How To Make Van Life with a Dog Work: 11 Tips to Success!
Van Life With a Dog: Is it Worth It?
You may be sitting there, wondering if hitting the road with your furry BFF is worth it. Long story short: it is! Being on the road with my dog has given me cherished memories and great times.
I’m not going to lie and say that it’s a complete walk in the dog park, but for those who plan on living life on the road with their dog, you’re in for some great adventures!
Top 11 Tips to Successfully do Van Life with a Dog
1. Prepare your dog for life on the road
Not every dog is made to live out of a vehicle. You need to remember to do what’s best for your dog. However, there are things you can do to help your dog adjust to this lifestyle!
Luna was very nervous when we first set off on the road, but as I worked hard to establish a routine, she became accustomed to waking up in new places every day.
Training and routines will be the key to helping your dog on your adventure. Luna adjusted to longer car rides the more we did them, and I got better at caring for her needs. I also made sure to plan enough potty and stretch breaks to keep her happy.
I know it’s hard to keep a routine going when constantly moving, but it will help your fur baby. Even though we were always in different places, I tried my best to keep her food times consistent. Luna always knew when she would get food, and that kept some of the normalcy I had established off the road.
2. Create a space for them in your vehicle
Your van or SUV or whatever vehicle you’re living out of is your doggo’s home too. Make sure you give them spaces that are safe and theirs.
Living out of my SUV, I gave Luna the front passenger seat with a comfy dog bed and access to her water bowl. This was also the bed she slept on at night, so she knew it was all for her. I had specific blankets that were designated for my dog too. I did what I could to make our vehicle feel like a place she wanted to be.
3. Keep all of their treats and gear handy
Having easy access to your dog’s stuff will be a lifesaver. Things can get chaotic when you’re in tight spaces, so it’s important that you know exactly where to go to find treats, medications, and leashes.
I dedicated a drawer in my setup to all of Luna’s things that she didn’t use daily but were important to have. Items like her hiking leash and harness, monthly meds, toothpaste, and nail clippers.
Items that I knew we would use on a daily basis got a special place in my car. I had a few treats within arms reach, kept her leash in the front passenger door, and had access to her kibble and food bowl. This made our routine easier and prevented me from needing to dig around to find exactly what we needed.
Make sure that when you’re on the road, you have a good water supply, enough food for your dog, the right meds, treats, and towels that you don’t mind getting dirty!
Pro Tip: Having leashes for different scenarios was FANTASTIC. I had a special leash for hikes that allowed me to have both hands free, one that was super long so that she could still be tethered while at campsites, and one for everyday use (this one also allowed me to keep both my hands free). Never underestimate the power of multiple leashes.
4. Carry their medical records
Even if you don’t think you need them, bring them. You never know who will want to confirm that your dog is fully vaccinated. This will allow you to feel confident knowing that you’re truly ready for your dog to go anywhere.
I was able to ask my vet to email me a copy of her records, which allowed me to have an electronic version as well as a paper copy.
All of Luna’s records went in a folder and chilled in a place where I had easy access. For good measure, I also kept some of my medical records in there to for convenience.
You never know what kinds of things will happen on your trip, so it’s always best to be prepared!
5. Become a researching/planning PRO
Having a home that’s on the road forces you to become a great problem solver. Even when I nailed down a plan, it would always change due to things out of my control.
Knowing how to use the tools at your disposal to plan where you want to go for the day will help you feel confident when you need to make last-minute changes. I found websites like Bring Fido and Google reviews to be some of the most useful resources when figuring out if a place had dog-friendly options.
Having a dog on the trip may require you to spend a lot of time outdoors, so keep that in mind. If you’re unsure about a store or destination’s pet policy, never be afraid to call and ask!
Some of my favorite places to visit include breweries, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, coffee shops with outdoor seating, and parks.
Make sure that you keep your dog in mind. Plans may need to be different than you envisioned to accommodate your furry friend.
6. Off-leash dog parks are your friend
Like I mentioned in the last point, parks are a great place to take your baby, especially if they have a dedicated dog area. Finding the best dog park in the area was typically one of the first things I did when scouting out potential cities to spend time in.
Dog parks are typically located in neighborhood areas, which can also include parks and public restrooms.
Allow your dog time to run around free, especially if you are staying the night in an area where they can’t be off-leash, or you’ve done a day full of driving. Getting out and stretching your own legs will be nice too!
7. Properly set up your rig to keep your dog comfortable during the various seasons
Dog’s feel temperature differently than us. As you travel, it’s important to be ready to keep your dog comfortable, especially since living out of a van or car can give you very little control over the temperature.
For the warmer months, have plenty of water on hand. I would also keep a metal water bottle full of ice to chill the water I’d give my dog. There are also dog cooling pads that you look into. At night, I would keep the windows cracked and run a fan with my battery “generator.”
Being prepared for the cold is just as important. My rig was filled with blankets and doggie sweaters that we could use for bundling. There are also some DC electric blankets that you can look into getting to keep you and your friend extra warm.
8. Keep them on a consistent eating schedule
Having your dog stay on some sort of schedule can help them to adjust to all of the changes that come with being on the road. One of the easiest things to be consistent with is their eating schedule. My dog knew exactly when she would get food, no matter where we were. If I knew we’d be on a hike and not in the car, I’d make sure I’d back her dinner.
9. Choose a dog food that is easy to find
This may seem like an obvious one, but hear me out. My dog is on a special vet diet and I was not as prepared as I thought to find this food. Don’t be like me, calling and hunting down this specific brand so that my pupper could eat.
Try to have your dog on a food that can be found in most pet stores. If you’re dog is on a highly specialized diet, you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly. This could mean packing an extra supply or calling ahead to locations well in advance to ensure you can buy your dog exactly what they need.
10. Accept that their fur will be everywhere, but still have a cleaning routine
Most dogs shed like crazy, but we still love them. No matter what you do, their fur will be all over your car. You’ll probably notice doggy fur everywhere because you’re living in tight quarters. There is nothing you can do to stop your baby from shedding, but you can establish routines that will help keep the dog fur in check.
I invested in a small car vacuum that I would use once a day to pick up some of the dirt and fur. You can also make sure to keep up with a bathing and brushing routine. There are some do-it-yourself dog grooming places that you can find, or you can use a bottle of water in a pinch.
11. Have plans for when you need to leave your fur baby behind
Sadly, your dog will not be able to go everywhere with you. If you want to go out and explore the town, consider hiring a dog sitter or finding a friend’s place for your baby to call home while you’re gone. I traveled with Luna’s crate so that I could have her stay safely with a friend and feel a piece of home with her.
Rover.com is a great resource for finding a pet sitter in a pinch! You can also search for local doggy daycares. Just make sure you keep your fur baby up-to-date with their vaccinations!
The Benefits of Van Life with Dogs
There’s nothing better than having your dog with you on adventures. Luna loves being able to hit the road with me and enjoy all that nature has to offer. I also feel a sense of security with her around as a solo female traveler.
Besides, having a dog makes it easy to strike up conversations with strangers and get in your human interaction on your trip.
The Challenges of Van Life with Dogs
Not everything is roses when traveling with a pet. Your life revolves around them most likely more than it will when you’re living in a traditional dwelling. Keeping your dog safe should be your number one priority, which means you’ll have to sacrifice some destinations and activities.
Regardless, I think traveling with your fur friend is the way to go.
TLDR: How to Make Van Life with a Dog Successful
Living on the road with your dog can be a challenge at times, but I think it’s well worth it. I’ve never been too upset about places I couldn’t visit with my dog because my adventures are so much better with her by my side.
With a little bit of planning and creativity, I know you can make van life with your dog a smashing success!