Do you travel with a big dog?

[JulieInOregon]

Hello all!

I'm new here! I don't have an RV yet. I have put off getting one because I have a Rottweiler. She is 10 years old and weighs 100 pounds. I was wondering if anyone RV's with a large dog? Do you mostly boondock? Most parks have 20 pound weight limit. I have been wanting to RV for many years, but couldn't due to being married or recently having the Rott. I just turned 55 and want to get on the road while I'm able. Thanks, Julie in Oregon

[Sandersmr]

I have two big dogs - one is a lab and the other is ???? I have no problems traveling with them but I stay mostly in state parks. Rotties are a special breed because so many people consider them dangerous. So in private campgrounds you may have more problems because they are a restricted breed.

I think the most important thing when traveling with a large dog is being able to control them - and I don't always do the best job, especially when one slips their collar. Fortunately with Oscar all we have to do is open the truck door and say "let's go" and he will usually come running. Jazzy wants to go visit everyone.

So I really check their collars to make sure they are snug but not too tight. *Anytime* they are outside, they are on leash. We usually carry a rope that we can tie between two trees or other poles and make a run of sorts for them. They are then attached to the rope. But we make sure that they still stay within our site. When walking them by myself, I have a two headed leash that I then usually attach their other leashes to so that they have a little freedom to do their business without the other one stomping them. When I have people approach, I will snug up any slack and keep them under close control. And I do not leave them unattended when outside.

It's amazing how many times we have people that want to come meet our dogs, even as big as they are. But we still watch our dogs closely when encountering new people. It's not my dogs I don't trust...

[BirdbyBird]

The only time I ran into a weight limit was in a 55 plus rv community in FL that has HOA rules for lot owners and lot renters. As other mentioned some campground have breed specific rules....often mentioning Pitties, rotties, dobes, and/or Chows... rules are driven largely by their insurance carriers.

I have seen many large dogs in my travels.... That said I do recommend what others have mentioned. Make sure that you have good control over your dog. Many, many dog owners do not. They either do not have control over their dogs to begin with or fail to pay attention and use common sense. Since you have the big dog even if the other animals starts something...your baby will probably be blamed. Flexi Leads may be fine when you are out in open areas/trails by yourself but in busy, close areas they don't give you a quick enough response time to protect your dog from "trouble."

I have taught obedience classes off and on (in years past) and worked with 4-H'ers on their dog project. I have always shared with students that it is their responsibility to protect their dogs out in public places. You can't be shy about speaking up to a total stranger and directing them to "watch their dog," Two strange dogs on leads are more apt to resent each other than two dogs running/playing free in a dog park.

[JulieInOregon]

Thank you ladies for the replies. I can control my Rottie as she is getting older and a lot less rowdy. She isn't outside much and I don't think she is the kind to walk on a trail. Thanks for the idea of the rope between 2 trees. I guess I can double check with the state parks that I might go to about accepting a Rottie. I plan on boondocking to keep her away from a lot of noise and other dogs. So, you think it would be ok if another dog approached and I said something like "my dog isn't used to outside much, would you mind keeping your dog away? Julie

[Sandersmr]

Julie - as long as you are on your site, I would think that would be appropriate. I'm surprised at how many people want to introduce their dogs to mine. Now, I know that my dogs pretty much like anything or anyone that pays attention to them but since I don't know how the other dogs will react, I want to make sure I have control of mine before I allow theirs near.

[BirdbyBird]

Another thought.....there always seems to be at least one loose dog at every larger campground. Many times it is the dog from another campsite who doesn't think the rule of keeping their dog leashed applied to them....and suddenly the dog is making a beeline towards you as you are walking around the campground with your dog/s on a leash.

I admit to allowing my big guy more freedom around my campsite that my smaller ones but then he is older. Over all it similar to our being aware of our environment...especially when we are traveling alone. With a dog with us...we just have to watch and think about different things....and protect ourselves and our dogs from the humans that sometimes don't think.....

[HorizonSeeker]

Guess I'm tired from cleaning and organizing the store room today. I thought it said do you travel with a bird dog. Well, that certainly got my interest. I was disappointed that we just discussing dog size as I was anxious to learn how a bird dog might help me on the road.

[JulieInOregon]

Thank you all for the replies. I am now a little more aware that I have to watch what I do in the campground with my dog and watch other dogs that might wander by! Julie

[retiredhappy]

Several private campgrounds I worked in would not allow Rotties, Dobies, etc. I traveled with two big Labs and one little girl. My dogs were well behaved BUT not when a small, aggressive dog charged at them which I'm sorry to say happened several times. I found that too often owners didn't have very good control if their dog was "little". I am currently living in a mobile home park that has a size limit which Buddy (the big guy) is over. When I moved in I told them I often babysat for my daughter's dog cause he was so old. I think they've figured out he actually lives here all the time but he doesn't bark and has arthritis so bad a 90 year old could outrun him.

[Bethers]

Not much I can add. When I started out I had a big dog - was older. But wasn't a breed on the restriction list. And you will find cg's that have rotties on it, as said. So you wil have to be more diligent when looking for places to stay. But you will find them - even among private cg's.

Everyone is right on the money about having control and then watching. I do play a little lose with some rules with my little dog now - letting her off leash sometimes, etc - but I'm very careful about that, too - depending on if others are around, etc. I don't want trouble for either of us - but most of all I don't want her hurt!

[Barbzeee]

Julie, I have always traveled with dogs...big ones, small one and what ever kind there was LOL...any way I have two Rotties and yes, I've had many problems trying to find a place other than Dog Show sites that we used for showing my gang..but coming down to Florida for the winter months was always some what of a dilema..in fact going to any of the GTG's has been a no can do for me with my fur babies..

I did find a few parks every now and then that would let me stay but I always had to show proof of having insurance on my crew..which I do have. It makes it difficult and there are far and few in between...boon docking was a lot easier..

This is one of the reasons I bought a place in Florida for my winter months as the camp ground I was staying in for years was sold. So I had to buy a place and make sure I could have my dogs..thank goodness for that.

It is a shame that Rotties are on that No No list but it is what it is..personally it should be the whacked out people that cause the problem to begin with and don't keep their critters under control..sad .

Any way...it is a wonderful lifestyle and lots of great people to enjoy it with too...The Sistahs go out of their way to always help and answer any questions that you have..and can't wait to read when you get that RV too..!

God Bless
Zeee and Critters 3