How to handle 3 dogs on the road

[bertnspike]

DH left me with a chihuahua, a shih tzu, and a blue heeler. The blue heeler is an EXCELLENT guard dog but sheds like a german shepherd (enough for 2 dogs). The chihuahua is an excellent watch dog and a dear little thing that I love very much. The shih tzu was his special dog. Tiger is a rescue from a puppy mill. No socialization, no training, no petting, no playing.... the dog doesn't know how to be a dog. He does however, have PERFECT conformation. He is turning around gradually. He comes to be petted now and lets me reach for him without snapping or running away. So it looks like I'll be traveling with 3 dogs.

These 3 dogs have spent most of their lives running loose on an acre an a half, fully fenced with doggie doors onto the porch and into the house. How can I make the transition to living in an RV and on a leash easier for them? Is it hard to find dog parks? Is there a list anywhere of dog-friendly places to go to visit or even stay for a while?

What the heck are these 3 beasties gonna be doing while I'm driving home from one place to another, and how are they going to adapt to sharing my bed with me, and how in heaven's name does everyone else deal with it?????

Susan

[Forestgal]

Susan, I think that they'll be happy as long as they're with you. As for travel anxiety, there are both holistic and medical options to help them. In the short run you might want to think about taking the most easy-going dog for a ride, just to see how it does. And then as it becomes comfortable you can add another to the carpool. If they're kennel-trained having them travel in their kennels might help, too.

I think they'll figure out where to sleep. Jed sleeps on his bed next to mine at home but sleeps on the couch (protected with a towel, of course) in the trailer.

You'll be amazed at how adaptable they are. If you're happy they'll be happy too.

Laura -- and Jed

[Rufflesgurl]

Hi Susan. I agree with Laura - think the pups will all be happy just to be with you. I've had my daughter's ShihTzu living with me for about 6 months. He has traveled with me in my MH (his first RV trip) along with my ShihTzu and everything was good. I met a lady today that travels with her 6 mo. old Siamese kitty and 2 new rescue Siamese kitties. The little ones travel in a kennel. Anyway, everything seemed to go OK for them too.

Fun travels,
Linda

[sharon]

Check Cesar the Dog Trainer's website on leash training and start NOW! And kennel training. Tina travels with 3 or 4 all the time, but her pups are trained. Chewy the chi has free rein at home with a doggy door but does very well on leash when I travel. Aren't you in Fla? There's an excellent trainer there that was taught by Cesar. I can get the website for you if you're interested, but she's not cheap. And yes, start out taking one at a time in the rv and then add bodies. It has been suggested on here by several of the ladies that have pups that shed a lot that maybe they'll try making coats out of the excess hair.... The rescue will probably be your greatest challenge. Good luck! And keep us posted on how it's going.

[dpf]

I think everyone else has said just about everything that I could add about traveling with the three. I'm going to suggest trying "Missing Link" supplement for the shedding problem. It has done wonders for Radar our Boston and also my friend's
Pug shedding. I started seeing results in about two weeks. It is a powder that you sprinkle on their kibble. It must taste good because if I don't mix in good and make sure it's on all the kibble she'll just eat the pieces that are coated. Kind of like me with a bowl of buttered popcorn! It's high in fiber, so if you decide to try it don't start out with the recommended amount for the dogs weight! I did....Radar had a intestinal problems until I cut it back to about half and built up to the recommended amount.

[Readytogo]

About the shedding. Pur local tv station tests "as seen on tv products" and they said the "shed-ender really works. Im going to get one for my cocker spaniel and my long haired fluffy cat (named Fluffy!) Walmart has them only 9.99, way cheaper than the furminator. Ill let everyone know how it works!

[BirdbyBird]

What Sharon and the others have suggested. Traveling with over two dogs becomes more work for me but it is a sure way to get more exercise. Leash training is a must. Also getting them comfortable to elimination on lead. There are sites (and phone apps) that help you locate off lead dog parks.....but I don't count on them. My dogs would rather I walk with them and hike.... In busy parks and with multiple dogs I will use the 6 ft leashes and only go with the Flex lines with one dog...so that I can get the dog in quickly when faced with campground traffic, kids on bicycles, and other dogs. There is usually at least one camper that has a loose dog in each camp ground. My smallest Remi is a "puppy mill" reject" and came to me with no socialization and a bunch of "fears".....After four years he won't exactly come to me but will stand still and let me come to him. He is wonderful when sitting in laps but others can't try to reach down and pet him while he is on the ground without watching him try to jump out of his skin. When I first started traveling in the rigs I traveled with enough crates for all the dogs. It did take up space but because all the dogs were used to using crates for "feeding" time and some of them for while I was at work....they accepted them as part of their routine. Gradually I have downsized how many crates I need to have. The Golden has one of those cheap soft sided collapsible crates (kept folded up) that I have encase of an emergency and/or a motel stay. The English Cockers have always traveled in their 200 size crate/s. They are so used to crates from dog shows that they will seek out their crates on their own to rest in and in Stuart's case....he is just too interested in everything when loose while when he is crated he sleeps . The Havenese, Remi (14 pounds), has a smaller crate that he now uses only during dinner times and if I am going to be away from the rig for several hours at a time. I tries a small soft sided crate with him also but he was more apt to flop it over so he has a small solid crate. I pulled my dinette out several years ago because the space left was so much easier to configure with a comfortable chair and changeable # of dog crates as needed and still leave me floor space and walking room....my rig is only 22 ft long. It is all about priorities, training the dogs in basic manners and commands, and determining that sweeping extra hair, wet leaves, sand, gravel and mud out of your rig is worth it. Oh, yes, my rig does NOT have carpet!

When parked in camp grounds you will notice that some campers will tether their dogs to objects or stakes around their site. Other owners use X-pens (they come in 24, 36, 48 in.) When parked for lengthier stays, some owners use either x-pens or orange plastic fencing or light weight wire fencing to stake around the immediate rig area so that their dogs just walk out the door and have their own private area. PM me if you have any specific questions.....

[bertnspike]

Good answers all, and good advice. All my dogs are crate trained. I use the Furminator on Solo and it does a great job, but she's not crazy about it. I guess as I have to use it more often she'll learn to put up with more grooming. I know of the trainer here who was trained by Cesar Millan; don't think I need that degree of training. These guys are pretty good. Good to hear that other people use collapsible fencing. I have some and wondered if it would be acceptable. Leash training could use some more work; I'm seriously considering switching everyone over to a Halti for the exquisite control and safety they permit.

I was wondering about how many crates I need to squeeze into an RV, but I hadn't considered the softsides & that is a good idea. I'm thinking one big crate for emergency confinement and a couple of softsides added to that for "personal dens". Do most people crate their dogs while moving down the road? I can just imagine Tico the chihuahua bouncing off the walls while Tiger hides under something and Solo lays claim to the passenger seat. I've seen doggie seat belts. Do you think they would be a good investment? Do the sofas in RVs have seat belt attachments?

Susan

[retiredhappy]

I traveled with two black Labs, Buddy and Sassy (Sassy now over the Rainbow Bridge) and then added a stray, Sophie. I never crated mostly cause I didn't have room for two big crates. My Labs were really good about going potty on the leash, quickly. When I first got her Sophie walked me around and around and around the park - just didn't know to go potty on a leash. She finally learned. The two Labs shed a poodle a week and my entire rig is based on their black color then I got Sophie who is mostly white. Sometimes you just can't win. As for sleeping arrangements I originally started with only Sassy who slept on the bed with me. then added Buddy who decided if Sassy was on the bed that was where he would sleep also. THEN I added Sophie. Now I can't tell one dog they can't sleep with me when the others already are soooooo - you got it ----- added Sophie to the crowd. Now I didn't have much room but I NEVER got cold. If I had it to do all over, I would do crates, somehow, just for their safety. I always walked the two Labs together and then walked Sophie. Three dogs at one time was just too much for me. I did have two X-pens that I hooked together so they could lay outside. Most parks DO NOT want you to leave your dogs outside without you being there. Every RV park I've ever been in always had a doggy area. When making a reservation I would ask to be close to the doggie area or on the outside edge of the park so I could walk my dogs without walking through the entire park. My two big guys were once attacked by a Jack Russel Terrier. Thank God no one got hurt except for me going face down in the gravel trying to hold my guys back. The terrier slipped his leash and literally ran at my guys, growling. Can you spell "Dumb?"

I agree that if they're not used to pottying on a leash, start now, one at a time.

[sharon]

I take one small crate and only use it once in a while. Usually to restrain the cat while I'm in and out hooking up the car to leave. Chewy the chi used to sleep on my lap while I drove, but she grew up...and out....so now she sleeps in her bed beside my driver seat. She's been traveling since she was 5 weeks old, so she's pretty seasoned. The Sam cat hides in his house while moving. He used to ride in the front window but one of those girder bridges scared him up in Canada on the way to Alaska and he hasn't gotten over it. That was 5 yrs ago, so doubt if he will ever come out and be social as long as the engine is running. Altho he does ride up in the window in the rv parks getting over to our site. Chewy is really good about potty on demand and knows we're going to potty, get back in the coach and hit the road.

[Bethers]

I don't crate. When I was traveling with multiples I had one of those gates that I had put up behind the drivers and passengers seat so that they weren't allowed up in that area. They were happy as can be sleeping on the sofa - and as soon as I would pick up my keys, both would run to get the "best" spot lol Actually both love any part of the sofa and shared it just fine. Now that I travel with one dog, she sleeps on the passengers seat. She believes it is HER seat and whenever anyone comes with me, she (the NON-people dog back then) would immediately become their best friend and expect to ride in their laps. Some have let her, others not. But rarely is anyone in that seat.

Peaches was a very anti-social dog when I got her. It was through working with her in rv parks that she's gotten somewhat over her fear of people (was a badly abused dog I got from a shelter).

The 2 dogs that started out in the rv with me both took to it wonderfully. They preferred this to the life they had running in one area. Oh my... a new smell? Every day? A new place to walk/hike - almost every day. Well, you get the idea. They were in heaven.

And if you have a dog that pulls, etc, those halti leads are great. I had one for a dog that could have dragged me to kingdom come and never got pulled with that harness on. Not sure mine was a "halti" but that idea.

Some parks have a 2 dog rule. Some have size limitations, etc etc. I used to have to worry about the size limitation. To this day I don't go to a park if I see that limitation in advance. I think if it's going to be a size limitation, it should be the opposite - keep out the little ankle biters. (Ok, everyone, no comments - you know I have a small dog now - but just can't see that rule). Certain breed restrictions - while I prefer they simply have a blanket rule about "no aggressive or disobedient dogs - I can understand that one.

Good luck - and get them used to walks as soon as you can. You won't be finding off-lease places everywhere unless you spend lots and lots of time looking for them!

[sharon]

Now Beth, you wouldn't be talkin' trash about my little Kujo would you?????

[Acadianmom]

I don't travel with a dog, just a cat or 2 sometimes. I keep my cats in a carrier if I am driving. You can bet if you get in a hairy traffic situation it will be the time one wants to get under your feet or on the dash. I am afraid to have them loose when I get gas. Cats are so fast I wouldn't be able to catch it if it got out.

When you are at a campground you will see a dog or 2 off leash even though the rules say always on a leash. Some people seem to think that doesn't apply to them. They always say their dog doesn't bite when it charges another dog or person. I have been at 2 rallies where someone got bit trying to break up a dog fight. I worked with a guy that said his Grandpa told him "Don't trust nothing with teeth". lol

Martha

[bertnspike]

Some parks have a 2 dog rule. Some have size limitations, etc etc. I used to have to worry about the size limitation. To this day I don't go to a park if I see that limitation in advance. I think if it's going to be a size limitation, it should be the opposite - keep out the little ankle biters. (Ok, everyone, no comments - you know I have a small dog now - but just can't see that rule). Certain breed restrictions - while I prefer they simply have a blanket rule about "no aggressive or disobedient dogs - I can understand that one.

I personally know and love several sweet "pibble dogs". If ya' call 'em "pibbles" they don't seem so scary, lol.

Know anyone who travels with a great dane?

[BirdbyBird]

I saw two Great Dane when I headed south this last time to visit Sarah. They were camping in a state park in Indiana.....A 31 ft class C I believe