Basic dog in RV questions

[MojitoMama]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie and we don't yet have our RV. I just read something this morning though that may make us have to change our mind and scrap the whole camper idea. I was making reservations at a campground and noticed that it said that "dogs must be walked in the dog-walk area only - do not allow your dog to go to the bathroom anywhere except the designated area". Now....I enjoy walking the dogs several times a day, but hubby will be alone with the dogs for periods of time during the day while I am doing my art shows. He is not able to walk the dogs long distances, but he can sit outside with them on a leash, pick up after them, and spray with an odor-neutralizer if they tinkle close to the camper.

So....do most RV parks have this policy? If you have to walk your dog a long distance to get to the dog walk area, how do you stop them from doing anything on the way there?

We have to stay fairly close to the art festival area so we can get back and forth easily, so it's not like I can shop around all over the state looking for an ideal campground. I'd appreciate it if any other pet owners would let me know how it's going to work - I still have 2 days to get my money back on the travel trailer if this isn't going to work out for us.
thanks!!!
Robin

[Paulette]

I would think that as long as you clean up after your pets, there will be no issue. I've never had a problem and I take 2 along with me. I do carry my "bags" and always always clean up after them. I think this is probably an effort to keep folks from letting their dogs run loose and wreak havoc and leave land mines.

[BirdbyBird]

A few Campgrounds do not even allow dogs, so it is important to read carefully. Some will charge a small fee extra. Of the ones that allow dogs, all have rules regarding keeping them on leashes (they all say 6 feet or less...but many people use the flexi leashes without incident) ....and they all say to be prepared to clean up after them..... Many campground have clauses that say (No aggressive breeds, etc...as if anyone can really define that!) For some camp grounds it is a issue of their insurance. Some campground may even off an off leash area...fenced. Important to remember that not everyone out there is as knowledgeable regarding animal behavior. Many people think nothing about letting their fido come prancing up to your little fluffy..... and they all say "Oh, he really is friendly....when you can see that might not be the case...and oh, by the way the dogs are on lead which is much harder for them...... Other individuals think the "on lead" part is for everyone else just not their dog, who is wandering out of their camp site as you walk by...... So be prepared to intervene, speak up, or what ever for you pup. That said.....I travel with multiple pups and very seldom have experiences many problems. We have found campground that were so sparsely inhabited that a dog under good voice command might enjoy a few minutes off lead......I always remember that I am betting their LIFE and SAFETY when I try that.

You didn't say what size dog you had....many RV'er use X-pens like the dog show people set up. That way the dog enjoys sitting outside with you and can have potty privileges without having to walk miles through a camp ground...... Someone just needs to be sitting outside with them...hummm, like reading a good book or talking with friends.....to make sure they are safe.

Okay, what other ideas folks....

So enjoy your rig....I am sure that you will find camp grounds that are welcoming

[retiredhappy]

Agree with all of the above. I would vote for the small portable pens if your dogs are small. There would most likely not be any problems if you keep your dogs at your site and don't allow them to bark. The problem often arises of people letting their dog onto other people's sites thus the "designated" dog area only. Most of it is common sense - don't let them be a bother to other campers. I don't really take my dogs to the "off leash" areas much - not sure if previous dog had its shots, etc or not. Your dog is not always going to make it to the "dog area" - just pick up after it. In the last campground I worked in it seemed like if was often a man walking his "little" dog that didn't pick up after it. Don't know about you, but I'm just as annoyed if I step in a "little" pile and often you can't see the little pile first. I travel with two Labs and have never had a probolem finding a campground. My main problem is other people letting their little guys come running at mine. My guys are rescues and not real friendly to other dogs. All people on the other hand, are supposed to come with treats.

[Getupngo]

I agree with the above, although I've found some camp managers to be REALLY sticklers on the issue -- even threatening to 86 me from the campground if dogs HAVE to poop between my rig & the designated area (even if I clean it up immediately). Since DH can't walk that far, you might consider asking for a site close to the doggie area.

In re: "friendly" dogs -- especially unleashed(!!!) -- being allowed to approach without (my) permission ... I have a problem with MY dogs. There is a dynamic between them that will cause THEM to fight amongst each other if another dog approaches. The Big Little Dog will try to herd (read: bark and snap at) the little little dog away from the "danger." But LLD will have nothing to do with it, and since she is a b####h on wheels, a scrap can ensue. If I have either one of them alone, it's okay.

[JanetA]

Robin,,,,

Like the rest of the gals say,, don't let your dogs keep you from following your dream. There are always options that allow you to take your doggies with you. The suggestion of asking for a site near or next to the dog area is a great idea. Also,, just check ahead of time about their dog rules and you will be fine.

Were you the one that was asking for that campground guidebook? anyway,, it's WOODALLS and it gives all the info in a directory form to what all the campgrounds offer in the way of ammenities and such.

Good luck and hope to hear from you from your first junket! ! !

JanetA

[Getupngo]

Oh, and just remember, MOST of us here travel with dogs (with apologies to the kitties' staff). It is NOT a deterrent to travel. Just takes a little planning sometimes. The travel guides (such as Woodalls) lists whether parks are pet-friendly.

[JanetA]

Got a question, girls.....

when a campground guide states "pet restrictions" ... what exactly are those? Does anyone know? Karen? ,,

[Paulette]

Depends. That would be something you would have to call the campground and find out. Sometimes it is breed restrictions, sometimes number of dogs, sometimes size of dogs, etc.

[JanetA]

Thanks Paulette... just wondered!

[MojitoMama]

Thanks everyone - sounds like common sense and courtesy are the main things, along with double checking with the campground. The one I had checked out sounds a little too strict - I may check elsewhere!
Robin

[Sparkle]

I have traveled for 4 years, fulltime, with a pit-bull and have never had a problem. If they ask I say its a mix breed and that is accepted. I have never been in a campground that had a dog walk only area, but then I never stay at high end campgrounds. Are those the ones with all the restrictions? Lower your sights a little and you will have no problems.

[Liz]

I would say that 99% of cgs I've stayed at are very pet friendly. Keep the dog on a leash and pick up after it and you should have no problem.

[Rufflesgurl]

I travel with 2 pups - weigh 20# each and I wouldn't think of not picking up after them!! AND, it ticks me off when others do not pick up after their dogs. I never take my dogs to the pet runs - never know if the previous dogs that were there are healthy.

We have stayed in campgrounds that charge as much as $2 or $3 extra each dog each night. Even in places where we have stayed many times. Just part of the rules I guess.

Oh by the way, I just hate it when neighbors DO NOT pick up after their dogs that go in my front yard. I have even handed the owner a bag and told them what it was for. I sure wouldn't not pick up after my dogs if they went in someone else's yard. So, same rules apply at home as in the campgrounds or the beach or wherever you walk your pups.

Off my soapbox!! LOL

Linda

[MojitoMama]

Well I have to agree with the 'picking up' issue. In my neighborhood at home, we have a number of regular dog-walkers and as far as I can tell, I am the ONLY one who picks up after my dogs. I have watched (out the window) as my neigbor from 2 doors down let her dog do his thing in my front yard, but didn't run out and confront her because I don't want to be a bad neighbor. But last month, some guy came out and yelled at me (AFTER I had picked up after my dog) and told me not to let my dog go in his yard again (it was between the sidewalk and the street). I wanted to tell him to just be glad it wasn't any of the other 6 or 8 dog-walkers who doesn't pick up at all (but again, I didn't want to be confrontational).

Anyway, I would definitely clean up after my dog anywhere!