Traveling with Dogs in the National Parks

[Colliemom]

Got a question for you RVing dog owners out there. I want to take a trip out to Custer State Park, the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons etc. As many of you know, my Sassy is up in age now but at the moment she is doing pretty good for her age considering. I think she might be able to handle the drive out there and some walking around in areas where I know pets are allowed with out too much trouble. However, I am concerned about the areas where they are not allowed. Mt. Rushmore being one of them as well as some areas in Yellowstone. She's not used to being left in my trailer and hasn't been in my new one more than one trip so far, so hate to leave her in there for long periods of time. Also going to Mt. Rushmore if it's hot, not good to leave her in the truck either. So was wondering what you gals do with your pets when you are in those places. Just leave them in your TT's or MH's and go about your trips etc? Or have you found some doggie day care places out that way?

[mitch5252]

..
When we got the first Mobile Marlin, George and I slowly acclimated Abby to being left alone in there. Now she has no problems at all being in the trailer alone - she gets the same story as at the house, "Mommy's going shopping and you get a cookie. Mommy will be right back." (GEORGE started that, NOT me.)

So, can you maybe start going out there with her, sit a while, then leave for a short bit, come back. Repeat for longer periods? I don't see any other answer unless you just don't go to places where dogs aren't allowed. The truck would be far too hot.

..

[JudyJB]

You might call the national parks you want to visit. I have seen some places with kennels on site where you can park your dog safely, rather than leave her in your car.

Some campgrounds do not want you to leave pets in your camper in case they start barking or get upset by something like a wind or rain storm.

However, you have an additional problem with Sassy's age. Is there someone you could leave her with? I know it will be a long drive and you will want to feel comfortable, however.

when my kids were young, we always traveled with our dog, but she was young then and would stay without barking in a hotel room. All of this concern is why I no longer have pets.

[Liz]

I am able to leave Thistle for several hours. I leave two vents open and the Fantastic Fan set to come on if temps go above 80. If it's really hot and I don't have electric for AC, I wouldn't leave him. Plans have to be made around that.

At first I crated him when I left for more than a few minutes...to keep him and the RV safe, and so he wouldn't see and bark at everything that went by the RV. That is not a problem any more, so I can leave him loose in the RV most of the time.

Some parks have kennels (South Rim of Grand Canyon, for example) and most have info about kennels/day care nearby if available. So far, I have not needed that.

[Bethers]

My rv is my home - and Peaches home. She's happy as can be in here with or without me. Well, she'd prefer to be with me 24/7, but you know what I mean. Start taking her out to the tt and treat it like home. Call it your home. Etc. I bet she'll adapt quickly.

If I can take her with me on trails, etc, and the weather is nice - then she comes along. Otherwise, she stays in the rv. Same as when I'm working.

[dayspring39]

I am not the long lost traveler however I stay in my motor home for months (5 mo this past winter) at a time. When I go away Shadow is fine. He does not bark when I am away.This I know by asking anyone near my MH. However if I am home or in MH and someone comes near he barks like crazy. Someone told me this is for my protection.
I do put the air on if it is warm as they get so hot without it. I have been gone for up to 6 hours or so and he is fine. When I come back his little nose is right by the door when I unlock it.
I understand this is not the same but it is the same principal.

Me and My Shadow and Augie

[brendac]

When I am away from the trailer for more than an hour I take Toby's collapsible crate with us and set it up in the truck bed when I stop. He goes in the crate and I put a small bowl of water. I have left him this way for a couple of hours. The crate is vented on all sides, the truck bed allows for good airflow and if I can back into a shady area it's a bonus. This has worked for us.

[Azusateach]

Travel trailers don't seem to be as well insulated as motor homes, and tend to heat up faster. I've never left Jed in the trailer when it's hot outside without hookups. If I'm not willing to sit in my trailer in the heat then I won't make him.

Having an animal traveling with you is often a sacrifice. If I don't feel Jed's safe while I'm gone somewhere I just don't go. Or I take him with me and do a driving tour without getting out to walk around or hike. Have i missed seeing some things in my travels? Yup. Would I consider doing things differently with Jed along? Nope.

Laura

[retiredhappy]

I always leave my guys in the RV with the AC going. However, I do know they are not barkers but just so they aren't tempted, I close my shades so they can't see things outside like squirrels, etc. At Sassy's age I'm sure she'd rather stay in her "home" while you go sightseeing rather than a strange kennel. Also don't completely trust the kennels to sanitize them after each dog so Lord knows what Sassy could catch. I, too, never leave the guys unless I have AC. My little Roadtrek can heat up pretty fast.

[Rufflesgurl]

Sue - when we went to Zion in July a few years ago, we left the dogs in the MH with the A/C on. It was very hot that summer day and they were very comfy in my class A MH with the air going. They do not get up on the furniture so aren't able to look outside. I would not leave them alone in the RV on a hot day without electric or generator on so the air can be on! This past Oct. we went to the RV show in Pomona, CA. It was a beautiful sunny day (not real hot) so we left the pups in the MH with a couple big windows and vents open. They were very happy and didn't bark - the reason I know this, we were in RV parking and the attendant was right next to my RV.

Hope you and Sassy have a great time on your travels!!

Linda

[VickieP]

When I am away from the trailer for more than an hour I take Toby's collapsible crate with us and set it up in the truck bed when I stop. He goes in the crate and I put a small bowl of water. I have left him this way for a couple of hours. The crate is vented on all sides, the truck bed allows for good airflow and if I can back into a shady area it's a bonus. This has worked for us.

You're not afraid someone will steal Toby? That'd be my greatest fear.

[brendac]

Vickie, I was concerned the first couple of times so I didn't leave him for very long. I try to pick a shady spot along the perimeter of the parking lot and back in so that no one knows he is there. He is very quiet and is almost always asleep when I get back. I must say that I don't do it very often and if the area looks unsafe I wouldn't leave him. I do leave him in the bedroom of the fifth wheel and he sleeps on the bed. I am very lucky, he doesn't bark. When I leave him at the trailer I always let the neighbors know and I check with them when I return. The comments so far have been " If you hadn't told us we would not have known he was there." The office always has my cell phone number in case I am needed back there.

[BirdbyBird]

What most folks have been saying. Adjustments can be made depending upon the heat. With training and experience most dogs deal well (Meaning they sleep through) our absences when they are left in the rigs. Because your TT might not have a generator there may be times that the window vents and fans might not be enough and you would not be able to go far.
As for traveling with Sassy in her somewhat geriatric condition with precarious health issues I will repeat what I have shared before. If she loves being with you and loves the adventure of traveling and sniffing new places let her come. You may have to time your absences from the trailer differently and keep you dog walks shorter, etc. But think of all the fun she will have meeting people and sniffing things. There are many competent vets across the states. If and when she and you need one you can find one. You will have her health records and your vet is a phone call away for consult. It is so very hard to watch the ones we love grow old and fade but it isn't any harder to watch while traveling or staying home. When you have to make the tough decision/s, it will not be easier because you stayed home. There are no guarantees regarding how and when their lives will go just as there aren't for us. We can enjoy each day to the fullest and discover what we can together.

...and Jackson Hole will always be special because I left part of my heart there but I knew when I left Ohio that spring that Herschel was not expected to return to Ohio. But he surprised everyone and traveled successfully for three months with small accommodations and good drugs. I like to think he thought Wyoming was so beautiful that it looked like heaven to him.

[brendac]

Couldn't have said it better, Tina.

[gingerK]

Ok, maybe I look at it differently because it's what I do but I think Sassy, at her age would not be very happy if you took her with and left her in a strange kennel while you sightsee. I also don't think it would be healthy-they can pick up diseases and parasite from the kennel enviornment. It's just way too stressful for any dog, let alone a senior. So I vote for finding a reliable and trusted petsitter who could either do multiple visits to your own home, keep Sassy with them in their home or best of all stay at your home with Sassy. Keeping her in her own environment is the best bet for Sassy. And if you were closer, I'd watch her for you for free!