camping with a dog

[ClementsRoc]

We had that issue with a past dog. We did some sticky stair pads on the steps and that seemed to work. She just didn’t like the metal.

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by RMatejczyk

Any suggest to get a dog into a trailer when he refuses to climb the steps? Tried a ramp and no luck with it.

If you have one of those metal steps with the oval cutouts, they are most likely afraid of slipping. I made tread covers out of thin plywood with carpet glued on, and fasten them to the treads. We've never had any of our dogs refuse that. Now, as we have been shopping a new 5er, we've found Sydney will NOT climb those newer aluminum treads since he can't get a good footing. PLUS, if your dog ever gets a nail caught in one of those openings, they will scream bloody murder and possibly do damage to themselves.

[wanderer26]

They make rugs in different colors just for rv stairs and steps. They go on very easy. All my TT had them and now my fiver has them as well. The dog goes right up and i don’t have to worry about me or the wife slippin on metal stairs.

[Patconl]

When we first bought our 3010DS we camped in our driveway a few weekend nights to get used to it. We let our Great Dane and 2 Yorkie mixes stay with us. Next, was a couple of 3-4 day stays at campground with them. They absolutely love it. Each dog has claimed a spot of their own in the RV. Now every time we walk by the RV they stop at the door wanting to go somewhere. It is a joy for all of us.

[pohlcat01]

My dog is usually in fenced yard and prior to getting a camper at camp bow wow when we travel.
she loves it. we have a retractable leash we put in the ground with a harness that has the clip on the top of her back so as she moves she doesnt get caught up.
Every once and a while she will wonder around a chair, but for the most part we just sit outside and relax.

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

We take our dogs, the grand-dogs, the kids the grand kids, we would not have it any other way. I feel sorry for those that feel that they need to be alone. In 35 years of camping I can could on one hand the times that the DW and I have camped by ourselves.

Dude, I am so jealous of your dogs (love those Boxers) and your cars. I miss our Boxer Brit, and hope to make many new memories with our lab Boomer.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by RMatejczyk

Any suggest to get a dog into a trailer when he refuses to climb the steps? Tried a ramp and no luck with it.

As others have mentioned, the metal on the steps bothers them. Covering that can help. Also the opening between the steps can scare them. Closing that in can help. I am not sure what is the best way to do that but maybe a plywood backer of some sort? My dog was a bit hesitant on the steps in the beginning as well. I trained him the same way I used to train a horse to get in a trailer. A treat for each step. Then have him associate his meals with being inside the trailer. It will take some time but eventually the positive reinforcement creates a bit of a pavlovian response with the dog and they go right in looking for food/treats.

[DCarver]

Our old camping dogs are gone, one passed and the other was my son's who is now married. I wanted a camping/kayaking partner so I rescued a Jack Russel and the DW wanted a small one so I bought her a chi. We never camp without them...

[rcrodriguez]

We bought our trailer so we could travel with dogs. Our Jazz boy only got one trip before he passed away. Our Skittles and Scarlett girls have been all over this country and into the Canadian maritimes.

We purposely got smaller dogs after buying the trailer. They fit better and we're getting older - don't want to be carrying 50+ pound dogs!

The new ones are crate trained. Crates go into the truck for traveling and into the RV for camping. They always have their safe place. Works out really well.

[Scott V.]

Originally Posted by ClementsRoc

We had that issue with a past dog. We did some sticky stair pads on the steps and that seemed to work. She just didn’t like the metal.

We bought our first TT 5 years ago and our 80 pound lab would not climb the steps, even after we put carpet on it. He had no problem climbing stairs at a house, so we figured it was because you could see through the steps. We tried a ramp, but that wasn't to his liking. After several lifting sessions (80 pound dogs are heavy!) he decided to leap over the two steps. We placed a runner carpet at the door entrance and he'd leap in and have a securing landing spot.

When we upgraded the TT, we specifically looked at two step entrances, not the higher 3 step ones. We lost the lab last year and adopted a 40 pound lab/Airedale terrier mix and he has no problems climbing the steps.

The new dog is funny.......when we are home and grab the keys for the trailer he knows that sound and immediately heads for the back door and out to the trailer door wagging his tail a mile a minute.

[mbanovetz]

3 of our 5 English Springers Spaniels LOVE Camping. When we start backing up to hook up the camper I have one that whines til she gets into the car. LOL. so silly. I get a lot of exercise with these three. The other two are 14 and 11 and they go to my mothers on a farm when we camp. They love the farm and the oldest is a barker so no camping for her. LOL. the rest dont bark thank goodness.

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by mbanovetz

3 of our 5 English Springers Spaniels LOVE Camping. When we start backing up to hook up the camper I have one that whines til she gets into the car. LOL. so silly. I get a lot of exercise with these three. The other two are 14 and 11 and they go to my mothers on a farm when we camp. They love the farm and the oldest is a barker so no camping for her. LOL. the rest dont bark thank goodness.

Beautiful Springers!

[Tundra 2014]

Great looking Springers! We have 1 young Vizsla, all we can handle,LOL. Just spent a week in Savanna w/ him. Great dog friendly place, but only 2 dog day care places to leave them if you want time to do site seeing w/o him. They book over a week in advance for weekends. Dogs are welcome at any place w/ outside tables. The ice creme place even makes free dog Sundays for them.

[TJA1]

If there’s any disadvantage to camping with your dog - it might be finding a place to sit! He does give me a “bit” of the sofa! LOL!

[mbanovetz]

Originally Posted by mbanovetz

3 of our 5 English Springers Spaniels LOVE Camping. When we start backing up to hook up the camper I have one that whines til she gets into the car. LOL. so silly. I get a lot of exercise with these three. The other two are 14 and 11 and they go to my mothers on a farm when we camp. They love the farm and the oldest is a barker so no camping for her. LOL. the rest dont bark thank goodness.

I just had to post another picture of my pups camping. THIS ONE TOO CUTE!!!

[cherokeewolf]

Both of my dogs love camping. They each have their favorite resting spots inside the TT. Also when the weather is nice they just sit at the door and watch the world go by.

[mbanovetz]

Originally Posted by cherokeewolf

Both of my dogs love camping. They each have their favorite resting spots inside the TT. Also when the weather is nice they just sit at the door and watch the world go by.Attachment 182081Attachment 182082Attachment 182083Attachment 182084Attachment 182085

LOVE The pictures. I did finally take a picture of one of mine sitting at the door waiting to be let out. she likes to lay next to us at the campfire. the others prefer to just be spoiled in the trailer. LOL

[1eyeky]

KOKO loves it

[Terrys a194hw 2014]

my first deer this lasted for 10 or more minuites

[sajohnson]

Originally Posted by Terrys a194hw 2014

my first deer this lasted for 10 or more minuites

So they were in a stare down?