Much of RVing and camping are a learned experience. Every outing brings a new event to be cataloged in memory and used in the future – or hopefully, forgotten to the ether. It’s especially true when traveling with pets (dogs, really). We wrote previously about taking dogs on the road and to music festivals. After a year of weekends spent on the road with our dog, Stella, we’ve found a few tools to reduce our shared anxiety, keep the pets safe and rig clean, and help improve our shared adventures.
Window Decal. People have “Pets on Board” hang-tags for their cars and Pets Inside stickers in their homes. Why not warn first responders about dogs in the RV? We bought and placed a Pets Inside sticker in Mr. Charlie. Yeah, Stella’s barking would tell campers across the park that she’s there. But it helps first responders to know in case of emergency.
Water Bottle. Humans need water on the trail. So do dogs. We found this water bottle and it was perfect for the trails. It holds 11 ounces in a neat, folding, BPA-free bottle-bowl combination. Just fill the bottle, screw it on and snap it into place and it’s closed tight. Ready to water the pet? Unsnap the two and squeeze the bottle to fill the bowl. Fits neatly in those cargo pants my bride hates so much.
Couch and Rear Seat Cover. Face it, beach, trail, lakes, streams – dogs get messy. That doesn’t mean your seating should. Whether for the tow-vehicle’s rear seat or the RV’s couch, keep surfaces clean and water and mud-free. Easy-on and -off, they’re simple to use. And you’ll enjoy reduced abuse on your seating and have peace of mind knowing dirt is being kept in check.
Pens and crates vs leashes vs tethers / lanyards. Dogs wandering around the campgrounds are a no-no. We’ve leashed/tethered Stella to the RV, but she – and we – often get entangled. So we decided to use a pen. A basic dog pen should be able to unfold and stand as a fence or connect to act as a pen. The Frisco Dog Exercise Pen with Step-Through Door comes in multiple sizes and is easy to fold up and transport. For an alternative to the classic pet pen, a soft construction pen, like the Precision Pet Products Soft Side Play Yard, travels well to the park or on trips. With ventilated mesh panels, the pet can rest safe and comfortably.
Don’t trust your pet loose in the RV? Dog crates shouldn’t require a ton of bells and whistles. The Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Dog Crate varies in sizes and features a portable design and double doors. For a super, sturdy model for more rambunctious pets, the Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Dog Crate has rounded corners to keep pets safe while inside and features thick wiring and a removable plastic pan for easy cleaning.
A hand vacuum and hand brush are always good accessories, as well.
Bringing your pet on the road? Keep them safe – and your mind less frazzled – with the right accessories.