We find that the main concern with toy breed dogs is protecting them from off-leash dogs at rest stops and campgrounds and other physical hazards. Last year our Poquita (6 lbs) threw her back out jumping off the RV steps and we had to quickly find a Florida vet for pain meds for her. You pretty much have to be on your guard every minute but it becomes second nature. BTW, Poquita has never mouthed off at another dog in her life but we've had to work hard at training the "yappy little dog" gene out of Rosie. She's tons better after I watched a few Dog Whisperers and picked up on what we were doing wrong, or were not doing at all. There are some adjustments to be made and we never leave ours in the rig longer than an hour, but overall, we have a lot more fun WITH them than we did before we took them. Oh, yes, be sure and secure the little guy by his harness or in a crate when the RV is moving. He can be badly injured by being thrown in a quick swerve or manuever in traffic. Congrats on the "new kid!"
Judy & Bud (Judy usually the one talking here)
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
co-pilots, Rosie & Poquita
We have two Chi's that we camp with. They love it! We've learned from our mistakes about controlling their agressive behavior when out for walks. We have never used anything but a harness on them, which has actually saved their lives. I've had situations where someone elses big dog charged them and would have attacked had I not been able to jerk them up into my arms. You can do that with a harness, tho I wouldn't recommend it except in an emergency, but you would kill them with a collar and leash. That being said, you can find small harness' at the pet store in the dog section. The popularity of this small breed has brought new business demand, so the products are out there. You will find different styles of which you will need to bring your baby with you to try on.
When walking our Chi's, we've learned to pick up our agressive one and carry her until we are past any other dogs that she wants to "go after". First I will tug on her leash and tell her "no", then pick her up if necessary. Most of the times she will behave, unless the other dog gets up and starts to come towards her, then it's in my arms she goes. I've found the other campers appreciate it and even tease us that our dogs are walking us instead of the other way around.
Now as far as crating them, we crate ours during the day when we go to work. They have a water bowl in their crates so they can drink during the day. They have learned to get all of their business taken care of in the morning, and to encourage them to go in their "bed" we give them a treat. They will now go in there willingly and wait for me to give them their treat and close the door. No problems at all. We do this when camping as well, if we need to run to the store or go somewhere for a short time. We also leave either the tv on or the radio to help drown out any outside noise. This helps reduce their stress and prevents alot of unnecessary barking.
To address the poop-scooping, I look at it this way. I cleaned up my children when they were babies, and since these guys are my babies it's just something we do. Hey, picking up the poop is alot easier and less messy than cleaning a dirty diaper! If you feed them a good quality diet, they will have nice firm poop that is easy to pick up.
Please remember that Chi's get very attached to their owners, so leaving yours home alone or even with someone else could be very stressful.
I hope you at least give it a try. You may find it alot easier than you expected and certainly alot more fun than you planned!
Good luck and happy camping!
Bruce & Terry
2003 F250 Lariet CC w/7.3 PSD Fx4 Full gauge pack
1990 27' HiLo (TT with a Vertical Slide)
2 Chi's, Spencer and Lexi
I took my Chihuahua tent camping for a week. At night, he slept in his crate. The first two days were filled with constant discipline as he barked at anything that moved. By day 3, he'd calmed down quite a bit. By day 4, he'd gotten use to the sounds and smells and behaved wonderfully.
We have 4 tiny yorkies that we camp with. They love it and we love them being with us too. I developed a few things that make the transition from home to motor home smooth. www.firefishdesigns.com I couldn't think about leaving them behind.
We correct anytime they make a peep.. but most importantly we walk them and exercise them on leash and wear them out just like Caesar Milan suggests.
I make sure they cannot see out and leae a radio or T on for company. Mine do great without being crated, but I would not hesitate if I had any concerns.
We traveled with a 13 lb Shih Tzu for 16 yrs. He went every where with us. Rode with us in the TV. Stayed in the 5ver when we went sight seeing. Slept between us at night. Now (2 yrs) we travel with a 12 lb Brussels Grifffon. He rides in a crate in the TV (safer) and stays in the crate in the 5ver when we sight see(he's very energetic). He does sleep with us. We have never had issues with CG rules. Some parks are more pet friendly than others
2004 GMC 2500 6.0L CC SB Reese 16K Slider Prodigy BC Jayco 24 ft 237a Quest 5er
A decrepid old driver a foxy navigator and one cranky Griff puppy named Bandit. Look for a "Big Red" license NEBR 1
I used to travel with 4 Great Danes, and yes I bought the MH for them!
I now have a smaller breed and I did have to make a few adjustments for traveling with them.
Walking them is totally different, you DO have to be aware of larger dogs with the occasional irresponsible owner at the end of the lead.
They don't just sleep like slugs when left in the MH like the big dogs did. Their activity level is waay up there, so they do tend to get into more trouble when left alone.
They are all crate trained and I leave the TV or radio on when I leave the MH. They are usually so pooped from being outside most of the time, they welcome the time to crash in their crate when I need to go somewhere.
I bought 2 small ex-pens for them to enjoy the camping experience. Not sure who enjoys the ex-pens more, me or them! They are happy, content and secure and I do not have to worry about them at the CG.
By all means take you pet with you! You will find all the traveling, activity and meeting new people will make your pet more well rounded and socialized than any dog that has to sit home alone 24/7's.
Here are my three camping dogs, who now have over 10,000 miles RV'ing under their belt.......
relaxing and getting some rays at the CG.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
willald wrote: 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.
1. If you can change a diaper, you sure can pick up with a plastic bag a dog poop the size of your thumb.
2. Your dog will be more stressed left behind than camping. In fact, your dog will enjoy camping.
YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR DOG TO OBEDIENCE CLASSES. That would help to socialize the dog, let it gain confidence in new situations, increase bonding with the dog, and help you to learn about dog care and behavior.
The suggestions about the harness and crate are great ones.
I haven't read this whole thread, my only input would be in regards to camping with ANY dog- you need to keep them quiet, and you need to keep them physically under control. You don't want them ruining someone elses vacation due to obsessive barking and you wouldnt want someone to have to cut their vacation short (not to mention the pain and bills associated) for any damage caused to another dog if you dont have proper control over yours. Other than that- your dog will act like he does anywhere else you have or take him- so if there are already issues known, that is what to expect when camping.
Our daughter was raised with bigger dog breeds, so when she got a Chi puppy - she treated "Tia" as if she were a big dog. Tia is well-socialized and LOVES children; and I wish you could have seen her yesterday with 5 other 50#-plus dogs all playing in the yard!!
I personally think taking a dog obedience class is an excellent way to socialize (properly) any dog before it goes camping - no matter WHAT the size.
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