Being a mostly solo traveler can be lonely at times, however bringing my dog, Charlie, along makes it so much easier. Charlie is a 6-year-old mutt that I’ve had since he was 4 months old. His brindle coloring makes him very handsome and his curly tail makes him even more unique.
Charlie is one of those dogs who loves to be with his person/people all the time. Because of this, I know he prefers to come camping with me, even though he isn’t a fan of riding in our van. Throughout the years of traveling with Charlie, I’ve learned what works for us and what doesn’t. Travelling with Charlie require extra planning…a lot of planning. I have to make sure the place, weather, and items I bring are right for Charlie. It isn’t the easiest way to travel, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Dog Friendly Places
When I travel I have to plan things that Charlie and I can do together and things where I can safely leave him in the van. Not everywhere is dog friendly. As an example, most national parks don’t allow dogs outside of campgrounds and roads. National forests, on the other hand, are much more leniant with where dogs can go. I don’t automatically rule out places if they aren’t dog friendly, however, it does make me think before deciding to go.
Bring Fido is a great place to visit when planning your trip. I will often check this site to see what I can/can’t do with Charlie before visiting. I also check All Trails to see which trails he can go on too and which ones are the right strenuous level for both of us.
Dog Friendly Weather
Temperature is a huge factor when I plan our travels. Charlie’s fur is thick and his body doesn’t do well when overheated. Because of this, I won’t go to a location if the temperature will be too hot for my pup. While my van has a roof a/c unit, it only works for a short period of time when I’m not connected to shore power. If the outside temperature will be too hot we don’t go there or I make sure we have shore power to keep the a/c on.
Interior temperature monitoring devices, such as Waggle, can be a great way to monitor temperature if you have to leave your dog in your vehicle. I also use my interior fan and rechargeable camping fan, when needed.
Charlie’s Favorite Things
To make Charlie comfortable while we travel I make sure to plan to bring things that are familiar to him. Besides the normal food, I always make sure to pack his leash, harness, favorite toys, and bed. By having familiar things around him, it takes away some of his anxiety. This, in turn, makes it easier for me too!
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Charlie is my baby and a bit of a spoiled dog. He’s my favorite travel companion and I don’t plan to change that anytime soon. Do you travel with your furry baby/babies too? Leave a comment about your favorite travel companion.