We RVers love our dogs. And here’s one reason why. A dog doesn’t ask where we’re going, or when we’ll be there. Instead, he’s just happy to come along for the ride. He’s happy, whether he sleeps on the back seat or rides shotgun. He takes in each passing mile with never-ending hope and enthusiasm. Because of our RV dogs, we tend to stop along the way for leg-stretching explorations of cool rest areas and parks. And when we get where we’re going, dogs get us out walking where they take on the important job of campsite security. In that role, they readily alert us to the presence of strangers or wild animals.
But make not mistake: RV dogs have specific needs. And they are at their very best as traveling companions when those needs are met.
Unlike humans, dogs can’t simply tell you what they need in words. Instead, dogs let you know they need something with excessive barking when you go out. Or by acting hyper … or by destroying the sofa … or by urinating on the carpet. (Your dog may wish to add his own special behavior to this list too.) That being said, the biggest single factor in eliminating almost any behavior you don’t want is meeting a basic need. Quite simply, tf you just try to stop unwanted behavior, you’ll be barking up the wrong tree.
So, let’s take a look at the top five things RV dogs need from us to be their best.
No. 1 : Your Patience and Understanding
Patience and understanding are the primary keys to having a dog who’s ready to take on the road — or go anywhere else. Without a doubt, the dogs we travel and camp with can be some of the most loyal friends we’ll ever have. After hanging out with us for the better part of their lives, dogs can get really good at using their behavior to get things they want (and to avoid things they don’t want). However, it’s important to remember that no matter how clearly your dog communicates or how well he listens, he can only do so as a member of a foreign species.
Every dog is born perfectly equipped to be a dog. What makes dogs so special is that they’ll try really hard to adapt to living with us humans. When we make it easy for them to learn, dogs learn to live with humans better than any other species.
When you think about it, your dog is learning about living with humans the same way anybody would learn to live in an unfamiliar culture. They’re constantly looking for clear cues as to how to best get along. Not only that, but dogs greatly appreciate it if we show them what they need to do. (And then, of course, reward them lavishly for doing it.) If your dog isn’t doing what you want, it’s important to step back and ask yourself what you can do to make it easier for the dog to identify what he needs to do. Do you need to break it into smaller steps? Would fewer distractions help?
No. 2: A Predictable Routine
From a dog’s point of view, RV travel means adjusting to a lot of new environments. This can be hard on dogs if they don’t have a regular routine they can always count on. Having a routine doesn’t mean that everything has to be done at a specific time. But having the same things happen in the same order at roughly the same time can go a long way to creating the predictable routine your dog needs.
For example, being able to expect that every morning walk is followed by breakfast helps a dog to know he’ll always get fed no matter where he happens to be with you. If he always snoozes on the sofa after breakfast and then you go exploring together, it creates a routine that can help him relax and enjoy the journey wherever you go.
No. 3: Exercise and Mental Enrichment
Every RV dog needs both exercise and mental enrichment in order to be at their best. When you think about it, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to work with their humans in some capacity. For example, herding dogs, such as border collies, were bred to help humans move livestock. Gun dogs like Labrador retrievers were bred to find and retrieve birds, and terriers were bred for the purpose of hunting rodents. Each of these jobs provides both exercise and enrichment for the dogs bred to do them. Of course, these days, the reason many people have a dog is for companionship. Sometimes this can mean a pretty boring life for the dog. The result is sometimes a dog that entertains himself by barking at everyone who passes the RV. (Or dissecting the sofa.)
That being said, just because your dog’s biggest job is being your loyal companion doesn’t eliminate his genetically imposed need to chase or hunt in some capacity. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need a herd of sheep or a desire to shoot birds to meet his needs for mental enrichment and exercise. If your dog barks excessively, reacts to other dogs, or just acts just plain squirrelly, there’s a good chance he needs more exercise and mental enrichment activities.
Here are some ideas for activities that can meet both of those needs for any RV dog:
Great Activities for RV Dogs
- Leash walks with opportunities to sniff
- Running free at an off-leash dog parks (SniffSpot lists private dog parks throughout North America that you can rent by the hour. For dogs that are social butterflies with other dogs, the DogPack app is perfect. It has has a similar list of public, fenced off-leash dog parks that anyone can use.)
- Playing with their humans (games like fetch)
- Hoop jumps and other trick training
- Enjoying standard toys, chews, and puzzle toys
No. 4: A Comfy, Cozy Place to Nap
Dogs love to relax and chill on cushioned surfaces where they have a good view of their surroundings. This is probably why almost any dog will happily occupy any empty space on a sofa. If sharing your sofa with your four-legged best friend bothers you, all you need to do is raise his undoubtedly cushy bed off the floor. There are a number of folding dog cots that make perfect platforms for a dog bed.
Here are a couple that my dogs and I love.
Coolaroo On The Go Pet Bed
This fold-up dog bed can be used on itself, or topped with a soft, cushy bed. Either way, it’s handy because it folds up easily when it’s time to pack up. This dog bed comes in eight colors, and sizes from small for small dogs to king-size for pony-size dogs.
Ruffwear Mount Bachelor Pad
This low-profile, portable camping dog bed has a dirt and moisture repellent base. It rolls out into an easy resting place, and it works equally well protecting the RV sofa from dog hair and dirt as it does as a topper for a Coolaroo dog bed. One of the great features of the Mount Bachelor pad is that it’s machine-washable and dries quickly by hanging. When it’s time to go, it’s easy to roll up for easy portability wherever the road takes you. By the way, the Mount Bachelor pad is perfect for lounging at a dog-friendly patio.
No. 5: More Potty Breaks
It’s good to accept a simple fact the moment you bring a pet home: Accidents can happen. However, you should also know this. Accidents can especially happen when the dog doesn’t get predictable potty breaks while we’re traveling or camping.
So, here are some ways you can provide your dog with the potty breaks he needs to avoid having accidents in the RV.
- Plan trips that include time to stop for potty breaks along the way.
- Start and end each day with potty time.
- Have a predictable routine.
- Take your dog out to potty before you leave him in the RV to do things that aren’t dog-friendly.
- Small dogs might appreciate a litter box or puppy pad in the RV for emergency use when you aren’t home.
Throwing RV Dogs a Bone
These five needs for RV dogs are really basic, but they are so essential. (And, sadly, often neglected.) Simple as they are, they are also the key to having a canine copilot who’s a fantastic traveling companion, opening up a world of RV adventures that you’ll both love. With a little preparation, you and your dog will be ready to go fetch some great memories together.
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