Hi there, figured this would be the most experienced forum to post this in. We're doing a 3 month full timing adventure across the US. We have a new Mini-Daschund, and when we leave, he'll be 3 months old and maybe 6 pounds.
We'll be doing daily sightseeing, and we're a little worried about leaving him in the car or trailer all day in his crate.
How do you guys deal with this? He's small enough to fit in a backpack, but I'm guessing most places aren't all that keen with having pups hanging around.
We'll be traveling in August-Nov, so heat can be an issue, depending on where we'll be. When we're in DC, we're using a dog walker to come take him out every few hours and check on the AC in the TT.
Looking for some ideas and perspective.
Thanks!
KD
Trip of a Lifetime Blog - 10372 Miles, 88 Days, 4 Humans, 1 Mini Daschund...FUN!
Wildwood LE 23BH
2003 Chevy Suburban 4x4 Z71 5.3L 3.73
Your only choice is really to make sure that your camped with good electrical service to run the AC when necessary.......any pray that the power doesn't go off. We faced that problem for years with our 90 lb Boxer until we lost her in Oregon last summer. Pets are a wonderful companion and we miss our Boxer tremendously, but we will never own another pet while we are fulltiming. We have soooo much more freedom.
I'd suggest finding someone to take care of the dog for the period of time you plan on traveling.
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
Depending on your level of concern, I'd say the best bet is Doggie Day Camp while you are out and about.
You said you have a dog walker checking on your pet, and that is a good thing, but if something were to happen like power going out and air conditioner not working, you need to give the dog walker instructions regarding what to do. A doggie day camp has more than one dog to take care of so they probably have "emergency plans" in place.
Rich,and Tobi (the rescued dog)
Prowler 5ver, 84 Ford F250 KCOCOLOR78 Weather
Colo. Spgs. CO
We full timed with our Shih Tzu for 3 years and have always left him in the camper while we went site seeing--never had a problem. We make sure he has plenty of water, but that's about all we do. He's never had a problem waiting to "go" until we got home and the worst that has happened (from his point of view) is that he had to wait an extra 1/2 hour for his dinner.
We've never had the a/c go out while we've been gone and heat isn't an issue since we don't travel where it is cold enough to make a difference. We had him before we started FT and won't part with him until it's his time to go--that said, if something had happened to him, we would not have replaced him until we went off the road.
Please be considerate of your neighbors. Some dogs will bark all day when left alone in the camper, because they want to be with you. Some one to care for them or take them with you. Thank you.
38J Winnebago Adventurer 2005
2005 Grand Caravan
Demco Excalibar Tow Bar
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If we are going to be gone for less than3/4 hours, our 2 small dogs are confined to an area of the MH and are left alone with blinds down, a/c on and radio on to mask any outside noise.We know this is effective because we tend to be at beach front campgrounds more than anywhere and stay in the campground all day. We can return to our MH but not go inside and they are never making any noise. However we do not like to leave them alone more than a few hours at a time. If we plan on being gone longer, we have a pet stroller that we use and they go with us. When they go with us, if we cannot use the pet stroller then we just by pass the attraction or area. We are pet responsible and we want our dogs and our campground neighbors to be happy.
My dog a Daschound, get to lay on the couch in cool comfort , with treats at his feet, tv on his favorite channel, a/c purring, with plenty of water. I always make sure he has plenty of food and water, in case something happens to ME.
Most of the time, I leave a key with the park manager, just in case something happens, it depends on the weather.
Great points, and thanks for the reassurance. I think we'll leave a key with the CG manager as well, sounds like a good plan. His 4.4 pounds right now, and although he can bark, it's not the bark of a 200lb lab. I like the radio idea to mask the sound. We might even try the TV as well, and leave some food and treats.
I'd love to hear more experiences from you great folks, but thanks for helping put my mind to rest a bit.
Our chi Petunia barks when she hears the vehicle pull up to the site .. but we never leave her for more 5 hours at a time. One couple I know has a plastic bin in the shower with those potty pads in it for there tiny chihuahuas who have been trained to use them.
And yes the radio or television does mask the outside noise, and unless someone cuts thru our site she doesn't bark (our neighbor today said she doesn't bark for long, just a few barks then quiets down). Yes, water is very important, and we usually leave the heater or ac on while we are gone.
As to sight seeing, if we are going to be gone all day we will take her bed with us and put it in the car (spring and fall only) for her so we can spell her often with walks, etc. Just watch your dog for that occasional candy bar wrapper or candy which someone may have dropped along the trail or sidewalk (Petunia can smell chocolate or food several feet away).
AND most importantly please take bottled water along for the dog. We had a dog who got sick from changing her water, so have continued with this dog to take bottled water along for her drinking water. We usually have a dozen bottles in the car for us also as it is very easy to get dehydrated when sight seeing.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.... its learning to dance in the rain!
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