Dog questions - to have or not have a dog

[LadyJo]

Hi all, I haven't started my van living journey just yet and have a few questions about having a dog. I also do not have a dog but am thinking about adopting as I start my wanderings.

When I go into town to shop, what do I do with the dog? It may be too hot / cold to leave it in the van.
How do I keep it cool? A coat would keep the dog warm in cooler temps.

How much water per day should I have for the dog?

I have had dogs and camped with dogs, but not full time.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I recommend that you establish your van lifestyle before considering taking on any pet.

 

[SoulRaven]

Having a dog when you travel can be very limiting, I know, we have traveled and full-timed with dogs. Camping with dogs is fun, but the day to day reality of a smaller space, the heat, the cold, the rules that pertain to where you are presently staying, the additional cost and keep in mind that costs for veterinary care can be very high in higher cost areas, etc. really need to be weighed against your desire to have a dog.

It comes down to price versus value. I have a senior dog and this will be my last dog. I am older and the expense and limits are not worth it to me anymore.

In order for it to work well, the dog has to be considered pretty much an equal to you in your mind. You have to not mind giving up going places where the dog won't be welcome.

While I realize that many people find ways to "get by", "getting by" would never be good enough for my dogs. My lifestyle cannot negatively impact my dog. Having chosen to have the dog, I took on obligations that must be fulfilled. Sometimes the decisions that one made in the past can limit the decisions they can make in the future.

You decide if the limitations are worth the companionship of the dog.

There are places where you cannot leave your dog unattended in a vehicle per the law.

 

[Almost There]

Both WheelEstate and Snow Gypsy have excellent points.

After living on the road for 14 years and then not for 8 years, I chose not to have another dog when I went back on the road. My age, the long term commitment of having a dog, the limitations on where I could and could not take said dog, cost, comfort factors, etc etc. all played in to it.

I settle for being 'aunt' to all my friends dogs. I get my cuddles, walks and affection without all the downsides.

 

[mayble]

Personally I think if you even have to ask, the answer is no.
I can't imagine living without a dog, yet the dog is the limiting factor in every single aspect of my life and I'm not even on the road yet.   When I do shed the shackles of stationary life, I will have to plan everything around the dog from where we camp to what activities I can do - no spending all day at a museum, the beach or other "no pets allowed" places, for example.  
If I had the choice, I would opt for the freedom and forego the companionship of a dog, at least until I had some experience "out there" and find my routine.

 

[mockturtle]

I recommend that you establish your van lifestyle before considering taking on any pet.

Excellent advice!  Think of every activity in view of how your pet would be impacted.

 

[phillipaaron]

I shop in the early morning or evening.

 

[LadyJo]

Very good advise from everyone. I will not have a dog. While I would love the companionship, it would not be fair to the dog. Thanks for helping me think this through.

 

[Park Kitchings]

Very good advise from everyone. I will not have a dog. While I would love the companionship, it would not be fair to the dog. Thanks for helping me think this through.

Certainly need to weigh the pros and cons as it's a major decision.  In my case the pros heavily outweigh the cons as the companionship and affection mine provides me is immeasurable.  I'd give up everything I own before I got rid of Petey.  Best friend I've ever had.

 

[Willy]

Without a dog, life just ain't worth living. ..Willy.

 

[mockturtle]

I agree with those who wouldn't give up their dogs for anything as I feel the same about mine. HOWEVER, my earlier advice stands. You really do need to try out the van life to assess how much having a pet will impact your life and the impact your life will have on your pet. You will sacrifice a great deal. When I started out full-time RV living, I already had Bucky, who is the light of my life. But if I hadn't, I would not adopt one.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

What a few others said, if you have to ask don't get one, try the van life first. I am on Willy's side of the camp though, without a dog, life ain't worth living, loosely quoted. I like to hike and camp in out of the way places. I feel safer with my big pup. She also carries a backpack if we are going out for a day. She has adamantly blocked my way ans insisted i leave a canyon. I saw a mountain lion back into a crevasse.
All that being said, yes, its like traveling with a child or anyone who depends on you. For me my 2 dogs are worth it but this life is not as easy as it could be without a dog.

Diane, ivy and Cricket

 

[highdesertranger]

Park that ain't right. highdesertranger

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I'm adopting this guy in a couple of weeks if all goes according to plan.  I've not had a dog in about 4 almost 5 years and I don't care for or need the little bit of extra freedom it's allowed me. It's the longest stretch i've lived with out one. Dogs make life better. They more than make up for the little inconveniences from time to time.    All my dogs have always gone every where with me and I had a pretty simple policy..........If my dog wasn't welcomed, neither was I.

 

[Cheli]

I've always had dogs in my life and I hate not having one now. I 'lost custody" of my two dogs four years ago in my divorce and I have been really itching for another the last couple of months.

However, I'm going to wait until I get on the road and adjust to the van dwelling lifestyle and see how I live before getting another dog. I don't want to be unfair to a dog in order to fulfill my selfish wants if my lifestyle wouldn't be conducive to having a dog. I want to be sure I'll have the time and money to properly care for a dog.

 

[wagoneer]

A friend has a dog he boondocks alone quite often in rural locations. He will not part from this dog while in hot locations shopping he leaves the car running with the ac on spends quite a bit on vets and groomers but as a solid 24/7 companion feeling the love wins out.

 

[ArtW]

I'm in Cheli's situation, sort of, Buddy, who I never wanted, but now love to death, and is definitely Daddy's Boy, stayed with my ex, as the original reason I agreed to him was due to the ex's anxiety problems
I do have visitation rights, due to an amicable and fair divorce (no lawyers at 50 paces, we did it ourselves) and it's understood if anything happens to Jeanne, Buddy comes to live with me
I will not, however, get a dog of my own, I live fulltime in a 16x8 travel trailer, and work 40 hours a week, and am seldom home on days off, and it wouldn't be fair to a dog unless and untill I can provide a fenced area for him /her to be in while I'm off at work

 

[mayble]

I am on Willy's side of the camp though, without a dog, life ain't worth living, loosely quoted. ....
All that being said, yes,   its like traveling with a child or anyone who depends on you.  For me my 2 dogs are worth it but this life is not as easy as it could be without a dog.

Diane, ivy and Cricket

Yep, that's me too.  If I had a choice, I'd go without a dog but in all my life it's never been a choice.  I can't recall ever not having one (or two or seven) in my life, and I don't see that changing until the day I die.

 

[arctic cat]

Another poster said this already and I'm going to reinforced their opinion.  Having a dog is like having a little 7 year old child that would never stop been 7 year old.  While having a pet as a companion is excellent it also have limitation as to where you can and you can do.   In my case I have an 8o lbs service dog which , unlike a pet I can take to many more places, I still face owner of business that allow access and people will always don't matter what would look down on you.  Everything I plan I do so with my partner in mind, because honestly if h can not go I can't go either.  There is also the additional expense,  a lot of people are under the impression that van or vehicle living is free because all they have to do is park somewhere and they live rent free.   While that part may be true, free is not really free just like you have to pay to maintain or repair that vehicle that is now your home, you're also responsible for the care of your dog.    In my specific case, because my dog and I are a team I have the responsibility to maintain my dog up certain standards for me to gain proper access.   Even a pet have to go to the vet and take heartworm and other medication.     Because he is not Scooby Do, he don't talk or tell you what is wrong with him or her and just like you they get depressed.   Just like you may depend on her or him,  he or she depend on you for everything that include food, medical care,  grooming and play time.    Having a dog whether is a working dog or a pet required the financial mean and dedication on your part. Before you get a dog do the proper research and think about the issues that that previous poster have talked about it.    To me the answer is easy because I own dogs all my life and trained and work with them.  I don't see my life living without my "Pilot"   But I also know my limitation and as much as I love rollercoaster, "Pilot" is not allowed on them and if he can not go neither can I.

 

[SoulRaven]

I've had dogs for most of the last 43 years.  I currently have 2 dogs that I've had for about 5 years.  I am single, I work from home (YES!) and my dogs are spoiled rotten, from the point of view that I take them with me pretty much everywhere.  

I'm also blessed in the fact that I taught them (do we really ever TEACH them anything?)  to stay in the car with the windows rolled down, ie. .... OPEN ...
However, even in Colorado , it starts getting too hot in May or June to leave them in the car for more than 15 minutes or so.  Once it's July, they stay home , unless we're not going to stop anywhere.  

On the other hand, it's also possible to gain some altitude and achieve some cooler weather.  I live at 7000 feet.  If I drive a little bit , I can be at 8500 feet where it is much cooler.  

As others have said, if you have to ask, the answer is probably "no", or "wait and see how you do by yourself"... 
In my case, also as others have said, my dogs are way too much a part of my life already.  
It's more like "Will I give up vandwelling if it doesn't work out for my dogs?"  

One thing is an absolute:  I will not give up my dogs for any reason.  Vandwelling may not work out for me.