Tag: pet parades

Like their human counterparts, dogs are eager to explore their new surroundings at pit stops along your travel route and once the RV has reached its destination.

But before putting the leash on your four-legged friend to explore the area or hit the trail, consider the following seven tips:

Plan Pit Stops along Your Travel Route: You will need to stop for bathroom breaks as often as you would let them out at home, so don’t expect to cruise down the highway for hours and hours; make sure to plan adequate pit stops along the way.

Adequate exercise is essential when traveling with dogs. Not only does exercise keep them healthy, it prevents bad behavior stemming from boredom or anxiety. Plan for at least an hour pit stop for each day of driving so that your dog can let off some energy.

The Right Leash For Dog Walking: Prior to taking the first steps on the walk, make sure you’re using the proper leash. Retractable leashes are great for expansive areas with lots of room to explore. However, if you’re setting out on a narrow trail with deep underbrush and heavy foot and bicycle traffic, you’ll need to be able to keep your dog from wandering into danger. In that case, keep your dog on the proverbial “short leash.”

Dog Walking Location, Location, Location: Be aware of the hazards and distractions that might stimulate your dog during the walk. Does your pooch dart after other dogs or people? If the answer is “yes,” try to avoid walking during high-traffic periods.

You might also scout out a less-busy walking area. If your dog’s unruly walking behavior is a problem, consider training options.

Walk Your Dog This Way: Always avoid allowing your dog to poke its snout into underbrush or exposed crevices under rocks; these habitats are homes to skunks, rattlesnakes, and other dangerous critters.

At the same time, avoid letting your dog get deep into the shrubbery or tall grass. During tick season, these little parasites like to perch at the ends of branches, just waiting for a free ride on your pet. Also, make sure your dog doesn’t venture into another RVer’s campsite. Not everybody loves dogs as much as you do!

Man-made Dog Walking Hazards: Be careful when walking your dog on lawns. Pesticides and fertilizers can be toxic to dogs. Also, exercise caution around flowers. Some dogs have an appetite for tulips and other pretty blossoms that might be planted throughout the RV park—these can cause stomach problems for canines.

What to Bring When Dog Walking: Regardless of the length of your walk, you should always pack plastic bags for waste—you never know when nature will call.

Water is another essential—even on relatively short hikes, dogs can become dehydrated. Portable water bowls will make drinking convenient for your pooch.

Last but not least, don’t forget dog treats—these will come in handy when you want to reinforce good behavior.

Train to Win At Dog Walking: Consider enrolling your dog in a training class before hitting the trail. Training will address problems your dog might have when it comes to dealing with other dogs, strangers, and wildlife. A well-trained dog means a happy human, and that will go a long way toward making your walk much more pleasurable.

More RV parks than ever are laying out the welcome mat for pets. Creating a safe, nurturing environment inside your home-on-wheels ensures that everyone stays happy no matter where the road takes leads.

If you plan ahead and are prepared, camping can be a rewarding, memorable experience for both owners and pets.

Worth Pondering…

If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.

―Mark Twain

More and more RVers are traveling with their beloved pets and finding it makes the experience even more enjoyable. RV travel and pets are, in most cases, a good mix.

RV travel with your pets can be rewarding for you and your family’s pet but the key to a successful camping trip or any mode of vacation travel is advanced planning and preparation, common sense, and sometimes a dose of creativity.

Most dogs and cats can adapt to the RVing lifestyle by following these three tips for a pet-friendly RV travel.

Make the RV Their Home Too

When you travel without your favorite pillow, don’t you feel just a little lost at night? Cats and dogs also feel the same way when they go places without their familiar stuff. Animals rely so much more on their sense of smell than we do so when they go to places that lack odors from their most familiar objects, their world becomes confusing.

You can help your pet adapt to your home on wheels in several ways:

Spend quality time together inside the RV during the days leading up to your departure

Take along their favorite bedding, toys, and even a rug

Create a pleasant environment with their favorite treats

Practice leaving your pet alone inside the RV well in advance of your departure gradually increasing length of time

If your dog is crate trained, use it―if not, consider using a baby gate to keep your dog confined to a small interior area

Keep the Routine

As humans, we love the refreshing routine change that RV vacations bring into our life, but it can cause confusion for pets. Minimize their mental chaos by sticking to daily routines during RV travel.

Sleeping in is nice, but your pets will thank you when you awake as close to your usual hour as possible.

Keep morning rituals the same: walk, potty, eat breakfast.

Stick to their usual eating pattern.

Take your dog on that last potty walk of the day at the usual bedtime.

When traveling cross-country and switching time zones, sticking to pet care routines is even more important. In his blog post about helping pets adjust to time changes, Dr. Ernie Ward says “For most pets, these changes are abrupt, unexpected, and challenging. They may ponder, ‘Why am I eating now? Why do I have to get up so early?’”

Wherever you go, RV parks will expect your dog to be on a leash at all times. If your dog isn’t used to eliminating on-leash, you’ll need to train him how to do so long before your departure date.

Be Prepared

Nobody expects to get sick or injured while traveling, but things do happen. Be prepared for pet-related emergencies.

Always travel with a digital or paper copy of your pet’s most important medical records, including vaccination history and contact information for your veterinary clinic. A good working relationship between a pet owner and their veterinarian is the best bet to ensure the overall health of any animal.

Carry a Pet First Aid Kit; don’t rely on ones made for humans. There are numerous pre-packaged first aid kits that you can buy online or at sporting stores.

Alternatively, ask your veterinarian to help you build a good kit. Your vet knows the specific needs of your pet and can help you find items to include in your kit specifically for your dog or cat, and the RV activities you are planning.

If your pet is on a prescription be sure to pack an adequate supply for the entire journey. Backup medicines for fleas, worms, and other common illnesses are also recommended.

More RV parks than ever are laying out the welcome mat for pets. Creating a safe, nurturing environment inside your home-on-wheels ensures that everyone stays happy no matter where the road takes leads.

Worth Pondering…

If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.
―Mark Twain