RV Pet Safety: How to Leave Your Dog Alone
The truth of the matter is, sometimes leaving your dogs alone in the RV is unavoidable.
And although it may seem nerve-wracking, often times the safest place for your dog is inside your travel trailer.
As spontaneous and whimsical as our nomadic life may seem, there is actually a great deal of planning involved to keep our fur-babies safe and happy.
And it is our job as pet owners to make sure our dogs are as safe and comfortable as possible while we are away.
Proper planning and preparation is the key to leaving your dogs alone in the RV. Here are some RV Pet Safety tips for how to leave your dog alone.
Is it Safe to Leave your Dog in an RV?
Leaving your dog alone in the RV is a confusing topic among RV owners. Most of us are guilty of this at one point or another, but the question remains: Is it safe?
Yes, you can leave your dog in your RV unattended. There are many ways to keep your pup safe while alone in your travel trailer, as long as you have taken safety precautions for your pets and you are following the rules of the campground or RV park you are staying at.
Dog Behavior when Left Alone in Your RV
Before we get into all of our helpful tips, the first thing we need to talk about is what kind of behavior issue your pup might have if they’re left alone too long. There are a few different reasons why dogs can get anxious or destructive when they’re alone in your RV.
Separation Anxiety: One reason may be that the owner’s absence triggers separation anxiety which leads to destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture or urinating inside the RV.
Boredom: Another common reason could be boredom since dogs will often behave destructively when they don’t know what else to do.
Situations where you Have to Leave Your Dog Alone in an RV
No matter how well you plan your trips and how hard you try to avoid leaving your dogs alone in the RV, scenarios will arise where your only or most practical choice is to leave them alone, especially if you are living and traveling full-time in your RV.
Grocery Stores: For example, most grocery stores will not allow dogs inside unless they are certified service animals. If you are traveling with someone else you may be able to leave the dogs with them while you stock up but if you are traveling alone with your pups, this may be an unavoidable hour of alone time for them.
National Parks: Many people assume that all National Parks and popular hiking trails would be dog-friendly but that is not actually the case. Many National Parks have restrictions around where our pets are allowed to roam, oftentimes keeping them out of tourist areas. Don’t worry, there are still so many beautiful places to explore with your dogs and ways to visit National Parks while traveling with dogs.
The good news is, most of these unavoidable scenarios in public places last no longer than an hour or two.
Tip #1 Protect your Pet from the Elements
Weather can be unpredictable and dangerous for your dog. When you are leaving the dogs for an extended period of time in your RV, it is important to take into consideration what the weather will be.
Avoid Leaving your dogs alone during a Storm: When you must leave your dogs alone in the RV, remember to check the weather beforehand. If there is any chance of thunderstorms, cold weather or other extreme weather conditions, it is best not to leave the dogs alone. Storms could scare your pets or affect the electrical systems of the RV, knocking out the heat or A/C that is keeping them safe.
Avoid Traveling to hot places: As a good rule of thumb for all dogs, try not to travel to the southern states during their hottest seasons. However, unseasonably hot days happen in all parts of the world and we have to be prepared for extreme heat. On days when it is just too hot for your dog’s paws, it is safer for them to stay inside of your cool RV with a big bowl of ice water.
Tip #2 Preparing to Leave Your Dog Alone in an RV
One of the best things you can do to ease your dog’s anxiety is to slowly acclimate them to being alone. Start with short 20-30 minute periods of time and gradually increase the duration so that they can adjust without feeling overwhelmed.
If you know you’ll be leaving your dogs alone for an extended period, make sure they get plenty of exercise beforehand. Take them on a long hike, let them run around at a dog park, or play fetch with them. A tired dog is a happy dog, and they’re more likely to relax and sleep while you’re away.
And remember, each dog is unique, so take note of their habits and routines to make them as comfortable as possible. With a little bit of patience and planning, leaving your pups alone in the RV can be stress-free for both you and your furry friends.
Tip #3 How to Make Your RV Safe for Your Dogs
To ensure your dogs are comfortable and safe when left alone in your RV, it is important to prepare both your dogs and the RV itself. Here are some housekeeping tips to keep in mind:
Leave out plenty of water: You want to make sure that your furry friends are hydrated when left alone, so leave plenty of water in their bowls (two cups per dog).
Clean-Up All the Mess: Clean up any trash, dirty dishes, or leftover food before leaving the dogs alone. Even if your dog does not typically get into things they shouldn’t, it is best not to give them the chance.
Child Lock Cabinets: Make sure they cannot get into any cabinets with cleaning products or harmful substances. Consider using child locks to keep things securely shut.
Cover all Your Windows: Not only will this help insulate the RV and keep the temperature regulated for your dogs, it will also prevent your dogs from seeing any distractions that may cause them to bark uncontrollably, such as wildlife or people passing by.
Use White Noise: For your dog to feel at ease, turn on some white noise for them inside the camper. Research has proven that white noises are helpful in allowing dogs to feel calmer, and sleep better when left alone.
Microchip your Dog: Microchipping is becoming increasingly popular for pet owners who want to be able to find their dogs if they escape. It’s less stressful knowing that someone will be able to contact you if their ID or collar falls off.
Consider Hiring a Dog Walker: Hiring a personal dog walker or taking your pup to a doggie day care can be the perfect way for you to enjoy your time and ensure your furry friend is taken care of while you are away from your RV. Thankfully there are professional individuals who have experience caring for all sorts of animals.
Lock the doors: This should always be a habit when leaving your RV unattended, especially when your dogs are alone inside and could take off if the door were to be opened by a stranger.
Pet Note: Consider leaving a sign in your window letting people know the RV is insulated and temperature safe, the dog has food and water, and consider leaving your phone number in case someone truly suspects your dog is in danger they can call you before calling the police.
Tip #4 How to Monitor your Dogs While You Are Away
When it comes to keeping your furry friend safe on the road, there are many dog safety devices to consider. Your choice will depend on factors like the size of your dog, the type of RV you have, and your budget. Here are a few options to consider:
Dog Monitoring Cameras: A dog monitoring camera, such as a Furbo, are designed to keep an eye on your dogs. They connect to your phone and can send you alerts when your dog is barking, howling, or becoming active.
A Pet Temperature monitor: Temperature monitoring devices send alerts to your cell phone. They notify you if the temperature in your RV drops below or goes above the set parameters. This device does require reliable Wi-Fi in your RV.
Upgraded Locks: installing Keyless RV locks allow you to create a custom code for keypad entry and have the option to utilize a key FOB. Not only will this protect your dogs while they are home alone, but it will also allow RV Park staff and family to be able to get into the RV when you are away if there is an emergency.
Pet Rescue Stickers: The pet rescue sticker allows fire crews or other emergency personnel to know that your dog is inside the RV and needs to be rescued!
Automatic Fire Extinguishers: Are a new trend in the RV world that could stop the flames from spreading should a fire break out inside the travel trailer. These fire ball extinguishers are self-activating and can be mounted in areas where fires may occur like switchboard and circuit control systems, electric appliance areas etc.
Remember, your dog’s safety is your responsibility, so it’s important to invest in the right dog safety devices for your needs.
Tip #5 Parking Your RV with Dogs Alone Inside
When you park your RV and leave your dogs alone inside, finding a suitable spot can be a stressful experience.
It’s important to research and choose a location that allows pets and complies with the rules and regulations for leaving them unattended.
Before you set up camp, make sure to check the campground rules and regulations regarding pet policies, as some places may have strict guidelines that you need to follow.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to consider the safety and comfort of your pets when choosing a spot, such as avoiding areas with heavy foot traffic or loud noise.
Campgrounds: At campgrounds where you are allowed to leave your dogs alone in the RV, consider letting campground hosts know what spot your RV is parked at with your pets inside. If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, ask them if they can check in on your dog after a couple of hours.
RV parks: Even though an RV park with a reliable electric hook-up is especially nice if you are planning to leave the A/C running for your dogs, be sure to check before you book your next RV park of the“no dogs left unattended” rule. A great place to start your search is by checking online or contacting each park directly and asking what kind of pet restrictions they may enforce.
Public places: If you are going to be parking your RV in public somewhere, try to park in the shade. You would be surprised how well a shady spot can keep your RV cool on a hot, sunny day.
Boondocking: When camping without hookups, it is a good idea to have a generator that can power your travel trailers A/C unit. The generator should have ample power to keep your RV cool and make sure your dog is comfortable while you are away.
How to Keep the RV Cool for Your Dogs
One of the biggest concerns people have about leaving dogs alone in an RV is overheating. There are many ways to keep your RV at a comfortable temperature for your dogs while you are away, here are some things I’ve found helpful:
- Vent fans installed in the roof of the travel trailer creates good airflow throughout the RV and ensures your pup has adequate ventilation.
- Using a generator to power your A/C paired with a pet temperature device ensures your RV stays cool.
- Newer RVs have auto-start features on generators that can kick on your A/C unit if the temperatures reach a certain degree.
- An ice water bowl can cool your dog down while you are away.
- Keeping the shades down will help block out excess sunlight and make it harder for heat from outside to enter through the windows.
- 4 season travel trailers are better equipped to handle extreme temperature changes.
Should my dog be in a Kennel Alone in my RV?
The question of whether or not your dog should be in a kennel while traveling is something you need to decide for yourself. All dogs have their own personality, and some are more likely than others to get anxious and become destructive when they’re left alone for long periods at a time.
Leaving dogs alone in an RV
The question of whether or not your dog should be in a kennel while traveling is something you need to decide for yourself. All dogs have their own personality, and some are more likely than others to get anxious and become destructive when they’re left alone for long periods at a time.
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