Keeping an eye on pets while away from RV

[jerrybob]

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."

Andy Rooney

[daveandalice]

On a recent campout to Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs Mississippi. our neighbors would leave for the day and the their two dogs barked non stop the entire time they were gone, they would return late in the afternoon to let the dogs out for a few minutes then immediately leave again for the night, it was excruciating to try and sit around the campfire listening to the non stop barking.

Typically dogs left in campers bark as you walk by or make a sound then stop barking, these dogs never stopped for hours on end.

These folks were obviously spending their entire stay at the nearby casino's, they never placed one item outside their trailer such as chairs, rug, etc.
We considered leaving a note on their door explaining how their dogs put a damper on not only us but other campers in the vicinity.

[MJo]

I think I would have considered calling the local animal control officer. It must have been pretty warm for 2 dogs cooped up in an RV all day.

[daveandalice]

The trailer with the dogs was a large 5th wheel with multiple air conditioners that were running.

Good thing there were no electricity issues!

David

[AlanKilian]

Originally Posted by MJo

I think I would have considered calling the local animal control officer.

It's in Mississippi so I'm not sure it would have made any difference calling the campground hosts, but it does say:

Pets are allowed and must be a leash, not to exceed 6 feet at all times. Pet owners are responsibile for cleaning up after their pets. Pets are not allowed on any beach or inside any structures, and may not make excessive noise inside the campgound.

on the recreeation.gov site for that location.

[Deb Mac]

Would never leave the dogs in an unpowered, uncooled RV anymore than I would leave a child. Hence both the need for the a/c, shore power and/or a good generator AND the Marcell. It monitors power and temp and notifies me if either is out of range (temp) or shuts down (power). When I leave them I don’t go anywhere beyond a half hour drive back and even that is seldom. And I don’t set my out of range temperature anywhere near the danger zone. If I don’t get an alert until it is already too high, by the time I get there it might be in the danger zone and too late.

So please don’t judge those of us that are responsible to the neighbours but primarily to our dogs.

I am single and travel solo, so I don’t have someone to sit in the running air-conditioned car with them while I shop. I could board them, but that would entail leaving them in a strange place with strangers. Or I could try to find a house sitter and where I live that is near impossible. So I either don’t visit my family or wait till the dogs die of old age before I go anywhere. Or… I can take with me & leave them in the trailer where they are comfortable.

My dogs have been taught that being alone is a safe thing and they have never caused a problem to the “neighbours”. Even so, every time I travel, I inform the neighbours that this is a new campground for them, and if they notice the dogs barking to please let me know. I generally check in on my return and have been told that they wouldn’t even know that there were dogs there.

[jvhretiredatcs]

Originally Posted by Deb Mac

Would never leave the dogs in an unpowered, uncooled RV anymore than I would leave a child. Hence both the need for the a/c, shore power and/or a good generator AND the Marcell. It monitors power and temp and notifies me if either is out of range (temp) or shuts down (power). When I leave them I don’t go anywhere beyond a half hour drive back and even that is seldom. And I don’t set my out of range temperature anywhere near the danger zone. If I don’t get an alert until it is already too high, by the time I get there it might be in the danger zone and too late.

So please don’t judge those of us that are responsible to the neighbours but primarily to our dogs.

I am single and travel solo, so I don’t have someone to sit in the running air-conditioned car with them while I shop. I could board them, but that would entail leaving them in a strange place with strangers. Or I could try to find a house sitter and where I live that is near impossible. So I either don’t visit my family or wait till the dogs die of old age before I go anywhere. Or… I can take with me & leave them in the trailer where they are comfortable.

My dogs have been taught that being alone is a safe thing and they have never caused a problem to the “neighbours”. Even so, every time I travel, I inform the neighbours that this is a new campground for them, and if they notice the dogs barking to please let me know. I generally check in on my return and have been told that they wouldn’t even know that there were dogs there.

Touche!!! Thank you again for the recommendation of the Marcell. We have ours now and it is set up and tested to ensure that it is working and it is. We will be leaving on our cross country trip next week and the Marcell will be a critical piece of equipment to have to ensure that our pets are safe!

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by MJo

That’s the only safe way. Also, I can’t imagine leaving a pet alone in a trailer. It wants to be in it’s familiar home or with you. Putting it in a “hard sided” crate is selfish and cruel. If it isn’t able to be free in the RV, don’t take it. I personally would never use a ‘crate.’ But then, my dog is my companion. Nicer than most people.

If you take animals with you a lot the trailer is their home also. When we had dogs one of them couldn't wait to go. Now our cat is happy in the RV. We take her toys, crate for emergencies and she'll sleep in it since we leave it open, her blanket, etc. So far we haven't taken her in the trailer but plan to do so very soon. We have never crated a pet except to keep it safe on a ferry or at border crossings going into Canada since sometimes they want to see it and so while the window is down she doesn't decide to go out on her own. An animal should not have to be with its owner every minute of every day whether at home or traveling.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by daveandalice

On a recent campout to Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs Mississippi. our neighbors would leave for the day and the their two dogs barked non stop the entire time they were gone, they would return late in the afternoon to let the dogs out for a few minutes then immediately leave again for the night, it was excruciating to try and sit around the campfire listening to the non stop barking.

Typically dogs left in campers bark as you walk by or make a sound then stop barking, these dogs never stopped for hours on end.

These folks were obviously spending their entire stay at the nearby casino's, they never placed one item outside their trailer such as chairs, rug, etc.
We considered leaving a note on their door explaining how their dogs put a damper on not only us but other campers in the vicinity.

When dogs bark like that you should contact the office and tell them. They will put a stop to it even if it means kicking them out of the campground. We complained one time when a person went out drinking and left their dog to bark all night. When we woke up the campground owner twice he said those people would be leaving the next morning. He had their phone numbers but didn't answer their phones. At least that would put a stop to a 2nd day of barking.

[Eggcentric]

Originally Posted by jvhretiredatcs

Hello everyone we are looking for some help/advice on how to keep an eye on our pets while we are away from the RV during the day. A couple of years ago we almost killed our pets because we didn't know that the a/c breaker had failed while we were gone for the day. Fortunately they survived and we were able to get the breaker replaced. We know that there are several cameras out there that work off of camp site Wi-Fi signals but which ones will allow us to be able to see our pets while we are out in town exploring? The one that we bought we thought would work won't connect to hot spots or cell service. What do you recommend???

Thanks in advance

Just be sure that your dogs are not barking constantly while you are away.
Have been stuck beside rigs that have constant barking and it is terribly annoying. When I have to confront an owner about it, I tell them I will report the dogs to the SPCA, as being neglected if it continues.
Leaving a tv on sometimes keeps them quiet.

[Deb Mac]

Originally Posted by Eggcentric

Leaving a tv on sometimes keeps them quiet.

Agreed. Though I don't have a TV in the trailer, I usually leave music for them. No sound inside makes every little sound outside even more noticeable to the dogs. Plus, when I'm home, there is always the TV or some music on. It adds to their comfort level if I leave it on in the trailer.
Any time I have moved, I have left the TV on every time I went out. In their minds "TV on? Mom's here." and they will relax more quickly and adjust to their new environment.

[Jan.nentrup]

Being locked up in a small confined area for any length of time. I just can’t do it! I know it’s controversial but you did ask. We NEVER leave our precious companion when we go camping. We would rather do take out than risk something happening to her. Why do people even get pets to lock them up? After having a near disaster …that in itself shows how dangerous it is. Please reconsider!! And countless times in campgrounds dogs left behind bark the whole time their people are gone.

[tvp]

We bought our trailer so that we could travel with our dogs. They are our family. We don't leave them alone, and no one has ever complained about them.

We've had more trouble with kids making a racket because their parents "let them run free." That, and the loud ATVs constantly roaring past in some campgrounds. Much bigger problem than dogs, IMHO.

My advice is no kids, and no ATVs.

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

A camping neighbour informed us that once we pulled out in the car, our dog began barking and continued until we returned.

My advice is no pets.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Raz

My dog goes just about every where with me. When we're camping, people stop in to visit, get their golden "fix" and often lament not bringing their dog. If the dog is well trained, there shouldn't be an issue. If not, that's the owners fault, not the dogs.

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Totally agree. Takes time and patience to train the dogs, short out-of-sight wanders to observe whether or not they stay quiet. We corral ours on the floor and leave a radio on tuned to a talk show if possible to subdue outsides noises. At one time we used walkie-talkies to listen in while on a campground walkaround to confirm they stayed quiet. We also ask neighbors on both sides to advise us whether or not they were barking while we biked about. Have not had a complaint about ours in 20+ years.