Travelling with four dogs.

[gprice]

Help!
We have a Montana 3255RL, and we have four fur babies that have to go where we go.
The problem is, how do you deal with 4 dogs in a fiver??
We have two small female mixed breeds, and two very small, male, minuature dachshunds.
Do you try to keep all these dogs crated, or just let them stay loose in the trailer when not at home??
Also, when we are sitting outside in the lawn chairs, or around the campfire, they are barking, or all over us. Do you simply leave them inside, or try to keep them on a leash outside?
DW was thinking a "screen room" might be an answer??

[jrgwdenner]

There are several families on the forum who travel with 3 or 4 dogs, some are considered medium or large sized. So it can be done. I've seen some rigs with metal circle fences so the dogs can be outside in a play yard.

We just let Greta relax in the rig when we're gone. I'm sure it will depend on the personalities of your dogs as to how you will handle each one. Some folks crate their dogs when they're gone as well as crate them when they're driving. Greta wears a seat belt.

[firetrucker]

We have three dogs, one Siberian (had two, lost one) and two Shih Tzus. They are all crate trained, but we give them all their own area in the 3400 and try to keep them entertained (and quiet)with tv while were away. The Sibe is not a barker while the Shih Tzus are, but in the 5er, they seem only to bark when we first leave. After that they typically settle down. We've learned that if we keep them busy during the morning, they have a several hour afternoon siesta during which we can leave them with some confidence. We don't like leaving them for much more than four hours, or any time that might involve their customary mealtime.

When they're outside, they're usually on the retractable leads, and their curiosity overcomes their tendency to bark. We used to carry pens so they had a different kind of freedom, but I haven't found an good place on the rig to put them, yet.

I've seen people use metal pens and pens made with a pvc pipe frame and orange vinyl construction fencing. The latter is the easiest to pack up and pack away, but I feel less than secure using it with larger dogs.

Around the campfire, there are almost always two or three dogs tucked inside coats, sitting on laps, or wandering about getting scritches wherever they can (which is usually from everyone). Getting involved seems to make them more comfortable.

Bob

[Dustytuu]

We travel with two dogs and a cat. Haven't had a problem. They go everywhere with us. If we leave them in the trailer, it's not more than 1 to 3 hours. They have been present at some "around the campfire" time.

[Rocky2]

We live with 2 medium and 1 medium/large dogs and they do fine in the Monty. (the 2 medium dogs are very senior - over 12 years old)
We have left them alone for several hours and they just sleep most of the time - if we leave the blinds closed they don't have anything (or at least can't see anything) to bark at. They usually only go off when some one knocks on our door.

They always have to be where ever you are in the trailer so are usually underfoot but you get used to it.
They each have their spot in the bedroom that they have claimed as theirs. The young one usually gets on the bed after we are asleep.

Love our puppies - would not be without them.
Laura

[315RLS]

quote:Originally posted by gprice

Help!
We have a Montana 3255RL, and we have four fur babies that have to go where we go.
The problem is, how do you deal with 4 dogs in a fiver??
We have two small female mixed breeds, and two very small, male, minuature dachshunds.
Do you try to keep all these dogs crated, or just let them stay loose in the trailer when not at home??
Also, when we are sitting outside in the lawn chairs, or around the campfire, they are barking, or all over us. Do you simply leave them inside, or try to keep them on a leash outside?
DW was thinking a "screen room" might be an answer??

Hi Gprice,
We travel with 6+/- golden retrievers. The older, more mature ones we let find their place. The young ones we crate when not actively supervised (just like home). Outside we sometimes setup 2 x-pens when sitting outside.