We are bringing our dogs to FW..How do you handle it?

[Judy40]

After much thought and the possible $700 kennel cost. We are bringing our Golden Retriever and Shih Tzu with us. What are the best ways to keep them happy in the Rv while we are in the parks? We take them camping with us every summer in the Adirondacks, but they spend their time outside. Should we crate them in the RV or let them roam??? Any help from the many pet owners would be great! Any Advice!

 

[BradyBz12]

If they're not used to being in the MH when you're not there, I'd strongly recommend some practice runs before you get to FW so you can figure out the best setup. You can even do this at home in the yard.

We crate our dogs in the TT, but they're very happy and comfortable in their crates and often hang out in them with the door open at home. If your dogs are happy in their crates, I'd recommend bringing them. If they're not, you might want to work on crate training before your trip.

Big reason we crate our dogs is because if we didn't, they'd be in the windows all the time barking at everything that goes by. Instead they hang in their crates with the TV on, fan or A/C for white noise, shades down and a nice stuffed Kong to keep them occupied while we're out. For our dogs, if they can't see/hear anything outside, they aren't going to bark.

The kongs keep them occupied while we slip out the door, so they don't even notice we're gone. I will either stuff them with yogurt/kibble and freeze the night before, so they essentially get their meals that way (keeps them busy for a while) or just put a smear of peanut butter and a cookie inside. Almost every time we come back to the TT they are sound asleep and the kongs are licked clean.

Works like a charm and we've never had an issue or complaint.

We have very active dogs, so we also make sure to get them out in the a.m. before we leave for the parks so they can run and get good and tired. Dog park works great for that (IF your dogs are very social and have good experiences with dog parks). They get play time later in the day/evening too. Both ensure they don't mind chilling in the TT in between.

When we're hanging out with them at the site, we bring tie outs and their x-pens. Remember they have to be leashed at ALL times except at the dog park, and you cannot leave them outside the MH unattended at any time.

Our dogs thrive on routine. We establish a routine at FW and within a couple of days they've got it and it's like they've lived there forever. This year will be our 3rd 3-week trip to FW with the mutts, and they really seem to enjoy it. In fact our older dog - whose been to FW the most (4 times through this past year) seems to "remember" the routine about halfway through the first day! We usually do a few practice runs before we actually leave for the parks - take a quick loop out and about, sneak back and make sure they're quiet. We leave them for about 5-6 hours and then come back for potty breaks/meals/play time, then go back out for a few more hours.

Biggest thing is to know your dogs well and don't throw anything too new at them or suddenly expect things from them that you wouldn't normally at home. Keep it easy for them, even if it means a little extra work for you. Trust me, in the end you'll be glad you did and ALL will have a terrific time.

 

[freshlybarked]

We do very similar things with our two, except we don’t use a crate. They got out of the habit several years before we got the RV and we never got them back into being crated (we will be better with our next dogs because crates when traveling are the best). Having said that, we also use a combination or exercise and kongs. We crank the AC up and turn on the TV and give them a frozen kong and head out. We put the blinds down, but it doesn’t stop our Aussie from nudging one or two up. I know they may give a few token barks as we close the door but then they settle in (we listened the first few times from outside). We come back and they are asleep with clean kongs also. They get exercise in the a.m. before we go to the parks and we come back early afternoon for another round of exercise before we go back at night. It’s a routine that works for us and them. March will be our 8th trip and they seem to know the dog park and enjoy running free. The sound of fireworks at night is the only problem we still have and even our Golden who barks at them is getting used to them at FW and sometimes will sleep through them. As said above, practice at home first even if you never leave home. Make sure they think of it as a second home. Give both of ours someplace comfortable to sleep and a treat and they are pretty good to go. Good luck.

 

[Shan-man]

Our two pups have never been crated so we give them the run of the moho. I like to leave the AC fan running at least, even if the temps are cool to create some white noise so they aren't hearing every little strange sound. I used to try to keep them out of the dash, but it was a losing proposition for us. We also plan our day so that we are not away from the moho for more than 6-7 hours and give the pups lots of walks. In all, they love going to Disney because of all the walks they get, and now they are getting a taste for looping, too!

 

[dfchelbay]

Our two pups have never been crated so we give them the run of the moho. I like to leave the AC fan running at least, even if the temps are cool to create some white noise so they aren't hearing every little strange sound. I used to try to keep them out of the dash, but it was a losing proposition for us. We also plan our day so that we are not away from the moho for more than 6-7 hours and give the pups lots of walks. In all, they love going to Disney because of all the walks they get, and now they are getting a taste for looping, too!

We do the same thing as Shan. Plus, we shut the bedroom door and put a kiddie gate up to keep them out of the livingroom. They have their kennel, with the door open, a bed on the floor, food and water, toys, etc. We also put down a piddle pad in the bathroom, just in case they can't hold it. We leave the fan going, or a radio, etc. for background noise. The have run of the kitchen, diningroom and bathroom...all tiled areas.

We usually come back for dinner, or the movie, etc. The dogs love to go for rides on the scooter and go to the dog park. We have fun when they have fun. Nothing like taking a 2lb dog out of the winter and letting them enjoy the sun and warm weather too...makes me happy.

 

[krhewitt]

We used to carry Aggie's huge crate with us but it began to be such a hassle and took up so much room. She basically has the run of the fifth wheel but we have to make sure that she can't get to any paper goods or food because she will get and eat and shred! We made her an indoor dog at home because our "trial run" was staying in the RV and she is used to staying from 7:15-3:15 inside. I agree with establishing a routine. We tried the kongs because I heard they were indestructible but our dog chew through two!!! We keep the shades pulled and the TV and a/c on. She barks some but she does that at home. We haven't had any complaints from fellow campers probably because most of them have dogs traveling with them also. I wouldn't travel without her!

 

[KimIce]

We use to put our current puppy in a crate while we were away from the camper, but now he is way to big for his current crate to fit in our 5th wheel (unless I want to take 1/2 the furniture out). Our last dog, we just left her in side the camper with no problems.
Also, when we are not there we leave the TV or stereo on low, and the A/C on.
I have seen some dogs go balistic inside of motorhomes while their owners were away.

 

[BradyBz12]

I have seen some dogs go balistic inside of motorhomes while their owners were away.

Yeah, either some people don't really know their dogs well enough to know they can't handle being alone and loose in the MH, or they just don't give a rat's patootie.

It's a shame... for the dog (who's clearly in some sort of distress), for their neighbors, and for all of us that try like heck to make sure our dogs are NOT annoying the whole campground in our absence.

 

[2goofycampers]

Some good info and links here also.

http://www.title-3.com/DoggieCamping.htm

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

We have a golden retriever, 9 yrs old, and she gets free run of our 5'er while we're there. Granted, I don't think she ever gets out of the bed...but we don't have any separation anxiety issues with her now (we did until she was about 3 yrs old).
When we lost our other golden just over 3 years ago, we were worried about her because she had never been left alone before and wondered how she'd react. We left the TV on in both the bedroom and the living room, with the volume at a decent level, to help with the noise she'd hear from the outdoors. That seemed to help - but now we don't have any issues at all.
It's best to gauge how they are at home and plan to do something similar on the road. I do like OP's suggestion about a few practice runs. We also go back to the campground for lunch every day to give her a chance to get out and do her thing.
You could also consider taking them for walks in the morning, or just before you go to the parks, and wear them out before you leave them.

 

[LarryJ]

We have a center hall and use two of the kiddie type spring loaded gates to close off each end and put our two Yorkies in there with their beds and they are fine. I also put on a talk radio station for noise.

I guess MH dashes are really tough since when we are walking our dogs we see quite a few dogs on the dash barking and pawing around at the windshield which I would think would really mar and ruin the padded dash tops on some of these very expensive MHs. I wonder if those owners really know what their dogs are doing when they are not there and havoc they are creating

Larry

 

[Judy40]

Thanks for some great advice! One more question, Can you walk the dogs around FW or are you just limited to your loop and golf cart trips to the dog Park? Any more advice is welcome!

 

[BradyBz12]

Thanks for some great advice! One more question, Can you walk the dogs around FW or are you just limited to your loop and golf cart trips to the dog Park? Any more advice is welcome!

Generally the areas the dogs are not allowed are noted with big signs. Those areas include the Settlement/Marina, Meadows area, both the pool areas, playgrounds.... I've heard that some people walk their dogs through all loops, but I personally stick to just the pet loops.

There are also a couple of dog walk areas - our favorite is behind the 300 loop along the canal. If you walk through 300, look for the entrance on your right about halfway through.

 

[KimIce]

Yeah, either some people don't really know their dogs well enough to know they can't handle being alone and loose in the MH, or they just don't give a rat's patootie.

It's a shame... for the dog (who's clearly in some sort of distress), for their neighbors, and for all of us that try like heck to make sure our dogs are NOT annoying the whole campground in our absence.

I agree with you 100%!!!

You can see the destruction some of them are doing. I even would have thought some of them would have come through the glass as mad as they were. Some people just don't care.

 

[Disneylitch]

We have always crated ours when we are not in the motorhome. Elmo, our cocker, gets really excited when we tell him we are going to Disney World. All he has to hear is the motorhome starting and he is ready to go. Keep in mind, Elmo doesn't like to ride in a car.
Having the dogs with us actually makes us slow down and enjoy ourselves more. We go back to The Fort to take the dogs on a walk and play with them. Then we relax and eat before heading out again. It has worked out really well for us.