Traveling Safely with Fido
By Butch Jones
My recent change in marital status has changed my family composition dramatically. Not only did I gain a wonderful and amazing wife, Susie, I got a 70+ pound Golden Doodle named Gibbs (named after the Gibbs of NCIS fame) and a beautiful Collie named Willow in addition to my Airedale Terrier, Mitzi. This change caused me to give more consideration to traveling with our three fur babies.
This summer we spent about four months in our coach with these three big dogs, and I must admit that traveling with nearly 200 pounds of dogs was a bit challenging. However, we all as you might imagine, traveling with this much canine mass got me thinking about pet safety on the road and thus the topic of this article. I hope that this article will provide information for those of you who have been traveling for many years with your pet(s) as well as those who might be contemplating traveling with a pet.
The first consideration when thinking about traveling with a pet would be to determine if the pet can travel in an RV without issues. While my pup Mitzi has been traveling in a motorhome since she was 6 weeks old, Gibbs and Willow had only traveled in a pickup towing a fifth wheel. So our first step was to introduce them to the coach. We let them wander around inside and once they had gotten comfortable the next step was to take a short ride to see how they reacted. We belted them into their seating areas and off we went to top off the fuel tank in the coach. During the ride to the fuel station everything went great. Once we arrived at our fuel stop I eased the coach up to the pump, stopped and when I applied the air parking brake the whoosh of air scared Gibbs so bad he jumped out of his harness (which was too loose) and dove under my driver’s seat onto the floor. I really don’t know who was more startled, me, Gibbs or Susie. Once we had him securely belted in and before we got under way I applied the parking brake a few times and he seemed to realize that the noise was normal. These are the kinds of things that you need to test out.
Another area is use caution when exiting the motorhome, anytime. If you are in the truck section of a rest area or stopping at a truck stop, be prepared for large moving vehicles and the noise coming from the air dryers of nearby trucks. These can startle an animal and pull you off balance very quickly. When exiting the motorhome is best to have the pet remain inside until you safely get to the ground before allowing them to exit. This provides you an opportunity to ensure it is safe for the pet to exit and also allows you get yourself stable and ready in case they try to bolt off to investigate this new environment. We have all three sit at the door and exit one at time so we have better control when they hit the ground.
Next I would like to talk about securing your pet in the vehicle. Once you have determine that you pet is going to be a good traveler it is time to address how you are going to secure your pet in the motorhome. Some of you might think that it is best if your pet is free to move around the cabin during travel and some might say “my dog or cat is so small I just hold in on my lap. Well there are somethings wrong with these assumptions. First is a free roaming pet can become a lethal projectile in the event of a sudden stop or crash. About 25 years ago a state trooper was killed when the corner of a box of tissues lying in the rear package shelf behind the rear seat of his cruiser struck him at the base of his skull when he crashed into a car which had turned in front of him. A box of tissues! If you are holding your pet on your lap and the vehicle stops quickly either to avoid a crash or as a result of one, you will not be able to hold the pet. Trust me the physics of mater in motion will cause that small pet to exert an exponential amount of force which will be impossible to hold, unless you have just completed the Charles Atlas strength course and maybe not even then.
The wearing of seat belts has been mandated for many years in automobiles with New Hampshire being the only state without an enforceable law requiring the wearing of seat belts. But more states are enacting laws requiring the securing of pets in motor vehicles. As of this writing the states of Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Washington, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin have laws requiring the securing of pets when traveling in a motor vehicle. Fines range from $200.00 to $1,000.00. Some states have ambiguous laws which do not outright require the pet to be secured but allow the driver to be charged with animal cruelty or other violations if a law enforcement officer deems that the actions of the driver endangered an animal. These states are Alabama Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Not only could you be cited for the offense, but your insurance company could deny your claim if it is determined that your actions in any way contributed to the incident such as endangering an animal. Most all states have distracted driver statutes which could apply to an unsecured animal moving around in a vehicle adding another part to the equation. So it is worth considering the proper securing of your pet(s) in your vehicles while traveling.
I have been using a seat belt type harness for many years. The one we use (photo 2 below) has a wide portion which goes around the dog’s belly has a loop on the back for the seat belt to slide thru. We usually tighten the belt enough so the dog can lie down and then sit up if desired. This is a little difficult in a car or SUV as they have seat belt retractors. Coaches usually have manually adjustable belts.
There are many types and styles of harnesses and they are available from Amazon, Pet Smart, Petco and Chewy.com to name a few. My recommendation is to look for a harness that is easily hooked and unhooked from the dog as well as the seat belt. Our experience is that one you have arrived and the dog knows that it is time to be released you will get one try at releasing them, then it is like trying to unhook a Tasmanian Devil. They are so anxious to be released that they may try to jump off the seat with the belt still connected. So be careful and command them to “sit and stay” until fully released. Another thing to look for is to make sure the harness fits the dog so that it protects and the dog cannot get out of the harness while traveling. We had to try several before we found one Gibbs could not get out of. Although he is a big boy, his body is like Jell-O when he wants to escape a harness or is lying where you do not want him.
Another thing to remember is do not use the neck collar as an anchor when traveling. This is can be very dangerous for the animal. It is very tempting for a small dog owner to want to place them in one of the many baskets or boxes that are on the market. (See photo 3 below) This puts them up where they can see out. While the idea is great if the dog is not secured inside the box or basket they will become a projectile in the event of a crash or sudden stop.
A big consideration is where the pet will sleep and/or stay while you are away from the coach. If your pet(s) have free rein of your home leaving them loose in the coach while you are gone may not be a great idea, at least not a first. Remember that there are many things in a campground that are new to most pets. There can be a constant flow of strangers moving past and around your RV and this can be troublesome for many pets. We have started our dogs crated for the first few trips to make sure they are in a place they feel safe and are in a more controlled environment, at least until they become acclimated to their new surroundings. When using a crate, make sure that they have a blanket or something to lie on, a toy to keep the occupied when they get bored and a bowl of water. Once they get accustomed to life in an RV you may be able to leave them uncrated in the unit, or maybe not.
Something else to consider when leaving a pet in an RV is the inside temperature. If you are visiting an area where the temperature is hot, make some provision for air movement if the power goes off and the air conditioning is not available. Some generators can use an automatic generator start which starts the generator when either the shore power goes off, the batteries get too low or the temperature moves out of a set range. We leave a roof vent open and a window open slightly. This can also be true if you are an especially cold climate, however most pets can tolerate more cold than heat.
When traveling, making periodic bathroom breaks are necessary. Don’t forget our fur babies as they may need more breaks than we do, although as I get older I find the need for more frequent stops. We trained both of our Airedales to pee and poop quickly and when we stopped at a rest stop they would immediately do both as soon as we reached the grass. This does two things. First it gets their business out of the way and gives some time for an exercise walk without the constant sniffing to find a “worthy” spot for the two Ps. We still need work for Willow. Gibbs has learned to go quickly but Willow is more of a wanderer. Also make sure that you have enough poop bags because although most rest stops and dog parks have bag dispensers, sometimes they are empty.
One characteristic of a dog is that they bark. Some bark at strangers, unusual noises or sights, some bark at anything that moves and some just bark. This can be an issue when traveling. While is in not uncommon for a dog to bark for a short time when you leave it, the barking should cease when you are out of sight. This is something that you must address before taking the dog on the road. Barking dogs are not tolerated in almost all campgrounds. Our first year at The Great Outdoors Golf and RV Resort, we had Roxy, our first Airedale. We talked to the people on both sides of us and asked them to let us know if she braked too much. After we were there about a month, a bobcat walked between the coaches one early morning and Roxy went into full alert mode. We quickly got her quiet. In the morning I asked the gentleman next door if she woke them. He said she did and his wife said to him “there must be something out there because Roxy doesn’t bark unless there is something to bark at”. The good thing is that most RVers either have or have had a dog or two so they are usually more tolerant to a little barking.
It is a good idea to take your pet for a medical checkup before embarking on a long distance trip. This will make sure that they are up on all inoculations and are ready for travel. Most pet owners have their dogs and cats on a flea and tick treatment. Make sure that you advise your vet where you are going so the vet can advise if there is anything else you may need to do to protect your pet. Here in Florida we treat for mosquitoes as they are a problem, some areas might not have this issue so it is a good idea to look at what is in the areas you will be traveling.
If your pet is on any medications, make sure you carry enough in case you are in an area that does not have access to what you may need. We always carried Benadryl with us because Mitzi was allergic to bee stings.
Most pets can get a bit bored when traveling. Always carry some toys or something that they like to play with or chew on to occupy their time. We found out the hard way when one chewed a large chunk out of the wooden wall trim on the coach while traveling.
Hydration is important for humans and especially for animals. Make sure that you give them plenty of water during your travels. Of course remember that what goes in will need to come out, so plan those bathroom stops accordingly.
As we get older, climbing stairs can become challenging for us and it can for our pets as well. If your dog is of a large breed and is starting to get mail from AARP it might be time to start thinking about providing some assistance for them entering and exiting the RV. Ramps are used by a lot of people. Just make sure that you have a convenient place to stow them during travel and make sure that there is a non-skid tread covering the ramp.
Exiting the RV in case of an emergency is also a consideration. How will you get your pet out of the coach in the event of an accident or fire? This needs to be built into your escape planning and practiced. It is a good idea to have your pet(s) sleep in the same area/room as you, so you can get to them in case of an emergency. As we have discussed in emergency escape planning you will need some method of getting your pet out of the escape window of your coach. We use a seat belt webbing strap sewn into a large loop which is slipped over the front half of the dog then they are lowered to the ground. If your pet is small, a carrier with a rope attached might be something to consider. One of us exits the coach first and takes control of the pet(s) while the other exits. This is to prevent a scared animal from running off potentially getting lost or worse injured or killed.
This brings up another issue. What do you do if your pet wanders off during your travels? Most of us think that my dog would not wander off. What if the coach is involved in an accident or fire? In all of the noise and excitement the animal may become dazed and confused and seek shelter away from all of the commotion. If you are in a campground finding them may be fairly easy. But what about an interstate highway? Does the pet’s collar have the information someone would need to contact you in the location that you are right now? It is worth considering micro-chipping your pet. This is a good way to increase the chances of getting your pet returned to you. I have used Home Again (HomeAgain.com) for many years and have been happy with them.
When it comes time to eat we don’t think much about it. We find a place to eat or stop and fix something. Feeding pets is a bit more involved. Most RVs have used every bit of real estate for some function or another except feeding our fur babies. Something that we are still working on is getting our pups to eat in a timely manner. Willow likes to lie down and eat one bit of kibble at a time (she would like to sip a mint julep while doing so I am sure), so getting her to eat quickly in the morning before we get ready to leave is challenging. Finding a place for food and water bowls takes more time that you might think. And then there is food storage. Since you will be feeding your pet(s) once or more each day, make sure that the food is accessible as well as secure from your pet(s) as well.
There is another question that must be answered. Are you going to crate your pet(s) while you are away from your coach or will they be allowed to roam free inside? If you crate then you will need to have a place to store the crate when not in use, another consideration. There are pros and cons to both scenarios. If you allow your pet(s) to roam free, make sure that you properly secure anything that they might damage or might harm them. If your coach is equipped with leveling jacks that utilize a keypad or if you have a diesel with air brakes make sure that the controls are covered or secured so that they cannot be accidentally released by a curious or excited pet. If your air horn is activated by the steering wheel horn button you or your neighbors could get a scare when Fido jumps into the driver’s seat and puts his paws on the steering wheel. This has been done at least one rally.
I have found that more and more campgrounds have dog parks or at least fenced in areas for dogs to run off leash. This we have found to be a very important amenity. Many dogs sleep in the coach while traveling. This means unlike the humans on board, they are rested and refreshed upon arrival at the destination and ready to “PLAY”. While taking them for a long walk might be beneficial for both you and your pet, it certainly is not on my or Susie’s top 100 list of thing to do once we stop for the night. So a dog park where we can take the dogs and let them “run wild” probably sounds like a great idea. We are fortunate that our dogs do not sleep while traveling. I am not sure if that is a reflection on my driving or that they just prefer to make sure we don’t leave the coach while it is rolling down the road. In either case they are almost as tired as we are once we stop for the night. One tip on dog parks in general. Make a cursory walk around the area to scout out anything left by previous dogs and not removed by their owners.
Some campgrounds have restrictions on the breed and number of pets allowed. It is a good idea to check with the campground before you book to make sure there are no surprises upon arrival. Also some campgrounds have an extra charge for pets, good to know before you arrive as well.
Once you have set up for the stay, you can have some play time with your pet. Most campgrounds do not let pets run unleashed, so have some way of allowing them to move around your site and yet not bother passing campers. We have several ropes of difference lengths which we use to allow or pups to move around and stay on our campsite. I have seen small collapsible fences used for small dogs. Campgrounds don’t care how well trained your dog is, they want them physically confined to your site. When walking your dog most campgrounds have a 6’ leash restriction for ALL dogs. There are usually no allowances for small dogs. In fact small dogs can be more difficult to control on an extendable leash because since they are small it is easy to lose sight of them as they are reeling out the leash.
While I am on dog parks, dogs do not see size per say. They usually only perceive threat, so a small dog that is barking and pulling forward or lunging toward a larger dog will be perceived as a threat to the larger dog and they will respond accordingly. A German Shepard does not care how little your Yorkie weighs, if the Yorkie is barking aggressively and pulling or lunging toward the larger dog, expect it to react to the perceived threat. Our experience in dog parks is that so long as there are not a large number of dogs in the park, little dogs and big dogs usually get along and may not even interact after the initial identifying who is who (butt sniffing). That is as long as neither dog is an aggressive dog.
When your dog is in a dog park there are some behaviors that you should be aware of. First, never let your dog or allow other dogs to put their paw on your dog’s back or climbing on their
back. This is a sign of dominance and is not tolerated by most dogs. This could lead to a confrontation. Obviously we don’t like to see our dog humping another dog (even female dogs do this) but this is also a sign of dominance, which is not accepted by many dogs and can cause a confrontation. When a dog bites at the lower leg of another dog, this can also create a confrontation and should be discouraged. Some dogs will roll over on their backs in a show of submissiveness and some seem to prefer to play fight from that position. If your dog has not socialized a great deal with other dogs, you may be shocked at the amount of “play fighting”. If more than one dog gets on top of another dog, it is time to break it up as this can to lead to very aggressive behavior. The bottom line is to watch your dog and the other dogs that are playing with it and make sure that the play stays play. Oh, make sure that you pick up anything your dog leaves behind. Most dog parks have poop bags at the entrance, but always carry your own, just in case.
Dogs can get dehydrated very quickly when walking or playing so make sure they have fresh water when returning from a walk or the dog park and when you have them outside at your site. When taking the dogs for a long walk away from home, carrying a large container of water and collapsible rubber bowls in a backpack is a good idea.
Just as we have a Go Bag for emergency evacuation, which we talked about in the Fire Safety class, you will want to put together a bag for your pet(s). Here are some suggested things to put in the bag.
Manual can opener (if your pet gets canned food)
Pet Food for a week and a food bowl
Bottled water (1 week supply) and a water bowl
A Pet First Aid kit, either make on up yourself or get one from the Red Cross or pet stores
Disposable liter tray, aluminum roasting trays work well (for cats)
Extra leashes Blanket
Photocopies of vaccinations and shot records
Current full body photo of your pet (in case they get lost)
A favorite toy
Plastic bags and poop bags (you can stow the poop bags in the larger bag until you can dispose of them. The double bag help keep odors down)
A supply of your pet’s medications
List of allergies
While traveling with your pet, make sure that there is something blocking direct sunlight from shining on the pet for extended periods of time. The sunlight is warmer coming thru glass and blocking this can help prevent them from overheating. If your pet gets carsick or if you don’t know if they will, there is a product for that. Pfizer produces a product called Cernia which is FDA approved and is available (I believe) only by prescription from your vet.
If you think that this seem like there is a lot of work involved in talking your pet with you, you would be correct. But, look at the alternative, leaving them a kennel or with a possibly soon to be former friend. Having your pet travel safely with you will be rewarding. Drive Safe, Play Safe & Stay Safe.
Butch Jones
