To have a dog or to not have a dog? That is the question.

[lorend]

My wife wants a dog. I do not want a dog. Dilemma ??

For those of you who have dogs, what do you do when you want to go to a National Park and explore the park for a day? Do you just don't go? Do you just go for a couple of hours? We explored Zion last year for two days and about eight hours each day, would a dog have kept us from doing this? What lifestyle changes have you made in order to travel with a dog?

For those of you without dogs, what issues have kept you from getting one to travel with? I still want to travel and explore but feel like a dog would take away some of the freedom to do that. Am I correct in this thought or just way off base? We have stayed in parks that said if you left your dog in your rv and went to town, when you came back you would not be asked to leave, you would be told to leave.

So many issues to consider. Any feedback will be appreciated, and may be very helpful in putting this disagreement behind us.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Traveling with a dog is a non-issue with me. I'm not a dog person, so it's never even been a question. Too many years of traveling by motorcycle, or flying have made traveling with a pet not a viable thing.
But have also never felt the desire to travel with a pet either.

 

[trailrydr]

Our beloved Jack Russel loved to be with us, but, also loved to stay in her carrier when we were gone or even at night when she slept. Mostly a security thing for her we guessed. We never had any issue traveling with her while camping. She was a very smart dog and also very quite and content to be by herself. Plus, she was so well behaved she would stayed next to us when we walked her without a leash anywhere it was allowed or (we could get away with it ).

In other words, it will really depend on the dog and how well they are to be by themselves. Some probably are better than others, and we were very lucky enough to have her with us for 15 wonderful years.

BTW, we have decided to wait until we are done camp traveling before getting another dog. Were just not sure if we would be so lucky again to find another dog who didnt mind to be alone on days she could not come with us.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Our beloved Jack Russel loved to be with us, but, also loved to stay in her carrier when we were gone or even at night when she slept. Mostly a security thing for her we guessed. We never had any issue traveling with her while camping. She was a very smart dog and also very quite and content to be by herself. Plus, she was so well behaved she would stayed next to us when we walked her without a leash anywhere it was allowed or (we could get away with it ).

In other words, it will really depend on the dog and how well they are to be by themselves. Some probably are better than others, and we were very lucky enough to have her with us for 15 wonderful years.

BTW, we have decided to wait until we are done camp traveling before getting another dog. Were just not sure if we would be so lucky again to find another dog who didnt mind to be alone on days she could not come with us.

This perfectly describes us as well. We had a lasha that we loved and she loved travel. But after losing her we've not replaced her over the same concerns. Also we now travel more in the summer and wouldn't want to leave her in the heat.

 

[WhittleBurner]

We have adapted as we have always had atleast one dog. You either lock the dog in the trailer (crate optional ) and go explore. A GC that doen't want any dogs left in trailers is one we don't go to. When we did Yellowstone we had 3 dogs , stayed outside of West Yellowstone about 10 miles North in a NF campground that had ele, left the air and television on. Avg day without them was about a 6 hour trek. We did other things / hiking/attractions and other parks that allow dogs outside of the national park attractions and took them with us.

I'm one of those have to have a dog or 2 people, love me love my pets

 

[traveldawg]

We find that when we travel with folks who have dogs we tend to take 2 cars. That way the dog/pet people can leave early to get back to their pet(s) while we continue our adventure(s).

We've learned that pet owners tend to adapt to their pet's needs. It works for them.

Often we joke that our RV is one of the very few that did not come with the 'pet option'.

 

[sande005]

My future son-in-law was scandalized the first day we met, when after talking about how he and my daughter were going to get a dog, I advised "No, have a baby instead, they are less of an impediment in your life" OK, pretty facetious, but the point was you can take a kid almost anywhere, almost anytime. But a dog has many places they can't go, so has to be left behind - and that can get to be a challenge.

Neither of our dogs were ever an issue in a campground. Even those that had warnings about leaving them. Pull the blinds, and they just sleep and hang out. No barking ever (verified many times, and even via camera/recording apps). But such is not the case with many - seems especially the smaller breeds. Or some that just howl all day long protesting they don't want to be alone. That is something as a camper I can't abide. Some dogs are made for the life, some just should be left at home.

For us - 6 hr trips away are fine. 8-10 is pushing it. Food, water, potty breaks, etc. need to be attended to eventually. After all many dogs live their whole lives with owners away at work all day...
As @WhittleBurner noted, with planning there are many places one can take dogs even if the main attraction is not so friendly. We spent days hiking/exploring the Grand Staircase all day with them. But yes, Bryce and Zion consisted of shortish day trips each day, with the boys back in camp.
We actually bought the RV because it allowed us to bring the guys with us. The $100-$150 daily kennel fees to board them while gone made it a no brainer.
It is a commitment, and you must adjust your desires to accommodate. Is it a limitation, or is it something that actually enriches your travels? Only you can decide.

Here they are when we visited Rock City near Chattanooga. The brown one (Loki), just passed at nearly 17 yrs. He'd traveled in the RV with us to 39 states and been walked in 13 National Parks - even those with strong restrictions on where.

 

[RV2600RB]

We find that when we travel with folks who have dogs we tend to take 2 cars. That way the dog/pet people can leave early to get back to their pet(s) while we continue our adventure(s).

We've learned that pet owners tend to adapt to their pet's needs. It works for them.

Often we joke that our RV is one of the very few that did not come with the 'pet option'.

Ours as well. We don’t have a problem with peeps dogs except for the ones that constantly yip or the owners let run thru our site.
JMO, animals have no business traveling in RVs. They are generally more annoying to other campers than not.
Rich

 

[COGrandDes]

Ours as well. We don’t have a problem with peeps dogs except for the ones that constantly yip or the owners let run thru our site.
JMO, animals have no business traveling in RVs. They are generally more annoying to other campers than not.
Rich

I would have to agree with your thoughts. We have tried taking our dog many times several years ago and it's way too limiting. Many sites and attractions do not allow dogs or are not appropriate for dogs. We left ours at the campsite only to be scolded when we returned from being gone all day as he had barked and made noise. I can't leave them in the camper all day and deal with the heat and solitude. It adds a level of stress that's not needed.

As you also noted----many pet owners are also not considerate and let their dogs bark, carry on, and run unleashed through people's campsites. As a responsible pet owner....I just can't do that as it's irritating.

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

Our last dog passed at old age about 3 yrs before we retired and bought the RV.. Decision was made to not get another dog and deal with the limits of RV travel with a pet. Plus we prefer a larger dog than the lap dog size animal.

On the flip side we have friends that obsess over their 2 small dogs in the RV or at home. They will not leave the dogs alone for more than 4 hours at home . Even with doggy door, water , food set out for the dogs.

We see the same things with pet owners as you folks do... Pet owners that take care of business with their animals and other owners that seem to think the world revolves around them and the pet.

Had a lady in 2023 at a RV park that could "not" believe she had to keep her dog on a leash or in a fenced section in their RV space. She whined to others for support and did not receive any. LOL

 

[WhittleBurner]

When we first got the 5th wheel, we had a wedding to attend and no dog sitter so they came along. Being new to the trailer I was concerned about barking. We pull the shades leave the tv or radio oon and go. Went to the wedding and enjoyed the afternoon into the evening/night. The next morning I asked a couple camping neighbors if they heard any barking and not a peep was heard and they were shocked to hear there were 3 dogs inside! It can be done. We believe that if a dog can go 8 hours through the night there is no reason they cannot do it during the day. Right now our days are shorter due to puppyhood (5 mos and counting) but that was a choice we made knnowing that would happen when we got Zeus this summer.

Not everyone has to get a dog, it is a personal choice. We travel with my brother often and they understand the limitations having dogs. We keep the day running to not much longer than 8 hours and everyone is happy!

 

[goducks14]

We don't want to pick up poop so we don't have a dog.

 

[Gronk1]

We sacrifice some destinations & attractions for our (now) one dog & wouldn't have it any other way. What we don't see don't hurt us. We will leave Zayn for a couple of hours to ride our bikes, no barking, no howling while we are gone (verified by asking neighbors). On walks or sitting in camp, he doesn't bark at passing dogs, although he does do a hello butt sniff if they are friendly.
We are on our last dog (probably) due to our age, so maybe we will see some sites after he passes, but for now he brings us too much joy to not have a dog.

Anyway, we like dogs better than most people & especially crowded attractions.

 

[BigSwick]

Anyway, we like dogs better than most people & especially crowded attractions.
Hallelujah brother. I agree 100%

 

[txloser]

We’ve got three. Many trips we just bring one. If it’s a non dog friendly trip they stay home with a pet sitter. Never left them in the trailer for hours. Just to run around the campground or short hikes. Seems blinds and TV do the trick. And a camera tied to a hotspot on a left behind phone or Starlink.

The worst part of dogs and camping is the stickers in the grass. That’s can be a disaster with ours. Told my wife if ever get another when these are gone, it won’t have long hair. And won’t weigh 100lbs.

 

[FjClay]

Last year while visiting Glacier National Park we found a kennel in Whitefish and left her there overnight so we could hike and not have to worry about getting back in time to let her out.

 

[dryfly]

We left ours at the campsite only to be scolded when we returned from being gone all day as he had barked and made noise. I can't leave them in the camper all day and deal with the heat and solitude. It adds a level of stress that's not needed.

As you also noted----many pet owners are also not considerate and let their dogs bark, carry on, and run unleashed through people's campsites. As a responsible pet owner....I just can't do that as it's irritating.

Over the years our family has had dogs, and really enjoyed them. None of them accompanied us on camping trips.

I know I'll get flamed for this but barking dogs are really becoming an issue in some campgrounds. I do find dog owners to be very considerate of keeping their pets on a leash and picking up after them. However, it really gets annoying to go walking through a campground and have dogs go crazy as you pass a campsite. It's even worse when dogs are left in the RV next to you and you get to listen to them bark all day while the owner is away.

It's really weird as it seems it has been in the last 10 years that I've noticed folks bringing dogs (many times 2 or 3 dogs) with them on camping trips. What has caused this new trend?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Over the years our family has had dogs, and really enjoyed them. None of them accompanied us on camping trips.

I know I'll get flamed for this but barking dogs are really becoming an issue in some campgrounds. I do find dog owners to be very considerate of keeping their pets on a leash and picking up after them. However, it really gets annoying to go walking through a campground and have dogs go crazy as you pass a campsite. It's even worse when dogs are left in the RV next to you and you get to listen to them bark all day while the owner is away.

It's really weird as it seems it has been in the last 10 years that I've noticed folks bringing dogs (many times 2 or 3 dogs) with them on camping trips. What has caused this new trend?

I don't think it's a new trend, just more people in general, so there are more dogs.

 

[sande005]

Ignoring the "fur baby" trend, it may be due a lot to cost. In my area, one dog being boarded is $50-$80 per day. With 2 or more there might be a slight discount, but still - even for a motel, I try not to exceed $150 per day, so the dogs cost more than me! And meals usually are not included in that cost. At least I get a breakfast buffet, usually.
That cost savings went into my justification to get an RV years ago. Don't get me started on the cost increases in some campgrounds to rent basically a patch of dirt vs motels!

 

[trailrydr]

..... Don't get me started on the cost increases in some campgrounds to rent basically a patch of dirt vs motels!

Yeah.... but nothing beats sleeping in your own bed, cooking in your own kitchen, eating your own made food and having a larger patch of grass to live on. Not to mention the private parking convenience.