RVing with dogs may be more common than you think. If you’re a dog owner, Mr. Buddy is probably in the copilot seat of your RV. One of the best parts about RV travel is being able to take your dog everywhere you go. No one likes to leave their dogs behind or send them to boarding. Ensuring a successful RV trip with your dog does take a bit of preparation.
Must-Have Accessories for RVing with Dogs
Be prepared for ultimate fun with these must-have dog accessories.
- Collar- regular use daytime collar with ID tags, nighttime light-up collar for evening visibility, and maybe even a GPS collar if you have a roamer.
- Poop bags and holders- be a responsible pet owner and always pick up after your pet. Keep a roll of bags in one of those cute little holders so you’re never caught without a bag.
- Leash- regular walking leash, a retractable leash, or maybe even a long lead for tethering around the campsite
- Dog bed- depending on the size of your RV you may only have space for one dog bed. That’s okay- you can move the bed around. Transfer it from the living area to the sleeping area for different parts of the day. Some dogs love a place to call their own outside too. To avoid bringing dust, dirt, and critters into your home you could consider a dog hammock. The hammock could store in your truck or under the RV. Make sure your dog always has a place to call home and feel safe.
- Pop-up crate- luckily for us RVers there are many tent-like, foldable options for dog kennels. Even if your dog is not crate trained for staying inside the house, you may find that you want one for on your RV patio. If you want to give Mr. Buddy some outside time but the area you’re staying in is very busy, it may be easier to give them a patio crate. If your dog is crate trained inside the house, the foldable version allows you to stow it away when not in use as a kennel can take up a lot of floor space in an RV.
- Pet alert sticker – place this on the exterior of your RV. Include your contact information on your door/ window. Post something that says “Pet Home Alone” with the pet’s name and your contact information in case of emergency.
How to Keep the RV Cool for Pets
Whether you’re staying at RV parks with full hookups, or boondocking in the wild, having a way to monitor and control the temperature inside the RV is important for your pet. First, make sure you have some sort of temperature sensor so you know what the actual temperature inside the RV is, even if you’re away. If you have full hookups, you can probably just set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature for your dog and forget about it. But especially in hot areas like Arizona in the summer, if the electricity were to go out, your RV could become quite hot quite fast. This is why it’s good to have a monitor that you can check on remotely.
- Fans- Fans can help keep the temperature throughout the RV consistent. Battery-operated fans will save on power if you’re boondocking and can run all day. This is helpful for both heating and cooling the RV.
- Shade- If it’s available, park in the shade. This will help regulate the RV temperature throughout the day, and keep it cooler if it’s hot out.
- Reflectors- If you’re battling against the heat, you can use reflectors in the windows and in the vents to help keep the heat out.
- Cool Pads- If it’s especially hot, or if your dog doesn’t like the heat, you can put cool pads on the floor for them to lay on.
How to Keep a Dog From Barking in an RV
Of course, we all want to take our pups on every adventure with us, but sometimes they have to stay behind. Most RVers’ biggest worry is about the dogs barking while they’re away. And that’s for good reason as some RV parks have a zero-tolerance policy for barking dogs and will ask you to leave. Luckily, there are a few proven strategies for keeping Mr. Buddy quiet (and calm) while you’re not home.
- Pull the blinds- draw the curtains or the blinds when you’re away. Limit visual disturbances when your dog is home alone.
- Play music- leave some sound on, whether it’s the TV, radio, or a white noise machine, it can help dampen the outside noises that may agitate your pup.
- Get a camera- there are many two-way cameras available for watching your dog, and even communicating with them, while you’re away. This requires you to check-in, so it’s not a fool-proof method but it can be helpful to be aware of your dog barking, and maybe your voice will get them to stop.
- Citronella bark collar- if you already know your dog is going to bark when you leave, a bark collar may keep them from doing it.
Best RV Trips with Dogs
Okay, now you’re armed with all the necessary supplies and tips for having an enjoyable RV trip with your dog, so where should you go?
Generally speaking, National Parks are not all that dog-friendly. However, National Forests, State Parks, and many RV Parks are quite welcoming to your furry friend. Always check in advance or call ahead if you’re unsure.
Most National Parks only allow dogs (on-leash) on developed areas and paved paths, which isn’t very fun for you or Mr. Buddy. But there are four dog-friendly National Parks you should know about:
- Acadia National Park (Maine) has 140 miles of hiking trails you can visit with your dog
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio) has 130 miles of hiking trails for you and Mr. Buddy
- Shenandoah National Park (Virginia) offers 96% of its trails for you and your dog
- Olympic National Park (Washington) has many trails and beaches open to dogs on leashes. Best of all, the neighboring Olympic National Forest offers 250 miles of dog-friendly trails.
Armed with a plan for where to go and what to do with Mr. Buddy on your next RV trip, we hope you enjoy lots of fresh air and fitness together. Having a dog as your RV co-pilot can definitely support your healthy lifestyle on the road. Happy trails!
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