A few questions on how to RV with dogs

[reneegavin]

Hello all,

We are RVing more and more and my husband is wanting to get another dog after losing our 2 this past year. They never came camping with us, and I am wondering a few things.

1. How do you keep your dogs from constantly picking up fleas and ticks while camping, even with topical treatments?
2. How did you train yours to not bark while you are gone sightseeing, eating, etc places where you can't take them?

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

We have two big (85 and 45 lbs) dogs that go on most trips with us.
Monthly flea and tick treatment works as advertised.
When inside the RV, they don’t really react to things outside unless we do. Close the curtains.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

They've picked up more ticks at home than camping. They're generally near us and we don't go places that have ticks, so by extension they don't get them either.

If you figure out a fix for barking let me know. For the most part they're well behaved, they get put in their kennels when we're not there and I leave a fan and radio on. On more than one occasion we've come back to the beagle howling his head off but in a camping setting there's no one nearby to really hear him inside. In a park though it would be a problem, so if this were a long term thing I'd have to look at a bark collar or other mediation. During our midwest trip last year we made appointments at doggie day care for them a few times and that worked out great during our day trips.

Edit: We've been taking dogs camping since our tent days years ago and the RV has only made trips with them easier. A few times we've arranged a house sitter but it's nearly always logistically easier to just bring them with us. No different really than for them being at home, other than having to walk them instead of letting them out in the yard. I love having them along on hikes and they just plain enjoy their time with us hanging around a campsite.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[workinonit]

We use Simparica Trio. Never have fleas or ticks. The barking is an issue all it's own. Mine aren't bad about barking unless someone comes near the RV but they have been trained to not bark at nothing.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Get cats. They don’t bark. We travel with 5 of them, barking has never been a problem. They sleep when we go out. They’re harness trained to go for walks when they feel like it. We use Nexgard combo for fleas and ticks.

 

[Vanbrat]

I think if you are thinking about but don't have a dog yet maybe do a bit of research for dog breeds that don't do too much barking. Some breeds are more prone to barking than others.

As far as fleas and ticks Lots of products out there that work.

The only real danger we ever faced was a guy really liked our dog and got to be a pest about it. I think if we had ever, with him around, left our dog alone he would have taken him. Get them chipped

We check with our vet as to what shots in addition to what we need here at home we should do.

 

[winona1]

Agree with all the responses. I traveled for a long while with a very large Lab. No problems. Now I travel with 3, and likewise no problems — except missing opening my door first thing in the morning to a fenced back yard.
None bark unless someone or another dog comes near. I keep a sign in my window saying if they’re barking and being annoying, let me know or if the electricity for the campground goes off, let me know, and include my cell number. All are on flea and tick and heartworm preventatives.
And they are great company!

 

[Professor David]

We have two larger dogs. Once a month topical flea/tick treatment works well at home or traveling. The collie is a barker. For our own sanity at home or traveling, he has a bark collar. The bark collar has a vibration warning prior to a shock which can be adjusted. Now...he never tests beyond the vibration warning after a day or two of "training".

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P3RKY4L?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

 

[DutchmenSport]

Out dogs have been on Simparica for tick and flee control for some time now. We occasionally find a tick on one of them, but the ticks are always dead. We are in Louisiana most of the year now, but home in Indiana. Ticks and fleas are really bad where we are located, and the Simparica seems to work very, very well.

We never leave the dogs at the camper while we are away, except ONLY under absolute dire needs. They are always with us. We've adjusted our lifestyle (or, should I say, ... the dogs have adjusted our lifestyle for us), and they are never alone. We may step out of the camper a few minutes to talk to a neighbor camper, but we are within ear shot of the camper (and the dogs) all the time.

When going to a grocery store, one of us stays with the dogs, either in the truck or in the camper. The dogs are never, never, ever left alone in the vehicle ... never!

Barking is not an issue because the dogs are always with us. We have tested the water by leaving the dogs in the camper several times and we've walked away. Sometimes they bark and sometimes they do not.

When the dogs are barking, they are barking for YOU to come back. That's all they want. And they are hoping by barking loud enough, you'll hear them. All they want is your undivided love and attention. Being left alone in the camper makes them feel abandoned and that's why they are barking for you.

 

[Chef Duane]

My dog likes to lay in the sun but I don't want him laying on the ground. Got him one of these. He loves it.

https://www.chewy.com/coolaroo-steel-framed-elevated-dog/dp/53849?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22484716234&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22481289257&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjJrCBhCXARIsAI5x66WHwRvfFE_1n-0wJYg5zje1AwV2Jc9PTD_bnU-Ih4ZjizuU-r723aAaAoKHEALw_wcB

 

[SuwanneeDave1]

Flea and tick control is good but if you stay in areas with a lot of mosquitoes, heartworm prevention is also recommended.

 

[IBTripping]

Crate training a dog may reduce barking. They feel safe and comfortable when put in their crate.

 

[Jackiemac]

Dogs get separation anxiety which makes them bark. If you leave them on their own for a reasonable amount of time from when they are young they should be good. Check online training for the problem. It can be difficult to deal with.