| Author | Message | ||
| John Biundo (Jbiundo) (67.112.121.112)
Rating: N/A |
Hi all, A little bit of an unusual question here. My family is seriously considering getting a pet dog. We're leaning towards a medium-large dog like a labrador or golden retriever. While I had dogs as a kid, they were small and it was quite a while ago, so this is something we don't have alot of experience with. My question is how people get along with a dog on extended trips? Questions like where does the dog sit while travelling? Where does the dog sleep? What do you do with the dog while you're spending the day doing something where you can't bring it along? Are there campgrounds that don't let you bring them? Are there campgrounds where you can let your dog outside unattended on a run or long leash? Do you have recommendations on breeds that accomodate well to this lifestyle? Thanks so much for any advice. Travelling is a big priority for us, but we also feel it's important to consider bringing a dog into our life for a variety of reasons, so we'd like as much input as possible. John | ||
| Quest (198.29.191.147) Rating: N/A |
I brought my dogs everywhere I traveled. I used to keep a cusion between the driver seat and the passenger seat and that is where he would sleep as we traveled. My dog was allowed on the couch and at night if he didnt try to get into my bed, he would sleep on the couch. Most nice parks have a kennel and at first I used to use them but after a time, I would leave him in the RV. He was happy in familiar surroundings and I was happy he was not alone in a kennel. If no kennel was available I left him in the RV. It usually is no problem to come back an check he was alright and let him do his business. He loved walking with me through the camp ground, always on leash and always pick up after he goes. Yes there are campgrounds that donot allow pets but they seem to slowly be changing their rules. Never leave your pet unattended, you may com back and he will be gone. Never use a long leash, parks do have their rules for pets and keeping them on a short leash is one of them. My dog was a pit bull terrior and he loved car rides and travel in the RV. I now have a Greyhound from the track and He also loves to ride in the car and the RV. If you want a dog that is a couch potato, loves everybody including kids, sweet and friendly, then the Greyhound is for you. A great companion. The Pit Bull Terrior was more energetic, playful and excitable and would get the ball you throw and bring it back, on of a few tricks learned. If you go with a Pit Bull Terrior, get one from a breeder, not from the street. The breeders have bred out the hostile side of them. To learn more about different breeds, watch the dog shows, they talk about the different personalities of each breed. Be sure to pick one that will fit your lifestyle. My advice, do get a dog, size is a matter you must determine for yourself but the companionship is priceless. q | ||
| Dave Wheat (209.214.208.126)
Rating: N/A |
John: Your dog will sleep and ride where ever he/she wants. Big dogs are generally quiet dogs and make great companions. Go for it!! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.62.214)
Rating: N/A |
We have and travel with two dogs. An Australian Shepard and a Heinz Golden Retriever. Both are great companions and good watch dogs, as well as active. 2 and 7 years old, Both good travelers. Recently lost a pure Golden to cancer and he enjoyed trips as well, but the best dogs we've ever had are Mastiffs. Huge dogs and as Dave said, quiet, unless someone was invading the territory, then they ward off any unknown intruder. They can weigh up to a couple hundred pounds, but are agile and well tempered. With regular exercise, they are a fun and handsome friend. We have had two. Great dogs. Also have had German Shepards, (very active), Cocker Spaniel...not the best traveler, Boston Bulls, OK, but kids make them very nervous. Lots to look forward to and if you spend time with them, they will do almost anything for a treat.  Best wishes RCB | ||
| Bradd B. Smith (Bbsrtbusproject) (216.18.141.155)
Rating: N/A |
Hi John, We keep a Golden Retriever. We also have a min-pin. They travel very well. As mentioned, manners in public are paramount. Both of our dogs were raised from pups in portable kennels to sleep in. I like them to ride in them, since they are secured to the floor. This is their den and they are quite at home in them. You have to be alive on them being leashed before you open the door, or disaster could result. Of all the dogs that I have had, by far, my favorite is the Golden. You can't beat their personality or temperment. Get one from a good breeder who does field trial dogs and not show dogs. It is a decision you will probably never regret. I haven't. Bradd | ||
| Don KS/TX (65.141.167.40)
Rating: N/A |
Scrap the Dog - Get a Cat. As an alternative, our cat has always travelled with us and is a trouble free companion. With self feeding and a catbox, you can leave him for days if you want, he will just sleep until you return. He has a halter and a leash so we can walk him in campgrounds, or tie him out for fresh air. | ||
| John Biundo (Jbiundo) (67.112.121.112)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the great comments. Love to hear more! Personally, I love cats... but my wife doesn't get along with 'em too well. Wow - I never saw a cat tied outside before. I'd be worried about coming back to find an empty halter! | ||
| marc (207.112.227.196) Rating: N/A |
My reccomendation is to go to the local animal shelter and save a dog's life. We have had many dogs from shelters and all have been wonderfull. we currently travel with a pit bull terrier (from the shelter) and a hound mix we found as a stray in Tennessee. Check on them often and walk them a lot and they love to travel! | ||
| bill esp (216.84.70.82) Rating: N/A |
You will be much happier with a low energy dog. Retrievers, Golden, Labrador, etc., are high energy and always want to go. Look for a couch potato breed. We travel with four Newfoundlands and a Havanese. A fifteen minute or one mile walk once a day keeps the Newfs happy, but the Havanese is non-stop energy. Newfoundlands are big, 120 to 150 pounds, drooling, slobbery, shedding teddy bears. Also, very intimidating because of their size. The Havanese were bred to be ratters and circus dogs. Twelve pounds of no-stop energy that runs circles around the Newfs on a walk. | ||
| Ricahrd Jones (162.117.133.249) Rating: N/A |
The "KIng" of the couch potato is a Whippet, about 3/4 the size of a Greyhound, very laid back, short hair and easy to care for. We have a pair of males and the younger one loves to lay on the dashboard and soak up the sun. Richard Jones Castle Rock, WA | ||
| Don KS/TX (63.15.244.221)
Rating: N/A |
If you just have to have a dog, my full timer friend Dave Dierker would not travel without his Italian Greyhound. They are kinda like a big greyhound, but half or quarter size, and get along very well in bus type accomodations. Don't seem to shed either. (My cat can whip his dogs butt though) | ||
| John Biundo (Jbiundo) (67.112.121.112)
Rating: N/A |
Something poetic about traveling with a greyhound in a (possibly) ex-greyhound, eh? | ||
| Don KS/TX (63.15.244.244)
Rating: N/A |
Never thought about that, but not in his case, it is an ex Continental Trailways Eagle | ||
| Rodger (216.170.203.189) Rating: N/A |
John, Most of what has been said so far is right on, so this is merely to round out the conversation. More important than breed or size is TRAINING and personality. Good control of the dog is imperative for enjoyable traveling. We have a seven year old neutered male Portuguese Water Dog. PWDs are closely related to Poodles and Labs. They seem to possess the best qualities of both. He's a great traveler. He weighs around 55 LB. We hate to leave home without him. His good points: Very intelligent, obedient and easy to train. Doesn't shed. Hypo-allergenic. A bath, which he likes, every couple of weeks keeps him virtually odorless. Laid back, friendly personality, not aggressive toward other animals, loves people. Not excitable, barks only for good reason. A 10-20 minute morning and evening walk seems to satisfy his need for exercize. Bad points: Haven't found any. His favorite traveling spot is the buddy seat or on the floor beside the driver's chair. That works for us because my wife's favorite spot is horizontal on the sofa. For us, the only serious downside to traveling with a dog is the concern of leaving it alone in the coach in hot weather. If it's too hot to just leave the windows and vents open, I'll leave him only if there's a reliable person who will monitor the coach and get him out should the A/Cs stop. Sometimes, in hot weather, we just don't leave him unless we can take him with us in the toad. | ||
| John Biundo (Jbiundo) (67.112.121.112)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks again for the additional input. We're almost ready to go ahead with getting a lab pup. Kids are really excited about the idea. I have to admit I am too -- had dogs as a kid and it was a great experience. john | ||
| Chris Sanderson (63.14.165.129)
Rating: N/A |
Get a CAT?? Dont get me wrong, I love cats- there's two in the freezer right now, OK- just Kidding. Although I have dogs and cats, a cat has the same function and companionship as a potted plant. Nobody ever got meowed away from an unattended rig,even small dogs will stir up a fuss if someone messes with your stuff. I travel with two German Shepherds,and sleep easy. | ||
| Don KS/TX (63.15.244.146)
Rating: N/A |
Hey, come on now Chris, my guard cat has done his job for years now, and has a purr-fect record, NOBODY has stolen the bus! Sometimes a suspicious acting dog will come too close, and he takes care of them quickly too. Ever see a German Shepherd run real fast with its tail between its legs? Besides, I don't have to spend half my vacation walking the durn dog in the pet area and picking up behind it, my slippers never get chewed up, and I don't have to listen to that darned barking all the time. I like potted plants too! | ||
| FAST FRED (65.58.186.86) Rating: N/A |
If your sleeping and there is a problem , most cats will climb up in the bed and start walking on you. Even had one that growled to be sure I was alerted to a problem (intruder). Mr Baretta , or MR S&W takes over where the cat leaves off. Even the bride is an excellent shot , at bus interior ranges , with her PPK. Empting a Poo box is loads easier than walking the dog in the rain 2 or 3 X a day, and picking crap up as you go. FAST FRED | ||
| David & Lorna Schinske (Davidschinske) (206.148.180.156)
Rating: N/A |
No matter what critter(s) you end up with, please, please, please keep up with all their shots (rabies/distemper) and you may want to put them on a worm preventative. Don't forget to carry a copy of their shot record with you. While the campgrounds you stay in may require you to keep your pets on a leash (6ft usually), that doesn't stop the neighbourhood (or "dumped") dogs from running thru the campground. Also if you have a fair-sized dog, you may want to use a harness instead of a collar when on a leash or tie out. Our couch potato (45lb Borzoi/Husky mix from the Animal shelter) is the sweetest thing in the world BUT she perceived a miniature Doberman on a 15 ft long reel leash as a threat to the kids one day and snapped a metal chocker chain and tried to eat the dog. She doesn't care for small, yappy dogs...those are snacks to her. We also use a harness sized for a Chihuahua and a lightweight leash for her cat. Yes my dog has a cat, after our other cat died of old age KC (our dog) moped around looking for her that we finally got another cat from the Humane Society. Both of our pets have tags on them with their names, our names, our e-mail address, home phone, cell phones & my parents phone. By the way, this adds up to more than one tag. This way if they should get lost we can be notified. Some campgrounds will not allow you to leave your pets unattended even if they are inside your RV. We discovered this is the rule, not the exception, at Pigeon Forge, TN. Also you need to be willing to pick-up after your pet. We use a 2 liter soda bottle with the bottom cut off to scoop the mess up and dump it into the sewer hook-up, then we throw away the bottle. This is a good job to relagate to the kids! Good luck finding a "furry kid"! Lorna Schinske | ||
| Bob Westman (209.178.160.122)
Rating: N/A |
Glad to see so many old greyhounds traveling by old greyhound. When our 10 year old "Galileo" (his race name!)hears the Detroit fire up on our PD-4107, he is ready to go. He's a great traveler. |