Dogs , strangers, and wildlife

[katelyn]

I start my new life full timing with my dog next month, and wondered if anyone has had problems with not so 'perfectly social' dogs in state/national parks and campgrounds? Dogs are allowed in these places but from what I've read not on any of the hiking trails.&nbsp; I have an Access Park Pass so it's quite cheap to stay in these campgrounds and there's free water until I get to BLM areas.<br>&nbsp; Anyone ever get a 'talking to' by a park ranger for a barking dog? My dog is weary of strangers and is leashed at all times but since he's big and has rottweiller markings people get scared ( I would too&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> ) ,and my dog also barks as a warning when people walk by, sees other dogs, or horses.&nbsp; Usually I try to avoid these awkward situations but just thought i'd ask....<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; thanks!

 

[my_vantasy]

Our dogs bark at others, too, but we quiet them down. We always have their Kong's and other chew toys to keep them busy. Other dogs bark at us as we walk past their campsites, so it has never been an issue.

I did get a 'talking to' once when I was entering a hiking trail with my dog. The ranger pointed to the sign prohibiting dogs. I played dumb and said I completely missed the sign. There were no sanctions or consequences for me...it was just a little embarrassing...

 

[Stargazer]

I have traveled with three dogs, all barked at people walking by, went crazy over other dogs, in local, state, federal parks, gas stations, rest areas. I would do my best to quiet them down. If I had to leave them, or worried about the barking bothering others, I'd close curtains or otherwise cover the windows. That helped a lot! Out of sight, out of mind.

Edited to add: nobody ever complained or gave me a talking to.

 

[highdesertranger]

that is one of the many reasons i stay away from national parks and most state parks.&nbsp; i have gotten the lecture at kalifornia state parks.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Cubey]

I have entertained the idea of having a dog.<br><br>My deal is.. I like medium to large sized breeds a lot, especially labradors. There is a very nice black lab that wanders around by the local Dollar General (clearly owned, has a colar and tag). It's a small town and probably lives over behind the store. It remembered me today from last week. I was kneeling down reading the headliens of the paper in the machine when it came up to me calmy, gave me lots of doggie kisses and wanted to follow me. I had to tell it to go away and pointed, and he/she understood perfectly and obeyed. Went back over to the end of the cement walkway, laid down and stayed put when I left. <br><br>If I didn't know it had a home, I'd bring it home! It's the calmest dog, very sweet and very obidient. <br><br>Problem is... a dog that size would be a nightmare in my dinky Class B van. My life would revolve around long walks for such a dog several times a day whether I felt like it or not. I'm just not up to that kind of constant demand for care of a critter.<br><br>I don't feel claustrophobic in my van by myself but I would with a big dog in there too. I just find that it wouldn't be fair to the dog to force it to live in a 6 x 15 x 6 space. Less really due to cabinets, the bathroom, etc.

 

[wagoneer]

I have a similar dream of a dog about the size of a very large cat. Watchdog/companion.

 

[Stargazer]

Cubey,

May I take a bit of license with your post?

I have entertained the idea of having a man.

My deal is.. I like intelligent, laid back breeds a lot, especially guys in good health. There is a very nice guy that wanders around the campground. It's near a small town and he probably lives in that van across the way. He remembered me today from last week. I was outside sitting by my campfire when he came up to me calmly, gave me a look see, and wanted to join me. I had to tell him to go away and pointed, and he understood perfectly and obeyed. Went back over to the other side of the campground, sat down and stayed put when I left.

If I didn't know he was seeking a purse, I'd bring him home! He's the calmest man, seems very sweet and very obedient.

Problem is... a man would be a nightmare in my dinky van. My life would revolve around cooking meals for such a man several times a day and doing his laundry whether I felt like it or not. I'm just not up to that kind of constant demand for care of a man.

I don't feel claustrophobic in my van by myself but I would with a man in there too. I just find that it wouldn't be fair to the man to force him to live in a 6 x 10 x 4 space.

;-)

 

[Seraphim]

As long as he has the great outdoors to run around in, it shouldn't be an issue. In reality, you're only sleeping in the van - you're actaully living outside in the real world.<br><br>That attitude makes all the difference...

 

[my_vantasy]

Stargazer--I love it!!

 

[peacetara]

Stargazer, Beautiful post!<br><br>I think, if you could handle having a dog with you, then rescuing one seems like a smart move.&nbsp; In kennels/etc, their space is not any bigger, and wouldn't get constant human connection/love like they would in your van <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; All-in-all, I think living in a van for a dog would be an upgrade from the rescue/shelter lifestyle.<br><br>That said, rescuing a man isn't very high on my priority list!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Cubey]

As long as he has the great outdoors to run around in, it shouldn't be an issue. In reality, you're only sleeping in the van - you're actaully living outside in the real world.<br><br>That attitude makes all the difference...

<br><br>Seeing as how I will mostly be in urban areas that won't be an option. <br><br>Even in a rural area, I don't trust any dog under my care to be unleased. They're darn hard to catch if they get it in their minds to chase something.<br><br>I will be spending a fair amount of time inside so I can't disregard that fact.

 

[Stargazer]

Cubey,

I really appreciate that you are seriously considering the responsibility of a pet. So many people don't and both the pet and the owner suffer as a result. Thank you!

Now, that said, you keep handing me these opportunities for fun:

"They're darn hard to catch if they get it in their minds to chase something." You mean the dog, right?

I hope you know I'm just funnin' ya! And again, thank you for considering how a pet would fit into your life. If everybody thought like you, the pounds would be unnecessary.

Hugs! And maybe a belly scratching? ;-)

 

[Cubey]

<p>I may try to find a puppy later on once I am in my van. That way it can grow up and be adjusted to living that lifestyle.<br><br>If one is fully grown, they'll be used to living in a house with a lot of space and might effect them negatively to be confined to what amounts to the size of a small bathroom in a house for most of the day.<br><br>It's easier to train a dog from the beginning to live a certain lifestyle than it is a grown dog who is set in their ways. ("Old dog, new tricks") Although, I wouldn't mind one that is already house trained. One less thing to worry about. <br><br>But too, bonding is very important and I think the majority of that occurs while they're under 1 year old.<br><br>Cats take care of themselves better in such living situations and while I like cats okay, I'm not sure I'd wanna bother with one in a van. They a lot less obedient for one thing. A dog generally knows his place if they're raised indoors. A cat will do darn well whatever it feels like right in front of your face. A dog will at least try to go behind your back to do something it shouldn't.<br><br>A dog will bark it's head off if someone knocks or is poking around outside so you have some sense of security. A cat will just run and hide.<br><br>Unless you get one as a kitten and train it, you can't leash walk them. And even if you do, it's a lot harder to leash walk a cat than a dog... if only for the rarity of it. You'll attract a LOT of attention walking a cat on a leash. <br><br> It may also be dangerous for the cat... and yourself!. It's one thing for another dog at the park to see and encounter your dog. It's quite another for a dog to encounter your cat. You would have to pick up the cat and risk getting clawed to bits and being attacked by the other person's dog at the same time. Less risk with a dog. So yeah, I suspect there would be a lot more problems with walks.<br><br>Plus the cat would have to have the demeanor of a dog to even put up with being taken for walks. You put a collar on many cats and they go into "GET IT OFF ME!!!" mode. Assuming they don't, you attach a leash to the collar and they hunker down and won't budge. It's as if they feel insulated and demeaned that you would attach such things to them for the purpose of parading them around as your pet for the world to see.</p>

 

[Seymour]

Newbie here; today's the first day.<BR><BR>Fixing up my '89 Class B (just like Cubey's!) to start my adventures.&nbsp; We traveled with Zeus, a 100lb rescued black lab with anxiety issues for 6 years; he was 4 when we got him.&nbsp; I cut some plywood to fit over the toilet in the back and put a small mattress on it to make his sleeping spot.&nbsp;&nbsp; Yes, he took&nbsp; quite of bit of space out of the footprint (and I had to have him move every time one of us needed to 'go') but his companionship while hiking and the safety and protection of our 'den' paid us back everyday.&nbsp;&nbsp; He died two years ago and we now have another black dog half his size.&nbsp; She's just learning to live in the 'den'; doubt she'll protect it as well but she is much more park&nbsp;friendly.<BR><BR>Many folks travel with pets; important things we learned:<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. Always leash and cleanup after your pet.&nbsp; If you are a responsible pet owner, folks give leeway on its behavior.&nbsp; <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. Constant barking will likely be a problem with your neighbors in tight spots.&nbsp; An early 'boundary walk' our dog seemed to quickly learn the 'area' that was ours and would only bark when another animal or child came onto our site.<BR><BR>Seymour

 

[Cubey]

<br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody ">Fixing up my '89 Class B (just like Cubey's!) to start my adventures.&nbsp; We traveled with Zeus, a 100lb rescued black lab with anxiety issues for 6 years; he was 4 when we got him.&nbsp; I cut some plywood to fit over the toilet in the back and put a small mattress on it to make his sleeping spot.&nbsp;&nbsp; Yes, he took&nbsp; quite of bit of space out of the footprint (and I had to have him move every time one of us needed to 'go') but his companionship while hiking and the safety and protection of our 'den' paid us back everyday.&nbsp;&nbsp; He died two years ago and we now have another black dog half his size.&nbsp; She's just learning to live in the 'den'; doubt she'll protect it as well but she is much more park&nbsp;friendly.

<br><br>The bathroom in mine is sectioned off with a door. Traveling alone, a dog can make use of the passenger seat as their bed. <br><br>There's no real no way to know how a dog will bark until you expose it to the environment it's going to be living in. It might be better with a puppy since it'll grow up learning to be alone. Sometimes playing a radio will help I have heard but it's not full proof.

 

[katelyn]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!&nbsp; I will be bringing his Kong and lots of peanut butter and I like the suggestion of walking around to show the dog the 'boundary area' and will be getting my curtains fixed up soon.&nbsp;