Legends’ mascots (our furry children) are Miss Kaydee and Mr. Riley.
By Genevieve Frederick.
Motor homes usually have a driver, a passenger, maybe a few kids, and at least one dog. To own a motor home, you need at least one dog. Don’t be surprised if RV dealers match a breed to a particular model in the future.
Taking an RV trip with your pooch should and will be pleasant if you:
1. Keep your dog safe; put his leash on before you open the door. Dogs get excited as soon as their home on the road stops, and they want out! But not every place you stop will be safe; oncoming traffic, glass along the road, and other dogs nearby could cause your dog to run onto the road.
2. Carry a health certificate issued by our veterinarian that clearly identifies the dog and certifies that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36-month period. This is a must if you plan to travel from the United States to Canada. Different Canadian provinces may have different requirements. Contact the government of the provinces you plan to visit. It is rare to need a health certificate when traveling in the 48 states, but if something happens, both the certificate and the rabies vaccination certificate could help a lot.
3. Respect all the rules of campsites and parks. That can mean a special Poop Park or a Dog Run Area and leash rules. You don’t want to be asked to leave if your dog misbehaves or runs amok. Dogs in a new, strange place will follow their noses, so keep your leash on so your dog doesn’t get lost. And be prepared to pay extra for your pooch. Some camps and parks have a “dog fee.”
4. Always carry poop bags (zip-lock sandwich plastic bags for smaller breeds and larger plastic bags for bigger breeds). The trick to using zip-lock bags is to turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turn the bag right side up again, and zip the contents (and smell) closed. Always try to locate the nearest dumpster or trash can instead of bringing it back into your motor home.
5. D-rings are great! Hook it on his leash and then hook the D-ring to your belt loop. You’ll have both hands free. When in camp, tie a long rope to a boulder, picnic table, tree, or the bumper of the motor home, and tie the other end to the handrail just outside the RV door. Next time your pooch needs to go out, get his leash, clamp on the D-ring, and hook it on the rope, and out he goes like a little paratrooper. D-rings make it easy to tie up the dog when you go into a store or shop. Just loop the leash around any post or tree and use the D-ring to secure the dog; this prevents knots that seem to tighten by the minute as your dog pulls on the leash.
6. When you go on a tour or shopping and have to leave your pooch in the RV, make sure you leave the vents open, have fresh water out, and have a few puddle pads on the floor just in case there is an accident. Open windows can become an escape route—right through the screen and a long way down to the ground, so only leave the windows open an inch.
7. The inside of a motor home is usually small, and dogs do not get out as much as they would at home. Brush your dog outside to remove dander and loose fur; it’s much easier to let the wind take it away than to clog up your vacuum.
8. If you’re on the road for long periods, check the local yellow pages for a dog groomer in the town you are visiting. Or ask at the campground or RV Park for a recommendation of a nearby groomer. A better solution than doggy daycare is to leave your dog at home while you tour a museum or go to a ball game. Your dog will be pampered and clean when you pick him up.
9. Give your dog a special place, like a dog carrier, pad, or bed. This gives him a secure, comfortable place when he feels scared or tired.
10. If your dog gets nervous or anxious while traveling, try Dramamine™ and St. John’s Wort. Ask your vet for the amounts based on your pooch’s body weight.
Dogs enrich our lives in every way, and they deserve a road trip too. Besides, they’re a lot easier than kids, and dogs don’t keep saying, “Are we there yet?” or “Where’s McDonald’s?” The only drawback is that dogs can’t use the bathroom, so they compel us to “stop and smell the roses” every so often.
Added March 2005, updated October 2026.
About The Author: Genevieve Frederick is the Publisher at Paw Publishing, Inc.
Also See:
RV Tips, Tricks, Travel Information & More
Source: Article City