I travel with a small dog in parks and sightseeing, but instead of a car, I sightsee in the RV so doggy goes with me. If he can't go inside (most outdoor places have allowed him) then he can wait in the RV and if need be I run the generator and AC for him. If the weather is nice, then I can leave some windows open. He's been trained that touching a screen on a window is a HUGE no-no. This way he thinks he can't escape.
He hiked with me to Niagara Falls and back, we were parked on the street in the RV about 2 miles away. He hiked with us to through the park and we had fun getting pictures of him at the falls.
In other parks I was able to hike around outside with him, many places allowed this, but some museums and stuff won't allow him inside. So in that case, he has to wait in the RV.
It takes some training to be able to leave your dog alone without them barking. I had to tell him to stay then sneak off while my neighbors listened for him. He was barking, so I kept sneaking back up on him, and hushing him up again. Then I would leave again, sneak back to hush him up then leave again. It was exhausting, but worth it. Dogs aren't born trained, but they do like to make their owner happy, so spend time training them. I can't stress this enough.
Once he got the handle on being quiet, I went away for a short hike to the store and back to get a few things. I gave him loads of loving on my return. I did several small trips like this, so he learned to be quiet and wait for me. As time went on, I was able to be gone longer and he still remained quiet.
My neighbors were a huge help in listening out for me, when I told them I was training him to stay alone and be quiet. They were equally thrilled when he became trained, because there was a grocery store I could walk to, but couldn't take him with me. It seemed silly to drive the entire RV when the store was close by and so on. I could leave, tell him to STAY and walk away hearing only silence.
In his case, he loves having all the window shades up so he can watch the world go by. Mostly according to the neighbors, he patrols around the rig then settles down for a nap. Sometimes I come back and find his toys dragged out everywhere like he has had his own playtime.
I rarely have to leave him alone, but when I do, I plan ahead. First off is to give him a nice brisk walk before leaving him alone. This lets him pull the plug, sniff the world and it's best to make time to really walk them. Dogs love exercise!. This seriously helps keep them calm and balanced.
Upon my return I reward him with tons of love and another walk, even if it's just a brief walk, like he's been left in the grocery store parking lot. I take him on a 2-3 minute walk, then we drive away. Back at the campground I can take him on a much longer walk.
Once in awhile he forget to be quiet and will bark at my retreating back. I will spin around, walk back toward him with my finger across my lips and tell him HUSH. Then I leave again. Usually he has nothing to say about it then.
Mostly I try to do everything possible with my little dog. I keep working on his training so he is welcome most places. The campground I am at now has coffee and donut meetings. He goes to the coffee and donut meetings on his leash, doesn't beg and enjoys visiting with other campers. More of them are bringing their well behaved dogs too.
At a happy hour party some campers invited me to, I stuffed him with food before we went and I wouldn't let him beg. I don't let him beg at home and not at parties. He had fun flirting with the campers and then just laid down by my side being cool.
Training, training, training.... it's hard work but the end rewards are well worth it. If someone wants to invite me somewhere in their car and he can't go, I am able to leave him behind quietly but I do always try to give him a brisk walk first, leave him food and water and I am firm when I tell him STAY and lock the door. I usually ask the other person to wait a minute, while I listen from their car to make sure he is quiet then we leave. I ask the neighbors if he barked while I was gone and am happy to report they claim he does not.
So good luck and with practice, I am sure you can have a happy quiet pooch too.
