Did you know that there are three circumstances when you should not take your dog RVing with you? It’s true! Check this out to keep your fur baby a safe, healthy, and happy camper.
Dog is too young to go camping
Many veterinarians recommend you not take your puppy RVing. Here are their reasons:
Wait to introduce your puppy to camping until a week after her final set of immunizations. This will give the immunizations time to reach their full effectiveness and fully protect your fur baby.
Young dogs are often untrained. This can put them at risk from wild animals and other dangers while RVing. Once your pup is trained to come, sit, and stay, along with other basic commands, you can safely camp with your dog.
Many puppies tend to bark—a lot! Young dogs often can’t distinguish between friendly and dangerous noises. Their barking will undoubtedly disturb you along with other campers nearby. It’s better to wait until your pup is a bit older.
Pregnant or in heat
If your dog is pregnant, it’s best to wait to go RVing with her until after her pups are weaned. Your dog could go into labor at any time and a campground is not the best place for puppies.
Likewise, if your dog is in heat, it’s best to skip camping for a time. There will undoubtedly be other dogs in the campground and even if you plan to boondock, you still cannot be sure a stray male dog won’t catch your pup’s scent. If your dog goes into heat in the midst of camping, call to see if a local boarder or vet can safely board your dog.
Dog is too injured/sick to go camping
It may be obvious, but if your dog is injured or sick, it’s not a good idea to take him RVing. Instead, ask a trusted friend to dog-sit your pup, administer necessary medications, and keep him company while you’re away.
Face it. How much would your pet (or you) enjoy an RV trip if your dog’s health is questionable? Instead, plan to take a great trip when your fur buddy is at the top of her game once more!
Your thoughts?
Do you have additional cautions for times when dog owners should not take their dogs camping? Please leave a comment below.
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##RVT1161
My thought (and before I state it I’m not a dog hater, I’ve always had a dog or two) is this: your dog doesn’t have to go everywhere with you and not everyone wants to meet or pet your dog (sorry, that’s two thoughts).
DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG CAMPING AFTER THEY’VE BEEN SPRAYED BY A SKUNK! (Don’t ask me how I know….)
Oh do I wish I could hear this story! LOL!!
Please take your dog with the understanding it must be on a leash if out of RV and it is your responsibility to scoop the poop. People who don’t are ruining it for those of us who are taking the rules seriously
Just like humans — doggies should avoid those “vaccines”. Before you bash me — read about the history of vaccines … starting from the first one — smallpox. Then read — the Moth in the Iron Lung. It’s downhill from there on. Master Manipulator will tell you more about the CDC.
After a long career in rescue, I have seen many dogs die from preventable diseases like parvo. A simple, safe, and inexpensive vaccination could have saved them from a miserable death. Millions of pets are safely vaccinated every year.
Don’t take your dog if you’re planning on spending most of your days away from the camper and will be leaving your dog behind. What you won’t know is how much the dog is barking back at the campground during your absence; during our last outing we had multiple campsites with neighboring dogs barking inside the camper all day (and into the evening). It’s not good for the dogs, let alone your neighbors.
People who do that should have their dogs taken from them…that is animal cruelty.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Very good advice! Thanks again, have a great week, and safe travels! 🙂
Common sense should prevail here