We leave ours sometimes for short periods of time (1 or 2 hours max so far). We always introduce ourselves to our neighbors at first and ask them to please let us know if there is ever any barking. Then after each time we've been away we ask them as well. So far its always been "no - very quiet, didn't even know they were there".
We shut the blinds, turn on the fan and radio (white noise), and set the AC if appropriate. My (useless?) dogs don't even bark if someone comes onto the site until they are practically in the door of the camper :-/ Good I guess, but geesh! I woke up from a nap one day to find two little kids playing on the steps of my camper and not one peep from the dogs!
When we have to leave the campground, we take them with us. I have even taken them into Wal-mart hidden inside a large purse. They sit in there and are hidden. They are used to it, have been doing it since they were pups. We very rarely leave them alone and if we do, its for no more than 1 hour. I have had no complaints yet, so I'm hoping they are good. Ours are very little, so taking them for a walk first really helps too.
JJ & Sandie
Li'l Jack and Pickles, chihuahuas...Chewy, poodle 6/15/95-7/4/08 We will always love you Chooch.
2003 Chevy 2500HD,LT,CC,SB,4x4,Duramax/Allison
2007 Starcraft Homestead 262RKS
Yes, I am going to do just that. Nuisance? One of the reasons we camp is so we can take our dogs with us, and I believe many do so. In my many years of camping, I have run into very few nuisances of any sort and when I have it is usually to do with people not minding their children rather than their dogs. I clean up after my dogs and very thoroughly. But I have seen people allow their toddlers into hot tubs when signs clearly said NO CHILDREN. And I have seen children without proper "under" equipment in pools so that their accidents got into the pool water. I will take neighbors with pets any day over neighbors who don't care how their children behave. And as I said, I check with neighbors about any problems with my dogs. It is up to them to tell me the truth of the matter.
2001 Chevy 2500HD and a Rockwood 30' Fiver
ONE INCONTINENT POODLE AND ONE YAPPER POODLE: (And why were we not warned about poodles) Is there a recall on Toy Poodles????
At the start of this post "You" asked people what they thought. "You"
asked for opinions, you've gotten some that "go along with you" because they do the same thing. But those who "don't" agree with you, you've felt like you've had to defend yourself. What is your neighbor going to say? "No, I'm not going to keep an eye on your dogs, we're getting ready to go run around, I won't have time". If they're like me, I'm camping, just trying to get along with others so we can have a good time. Your right about the children also, There have been times I've ignored that also, just like the pets. I'm not going to "assume" someone is going to do me a favor and I'm not going to "assume" that if I DO complain to someone, that they won't get upset and all will be "hunky-dory" after a "confrontation". I've had pets for as long as I can remember, as a boy, my dad expected me to take care of MY responsibility, I've carried that over into my adult life. I've been camping all my life, rv'ing with my family since 75. NO ONE has EVER asked us to "keep an eye" on their pet, nor have we asked for that favor either. You didn't want opinions unless they all agreed with you. As you can see, a lot of people don't agree...I'll ask one last question, and I'm out of here...What IF something happened to your pets while you were gone and the neighbor wasn't around?? Whose fault is it going to be?? Yours.
Jim & Kathy
2007.5 Chevrolet K3500DRW/CC/LB/LMM/D/A LTZ, Prodigy,Reese 20K hitch.
2006 HR Presidential Suite 37RLQ (4 slides).
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4X4
Boxers: Sheba, 13...Buddy..1 yr.
USAF 71-75 Nam Vet
99% of the campgrounds that we visit have specific rules about not leaving pets unattended, in the camper or out of it. So we don't do it. If the trails in the area don't allow dogs, then we don't hike. You need to expect that you'll have your pets with you 100% of the time. If you are not prepared to do that, then leave them at home with friends, family or in a nice safe kennel.
I'm not trying to sound _itchy here, just practical. Missing out on some of the fun and adventures is the price you pay for bringing the pets along. For us it's worth it, because we know that they enjoy the travel as much as we do, and we miss them too much if we leave them with my son or my sister.
We're heading to SoCal later this month. We know it's going to be extremely hot down there, and we're planning on attending an outdoor festival where they pets are not allowed. Therefore the dogs will stay with my sister. It's safer for them, and we'll enjoy ourselves more knowing that we don't have to worry about their comfort and safety. We'll miss than, and doubtlessly be in a hurry to get home to the furkids, but that's OK once and a while.
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
We are slaves to our puppies, a Japanese Chin and a Maltese. We ordered our motorhome with a generator autostart feature, which assures us that they will have air conditoned air even if there's a power failure. They are bred and trained not to bark, so there's no problem leaving them for a full day. I leave a sign on the door that states there are two small dogs inside.
We quit fulltiming, but we still love to RV. Life is more convenient now, we designed/built our small house with a fenced-in side yard for the puppies. They come and go through the side-porch doggie door.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
dude, read the post. i assume the one to whom you are referring stated that me (i assume anyone with a pet) is automatically a nuisance. i appreciate responses and opinions. i NEVER appreciate invective, accusative replies and I won't let those slide by. most of the replies have been useful based on experiences including yours.
Your welcome, though, I've not been called a "dude" for quite some time, having been in the work force for approx. 42 yrs., married 38 years, raised 3 children, have 4 grand children and fought in a war, but I'll take it as a compliment. Have a great day.
On edit: Just tired of this discussion. You win, your a great owner, your animals are perfect and you always have great trustworthy neighbors everywhere you go camping to help take care of your pets.
Since we are into comparing "scars". 62. 42 married. Vietnam (SF) and Gulf War I (3d Armor Div--Bn Cdr). So what though.
I only ask my neighbors to inform me if my dogs disturb them while I am gone. I was wondering about asking neighbors (who might have dogs) to keep an eye on my spot as I have done in the past for others. I have known people who were having cancer treatments and who would be gone for lengthy periods of time, i.e. Mayo Clinic in Jax, Fl.
Neighbors helping neighbors. It doesn't always work.
I don't have any scars. Was doing no comparisons. Could care less, as you, what you've done, or anything else about you, I just figured I was conversing with a kid when the term, "dude", was used by you, so I wanted to let you know that, though, I guess at times, I'd like to be a "dude", truly, I'm far from it as long as I've been around, nothing more, nothing less. Have a great day and may God bless you and your family.
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