Traveling with dogs and teardrops

[Patti]

We haven't bought our teardrop yet, but I'm accumulating info as fast as I can!

We have never traveled with our dogs before. We've always left them at home with someone to take care of them. But that is changing, partly because of the expense of paying someone and partly because now that we have two small dogs, taking them with us seems like a lot more fun. With the teardrop, it will be great, as we won't be worried about finding a motel or hotel that will allow them in.

But there is also the downside--so many places you can't go and things you can't do with them.

Do you find you don't mind missing out on some of the things along the way? Have you ever used some of the 'daily dog-care' places that evidently exist at some of the major tourist sites? For example, there's supposedly a day-kennel near Carlsbad Caverns for those who want to tour but have to have a place to leave pets.

Share your experiences and advice, and safety tips!

[ZugZug]

Looking forward to the response to this one. I've been wondering the same things.

I'm probably assuming that we'll decide which trips to take the dog on. E.g. short trip to the beach for a few days - take him along. Longer trip touring all over the place - probably not (we'll need to arrange a house-sitter which my daughters are usually good for). Mainly because, as you say, having him along would lock us out of too many options. But then he's a big dog.

I look forward to hearing the advice others give you, because I think I will travel without my husband from time to time and on those occasions I'm really wanting to bring pooch along for company.

[Patti]

Our big dog (100 pound yellow lab) left us last year. 15 1/2 years with him wasn't long enough, and he was a great guy and we miss him. However, when I went to rescue another like him (all our dogs are rescues from shelters) the 'yellow lab' I brought home was a bit smaller. And, erm, less lab-like.

Meaning, you go knowing what you want, but you come home with what you need.

A 7-pound chihuahua.

[Eileen k.]

Patti, we have 2 springer spaniels and recently went to naples, florida. They have camped
With us before but not with our smaller camper and tent. As long as we stopped every
2-3 hours they were good in the car. We stayed at a resort that had a "dog" section, so
everyone was nice while the dogs got use to sleeping in the tent. Bought a very noisy
fan to keep them from barking every time they heard a noise. They took off under
the tent a couple of times...Steve dealt with that..I pretended to be asleep. We tend
to pick cooler weather when we camp, so they can take a long walk...snooze while
we tour thomas Edison estate, etc. dog parks/beaches everywhere. We're planning an
Alaska trip...see how they'"ll do...hear the ferry system is dog friendly.
P.s. It was funny to see my illinois dogs approach the palm trees for the first time! Eileen

[daveesl77]

Our old and very spoiled large beagle, Max, has been traveling with us since he was a puppy. He is a very "needy" dog, but does extremely well camping. We often leave him alone in the camping vehicle (trailer, pop-up, RV, truck camper, etc). He actually doesn't cry loud until we come back. He does whimper for a few minutes when we first leave. We have always set up our camping thing to where he has the ability to look out. Actually, in the trailer I think he liked it when we would leave, as he would jump up on the bed (where he normally wasn't allowed) and would sprawl out. With the truck camper he was fine whether at a campground, or in a parking lot. Now, we always leave windows cracked and never go camping in really hot weather. We did not leave him alone in a tent, but I think he would be just fine in that too. Oh, and Max weighs about 50 lbs and is now 15 years old. It is not unusual for us to spend 3-6 weeks on the road when we do one of our long trips. In 2012 it was over 3 months, 13,000 miles and 29 states.

dave

[Socal Tom]

I know what you mean,
I like to take my son camping and go on hikes, Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails ( its bad for the local wildlife to sense a new predator in the area. So I'm still trying to work out what to do about it. Depending on the weather and the disposition of the dogs, you might be able to set up a temporary pen with some of the folding fencing they sell at most pet stores. When I traveled cross country with our two pugs, they stayed in kennels during the drive. They were fine if I kenneled them up for a couple of hours so I could go get dinner or go shopping.
Tom

[S. Heisley]

Although I've never needed it, some of the bigger national parks, like Yellowstone, have doggie day-care.

My dog travels very well; but, like myself, I get him out of the car every so often, to stretch, go potty, and for a drink of water or whatever. Please remember that some states require that a dog be tethered or in an anchored travel kennel. I use a fold-up nylon kennel that can be seat belted to the seat or a hard plastic kennel that can be tied to tie-downs in the back of a truck. I add a couple toys and a throw rug that he bunches up, so he can be more comfortable.

I would recommend leaving your empty trailer out in the sun on a very hot day, with all the windows and vent closed and a thermometer inside. At the heat of the day, after it has been out in the sun for a couple hours, check the temperature inside. This will give you a good idea of how hot your trailer gets and how dogs will do, physically, if left inside. However, if you find that the temperature is okay and you can leave them inside, please remember to leave them some water somehow. (Most dog-lovers will automatically remember to do that; but, I try not to assume.) Regardless, I would not leave them in a closed up trailer if it is really hot. Trailers generally seem to do a little better than cars do. Closed up, in full sun, I find that my trailer stays the same temperature as a thermometer, hung in the shade, does.

To find how they will do emotionally, take them on a weekend trip. Walk away, leaving them inside for a short time. Ask your camp neighbor if they cried or barked. That may tell you a little about their emotional security when left behind. If that works, start taking very short trips, gradually increasing the time that they are left and see how they do. Sometimes, dogs will try to get out of windows that are left slightly open. If you have a vent, leave that open instead.

With my dog, it depends upon what he can see. If he can see kids and a dog walking by, he'll bark. He doesn't whine. Also, I never leave my dog alone in the middle of the day. If I want to take a short walk down a trail, I do so in the morning. If I want to look around in a store or go shopping, I do that either in the morning or around dusk. Some people leave their dogs alone in the car. I would never do that unless the temperatures are extremely cool or the sun has gone down. If I am at a teardrop gathering, he knows that I am near and isn't a problem at all. He'll stay in the trailer for hours and not bark at anything then.

[Vedette]

Yes Sharon
Your dog does not present a problem at Gatherings.
Not all are so lucky?
You are both more then welcome at our Farm any time.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
See you at the Dam!

[minstrel]

I just got my teardrop last month, and the reason I bought it was to take my dog with me when I travel. We took a trial run last weekend and he was (surprisingly!) good. He stayed right in our "yard" and only barked a little (if a MAN walked by -- he's a little nervous around men). I had a bark collar on him and it worked pretty well. I plan to take him with me when I go out....leave him in the car in the shade for short periods if I have to. Would look into a day-care boarding place for the times I really can't take him shopping/hiking/whatever. I'm thinking about naming my TD "Bonner's Bed" since he was my inspiration!
Liz

[S. Heisley]

I just got my teardrop last month, and the reason I bought it was to take my dog with me when I travel. We took a trial run last weekend and he was (surprisingly!) good. He stayed right in our "yard" and only barked a little (if a MAN walked by -- he's a little nervous around men). I had a bark collar on him and it worked pretty well. I plan to take him with me when I go out....leave him in the car in the shade for short periods if I have to. Would look into a day-care boarding place for the times I really can't take him shopping/hiking/whatever. I'm thinking about naming my TD "Bonner's Bed" since he was my inspiration!
Liz

Most dogs seem to love our tiny trailers. It must feel like a dog den to them. I think "Bonner's Bed" is a great name!

Thanks, Brian, for your kind words.

[Vedette]

You are more thane Welcome Sharon.

And Liz?
You went camping in your Teardrop....and you told us how the dog did???
How was the first Teardrop Outing for you!
Where did you go?
What did you learn?
What did you like?
Etc. Etc.
or did I miss something posted earlier???
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Patti]

We took our dogs tent-camping for the first time in November and like you, were pleasantly surprised at how well they did, how calm they stayed, and how controlled they were, even on the trail when surrounded by so much that--in their own back yard--would ordinarily have them barking and chasing. Of course, they were on short leads, but they didn't try to chase or wander.

I think it's possibly because they are in strange terrain and were wildly interested, but also wanted to stay with us. And as for how calm they were, I must hope it's because, again, they feel safe with us and part of the family. Why wouldn't they be happy? We have a collapsible wire crate that we used in the tent for them. My larger dog, who is not crate-trained, wasn't thrilled about going in but once in was fine, and the second night went in more willingly.

So I'm really expecting the teardropping to go well, and can't wait to try it!

[Patti]

This article is 13 years old, and so all info obviously needs to be confirmed. But it might be helpful since it gives regulations about parks and also adjacent areas where hiking with dogs is allowed.

The top ten national parks for dogs: http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/magaz ... 2_1c.shtml