Products to Keep Furbabies Happy When Traveling

If traveling is part of your current lifestyle or you plan to travel, be aware caring for dogs is a commitment of love and requires daily effort. We have an entire cupboard dedicated to doggy essentials, under the sink are the grooming products, and in the outside compartments of our RV, space is dedicated to a dog pen, rug, and baskets for them to ride in on our bicycles. Pets are not inanimate objects like stuffed animals to be thrown into the rig; they are members of the family and need constant love and attention.

Wondering what fills the spaces reserved for dog stuff? These are our essentials.

Comfortable and safe vests and leashes

We tried several styles until we found the best product for our pups. This vest wraps around the pup’s body and has to closures. Velcro allows for quick fastening, but a plastic latch adds security. Because Dagney and Cisco love to ride on our Harleys and bicycles, it is important they cannot slip out of the vest.

Since our dogs are small, weighing under 6 pounds, we don’t need a heavy duty leash but find this rope style provides easier maneuverability as it doesn’t tangle easily. The latch attaches quickly to the harness and the soft rubber coating on the handle protects my hands from the strain of pulling. When the pups walk down the road in these matching ensembles, they look stylish. Both are available on Amazon for $14.00.

Note: I do not get any money for sharing my experience with these products or providing links to purchase items mentioned.

Bark deterrents

I would love to be able to say our pups are perfectly well behaved, but I was never able to say that about my children either. Though with age and many interventions Dagney doesn’t bark often around other dogs, she has her moments. Cisco, only a year old, not only whines when placed in a dog pen, but barks when he sees another dog, hears them whine, spots a deer or horse in the distance, or spots movement in the grass — basically all the time if we do not plan ahead.

Knowing this we have assembled an arsenal to decrease and hopefully overtime eliminate this bad habit. A squirt gun lays within reach. Amazingly, sometimes a shot of water will stop his barking. Though there have been times he becomes soaked and we employ other techniques.

We call this device the bark house. Because it bothers Dagney when she is not barking, we use it sparingly but it is highly effective. We have even placed it outside when a dog in a RV next to us will not stop barking. It works like a charm.

Sometimes a bark collar on only Cisco is a better options. We have never used anything that shocks and I don’t think I would want to, but a collar that vibrates and beeps works well to change his behaviors. Again we only use it as needed because it is heavy for a small dog.

Entertainment

Any good dog parent knows the value of dog toys to stimulate their pup. Recently, we have added lick pads to our inventory. These come in various sizes, are machine washable, and have suction cups on the back to adhere to most objects. We place ours on the fridge. With just a little peanut butter, the pups can be occupied for extended period in a small space.

Treats

Reinforcement of positive behaviors is valuable for dogs and children. In fact, reinforcement is good with adults! We have different kinds of treats for different situations but realize just like with children too much “candy” can be unhealthy so distribute them with caution.

Because we do not feed from the table, we have a bag of soft dog food to share after each meal. If the pups behave without begging or hovering around the table, they are rewarded with 2–3 pieces. The minute we place our plates in the sink, their ears perk up and they appear at our feet.

When we leave for a while we give them each a milk bone. This communicates we are leaving so they understand the expectations, especially helpful when we are traveling and they are left in the motorhome.

Finally, life would be incomplete if the dogs didn’t have their bully sticks to chew on. These are offered for short periods because they are high in calories but help keep teeth clean. They love them. If you have never purchased bully sticks before, you might enjoy reading about our first experience.

I Hold a Bull’s Penis Each Evening

Paw cleaner

Dogs, dirt, and rain create a muddy situation. But dogs who are not taken outside periodically, create an alternative that is not any better. We simply keep a rag near the entrance of our RV to clean their feet. When made part of the procedure, the pups simply do as expected. There are some inventive products available to help in this process but a simply rag works for us.

Bed

Everybody needs space. This is true for pets also. We started with two dog beds, one for each dog. Since we discovered Cisco needs to be touching Dagney when he sleeps we purchased one larger cushion that they can share. Be aware of your dogs’ need and preferences to make the best decisions.

Water dish

We have two types of water dishes for travel. One is a small collapsible bowl that hooks on the leash to make it readily available on long walks. The second is a no spill bowl. When my sister-in-law introduced me to this product, it was a life saver! While we are moving down the road there is never a concern about water splashing out.

CBD oil

I recommend this item with caution and suggest only using with advice from a vet. Dagney becomes excessively stress in large crowds but hates to be left at home. This product helps her calm and alleviates anxiety. The amount prescribed and specific product should be researched and determined by the size and type of pet. We have found positive results.

Poop bags

No details needed. Just pack twice as many as you think you will need.

Love and Patience

Ultimately, you may think you are prepared for everything but shit happens. As long as you stay calm and love your pet, the journey together will be a success because you are together.

Follow our trip as Randy, Dagney, Cisco and I travel across the US from Idaho to Maine and home again. Hitch a ride at RVing in Retirement.

Randy and I went to a flea market and bought this adorable sign to hang up whenever we park the RV. It is on metal so extremely weather resistant and only cost $22.00. Our sign has an RV, our names are on the chairs, and the dogs laying out front. Love it! Steve and Tava, the owners, were so nice I wanted to give them a shout out.