..Although I was not crazy about the idea at first, I gave in last week, and we got a dog, a very cute little Chihuahua. Kids are absolutely in heaven now, and love the little guy (they are the main reason I agreed to such). He's about a year old, and fortunately already very well trained (house-broken, etc).
I know these dogs are not known to be good around children, but this fellow has been around small children all his life, so he's fine around them (seems to love ours).
Personally, I prefer our cats better - much less 'maintenance', and can leave them by themselves at home when we go camping. But, thats not the point...
Anyway, we have pretty well decided, that the dog will NOT go with us when camping, at least not for a long time (much to the dismay of my son). Chihuahuas bark, and are aggressive toward most other breeds of dogs besides their own, and have no clue how small they are - they will go at a dog 10 times their size, with no fear whatsoever. Already seen that in him. Poor fellow has no fears about starting a fight he will lose badly.
That being the case, we just feel that it will be too stressful on the dog to bring it with us camping. Not to mention, the whole idea of having to bring along bags or whatever and picking up poop after your dog out in public, just repulses me. Not saying its OK to let your dog mess everywhere and not clean it up, don't get me wrong. Just saying I personally would rather leave the dog at home (or with friends) than have to do that. Also, I have a lot of concerns over where to leave the dog when we leave the campsite for a while. He's way too small to leave outside (not that you should do that with any dog). And, I cringe thinking about the damage he could do to our trailer, if he was left alone in there.
Now, questions: Am I being unreasonable, and 'anal' on this? Should we bring the dog, and just find ways to address these issues? Anyone else that camps with a smaller dog like a Chihuahua, have any suggestions/tips on this? A
Are we better off leaving this little fellow at home? I think so, but admit, I'm a complete novice on the idea of camping with pets, never had to before. Our cats stay at home, never had to think about bringing pets with us before.
Any tips, advice, etc. on camping with a small dog, would be welcome, and much appreciated.
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
Our Maggie is crate traianed so any time we are going to be absent from the rig (or house) she is in the crate which is covered with a blanket (another story!) - then if she barks at sounds, it is so muffled it doesn't carry very far at all. Can scarcely hear her right outside the open window. I don't know how to stop their barking - wish I did. We wouldn't go RV'n without the zoo, tho. Yes, picking up after them is a small chore but, really, just how big a dump can a chi take?!! You just turn the plastic bag back over your hand, pick up the pile, turn the bag back out, tie & pitch. Walk them on a short leash so you have better control - and I advise getting a harness instead of a collar for them. Their windpipe is so small they can damage it by pulling in a collar. Check the ferret and cat sections for the smaller harnesses.
I agree with the previous posters. I retired in August and heckled my DH until he let me get a dog. That was one must have for my retirement. He has since fallen in love with her-a one year old rescue terrier mix. She is crate trained and when things get too much for her she will even go in the crate herself for quiet time. We will definitely be taking her camping. She is extremely shy (sat under a chair the whole 8 weeks of dog training class), so camping will be very stressful for her, but she will have to adjust-leaving her home is not the answer. P.S. her number 2's are about the size of my 3 cats' duties, so picking up won't be a problem-she's not a Saint Bernard.
DH, DW and 3 chats-Crystal the coon cat
and Butt and Mocha the Siamese
Mina the rescue mutt
2006 29CKS McKenzie Starwood
2500HD Silverado
My daughter wanted a Chihuahua and begged for one for a long time we finally got her one for her 4th birthday. My daughter is now 7 and the dog is perfect with kids. When she got her dog she carried it everywhere with her even slept with her and still does. Since then we got another one for my wife and it is just as good with kids.
Joy wrote: Our Maggie is crate traianed so any time we are going to be absent from the rig (or house) she is in the crate which is covered with a blanket (another story!) - then if she barks at sounds, it is so muffled it doesn't carry very far at all. Can scarcely hear her right outside the open window. I don't know how to stop their barking - wish I did. We wouldn't go RV'n without the zoo, tho. Yes, picking up after them is a small chore but, really, just how big a dump can a chi take?!! You just turn the plastic bag back over your hand, pick up the pile, turn the bag back out, tie & pitch. Walk them on a short leash so you have better control - and I advise getting a harness instead of a collar for them. Their windpipe is so small they can damage it by pulling in a collar. Check the ferret and cat sections for the smaller harnesses.
Thanks for the quick response.
Excellent idea about the harness, thank you! Hadnt thought of that. I have noticed, that when we walk him (leash attached to collar) frequently when we have to 'nudge' him one way, he takes to wheezing/coughing afterward. Like you alluded to, pulling from the collar probably aint doing his windpipe any good, and is probably the cause for that. We're going to look into a harness ASAP.
You keep him in a crate when you're not there? I have thought about that. Ours (Harley) sleeps in his crate, doesnt seem to mind it (although he'll whimper a little at first). When we leave the house, we keep him in a bathroom (not ready yet to let him have full roam of the house when we leave!). You think its OK to leave them in the crate during the day, any time you're gone? How long can you leave them in there? That would solve the problem, of where to put him when we're gone at least..
Yes, the barking is the other concern we have, for camping. Really, Harley does not bark much at home, only time he barks (inside) is when someone comes in the door. But, outside, or when he can see cars, other dogs, its a different story. He barks at every dog, car he sees. I'm afraid he'd drive people nuts with that, with as many dogs as there typically are at campgrounds.
Yep, we went with the short leash from the get-go. Definitely the way to go, with a small dog like this.
Anyway, keep the thoughts coming, all of them are appreciated.
jcramin wrote: My daughter wanted a Chihuahua and begged for one for a long time we finally got her one for her 4th birthday. My daughter is now 7 and the dog is perfect with kids. When she got her dog she carried it everywhere with her even slept with her and still does. Since then we got another one for my wife and it is just as good with kids.
Hahaha, my daugher (just turned 3) is same way, she loves the little dog. She started feeding him out of her hand, and now thats 'bout the only way he'll eat, haha.
I guess just goes to show, its not so much the breed that determines their behavior, as it is how they're raised, huh?
Ask any 'professional', they'll tell you not to have a Chihuahua if you have small kids. We're finding, though, ours does just fine, probably 'cause he's been around them all his life and is used to such.
willald wrote: Ask any 'professional', they'll tell you not to have a Chihuahua if you have small kids. We're finding, though, ours does just fine, probably 'cause he's been around them all his life and is used to such.
It's not the dog's behavior that "professionals" worry about. It's the kids' behavior. Toy dogs are incredibly easy to seriously injure. Many younger kids simply don't understand their own strength/size when compared to that of a tiny dog, which often leads to disasterous results for the dog.
As far as taking him with you or not -- I think that's something only you can decide, taking into account how much extra work it will be. There is no denying that it is extra work, but personally I think it's well worth it. With young kids, you will have to be especially vigilant to make sure no one accidently lets the little guy out the door.
Of course, the barking is an issue. My neighbor has a Chi who barks at everything. It doesn't bother me, as it's such a tiny little bark (especially compared to my beagle!). But I know lots of people are pickier about barking than I am.
Picking up poop really isn't bad at all after the first time or two. Just make sure you invest in high-quality poop bags.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
I have four of them, and they go everywhere with us. Some have different temperament and likes. I have a sleeping area for them in the motorhome. Takes time, but they adapt.
I know the first reaction to the dog barking at everything outside the house is to keep it away from those things, but really, get the dog out there and take it everywhere. By socializing and exposing it to all sorts of different environments is the only way to get it used to all the activity that comes along while camping. If it is barking at something, keep walking very quickly by the dog or whatever it is barking at, give your dog a sharp "uh uh" or hiss and keep walking. Don't get tense, just think "calm assertive" when in that situation. It really works. Don't make a big deal about it. Soon, the dog will get used to different situations and with you in charge, won't feel like it needs to step up and take charge. Also use treats while out walking, when the dog looks at you, give it a treat and praise... soon the dog would rather look at you and get a treat than bark. This does not happen overnight, but takes consistent practice over time.
Obedience classes would be a huge help with all the issues you have raised and would be great exposure.
About the crate.. with a small young dog, I would imagine the longest time would be 2-3 hrs in the crate until it gets used to it. The first camping trip I would leave it in the crate for very short periods of time in the rig to get it used to being in the rig.
To us that is one of the joys of camping, is bringing the dogs with us. Dogs are really quite easy going and usually take to camping right away. Dogs are very social and want to be with us, they don't care where you go, they want to go along.
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