RVing with Dogs – What to do with Fido when you’re away from the RV

Life on the road is better with dogs.

We’ve been full-time RVing with our two chocolate labs, Sierra and Ruby, for years now. They may not be “travel-sized” at 65–70 pounds each, but they’re a huge part of our journey—so much so, they were one of the main reasons we chose a Class A motorhome over a smaller RV.

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RVing with dogs is incredibly rewarding, but let’s face it—you can’t take them everywhere. And that’s where the big question comes in:

What do you do with your dog when you’re away from the RV?

We’ve heard this question from fellow travelers countless times, so let’s dig in.

Creating a Comfortable Travel Space for Your Dog

Whether you drive a motorhome or tow a fifth-wheel, your dog needs a designated travel space that keeps them calm and comfortable.

• In a motorhome: Try placing their bed near where you sit up front or on a nearby couch. The motion of a big RV can feel strange at first, but most dogs adapt quickly—especially with some familiar scents and a cozy spot.
• In a towable RV: Your dogs must ride with you in the truck. It’s unsafe (and illegal in many states) to leave pets in the trailer while driving.

We always make frequent stops—every few hours—for water, potty breaks, and a good leg stretch. Not just for the dogs…but let’s be honest, it helps us humans too.

Home Alone – Leaving the Dogs in the RV

Start with short trips. The first time we left the dogs alone in the RV, it was only for 30 minutes. When they handled that fine, we started to leave them for longer and longer periods so they could adjust. We worked our way up to leaving Sierra and Ruby alone for up to six hours, as long as we prepared them with a long walk and made sure they’d taken care of all their business.

You may need to go through the adjustment period again if you have issues. On Christmas Eve 2019, after being on the road for nine months, we came home to what looked like a break-in. Ruby tore up our dinette seat cushion and all the papers and stuff that had been on the dining room table.

Two days later, she did it again. She would need to be crated when we left. We purchased a crate that we had to set up for her while we were gone. We hated doing it, but with $300 for an RV cushion, we couldn’t afford to have her just tear the place up.

It was about five months before we decided maybe we should start letting her stay out when we left. We started again by leaving the dogs for a few minutes at a time, then longer and longer. Thankfully, we haven’t had any more issues. After traveling for so long without any incidents, we think that maybe someone was antagonizing Ruby while she lay on the dashboard. The campground we were staying at wasn’t the best place.

Keep Your Dog Safe and Cool

One of the biggest concerns when leaving your dog in the RV is temperature. Even on a mild sunny day, your rig can heat up fast—dangerously fast.

That’s why we rely on the MarCELL Temperature Monitoring System to track the temperature inside the RV and alert us if something goes wrong.

🚐 RV Pet Safety: Our Trusted Temperature Monitor

We rely on the MarCELL Pro Temperature Monitor to keep Sierra safe while we’re away from the RV. With real-time alerts for temperature, humidity, and power loss, it’s a must-have for peace of mind—especially when traveling in hot or unpredictable climates.

Learn More About MarCELL Pro

⚠️ Important: MarCELL relies on cell signal. If you’re boondocking in a no-service area, this system won’t be able to alert you. Always make sure you’re close enough to return quickly in an emergency.

Pet Cameras for Remote Check-Ins

Sometimes we just want to see our pups and make sure they’re doing okay. For that, we use Ring Stick-Up Cams inside our RV.

One morning during our Workamping gig at JCPenney, I saw a video of Sierra barking pitifully near the door. Turns out she was sick and had an accident. Lisa was able to rush home before the dog walker arrived. Having the camera saved us from a bigger mess—and a lot of guilt.

Pet Sitting and Dog Boarding Options

If you’re planning a long day out, here are two dog care services we highly recommend:

🐾 Rover.com

We’ve used Rover all across the country to find reliable pet sitters and dog walkers. You can:

• Book sitters who come to your RV. We did this in Reno when workamping at JCPenney.
• Drop your dog off at their home. We do this often when traveling the country.
• Choose based on reviews and availability

It’s flexible, affordable, and great for travel days when you just can’t bring the pups.

🐶 Camp Bow Wow

With 170+ locations, Camp Bow Wow is like doggie heaven. Our dogs loved it.

🏆 Hidden Gem: Bunk & Biscuit (Niles, MI)

If you’re ever passing through Michigan, Bunk & Biscuit in Niles is hands-down the best place our dogs have ever stayed. They have an indoor heated pool, luxury suites, and stress-free boarding.

It’s an all-suite, all-inclusive retreat—but still affordable. We were half-convinced Sierra and Ruby wouldn’t want to leave.

What to Look for in a Boarding Facility

Before you drop off your dog, ask yourself:

• Are the kennels clean and odor-free?
• Do they have staff on-site overnight?
• Is there enough human supervision?
• Do they accommodate your dog’s food, meds, and needs?

We’ve walked away from a couple of places that didn’t meet our standards. Trust your gut.

Why We Don’t Recommend Veterinary Kennels

We strongly advise against boarding your dogs at veterinary clinics unless it’s absolutely necessary for medical reasons.

Here’s why:

• They’re often noisy, stressful environments with lots of barking and caged dogs.
• Many vet clinics also house sick or recovering animals, which could expose your pup to illness.
• There’s typically little to no playtime, and the environment just isn’t designed for comfort or enrichment.

Unless your dog requires medical attention, look for boarding facilities that focus on comfort, socialization, and stress-free care. Your pup deserves more than just a metal kennel in a back room.

Emergency Prep

Even the best-laid plans can go sideways. Always:

• Have a local vet’s number on hand
• Keep ID tags on your dog’s collar
• Secure your dog when entering or leaving the RV

It only takes a second for a curious dog to bolt out the door—especially in a new environment.

Bring Fido Along

Let’s be real—sometimes the best solution is just to bring your dog along for the adventure. These are your travel buddies, after all. With a little planning, you can find plenty of places that welcome four-legged family members with open arms (and maybe even a treat or two).

We’ve discovered tons of dog-friendly spots across the country—restaurants with pet-friendly patios, walking trails, campgrounds, breweries, parks, and even beaches. You just have to know where to look.

Dog-Friendly Resources

Here are some great websites that make finding dog-friendly destinations a breeze:

• BringFido.com – One of the best pet travel resources out there. Search by city or activity.
• National Park Paws – Find out which trails and areas in national parks allow dogs.
• PetsWelcome.com – Another great resource for planning your pet-inclusive itinerary.

We’ve used these sites to map out everything from dog-friendly hiking spots to restaurants where Sierra and Ruby could snooze under the table while we had dinner.

Pro Tip:

Always double-check dog policies before heading out. Rules can vary even within a park or city, and you don’t want to get there only to find a “No Dogs Allowed” sign.

If it’s an option, bring Fido along—you’ll both enjoy the trip more.

Final Thoughts: Travel With Your Best Friend

RVing with your dogs takes planning and patience—but it’s incredibly rewarding. You don’t have to leave your furry family behind or put your travel dreams on hold. With some gear, tech, and a few trusted dog-sitters, you can have both the adventure and the companionship.

Even if you need a break from the dog-parenting duties now and then (we all do), knowing you have safe, reliable options helps a ton.

Thanks for hanging out with us today! Got any tips or favorite pet services for RVers? Drop them in the comments—we love hearing from fellow travelers.

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