By Gail Marsh
A recent blog conversation thread evoked a huge reaction. The topic? Dogs and RV campgrounds. At the center of the controversy was an RVer “forced to lie” about her pets.
Note: You might have seen a similar post on RV Travel’s “RVing with Dogs” Facebook group page. This conversation thread is quite similar. It makes me think that this is not an infrequent conundrum for RVers with multiple dogs. See what you think and then tell us your thoughts.
Two too many for campground pet rules
The original blog posting came from a gal, Tracy. She owns four dogs. She admitted to frequently fibbing when making her park reservations. “My pet peeve is campgrounds that limit campers to two dogs! I have four great dogs. I pick up after them and they do not bark excessively. Why should I be penalized for having two too many dogs?”
Limit two
At issue are some campground rules and restrictions. Some camping facilities limit the number of dogs that each campsite is allowed. Tracy says, “I know it’s against the rules, so I get around it by letting only two dogs outside the camper at any given time.”
Campground owner perspective
Several campground owners responded to Tracy’s post. Here’s a brief summary.
• Rule reasons. Several CG owners were frustrated by Tracy’s “rule workaround” and insisted that they have the right to make any rules they want without explanation. Many CG owners consider RVers like Tracy to be trouble with a capital “T.”
• The more, the messier. Other owners and campground managers suggested that more dogs mean more mess! I tend to agree. If pet owners do not clean up after two dogs, imagine the mess left by four canines! (To be fair, Tracy says she picks up after her dogs.)
• Double trouble. According to other CG owners, more dogs mean more hassles. More barking, greater potential for injury to other RVers/pets, and more complaints from other campers to address.
RVers weigh in
• Meant to be broken. A few RVers commended Tracy for her ingenuity. They agreed with her perspective that some CG dog rules are ridiculous, and it’s ok to fib … er … lie.
• Explain yourself. Other RVers have tackled this issue by advocating for their dogs. If your pets are well-behaved, it may be worth it to truthfully explain your situation. Tell the CG manager that you have four very well-behaved dogs, and you may be allowed to stay.
• Other options. Many other RVers were disappointed by Tracy’s deceit. They suggested that she take time to locate RV parks that allow four dogs, or try boondocking, or consider boarding her dogs if she can’t find amenable RV parks.
Your thoughts on strict campground pet rules?
We’ve stayed at several campgrounds that have a two-dog limit along with breed restrictions and weight/size limitations. We no longer have a dog, but I’m eager to hear your reaction to campground rules for dogs, along with Tracy’s situation. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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##RVT1139
It’s very sad for me to read of adults justifying lying to someone.
Really, forced to lie…..so some one else is making some one lie because of a rule….
No one “forces” you to lie. It’s a personal choice, which she’s made.
First it’s two dogs, then it’s four dogs, then it’s six dogs, and on and on. See the possible progression? Too many people want rules–but not for them.
You got a bad attitude Tracy. Shame on you. You are the reason we need rules, laws, and restrictions to replace good common sense.
Just reread the posting by Tracy. Her four dogs “do not bark excessively”. Would barking by four dogs be considered excessive compared to two dogs barking a bit? Viewpoint has its pros and cons when it comes to excessive.
Any barking at all is what I consider excessive.
Don’t think I am biased against animals. I say animals because we have had 15 dogs and now 16 cats in our 60 years of marriage so my viewpoint is tempered by experience (I hope)
Thank you, Gail! I think that she is way wrong to habitually lie about how many dogs are with her. I can see doing it because of circumstances that prevent her reaching or finding a campground that has no limitation on the number of dogs. However, to do this as a matter of course is wrong. What other inconvenient fact(s) does she routinely lie about? I do hope she gets caught, thrown out, and told as she is being escorted away that had she been truthful, then she could have stayed (after being charged an additional fee for the additional dogs?).
Neal…so being deceitful is OK as long as it’s not all the time? What limits do we put around that? Which people or what business is it OK to intentionally deceive as long as it’s not “routine?”
Mikal H., Okay? No. Understandable? Yes.
Four dogs when camping is too much. It’s enough walking two dogs, but trying to control four. Everyone says their dogs are good, but for some of us they may be bad. I wouldn’t want to walk by a campsite with my dogs that has four dogs. I’ve walked my dogs up my street and had a dog come at me and my dogs quite a few times. one time I got hurt.
Not all dog mess comes ready for pick up… some of the soft serve variety leaves a residue and urine does have a smell particularly after baking in the sun…💥
Thank you…I can’t unsee this..lol
Same for the Wisconsin “chip” shot.
Hey Cancelproof, don’t hit these with that golf cub
Up here in Northern Wisconsin we wait until the feces freeze then we launch them out of the yard with a 9 iron.
LOL . . . .
Is it a beer drinking game? If so, can I join the league?
When it comes down to it, Tracy is being deceitful. I guess she feels she is one of those special people that the rules don’t apply to. Rule breakers just make everything harder for the rest of us.
We have 1 dog (loves everybody golden retriever) and 2 cats who only leave the TT when moved via carrier to the tow vehicle. The RV parks ask about the number of ‘pets’ (not type). We always say “one”. The dog is always on leash except in designated areas, and the bag dispenser is attached to the leash. Have yet to have any park staff care if they spot a cat through a window.
Rules don’t apply to habitual liars.
The real problem is those that let their dogs off leash and aggressive ones. Nice dogs & responsible owners…no problem. A two dog rule doesn’t solve for bad people
Is Tracy an elected Government official? One of the problems with our country is lying about everything. CG owners have rules, probably because they have been “bitten” in the past by someone not using common sense. Most rules are nothing more than common sense, which people these days lack!
Campground Owners may also have insurance policy restrictions that may have certain dog or other animal limitations. Did Tracy ever give consideration to possible legal implications for herself or her hosts due to her dishonesty?
Is there a chance that Tracy supports limiting access to OHV trails in Moab based on “the few, ruin it for the many” principle of rule making? 1% of Offroaders litter and do damage to the trails and nature so a rule limiting access for the other 99% needs to be implemented?
When they make rules that negatively impact you, remember where you stood when they made rules for your neighbor, when those rules had no impact on you.
I know, private park versus public lands but my comment is about consistency.
Tracy CLAIMS to pick up after her dogs, I have met many people that claim to do this but don’t.
Once she has shown she will lie about the number of dogs, the question becomes, “What else is she lying about?” It wouldn’t be a stretch to find out it’s picking up after her four dogs…
I’m in the “find a place with rules that work for us” camp. I don’t want to risk being asked to leave because we don’t really fit their target clientele. In one instance we were able to get clearance for an extra dog (via email before making the reservation). In that case we explained it was our 2 large dogs, plus 1 belonging to our traveling companion. So, they could see it as WE had 2 & SHE had 1 so it fit well enough & we had it in writing (email, which I printed & carried with us). We always check the website, then ask if it isn’t fully clear. We also check with the ones that have size limits. Made sure to not adopt any with “bad” dog in their known/visible breeding.
Equally frustrating: weight limits that are ridiculously low.
example: none over 25 lbs. well, there goes those big breeds like Golden Retrievers.
size/weight of dog has NOTHING to do with how much of a problem a dog will be.
As someone who has a pit bull (90 lbs) I have issues with breed, size, weight restrictions for dogs. I have met aggressive spaniels, timid rotteweilers and everything in between. I have a bigger issue with liars. With your lie you telling me you have no respect and that you are not deserving of respect yourself. The only thing of any real value is your integrity and once your word is useless, then you have nothing
they’re called “bully breeds” for a reason
Yes, because they’re derivatives of pitbull, American bulldog, English bulldog etc. It has NOTHING to do with their personality
I’m not a dog lover. But I know many people who are and are very attached to their dogs. I have been back in the RV mode for about a year now, and for the most part dog owners have been good neighbors in the campgrounds. Thank you to responsible pet owners!
As a former owner of two large dogs, who both passed away after long lives, we never lied what we had.
Some campgrounds do not like 80 pound dogs, or German shepherds. Ours was an old ex-police dog. She was super well behaved, and we did clean up after her. Even followed the rules about walking her in Yosemite. She was only permitted on park service roads. We obeyed that, and did not take her on trails.
If every dog or pet owner took 100% responsibility we would not have as may rules or problems.
Having been the proud owner of many incredible German Shepherd Dogs, we have been forced to miss many campgrounds, hotels and/or resorts due to their restrictions on type of acceptable dogs or their size. We will share our monies somewhere else…
Most pet restrictions are mandated by insurance companies, beyond the CG owner’s control.
Likewise, a city near multiple campgrounds limits residences to two dogs. Otherwise, must be registered as a kennel.
On insurance, yes some companies restrict some breeds from both residential and commercial units
Not everyone enjoys dogs! Well-trained and maintained is one thing, barking, and aggressive is another, People who leave them run and fail to pick up after them are another. Bending the rules should get her kicked out like any other rule-breaker. Our dog is in this category so he stays home under care.
From my point of view, it is not about the specific rule, but about the breaking of the rule. If one rule is broken or if exceptions are allowed, then all rules can/should be broken and all exceptions must be allowed. If Tracy can have 4 dogs, can I have 24? Can I park off of the road? Can I pick flowers or collect relics? Can I have my TT and five or six tents full of relatives?
I admit that for most of you, four dogs is not excessive. It is none of my business how many dogs you have. For me, 1 dog is too many.
Stray or loose dog in my site gets bear spray.
While walking on trails in National Parks I have encountered several people walking their dogs. I am not someone that wants another person to get in trouble for something they may not be aware of however everyone of these people have told me the dog is a emotional support or therapy dog. Who am I to question this however there seems to be a lot of people with emotional issues.
I have talked with many people who laugh about how easy it is to get “Support” dog designations, real or counterfeit.
What does the cg about support dogs? We had a cottage we rented through air B&B listed for 2 adults and no animals. We had no problem for about two years. Then a woman booked online and said she was bringing her two support dogs and informed us that we had to allow them or she could sue us. We called air B&B and they said we had to let her bring them. We asked why they didn’t have a category of dander free rental. They would not back us so we told them to remove us from their site and no we didn’t hear from the woman.
Yes, like people that have some need in their life to have to have 4 dogs.
There are a lot of National Parks that are pet-friendly or have at least some pet-friendly trails, so dogs aren’t forbidden from all National Parks. But I agree, too many people claim their animal is a service animal when it clearly isn’t.
I love dogs and have traveled with mine my whole entire life. I have trained them not to bark, to be well behaved and I always pick up. Some parks may not allow pets… that’s their rules. I can find other places that fit my family… that’s my choice. Rules are rules. If you don’t want to follow them …go someplace else. Don’t be deceitful, lie or think the rules don’t apply to you. That’s the problem we have today that everyone wants rules that others follow, but they don’t follow them.
If you can pick and choose which rules you can ignore then I can decide which rules I ignore, fair is fair. Every camper can ignore at least one rule they don’t like and maybe a second rule that’s not important to them or very popular.
We currently have two dogs, but we have had as many as three. We have occasionally looked at campgrounds and found they had a two dog limit, so we RESPECTED that and found a different place to book without a limitation. We also have, and have had, German Shepherd Dogs. On one occasion we were checking out a campground to find it had a breed restriction on GSDs and some other supposedly aggressive “breeds.” Again, we just moved on.
We strongly believe in the rights of business owners to determine their rules for doing business. Don’t like them? Move on. Lying to get your way is disrespectful, but rampant in society today. So many people think they can just do whatever they want.
Lying is lying. Rules are rules. You aren’t special. Respect the position of the CG owner. Advise them of your pet situation or move on down the road.
We used to travel with a 4 lb dog and only had a problem once, we were not allowed in a south Florida campground as there was a no pet rule, not even a bird or fish. Probably someone in the past ruined it for future guests.
As far as bending the rules it just shows that you think you are more privileged than other people and gives management the right to expell you without refund.
Four dogs are too many. Abide by the rules if you need that many dogs. Don’t lie.
But Dennis!
It’s ALL ABOUT ME!
😊
Rules are for reasons~ I feel you should respect. If everyone sneaks in 4 dogs when the limit is 2 pretty soon they will make the rule of no dogs. I feel the same for people that unleash their dog when the rule is leashed dogs only. I have had three dogs in the past. I would never go where all were not welcome. We always clean up after all our girls, (down to one) and are grateful for other campers that do the same.
I travel with 1-2 dogs depending on who is alive at the time. Also had an ancient cat join us for a bit (stayed in trailer or on our lap on a leash at the site) pushing us over 2 animals & never even thought to check the rules on the cat (she was sick & had to have daily care while the other one stayed home with the pet sitter). Plan to add my parrot once my other bird passes to save the $$ to the pet sitter. As the bird is a quiet variety & won’t be out of the trailer I’m not sure I would count it unless they specifically inquire about other pets than cats & dogs.
Hmmmm – Americans are perhaps entitled. Most people around the world would not feel they have the right to force their pets on other people against rules. Look I love seeing a well behaved dog and their OWNER (not dog mom or dad….). It’s wonderful to see a dog that is well trained (an ongoing effort requiring hours a day). Those dogs are happy and content and not nervous and they really just don’t bark or bother anyone. However most dogs I encounter out and about are not those dogs…. Barking especially is tough in a campground. Also when hiking it is now unusual not to see poop on or just off the trails. Poop on shoes is now a regular occurrence for us unfortunately. It’s the owners
I know of no dog owner that spends hours a day in training a dog. That is an unrealistic statement.
The best trained dogs that I have encountered were in Germany. Germans would be appalled at the poor behavior of dogs in the USA.
Rules are rules and the campground has the right to set them. If you don’t like the rules, don’t stay there. I have passed on campgrounds that have rules I don’t agree with, example, quiet time that doesn’t start till midnight, no fires allowed, etc. So instead of breaking the rules, like you are special and don’t have to follow them, do us all a favor and just take a pass. By the way, I am a dog lover and own two of my own.
Well said!
The more dense the population the more rules are needed in order to maintain the illusion that we are civilized. I used to live in a condo complex with an HOA. I now live in the country where there aren’t even zoning restrictions. I have zero desire to go camping in what amounts to a condo complex. And more and more that’s the only type of campground. As for dog rules, the breed restrictions really anger me. I don’t stay where my dog’s not wanted. That’s potentially a luxury to have the choice. At this point I might as well camp on my own property.
We travel with 2 pitbull, pitbull mix rescues. They are the most loving well behaved dogs that absolutely adore people attention. Walked on leash with harness (squirrels are prey), and cleaned up after. Any campground that buys into the dangerous pitbull myth I simply won’t give my dollars to. You’re much more likely to be bitten by a chihuahua or small terrier.
Most recorded dog bites that were reported to emergency rooms were chihuahuas.
Chihuahua’s bite, supposedly loving Pit Bulls attack! My brother had one that “was the most loving well behaved dog” until the day he turned on him. I was there, I saw it.
My dog was attacked while on a leash by a pit bull. Most dogs do not hang on for 5 minutes. The owner was trying to get it off and the cops even came. I now carry a taser and pepper spray. I will take a Chihuahua anyway. It was horrible. Look up how many people are killed by dogs and what breed it is. Yes I have known nice ones but one of the nicest killed a raccoon. When they start fighting something clicks.
Four dogs is a lot of potential trouble. RV spaces are too near one another for four animals times three sites in close proximity to be monitored well by their owners. I would not wish to be exposed to the noise, mess, and danger to my pets. RVers with that many pets belong in a boon docking situation. Both the dogs and the owners would find themselves happier.
The campground we work at welcomes pets as long as the pet rules are followed. We ask about pets when taking reservations, number and breed, and mention the rules include cleaning up after them, keeping them restrained when outside, and not leaving them unattended. If a problem occurs, management will talk with the owners and if no more incidents, all is well. It’s rare when someone is asked to leave due to pet behavior, but if there are several problems that are ignored, they are not allowed back again. These situations are handled with calm discussion and smiles.
We have four cats. Never a problem.
I don’t want to park our RV near Tracy’s. Her attitude says as long as you don’t get caught, anything is OK. My attitude is follow the rules or go somewhere else.
The “more mess” claim is valid to a point
but I’ve been to many campgrounds where irresponsible people don’t pick up their dog’s poop regardless of how many or few dogs they have.
The campground owners have a right to have any rules they want without “Karen’s ” thinking they are entitled to select what rules they want to follow. If you don’t agree with the rules DON’T stay there. It’s that simple.
Amen!!
I’ve gone to many RV parks that state ‘2 pets only’… not just dogs, but pets in general. I do stretch the truth & say we have 2. We have 1 dog, & 4 cats– they’re strictly indoor cats. We have tinted windows so it’s hard to see in if the cats are looking out the windows.
I am a dog lover! My husband and I do not have any dogs now. We choose not to have dogs for the convenience of traveling without them. If you have dogs you are not ‘forced to lie’ about them, you CHOOSE to lie about having more than allowed. The campgrounds get way more complaints about ill behaved dogs than, probably, ill behaved kids. And, it seems, every dog owner claims their dogs are the best behaved…not usually the case. Dog owners also ignore no dogs on trails signs and leave poop bags behind. If you choose to have many dogs, you need to understand you choose to be limited on where you are allowed to go and stay. And you lying about the dogs is probably indicative of their behavior.
Every dog owner says their pet is well behaved and not dangerous. Every pet owner says their dog/dogs does not bark. Every pet owner says their animals are always on a leash. Every pet owner says their pet is well trained to voice command & exception to the rules. Every pet owner says they always pick up after their pets. Every pet owner can’t understand it when their dog nips at baby playing in his little blow up pool. Our grandson was 8 moths old at the time when a dog ran into our site bit him and ran off. We thought he will never remember. He was frightened of dogs until he was 8 & we spent time on a farm and the owner worked with him for days. 4 dogs is a pack.
It’s ALWAYS ok to “Fib” when it’s in my best interest to do so.
And everyone wonders why this country is going to Hell in Hand Basket?
NO, it’s not OK and YOU know it!
It’s ALL ABOUT ME and that makes it OK!
“And everyone wonders why this country is going to Hell in Hand Basket?” Look no farther than the White House.
The rules are the rules. Tracey isn’t “fibbing”, she is outright lying.
My objection is with the use of the term “pets” on restrictions. If they mean dogs (which is what they mean 99.999% of the time), then they should say dogs. We travel with 4 “pets”. We have never received a complaint about excessive meowing.
The only time we’ve needed to “get around” the 2 dog limit was a trip to the Grand Canyon with my SIL. We have 2 large dogs, she has 1 tiny one. We wrote, explained the 2 for us, 1 for her & they allowed us all 3. We don’t fib about our dogs, we find a place that works. The 40 (or other) lb limit is another issue since ours are 55 and 65 lbs.
A lie is used to cover up another lie…and it never ends.
Nowhere, Nohow was she forced to lie. She lied, end of story.
I don’t always like park rules, but if I stay I follow them.
What is wrong with the mentality of some people and our society that says she was “forced” to lie?
We have one larger dog (golden retriever) and two cats. I never list the cats as they are strictly indoor. Here is my observation about multiple dogs – if leash free in a dog run. It can be tough to keep an eye on more than one dog. Especially if other owners have their dog(s) in the run. Dogs get great exercise and owners can talk. And all too often one dog drops its waste without being noticed. This is especially true during twilight hours.
I love dogs and have owned many in my lifetime.
The “My dog never barks” is a typical response from most owners. They may not bark when the owners are present.
However, when left alone locked up in the RV, is another story.
we stayed at a campground near Niagara and the people next to us had two beautiful, friendly dogs. Not a sound out of them as long as the owner were around.
When they left for the day, the dogs barked and cried constantly, to a point where we thought there was something wrong.
Another thing that really irks me is seeing small dogs riding in a shopping cart or on a leash in grocery store.
These are NOT ‘Service Dogs’!
Restrictive campgrounds? I have not run across a number of pet restriction in a campground. I camp with 2-3 dachshunds and have not had a problem. If I were to believe a restriction would apply to us, I impose a return restriction and find a nicer campground.
I have 1 dog and he’s tied up when we’re at the camper, if we’re not there he’s inside, we went drag racing and the guy next to us let his 3 dogs run loose all the time, my buddy stays with us but he meets us there and he went to move his truck and stepped in poop from the guys dogs next to us, we went over and tried to talk to him but he cussed us out and told us his dogs can go anywhere they want , so my buddy waited till it was dark out and the neighbor wasn’t there and he picked up a pile of poop and put it on the ground in front of his step, he stepped in it and started cussing up a storm and we got a good laugh, quietly of course, out of it.
I should have also said we always pick up after our dog as soon as he’s done! That what I call payback.
More than two dogs is just too many. Obey the rules. Don’t lie. She should boondock or find campgrounds to suit her needs.
For me it’s being honest. Rules are rules. we had 3 dogs but limit was 2. I made the reservation anyway but a week before we were supposed to be there I canceled. I couldn’t lie, it would of made our stay miserable for me.
Tracy states that “…they do not bark excessively.” Therein lies the problem. Your standard of “barking excessively” is probably not the same as mine or anyone else.
My in-laws have three poodles that bark virtually non-stop whenever they hear a noise or see someone walking outside. The in-laws don’t consider this a problem because “All dogs bark. You just have to learn to ignore it.” Unfortunately, it seems like there is at least one person in every campground that thinks the same way.
A few years ago we were waiting for a Corp. of Eng. occupied site to be vacated. Two guys had a camp trailer and a chocolate and a black lab. The mess they left is beyond belief! It was not possible for us to use this site! I walked to the office and reported it – the COE officer inspected it and subsequently banned the offenders, I believe for life, from any COE campground. I had a Dalmatian at the time. No mess left by me or her! Clean it up or leave the dog (pet) at home! Careless, or campers who couldn’t care less, – are the reason for the rules we are bound by.
Breed restrictions could be hampering CG owner income. I’ve owned 4 German Shepherds. All of them were well trained/socialized and loved people. I have a friend who owns a pitbull. He’ll lick everyone and can’t wait to meet people. Both breeds are outlawed at many CGs. Aggressive breeds are the result of owner training. I see many CG owners state their pet policy is no aggressive dogs without listing breeds. That leaves the decision to omit a dog based upon the specific dog.
Every one of my German Shepherds were extremely friendly due to the way I trained/socialized them. However, if someone attacked me, my German Shepherds would rip their throat out.
I disagree with Tracy. This is why CG rules are there. Too many RVers are lying about pets and creating problems within campgrounds. I recently stayed in a park with a 2 dog limit. I don’t have dogs. My neighbor had 3 dogs that barked more than not when they were away. When I spoke to them about their dogs barking they told me about how well trained they were, that they don’t bark (must have been some other dogs) and how they always lied to CGs about the # of dogs. Actions like this by RVers just cause CGs to add more rules to protect themselves. I know Tracy would never get rid of any of her fur babies to be able to stay in a 2 dog limit park, so she need to find parks that allow 4
Tracy lies about her pets. I wonder what else she lies about. I’m sure she lies whenever it is more convenient for her.
I would never lie. I believe in the golden rule. Tracy is wrong!
Can you imagine the smell in an RV? There’s no question, anybody owning four dogs is obviously a very lonely individual. Of course, without a doubt, each to his own! We all recognize that! But lying to get into a campground with four pets that bark smell poop, whether you clean it up or not, each one of them needs to urinate two or three times a day! Keep your dogs in your backyard and allow your neighbors to enjoy the aroma when the wind is in their nose!