You, Your Airstream Trailer, and Your Dog

Now that sounds like you’re living the life. What better traveling companion for a true outdoor enthusiast than a tail-wagging, mud-loving, trail-bounding dog? And they’re going to love spending time with their own best friend: you. Make sure you’re returning the favor by taking care of them on the road. Dogs are just as susceptible to the stresses of travel as humans, so Airstream of Utah has provided some tips for keeping them happy and healthy. Check them out for yourself, and then stop by our location in Salt Lake City, Utah to ask our RV community about their own tips for dogs and travel. While you’re here, you can check out our available Airstream Basecamps for sale. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Park City, Provo, and Ogden.

Set Boundaries and Maintain Discipline

Anything you do at home, make sure to replicate on the road. This can help prevent confusion and undo any training your dog has undergone. Plus, new environments can be stressful, and if you leave them to their own devices, it’s hard to know what a dog might do. They won’t feel as secure and might get confused or anxious. All house rules should apply to the Airstream as well and try to maintain their normal routine as best you can.

Keep Them Crated or Away from the Driver

As fun as it is to let them roam around in the back and stick their nose out the window, a little bit of freedom can quickly become a driving hazard if they want to join the driver up front. Crating them is the best way to ensure the driver stays focused, but the bottom line is to separate your dog from the front seat. If necessary, you’ll want to take some time before your trip to get your dog comfortable with traveling in a crate.

Hydration, Food, and Rest

Just as people can get carsick from lack of food and water, so can dogs. Not to mention, it’s not particularly healthy. They need to drink plenty of water, especially now that we’re coming up on summer, and eat just enough to stay fed, without overeating. This may mean stopping more often than you normally would.

Speaking of which, breaks are very important. Your dog needs opportunities to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Doing so will make your dog happier once you arrive and it’ll be easier to get them to enjoy whatever activities you have planned.

Favorite Toys and a Bed That Smells Like Home

Even with you by their side, it’s easy to get homesick and a little leery of unfamiliar surroundings. But you’re not the only thing that can remind them of home. Bring along their favorite toys to help them relieve stress and hang onto something that they know they like. Also, consider packing their bed from home, rather than having a separate one in the Airstream. Remember that a dog’s sense of smell is far more acute than our own and new smells can overwhelm them the way that strange sights can overwhelm ours. That can make it difficult to sleep, unless you bring along a bed that smells just like home.

Bring the Leash

No matter how well disciplined your dog is, bring along the leash. Some campgrounds might have areas where you can let your pet run free, but most have strict rules about keeping them on the leash most of the time. And remember that strange areas can affect behavior in ways you may not expect. Keeping them close is the only way to ensure they don’t take off running and become nearly impossible to track down again.

Of course, the most important rule is to enjoy your camping trip with your best friend! You’re both there to enjoy being outside together, so relax and enjoy all the great wonders Mother Nature has to offer. If you still need a trailer to get you there, like the Airstream Basecamp, then stop by Airstream of Utah to check out what we have available right now. We proudly serve Salt Lake City, Park City, Provo, and Ogden, Utah.