canine
Dogs on the Road
Diane Garrod presents 10 tips for fun, safe and successful RV or car travel and camping
with dogs
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© Can Stock Photo/ChristinLola
© Can Stock Photo/foryouinf
Travelers are advised to call ahead and check if RV parks, campsites and other facilities are dog-friendly
Some RV parks offer sections of beach where dogs can run off leash, while others may have very limited facilities, if any at all
raveling with pets, especially dogs, is becoming increasingly popular and many places now cater to people with dogs. Recently, a new passion has emerged: traveling by RV with one’s canine companions and working at one’s business while on the road. Traveling by RV can certainly present unique challenges, but the tips below are honed from years of traveling by car and staying in hotels. In my business, I spend a good deal of time helping people acclimate their dogs to traveling successfully in cars, boats, airplanes, cruise ships and RVs. As a result, our own dogs are good travelers. Traveling in a home on wheels can be a disaster, however, without thorough planning. Any trip can be a full sensory overload for a dog with new smells to explore, wildlife to avoid, and evening jaunts in new environments. Before inviting your dog or other animals to travel with you, then, an acclimation period is necessary. Short successful trips will show how much fun it can and will be for everyone. Everything, the vehicle, the site, all should equal fun. Here are 10 tips and some personal stories to illustrate the importance of preparation:
out of cupboards or from under storage areas. You will learn along the way, of course, but if you are more aware before leaving, your dogs will be more confident going along for the ride. For instance, we learned the hard way. Our cooler came rolling out from under bed storage and stopped directly before our older dog Kody Bear lying on a mat in the hallway. We secured it with a blanket under the wheels to prevent movement and rolling, but he still kept looking over his shoulder and moved from what had been previously a safe spot. Making sure items are secure and as quiet as possible is key to helping them adjust without fearing the journey. We acclimated our dogs by taking them out one at a time initially. We just let them sit in the RV with us and get used to the smells and the new home experience, much like moving to a new place. We started with our older dog, then the middle dog, then the last dog. Then we did a static acclimation with two dogs at a time and then brought all three in and just chilled. Each had their favorite spots right away. True to form, Kody Bear wanted to be on the floor near to us, Valor chose the couch, and Skye would vary between his crate under the booth table to lying down between the cab seats on his bed, rotating that spot with Kody. Then we took one at a time on a drive around the block and then all three, so we had four block rides. Luckily for us, all were acclimating well and so we were ready to have them watch us load their stuff. We loaded their beds, a set of toys, balls, collars, harnesses, leashes, food bowls, water bowls and blankets for couch and bed. Now we had generated some excitement with the canine crew about the whole idea. There are several RV Facebook groups to help with many different aspects of traveling with your dogs (see Resources on page 31).
#1: Prepare - Acclimate and Teach
Before heading out, prepare how you will teach (acclimate) your dog to tolerate and accept riding in a home moving at the equivalent of a level four earthquake, jostling down a noisy highway. The stress of this alone can make the journey challenging and take away the fun for human and animal. Assume nothing as your best dog could be your worst traveler, and your worst dog, your best traveler. The experience is as new to them as it is for you. Look at the journey from your dog’s perspective, as they can hear things much louder than you and see the slightest of movements. The more secure the ride is, the better. Make sure drawers don’t slide out, shades don’t jangle against windows, and items don’t catapult 28
BARKS from the Guild/November 2018
#2: Pack Wisely
Now it is time to pack the dog’s stuff. Make sure their scent is on it so they start to feel at home. They should have familiar items and anything