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Floridastorm · 01-07-2023, 12:16 PM

Just bought a 25 foot class C with all of the amenities. We also have an 11 year old Toy Poodle/Yorki Mix. He's Smart as a whip and loves everybody. As such, would like to take him on trips. From you folk's travels, especially those that are not full time, how do you find the experience? Do you have trouble finding RV parks that are pet friendly? How do you navigate restaurants and shops, etc? Find enough time to give your pet exercise beyond just walking him for his business? Would like to know so that we can prepare for traveling with our little guy.

Thanks so much, Dave

kenandterry · 01-07-2023, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridastorm

Just bought a 25 foot class C with all of the amenities. We also have an 11 year old Toy Poodle/Yorki Mix. He's Smart as a whip and loves everybody. As such, would like to take him on trips. From you folk's travels, especially those that are not full time, how do you find the experience? Do you have trouble finding RV parks that are pet friendly? How do you navigate restaurants and shops, etc? Find enough time to give your pet exercise beyond just walking him for his business? Would like to know so that we can prepare for traveling with our little guy.

Thanks so much, Dave

Aside from finding pet friendly RV parks, how do you expect things should be any different from doing your activities than when you live at your house?

We don’t walk our cat, but he travels and does everything else we do any other time.

Crasher · 01-07-2023, 01:55 PM

Our Malty-Poo has been traveling with us for 15 years. She's pretty much in charge most of the time.

We've never been turned away from any campground.

**hamm2018** · 01-09-2023, 03:49 PM

We had 2 dachshunds, both are now gone, and they went allot of places with us. We would find a pet friendly restaurant and they would bring water for the dogs. We ate outside in Sedona once with some friends and had Joe, male dachshund, with us. They had a little doggie menu, and he got a little meal.

Big mistake was, after the meal I told him if he was good and could find the ice cream shop, he could get a little ice cream. He walked right to the ice cream shop and looked up at me. So, he got the puppy cone they had.

SoonToBeFT · 01-09-2023, 04:51 PM

Our old Golden Retriever (RIP Sept 2013) loved, loved, loved going RVing and camping with us. When we hit anywhere near water all bets were off though = she was gone like a dirty shirt and there she stayed for hours playing with bright red eyes from retrieving thrown rocks.

Our daughter's dog, a Lab/Pyrenean cross loves water, throwing sticks/balls, and long walks, but has terrible anxiety about being in the Motorhome (hides upstairs even when it's time to go in the SUV for a short trip to overnight at boyfriend's house). She deposits immense drool over the dash and no matter how much I soothe her on the hour trip to the lake and PP CG, her tail is tucked real tight under her tummy and she shakes the whole trip. Most of the time they'll put her in the truck that's towing their trailer where she settles a little easier but still doesn't care to be in an auto.

With the Golden we'd leave her in temperate climates in the RV happily for a couple hours max when travelling but not in extreme temps in case anything failed to maintain temps for her wellbeing inside. We also have signs on our doors and windows with our cell numbers in case of emergency.

As for restaurants etc, even in Chicago we'd check on Bring Fido for pet friendly locales. Often they'd have a biscuit treat and bowl of water on the patio tables we've frequented for the dog.

Like someone else above, When we go through a Tim Hortons Drive Thru, dogs always get a mini donut and with DQ (Dairy Queen) a miniature ice cream. Heck they are part of the family after all.

RVing with pets is doable with consideration of weather temperatures and what restrictions there might be on whether they are allowed on certain hikes etc you might wish to take.

tpaul · 01-09-2023, 05:03 PM

The only issue we've occasionally come across is what to do if we are going to a trail or building that doesn't allow pets. Especially during the summer. Can't really leave the vehicle running with the dog in it for fear that barking might attract someone thinking she's in trouble and breaking a window. Especially if we are going to be gone for a long time. Similar concern for leaving her with the trailer. She barks a lot when we are not around

Parafango · 01-09-2023, 05:21 PM

we travelled from SW Idaho to Key West last summer, stopping at several National parks and other venues, such as Disney World. We fall into the "planning camp" group of folks so we knew where we going to stay and how long. For the areas where we knew we wanted to see a National Park, such as Mammoth Cave or the St Louis Arch or even Disney World, we investigated the area for qualified doggie day care and scheduled time for our two West Highland Terrorists to spend the day in the cooler buildings of the boarder. Yes it's an extra expense, however, if you want to be sure your pooch is cared for with water, food and a place to potty, a boarder can handle that. It really gives you a peace of mind so you can enjoy your day.
There is a service called "ROVER" that will certify dog watchers that could come to your trailer a couple times a day to be sure they are ok, but as some have pointed out, there are campgrounds that won't let you leave them unattended, even inside your rig.
We have had some campground ask what the breed of dog is, because they don't want any pit bull, Weimaraner, and similar types of dog, whether or not they are good tempered.

doublechevy · 01-09-2023, 05:31 PM

Our long hair Chihuahua travels well in our motorhome most of the time sitting on her Moms lap, but occassionally retreating to the couch when she feels like it

We make more stops at rest areas than we used to so that she can take a walk and do her thing always careful to pick up droppings in consideration of others

Never had any issues at campgrounds but we rarely ever leave her in the coach any length of time. when we do she sits on the dash awaiting our return

We look for pet friendly restaurants so we may take her with us after all she is part of our family

Old-Biscuit · 01-09-2023, 05:41 PM

We traveled FT for 7 yrs with a 78# Border Collie/Lab (4 yrs old to 11 yrs old)

She went out adventuring with us and when she couldn't go she stayed in RV and slept, watched TV or stood guard

Yosemite77 · 01-09-2023, 08:28 PM

I can think of a few things to be aware of when traveling with a pet.

In the past, there have been 2 times where our EMS cut off the power to the trailer. Both times it was due to a problem with the wiring in the pedestal. Obviously this would be a problem in the heat if you had left your pet alone for the day, and had no a/c. As a result, when it’s hot we take her with us.

Be aware that in National Parks, dogs generally aren’t allowed on trails. We have skipped some hikes that we normally would have done due to this.

Depending on your location, I’d also suggest being prepared to deal with removing ticks.

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Having a pet with will affect your trip. Having said that, I wouldn’t hesitate bringing our dog with us.

Parafango · 01-09-2023, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yosemite77

In the past, there have been 2 times where our EMS cut off the power to the trailer. Both times it was due to a problem with the wiring in the pedestal. Obviously this would be a problem in the heat if you had left your pet alone for the day, and had no a/c. As a result, when it’s hot we take her with us.
.....
The positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Having a pet with will affect your trip. Having said that, I wouldn’t hesitate bringing our dog with us.

The power goes out unexpectedly. While camping in Key west, a "visitor" to the campground, drove over a power pedestal, shorting out power and sending a geyser of water shooting up. The camp host was knocking on rigs and listening for animals inside. I'm not sure what he would do if he heard one inside without the owners near. The power was out for at least 4 hours during the heat of the day.
I agree with Yosemite77, we take the dogs with us an often as we can and try to find a place for them to board them when we plan to be away from the rig for an extended time, or going somewhere they can't go.

Old-Biscuit · 01-10-2023, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parafango

The power goes out unexpectedly. While camping in Key west, a "visitor" to the campground, drove over a power pedestal, shorting out power and sending a geyser of water shooting up. The camp host was knocking on rigs and listening for animals inside. I'm not sure what he would do if he heard one inside without the owners near. The power was out for at least 4 hours during the heat of the day.
I agree with Yosemite77, we take the dogs with us an often as we can and try to find a place for them to board them when we plan to be away from the rig for an extended time, or going somewhere they can't go.

Do you board them at home when out for the day?

Yosemite77 · 01-10-2023, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Do you board them at home when out for the day?

Given the lousy insulation in most RVs, do you really think a sticks and brick home would heat up anywhere near as rapidly as an RV should the power go out? There’s no comparison.

dbircky · 01-10-2023, 06:10 PM

Something to consider:

Ohio does have good Samaritan laws that protect people that break into vehicles to rescue animals against charges and litigation. Ohio’s hot car law does not require citizens to wait for police instruction to break a window. They must first call 911, check to see if the doors are locked, and if they feel it is an emergency.

Don’t know if other states have similar laws, but if your pet looks to distressed, a well meaning person might leave you with a repair bill. If I travelled with a dog, the dog wouldn’t be locked in the MH alone, ever.