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Pet Safety

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: General Camping
Forum Name: Camping with Pets
Forum Description: Got a Dog, Cat or other pet you camp with. Share your experience and questions here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=681
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 11:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Pet Safety
Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Subject: Pet Safety
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2009 at 10:23am
When out camping with no cell phone service, I always worry about Dougie getting lost. I just had someone suggest buying those very cheap round key tags that you can write on and putting the campground name and site number on it and placing it on hs collar in case he is found in the area.
Of course he also has a chip, but the campground site number seems like an extra level of safety.

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John and Linda
One 14 lb Cockapoo
2010 RPod 174



Replies:
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2009 at 11:13am
My border collie spooked and bolted in August while we were hiking a portage trail in Algonquin.  Normally, she's extraordinarily attentive, always comes when called and I had never had any fear of her being off-leash... until this incident.

Anyway, while I searched for her along the 4500m trail, she made it out to the highway and 15km back to our campground.  How she knew where to go is beyond me.  She was caught by the rangers as she was making her way back to our site.  The rangers checked her tags, found the one with my cell phone number on it and called me.  Three hours after she bolted, we were back together.

My advice: always make sure that you plan ahead for getting separated from your dog.  A temporary tag with your site number on it sounds like an excellent idea.  Also: contact the rangers immediately if you become separated - if I had, they would have got ahold of me when she was spotted trotting down the highway as opposed to hours later when they finally were able to corner her.


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Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: duder
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2009 at 11:36am
thanks for the information on pets, we have a nine year old Old English Sheepdog and are planning to take him on his first camping trip.  He is very well mannered but you never know when they may get out of your sight! Shocked

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Chuck and Bev
2010 R-Pod 172

Happy Trails!!!!


Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2009 at 3:52pm
It is absolutely amazing how they find their way to you even in a strange place. Mine is about 8 years old and we live in the country so am used to no leash walks and he minds and stays extremely well. Most campgrounds require leashes, which is good, but I did notice the minute the rpod door is open he darts out. One scent of a strange dog next door, and I could see him taking off on a new adventure Broken Heart
Dougie looks like a little lap dog, but he definitely has the Cocker Spaniel part of him come out at a campsite and loves to take a long hike. New trees to tag every 5 feet!!

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John and Linda
One 14 lb Cockapoo
2010 RPod 174


Posted By: duder
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2009 at 4:12am
Yeah, we live in the country too, no leashes required!  We have 3 four legged kids,,all rescues!  One 9yoa Old English, 1 blue heeler mix, and our newest is a blue eyed catahoula curr. ( we thought he was a rottie when he was found at approx 6-8 weeks old but turned out he is a huge hound dog.  His name is Dude, hince "duder"! Was at a loss for a name when I registered on this forum as I was very excited to become a part of the R-Pod Nation!
Hope to take each one with us at some point, one at a time though!   Will definitely put a tag on them with our info just in case!  Big smile


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Chuck and Bev
2010 R-Pod 172

Happy Trails!!!!


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2009 at 6:50am
I have been looking at the petfinder tags/service.

http://www.finderproducts.com/products_petfinder.htm

Basically there is a tag with a 1-800 number and ID number you put on pets collar.   As pet owner you can call in at any time and change message that people would hear if they find the pet.    And you can set contact phone numbers as well.    The service will auto route the person who calls in to the first number, if no answer, it automatically rings second number, etc.




Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2009 at 11:36am
All great ideas- I would have never thought to look for a ranger right away, but that makes so much sense. I love the idea of the 1-800 number so you can change the message depending on where you are in your travels.
 
I'm also a big advocate of microchips as well, though I would never think of leaving a collar off, the microchip is permanent. I use this company as recommended by my vet http://public.homeagain.com/ - http://public.homeagain.com/
 
And yes- I have only had rescue dogs- I have a hard time with breeding when there are so many out there waiting for a forever home.


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John and Linda
One 14 lb Cockapoo
2010 RPod 174


Posted By: tturbo
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 3:43pm
I paid a lot for the microchip it would be silly not to keep this information UTD. I can't tell you how many times I've found pets without a collar, probably why I found them in the first place Wink all I can do is take them to a local shelter or call the pound services where the chip will be their only ID.

But I also have my chip info on the tag, it's accessible to anyone through their website, yes they will have to phone my cell but I would be willing to bet most wouldn't care about the costs if it reunites a pet to owner. The Petfinder ID option is good too, but put updating your chip info on your camping list of things to do before you go.

I like the idea of putting a temporary tag on them though with your campsite number on it and notifying the ranger or operator that would probably be a little more reassuring.


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Tess&Brad
R-Pod 173T
'07 Hyundai Sante Fe V6


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2010 at 11:20pm
Wouldn't it be better if everyone just leashed walked their pet? If they bolt, you have control and you wont have to worry about calling the ranger.
 

We just got a puppy for our kids and he's leashed walked everywhere. We will have his kennel under the bunks for when we camp with him. Just a bit concerned about negative temps when he needs to potty. He has plenty of room and heat in the trailer.


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2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Brin
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2010 at 4:15pm
Originally posted by Kenn Kenn wrote:

Wouldn't it be better if everyone just leashed walked their pet? If they bolt, you have control and you wont have to worry about calling the ranger.
 
We just gut a puppy for our kids and he's leashed walked everywhere. We will have his kennel under the bunks for when we camp with him. Just a bit concerned about negative temps when he needs to potty. He has plenty of room and heat in the trailer.
 
It certainly is best to keep on a leash as one cannot predict what may spook most dogs---squirrels, deer, other dogs, and for some a falling leaf.   If we are playing fetch in a non fenced area, we will often use a long training lead that we keep hold of the end.  That way I can make sure she doesn't get  distracted. 
I would also suggest the contingency plan of the microchip AND the ID tag in case you still lose the dog off lead---slips the collar, you fall, etc.  Some dogs enjoy playing keep away and while it is best to train them to come in all circumstances, it is not realistic to assume that your dog will always obey.  Believe me, I speak from personal experience of having my dog "lost" wandering around Shenandoah National Park for three weeks before she let someone catch her.   The tag and the multiple posters I had placed allowed the finder to easily contact me.  The hard part was catching that silly dog -- not my current dog. 


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Terri and Craig and Panzer
R-pod 175, 2009
2000 F250 XLT Extended Cab, Diesel


Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2010 at 7:09pm
A pet first aid kit is also a good thing.  ASPCA has them or you can make your own.

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In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: YakDriver
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2011 at 6:36pm
Our boy is chipped, too, but I really liked the suggestion of the temporary tag. I'm headed to the office supply store for some now since we have a trip planned for Thursday.

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YakDriver, Ain't Leo, Chaz and Lil Harry in grrr-Pod

2013 r-Pod 182G Hood River; 2013 Ford F150 STX



http://www.yakdriverblog.com" rel="nofollow - YakDriver's Blog


Posted By: Purdycat87
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2012 at 5:19pm
Sure keeping your dog on a leash is ideal.  But I know my dog has escaped out of the trailer numerous times if my kids leave the door open.  Also my dog is a mama's boy.  Last camping trip we walked to the beach area with the dog (on a leash).  We were invited to kayak with friends, so my son took the dog back to the trailer.  As he unclipped the dog - the dog RAN all the way back to me at the beach at the other end of the campground.
I love the idea of  a portable tag with the campsite number.  Will grab some at the dollar store and leave them in the trailer.


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I'm a widow but keeping camping going for my 2 kids in our 2011 176T with a 2007 Odyssey.


Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2012 at 11:07pm
All great ideas.  I am a big leash person.  Our small dog is chipped but many rural vets don't have the equipment to read them, even if they are found.  Also, and this is a big one, when camping we are mostly away from civilization and our pets cna be just another food opportunity for a larger animal.  Dogs are easily distracted and even the most abiding dogs can get a whiff of something and they're off on the hunt.  Hopefully that great scent is not a larger predator.  Keep 'em on a leash.  My two cents.  Safe Travels.

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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 lb.) Mini Dachshund
2013 Rpod 171HRE (Pods-of-Luck)
2005 Chev. Tahoe


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 7:02am
Our little Rat Terrier is a great traveling dog and she does well staying in the Rpod when we go off to places where pets can't go. However, in the summer, we're always concerned that the air conditioning might cut off for some reason and we'll come back to find a cooked dog. We found out that sometimes, the campground host or manager will check in on her a couple of times a day. When we were at a KOA in Yellowstone, one of the teenage kids working there as a summer job kept an eye on her for us. We were gone from the campground for most of theday for 3 days. We paid him $20 and he checked on our dog several times a day, walked her on her leash, gave her some treats, and made sure she had plenty of water.
We found one campground that actually advertised a pet watching service. I'm surprised more don't do this. Seems like it might add a nice revenue stream.
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 7:44am
For all you  folks that feel your dogs "do just fine" if/when left alone in the camper while you're out exploring....................... next time when you return from an outing, ask your camping neighbors if there was any problem with the dog(s) barking while you were away.  I'll venture to guess, based on my camping experiences, that 85% of you that feel your dog does just fine, don't realize that your dog started barking from the time you left until the time he/she heard you come back.  Your dog(s) is not a well behaved alone, as you might think.
 
Note:  I didn't read this thread, but always take the opportunity to mention this when I see a thread concerning dogs and camping.  I've had many trips ruined because of this.  Half of those confronted about this deny that it's "their dog" that was barking while they were gone, even though it was very clear to me and my wife where the noise/disturbance was coming from.
 


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"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 7:56am
We've experienced what you're talking about with the barking dogs. Our dog doesn't do that. However, whenever we leave our pup in a motel room or in our rpod, we notify the manager we're leaving our dog in our room/camper and give him/her our cell phone number. We tell them our dog is not a barker but if she should start to bark for some reason, to call us and we'll return to take care of the problem. They always appreciate this and we've never been called.
 
-- Steve
 


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: Peggy L.
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 8:32am
We simply cannot leave Boon alone. He's a beagle, howls fluently and suffers from bad separation anxiety. I envy those who can actually leave their dogs in the camper. We have been able to do it when we're at a roundup and are just a couple campsites over though. I think as long as we don't start up the truck we're okay.

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Traveling with Herb and the Boon-doggie

2010 r-pod 171 pulled by '11 Silverado


Posted By: ChaiPod
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 2:19pm
We have her microchipped and registered with 2 companies: Home Again and 24petwatch.  We have also paid extra for emergency care insurance if she is found hurt and they find a microchip on her and call.

We also have a "camping collar" which is a reflective collar and lead that hopefully will remain on her if she gets away.  

When on the road, we have a small soup thermos that I put ice cubes in for her when traveling on hot summer days. She always knows there's an icy treat in her thermos and knows to ask for it.  It's an extra incentive for her to come back :)  We recently got a hand-crank ice shaver and plan to make snow cones for ourselves and pet snow cones for her (chicken broth snow cones).  However she does have a strong prey drive and we lost her a few times as a puppy when she broke free of her collar and ran after a cat, a fox and a rabbit into the marsh/woods.  It took a few hours for us to get her back. Once, she went back to the house and was sitting next to her thermos, another time she didn't come back out until she got the rabbit.  The extra collar was missing the last time.

In the pod, we have a pet first aid kit with gauze, vet-wrap and instant ice as well as a space blanket and some treats.  There are also extra collars, tags, a copy of her pet health insurance, partially completed "Lost Pet" posters, extra photos of her and photos of us as family to prove that she's ours.   


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2009 r.pod 152

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6


Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 2:56pm
Originally posted by Ratdog Ratdog wrote:

We've experienced what you're talking about with the barking dogs. Our dog doesn't do that. However, whenever we leave our pup in a motel room or in our rpod, we notify the manager we're leaving our dog in our room/camper and give him/her our cell phone number. We tell them our dog is not a barker but if she should start to bark for some reason, to call us and we'll return to take care of the problem. They always appreciate this and we've never been called.
 
-- Steve
 
 
 
That's very considerate of you Steve.  Let me thank you for that.
 


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"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2012 at 2:57pm
Originally posted by Peggy L. Peggy L. wrote:

We simply cannot leave Boon alone. He's a beagle, howls fluently and suffers from bad separation anxiety. I envy those who can actually leave their dogs in the camper. We have been able to do it when we're at a roundup and are just a couple campsites over though. I think as long as we don't start up the truck we're okay.
 
 
Thanks for recognizing that Peggy and taking appropriate precautions.  It's very much appreciated.


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"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: IPodAlong
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2012 at 10:13pm
My two have the chip and I've been using the idea on here of the temporary tag.  My dogs' collars have their name and my cell phone number in big letters sewn in as part of the collar.

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2010 Rp 171
Towed with 2011 Ford Expedition
Co-pilots: Abby & Brownie
"No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -- Anon


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 6:11am
Our dog has a chip as well as full contact information on her dog tags and collar. However, the first thing a dog thief (or even someone who finds your pet and decides they want to keep it) does is throw away the collar and tags. I'm wondering if anyone has had their pet tattooed? Where do they put the tattoo and how much does it cost? And what does the tattoo say (your SS#, pet's name)?
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 7:54am
From a non-pet owner, may I offer up an observation?  You "pet-owners" more times than not, label your dogs/cats as "a member of the family", "your children", etc.  Do any of you tattoo or place a chip in your toddlers?  Do any of you leave your 2-year old unattended, just ready for the taking?  I'd expect the answer is no and you simply exercise the proper caution to insure your toddler is always safe and out of harms way.  I'd think you would want to practice that with any and all "members of your family".
 
To me, the entire premise of the "Pet Safety" thread puts your pet on a much lower level than that of a "family member".
 
Just an observation and opinion.
 


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"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road



Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 8:02am
Not really a fair comparison. We can take a toddler with us into a grocery store, a restaurant, an amusement park, a museum, etc., etc., etc. So we are left with trying to protect our pets as best we can. If we could take our pets everywhere like we can a toddler, there'd be no need for this discussion.
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: IPodAlong
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 8:19am

Maybe we should say that pets are an important living part of our households but we cannot and should not treat them like children.  And here is where I'm going to make some people mad:  I want to control my animals so they do not impinge on others BUT I want them to have the freedoms of an animal (or even a human to some degree with some freedom of movement).  My pet peeve is people that never go to the trouble of allowing their dogs to truly stretch out and run.  They keep them on a leash forever.  A lot of that is our fear of losing them rather than what's best for the animal.  So when I get a new dog, I start out on a leash, then I move to making them come back to me while the leash is just dragging, etc.  So I work on them coming back .....Now do they always do that?  No, and I've had some heart stopping moments/hours.  I know that not everyone has the access to areas without a lot of people but I go to the trouble of finding those nearest to my home and using them some with my dogs.  (I have used pet parks and here is my fear showing....I'm always worried about the dogs as they get into a "gang mentality" so I'm still uncomfortable in those.) 

If we're going to have animals, we need to think about their needs rather than ours or our fears.  How many of us really walk our animals to the degree they need when leashed?  So yes, if I'm on a not heavily used trail, I let my dogs off the leash and I watch/listen for other people/animals and leash them if I see anyone but I'm going to hike with my dogs off leash except for the really popular areas.  I also know that sometimes my dogs then greet other hikers before I can get them and I wouldn't do this with a dog I was unsure of but I hope those hikers tolerance level extends to the same tolerance level I have to have when I'm eating in a restaurant with someone's kids running around my table.  (I don't love it but won't get irritated if it's stopped at some point.)
 
Whee, what a sound-off.  Obviously I'm very opinionated but it's just that: an opinion.


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2010 Rp 171
Towed with 2011 Ford Expedition
Co-pilots: Abby & Brownie
"No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -- Anon


Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 9:41am
Originally posted by Ratdog Ratdog wrote:

Not really a fair comparison. We can take a toddler with us into a grocery store, a restaurant, an amusement park, a museum, etc., etc., etc. So we are left with trying to protect our pets as best we can. If we could take our pets everywhere like we can a toddler, there'd be no need for this discussion.
 
-- Steve
 
Clap Thumbs Up


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Travis & Carrie
http://goo.gl/maps/Vlelv - 181g - MoosePod Adventures Map
http://goo.gl/maps/ho9Rf - RPod Owners Map


Posted By: ChaiPod
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2012 at 11:55am
Tattoos fade over time and become illegible. What was once an "E" probably now looks like an "8" or a "B".  Breeders usually tattoo their breeder # on the inside ear of the pet.  When we got ours 7 years ago, she already had a tattoo but today we can hardly read it.

About a month after we first got her, someone tried to untie and take her outside our local coffee shop. Angry  Luckily, other dog owners and the staff of that coffee shop were watching and stopped it.  The person who tried to take her just walked off as if nothing was unusual about what they just tried to do!  The thing is, I had called ahead, placed my order and paid over the phone, I only went inside to pick up my drink and water for the dog when they waved at me through the window that it was ready.  The pickup counter was less than 4 ft from the door and the entire process took less than 30-seconds! Shocked

this-is-nascar is right, we have to take precautions and be mindful of others wherever we go.  Dogs behave differently when their people are not around and may howl, cry or destroy.  There are also people out there watching and waiting to take your pet, as a child molester is watching and waiting to take your child.  Sadly law enforcement often readily dismisses the theft of a pet unlike that of a child. Ouch


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2009 r.pod 152

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6



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