Is Full-Time Van Life with a Dog Right for You?

It was almost midnight when I got comfortable in bed after working on a project. I looked at Bruce Leroy, our dog, sitting up next to my feet. He was shaking. Sometimes he has a shaky body, which is likely a result of going on 15 this year. But he also had this stare. Sometimes his stare can mean he needs reassurance you’re there since he’s blind and mostly deaf. But something about his stare was concerning. I touched his back softly and said, “Bruce, are you okay?” Even though he can’t hear me. And then he threw up.

After cleaning up dog puke, I’m feeling inspired to write about what it’s like to have a dog apart of our van life as we travel around North America. If you’re trying to decide if full-time van and RV life with a dog is right for you, perhaps our experience will help you decide.

Dogs throw up

To continue my opening story, Bruce threw up after drinking too much water and managed to hit a pillow and our fitted and flat sheets. We were staying at an RV park, and it was too late to do laundry with RV park management sleeping upstairs from the washers and dryers. We keep two sets of sheets for situations like this, but my spare sheet set wasn’t a set at the moment. The flat sheet was the only one clean! At least it was enough to cover the bed, and we still had a blanket to throw over the top of us. The pillow was Bruce’s, so he’d be okay without it for the night.

On another occasion, Bruce had been throwing up all day on our journey to a friend’s home where we were planning on staying the night. We weren’t sure if it was from drinking too much river water or eating an almond earlier that day.

I was so afraid Bruce would throw up on our friend’s guest bed, or a rug. I chose to sleep in the RV, so if he did throw up, it was on our own linoleum floor, and it would be easy for me to clean up. And he did end up throwing up. A lot!

Tips

Give your dog time to digest before beginning a drive or putting him in a place where throw up will be hard to clean.

Don’t let anyone give your dog anything he’s not used to eating.

Always keep a CLEAN set of sheets and an extra blanket or comforter. We have two Pendleton wool blankets and an oversized throw blanket from Costco that works great as a comforter.

Cover anything made of absorbable fabric with an impenetrable cover. Not long after buying our Winnebago Revel, we purchased a mattress cover from Target. Otherwise, I would’ve been a lot sadder over the incident on our bed. We also bought covers for the driver and passenger bucket seats, but the material smelled toxic. I couldn’t get it to air out after months, so I’m still looking for a better option. Right now, I have a thin $5 throw blanket that may buy me enough time before any fluids soak through to the seat itself. 

Pick a van or RV with leather seating. We’ve had dogs in vehicles with fabric seating, as well as leather seating. Since leather doesn’t soak up fluids, it’s easy to wipe it clean with a towel. When doggie puke absorbs into fabric seats, you need to drench the seat with water and a cleaning solution, extract it all back out and let the seat dry. You might even have to repeat the process. I tried to do this once at a self-service car wash, and I left thinking the result was worse than before. A car detailer can do a really great job, but you may not be able to get an urgent appointment.

Dogs have potty accidents indoors

Bruce is potty-trained, but sometimes his hints to tell us when he needs to go out are subtle. We weren’t picking up on his clues, so he peed in the van one day.

Well, like a lot of newer RVs, we don’t have carpet flooring. Cleaning up should’ve been easy with a linoleum floor. But our overnight camping spot wasn’t level. The pee ran the whole length of the van. The only lucky thing about it was being parked with our nose facing downhill. This meant the pee flowed away from our “garage” underneath the bed, where items like our clothes are stored. If the weather is crappy out, clearing out the garage is not ideal.

Tips

Take your dog out regularly so he can relieve himself. Maintain a routine.

Pay attention to your dog’s signals that indicate he needs to go out. His cues may become different as you start van life.

Make sure your van or RV is level. Or its at least pointed downhill in the direction you want any fluids to travel.

Dogs are messy and smelly

I already talked about throw up messes and potty accidents. But dogs also bring in mud or any debris that they’ve been laying in and playing in. When you have a mess in your small van or RV space, it seems a lot worse when your immediate living space includes your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen too.

My least favorite smelly memory involved Bruce off-leash at a reservoir. He found some goose poop and began to slowly rub each side of his face into the ground as we were running and screaming for him to stop. It was too late. And goose poop smells a special kind of awful! I had to sit with Bruce on my lap for a long drive before being able to give him a shower. Bruce was so happy, though. It was like a spa day for him.

That wasn’t the last time Bruce rolled in poop either. Just before we were scheduled to pick him up from the dog sitter’s, she took Bruce for a walk. She’s not sure at one point he dipped his head in poop, but he found poop somewhere. So he got a shower in our Travato’s wet bath. We would’ve showered him outdoors, but temperatures were below freezing.

On top of poop smells, there is dog breath. Bruce has always suffered from terrible breath. When we have all the windows closed because of the weather, the scent takes over our space.

Same if he gets wet from snow, rain, or a damp lawn. Sometimes it’s not possible to keep him outside until he dries off. We do the best we can to get the excess water off, but you can’t get it all. So we are stuck with wet dog smell in the van.

Tips

Keep a towel handy, so you can wipe your dog down before they enter your RV. Keep one handy for yourself in case the mess also gets all over you.

If you don’t have a shower in your van or RV, or your shower isn’t big enough for your size dog, have a plan for cleaning up your dog. You want to be ready in the unfortunate event he does roll in something pungent, an excess amount of mud, or encounter a skunk. While you can try to find a local dog wash, there may not be one, or they may not be open when you most need them.

Get something non-toxic to neutralize the odor in your RV.

Don’t let your dog dry off in a place where the wet dog smell can remain. Pick a spot that you can wipe clean like uncarpeted flooring, or have your dog lay on something easy to launder.

You may have to stop traveling if your dog needs downtime

Bruce Leroy had been going blind since he was about three years old due to a genetic disorder, progressive retinal atrophy. In 2015, unrelated to PRA, one of his eyes developed glaucoma. And by January 2016, our vet indicated the glaucoma was creating too much pressure and terrible headaches. So we had his eyes removed. Recovery time was two weeks at home, and about a month of practicing caution.

Later in 2016, Bruce’s dog groomer discovered a mass on his anal gland. She just thought his anal gland needed to be expressed and suggested we see his vet. Well, when the vet went to express it, he discovered the mass was too hard and informed us Bruce had a tumor. Tests indicated it was cancerous. He had to have surgery again to have the tumor removed. The recovery time was about a week. We were fortunate cancer didn’t spread, and additional treatments were unnecessary.

If you are a seasoned dog owner, you know your pets can get health issues. It doesn’t change when you’re on the road living in a van or other RV. It’s crucial to consider if you’re able to keep your dog comfortable in the event of a serious diagnosis. Your vet may say your dog needs quiet time, and that means no traveling! When Bruce had his eyes and the tumor removed, we still lived in a condo. But had we already started van life, his recoveries would’ve depended on us sitting in place for a while. Not only for healing but also for staying close to his vet in the event of complications and follow-ups.

Tips

Take your dog to the vet regularly to catch health issues early. Talk to your vet about the recommended frequency for your pet.

Talk to your vet about a distant relationship. We have a wonderful vet that we can call and email with concerns while on the road.

Have an idea of what you would do if your dog needs downtime. Run through some worse case scenarios.

Your dog may have an emergency and help could be far away

Christmas 2019, we spent a beautiful day ski touring around Craters of the Moon National Monument. Arriving in the morning, we prepared our gear, then woke Bruce from a nap to see if he needed to potty before throwing him in a pack. We put him on the ground, but he just sat there. We thought it was odd he didn’t even want to sniff around, but he had gone potty earlier that morning and seemed sleepy, so we weren’t concerned. But, it should’ve been sign number one.

Trying to put Bruce in the pack, he cried when we tried to guide his front right paw through the pack’s hole for his front right leg. We tried a second time, and he cried again. We thought maybe his harness was pinching his armpit skin, so we took it off. On the third attempt, he didn’t cry. But this should’ve been sign number two.

I found a spot for Bruce and me to hang out while Kyle did some exploring without us. There were several inches of fresh snow, so we packed down a spot for Bruce to potty without sinking. And a place to lie down on a blanket. He still didn’t seem to want to potty. When I set him on the blanket, he was having trouble moving around. I thought it had to do with the soft snow underneath. Eventually, he did lay down. But this should’ve been sign number three.

We got back to the van and took Bruce out of the pack and set him on solid pavement. Surely, he would go potty now. Well, he definitely needed to. But he couldn’t lift his butt. He was moving around with the strength of his front legs but could barely get his butt off the ground. His hind legs weren’t functioning the way they should. He was able to get his butt up just high enough to pee. But pooping later proved to be very challenging without him sitting in it.

Freezing fog was quickly moving in as we packed our stuff and tried to figure out where to find a vet for Bruce. It was Christmas Day, and we were in the middle of nowhere. Since Bruce wasn’t at risk of dying, we made the tough decision to hold off on doing anything until the next day and stay the night at the closest rest area 35 miles east. Roads were going to become slick because of the freezing fog, and it was going to be dark soon. We decided it wasn’t going to help our situation if we ended up in a vehicle crash. We did some research and discussed where to take Bruce the next day when the fog lifts.

Option 1 – Drive west to Reno, Nevada, so Bruce can see his ortho vet almost 600 miles away. Bruce has an unconfirmed diagnosis of degenerative disc disease. His ortho vet had told us Bruce will need surgery urgently if he is ever dragging his hind legs. Fortunately, Bruce wasn’t dragging them, but we were still very concerned he needed surgery right away.

Option 2 – Drive east to Ammon Veterinary Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, only about 55 miles away. We’d have to call them when they open to find out if they can even help Bruce before driving that direction.

Option 3 – Drive west to Boise, Idaho, 200 miles away, as they have several veterinary service options. The plan would be to call around as we drive that direction to see who is best equipped to help Bruce.

We chose option 2. Idaho Falls was only about an hour’s drive. Bruce seemed to be in a lot of pain. He was repositioning himself all through the night and was wincing with a low whine. At the very least, we were hoping Ammon could provide Bruce some quick relief before making a long drive to a bigger city.

I called Ammon Veterinary Hospital first thing in the morning. They were open and ready to take us. We were thankful as some vet offices were closed for the week Christmas to New Year’s Day. They did some x-rays and determined Bruce may have some pinched nerves in his spine due to degenerative disc disease. They were able to give us some drugs to make Bruce comfortable but advised we head to WestVet in Garden City, Idaho, in the Boise area. WestVet has the resources for a more thorough analysis. So, we had to drive back the direction we came another 260 miles.

I called ahead to make sure WestVet knew we were coming and to also verify their holiday hours. We arrived by mid-afternoon. WestVet provided an excellent experience. I should mention, Ammon did too. WestVet did a physical examination of Bruce and reviewed the x-rays Ammon took. They agreed with the vet at Ammon that Bruce had some pinched nerves in his back from degenerative disc disease. Since Bruce still had some use of his hind legs and was showing signs of improvement since it all started, they didn’t advise doing an expensive MRI. Even though an MRI would provide a clearer picture of what was happening in Bruce’s back, he wouldn’t be a candidate for surgery until the time he lost all use of his hind legs. They prescribed medication for managing his pain. And told us to limit Bruce’s activity to potty time only for two weeks.

We spent a few days camping at a state park close to Boise to make sure Bruce was consistently improving, and he did. He was moving pretty well after two weeks and was able to fully lift his leg to pee after a few more. 

Tips

Pay attention to your dog’s signs. The earlier you know something is wrong, the sooner you can get help. If your dog has been part of your life for a while, you know when something is off. Even when it may not be apparent to somebody else. Take a step back from whatever you are doing to get to the bottom of your dog’s clues. I try not to beat myself up over our day at Craters of the Moon because I know how much concern I have for Bruce’s well-being. But I wish I would’ve taken more time to observe him before putting him in the pack at the start of our day.

Keep unexpired dog-friendly pain pills handy. We had dog-friendly pain pills on hand, but they were expired by over a year. Online searches gave conflicting information about whether or not the medicine we had was safe to give to Bruce, so we didn’t use it.

Before arriving in a new destination, know where to find the closest 24/7 emergency animal hospital. 

Keep your dog’s medical records with you. An emergency vet needs information quickly, so keep a digital and printed summary about your dog and their health history. It will be easier to share it with the receptionist on arrival. It’s sometimes hard to remember information accurately when your brain is focused on whether your dog is going to be okay.

Accept that your travel plans may change abruptly. Our original plan was a visit to Grand Teton National Park after leaving Craters of the Moon. By the time we resumed our travels, we had to skip Grand Teton due to some work we had scheduled for our van in Southern California. 

As your dog ages, he may not be able to keep up on your adventures

Bruce has been blind most of his life, but in Bruce’s younger years, he could hike 20 miles, and still want to play when we got home long after the big dogs have passed out. We noticed age was catching up with him when he would stand firmly in place or lay down in the middle of the trail, which was our cue to pick him up and carry him the rest of the way.

We are lucky Bruce is only 13-pounds, but after a while, it gets tiring. And hot! Imagine carrying a heater with fur sticking to your sweaty body to the top of a mountain.

Now we carry Bruce in a backpack.

On a good day, he might be able to put in a mile on a paved road. And sometimes he still enjoys running in a soft, flat grassy field, which is otherwise known as “bouncy” to Bruce.

Even though Bruce travels in the backpack, our outdoor activity is limited. It’s hard to carry the necessary supplies for backpacking or backcountry skiing when we have to dedicate one of our bodies to transporting Bruce. We also have to worry about his safety. I’ve pretty much given up on mountain biking for now. I instantly become too nervous I will go over the handlebars and crush Bruce in the process.

We also can’t leave him alone in the RV. Bruce has always suffered from separation anxiety, but now that he’s missing key senses, we don’t leave him for extended periods.

And besides, vans and RVs can get hot inside. We have air conditioning. But we’ve read devastating stories of dog owners losing their pets in what they thought was going to be an air-conditioned RV. The power goes out, and so does the AC. Even in winter, with freezing temperatures, if the sun is out, it doesn’t take long for our van to become a sauna.

We didn’t ski and snowboard together for a long time until Kyle recently set up a homemade monitoring system. As long as Bruce is sleeping, we keep going. But as soon as he pops up, one of us has to head back.

Tip

Figure out how to include your dog on activities while keeping him and you comfortable. A doggie backpack works for Bruce. We went through several packs before we found K9 Sport Sack. We like it because it has wide shoulder straps. When straps are too thin, they start digging in after a while, which becomes extremely painful. Also, our K9 Sport Sack has a pocket on each side large enough to hold a Nalgene bottle. It’s nice to have those two extra liters and take some weight off the person carrying all the supplies.

I’d also consider a collapsible wagon. I tease Kyle about getting a stroller, but I think a wagon is most practical for us.

Your dog may need assistance moving around your van or RV

I am mostly thinking of small and senior dogs. Small dogs can damage their joints if they frequently jump down from high places. Senior dogs, large and small, may not be able to get down at all. 

While Bruce is blind, he is not afraid to jump off a bed of standard height. But our bed in the Revel is high. I have to stand on one tiptoe and boost my body with my hands and arms to get one knee into bed before the other. Bruce would land on his face if he tried to jump down. Fortunately, he seems to know it’s beyond his ability level. So, we have to help him get in and out of bed any time he’s thirsty, hungry, or doesn’t want to share space with us anymore because he’s hot. This happens several times a day and throughout the night.

Bruce also can’t exit the van without help. He tried to jump out of the Travato once. There was an external step that made the dismount really awkward and could lead to injury, so we discouraged him from doing it. Your senior dog may have a hard time entering and exiting your RV, so you’ll need to figure out how to help your pet.

Tip

Modify your space so your dog can move around safely. Or be ready to physically help your dog when needed.

Your dog may not like van life

Bruce was TERRIFIED of being in our first campervan. An AWD Chevy Express. At the time, Bruce’s hearing was still impeccable. Since the van had no insulation, he could hear everything that hit the van, triggering his anxiety. If pine needles landed on the roof, or when there was strong wind throwing dirt against the side, Bruce would start climbing the walls, literally.

The Chevy was empty inside, aside from the driver’s and passenger’s bucket seats in the front, inflatable sleeping pads, and other camping supplies. We think Bruce struggled to find a place to call his own and feel safe. As soon as we would go to bed, he would start moving around the van, trying to climb the walls. The same would happen in a tent.

On a camping trip to Ely, Nevada, Bruce was so upset, I slept in the driver’s seat, holding him as tight as I could to bring him comfort. The next night he was so exhausted from his anxious episode, we were able to hang out with him next to a crackling fire. He HATES the crackling sound.

On a drive to Southern California from Lake Tahoe, a plastic bottle made a crackling noise as our elevation changed. Bruce drooled on my shirt for the duration of our road trip.

We were crazy to think when we bought our first RV, a Winnebago Travato, that he would like it any better than the Chevy. But his first time in it, Bruce looked so happy and at home.

The insulation muffled anything hitting the roof well enough, and the Travato was a quieter experience for Bruce than our condo that was at the bottom of four floors.

We also think Bruce really enjoys being on the road because he gets to spend hours napping and sunning outside. It makes for a dirty dog, but he loves it, so it’s okay.

And he’s still happy after we transitioned from the Winnebago Travato to a Revel.

Tips

Give your dog time to adjust. I’ve known some dogs that enter new situations and are unphased. Other dogs have a complete meltdown. Have some empathy by remembering a time you were forced into a situation that made you extremely uncomfortable.

When you adopt a dog, rescues will advise keeping things simple for the first two weeks after bringing your new family member home. If you apply this advice as you transition your life to a van or RV, you might want to hold off on traveling until your dog shows signs of feeling at home. Pick a spot to hang out for a while.

It’s an excellent time for you to adjust to your new home, as well. After we sold our Tahoe condo, we stayed in the Tahoe area for three months. Then we spent another month with family in places in which Bruce was already familiar. And after that, we spent another two months in McCall, Idaho, before we started traveling from place to place around the western US more frequently.

Hire a dog trainer. This was one of the best investments we ever made as dog owners. Positive reinforcement training helps you to communicate with your dog. When you can establish proper communication, your dog will likely have an easier time adjusting to his new home. Your trainer may also have great tips for your atypical home environment. 

Stock up on your dog’s favorite treats. You don’t want to award unwanted behavior. But when your dog is having a hard time focusing or is really stressed, you can have your dog do a command he knows and reward him with a treat. Help him to reset.

Van life could give your dog separation anxiety

Another reason we think Bruce likes van life so much has to do with us being close together ALL OF THE TIME. In our condo, he couldn’t go to bed settled until all three of us were in bed together. I would take Bruce to the bedroom, but if Kyle was still out in the living room, it would take only a few minutes before Bruce would jump out of bed to go coerce Kyle.

When you’re together all of the time, it may be harder to help a dog get over their separation anxiety. There are fewer opportunities to teach them that everything is okay when you’re away for extended periods. We don’t leave Bruce in the van alone for too long because we don’t want him to overheat when temperatures are warmer. If we are in a campground or RV park, we also don’t want him to alienate the neighbors if he starts distress barking.

Being together all of the time can also cause a dog that didn’t have separation anxiety before van life, to become anxious. 

Tips

Don’t make a big fuss when you leave. Don’t say anything to your dog. Avoid any touching and eye contact. Anytime you plan on departing for an extended period, go like you are just stepping out for a minute. You wouldn’t make a fuss over your dog if you were stepping out to dump the trash. So don’t make a fuss when you plan on leaving for a more extended timeframe.

Get to know your dog’s routine and use it to your advantage. Bruce typically passes out for about an hour after his morning and evening meal. If there is something we want to go do, we take off as soon as he is sprawled out and snoring. 

It’s hard to find a dog sitter

We have been to McCall, Idaho, four times and have spent over three months there, and we still can’t find a local dog sitter. We have talked to several people, but it has never worked for a variety of reasons. We hired one person during one visit, but she had to cancel after selling her home. We found a replacement but then withdrew because we began to think she had dementia and became concerned for Bruce’s safety.

We had success with one family, but they were in Boise, two hours from McCall on a good weather day.

Because Bruce is so special to us, we like to thoroughly interview all potential dog sitters and do a meet-and-greet. Not everyone fits our standards, including their home environment, and some will readily admit when they can’t provide the care Bruce needs. We also don’t want to drop Bruce off with a sitter to discover it’s not working out and have to pick him up early.

There aren’t many dog sitters when you visit remote and rural places. And because we don’t plan each destination we visit far enough in advance, we also have a harder time finding somebody.

Tips

If there are towns you love and plan on revisiting, try to do a meet-and-greet and an overnight test with dog sitters when you’re in that location. Even if you don’t need a dog sitter at the moment. Create relationships with people in your most frequented places, so it’s easier to secure a dog sitter when you’re ready for one. 

If there is something that you really want to do, reserve a dog sitter about 3-6 months in advance. Especially if you’re planning something during a holiday period or during a prime season in a tourist destination. I’ve noticed some dog sitters book up not just Christmas week, but the week before Christmas as well. Also, pay attention to local events and when kids are out of school. Others may need a dog sitter at the same time you do.

Have a backup plan in case it doesn’t work out with your hired dog sitter. Dog sitters get sick, lose loved ones, or other unfortunate life events happen to them.

It’s hard to find a dog groomer

This isn’t going to be a concern for every dog owner. Some dogs have basic grooming requirements. You just give them a bath and brush them when they’re shedding. Or you take them for a swim in a lake.

Not Bruce Leroy. The Pomeranian part of him needs daily brushing due to his double coat, and it takes an experienced person to give his fur a cute shape. Our favorite is the puppy cut.

He probably gets quite a bit dirtier than an average Pomeranian due to the amount of time he spends outdoors. We see small dogs on hiking trails, but I cannot recall ever seeing a Pomeranian. Which is a shame because I think they make great trail partners. You just have to be aware of wildlife that might want one for a snack.

We visit many areas that have limited services for us, humans, let alone dog services. And we are as picky about our dog groomers as we are our dog sitters.

Going to the dog groomer can be like going to the vet. It’s a scary place with loud blow dryers, dogs barking and whining, and strangers coming and going. And some of our dog’s time may be spent in a kennel without food or water for the few hours he is there. On the road, he’s going to meet people he’s never met before. Groomers get very intimate as they wash, blow-dry, and shave his body, and trim his toenails with clippers and a Dremel.

Bruce is known for trying to nip groomers if they touch him in the wrong way. His old body is sensitive. He also had a bad nail clipping experience once, so anyone touching his feet must beware. We usually bring him in with a muzzle on. But the right person who has a gentle touch and confidence can work with Bruce with the muzzle off. We know Bruce likes a groomer when he goes in a little unsure, but comes out bouncing around and showing off his new look.

Tips

Learn how to groom your dog. Our dog groomer was kind enough to show me how to groom Bruce, and even gave us some of her spare equipment.

Establish relationships with groomers in areas you frequently visit. We use the same groomers in a couple of different places to keep things as familiar as possible for Bruce. And our groomers keep notes about the type of cut Bruce gets, including the size blade for the clippers.

Your dog may not be allowed in the tow truck

Our Revel has been towed twice. Both times, we’ve taken the ride with the tow truck driver because our RV’s destination was a few hours away. However, this was only possible because Bruce can sit on our laps.

Tow truck cabs may only have three seatbelts. And even though there are three, space may be limited to two adults. Depending on who all makes up your party, getting a ride with the tow truck driver could be problematic.

You also have to consider the repair shop. While every auto shop we have been in has been very welcoming to dogs, that doesn’t mean all are dog-friendly. We always call ahead to make sure Bruce is allowed to hang out.

Tip

Have a budget to get dog-friendly transportation and a place to stay. While your van is being towed and then repaired, you may need to stay somewhere until it’s ready. Then you’re going to need a ride to pick it up.

Conclusion

I met a guy on a chairlift at Arizona Snowbowl who shared his attempt at van life. It only took him a few months living with three large dogs to call it quits. We all love our dogs, but it’s essential to be realistic about what van life will be like with your pets. Dog ownership can already be tough work when you are living statically in a sticks-and-bricks home.

If you choose to embark on full-time travel with your pet, go ready with patience, empathy, and a plan for keeping your dog healthy, comfortable, and safe. We have moments of frustration, but when we reflect on good and bad times, we look back with laughter and smiles. We feel joy when others see Bruce on the trail and the instant smile that takes over their face.