

[CarpFishermanAn]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Use the crate. It will save your furniture! If you must leave them in the camper and you must be away, also turn on the television and the air-conditioner. It will help drown out any outside noise. If they can't hear it, they won't bark at it!

Great ideas! Thanks!

[CarpFishermanAn]

2oldman wrote:
You may want to post in RV pet stop.

Thank you. I didn't even know there was a thread. 🙂

[DutchmenSport]

Use the crate. It will save your furniture! If you must leave them in the camper and you must be away, also turn on the television and the air-conditioner. It will help drown out any outside noise. If they can't hear it, they won't bark at it!

You should also test the waters in your own drive way, if you are able. Sleep in the camper with the dogs to get them acclimated to the new "house".

[2oldman]

You may want to post in RV pet stop.