The Traveling Canine

Tips for Transitioning Dogs Into a Rootless Lifestyle

By Madelyn Meyers

I LOOK BACK ON the weeks leading up to full-time RV living through a thick fog, vaguely remembering a cycle of donating, cleaning, packing, and purging, occasionally interrupted by an intense staring contest I would start with my dog, Charlie. Valiantly pursuing the impractical goal of communicating to him that his life was about to change forever, would scoop him up like a swaddled baby, and find my husband, Drew, to seek assurance.

“Is Charlie going to be okay?” would ask. Of course, Drew could provide no concrete answer at the time, making me now wish I could somehow send reassurance to that former version of myself. I would tell her that Charlie was going to be just fine.

Many of us think of our pets as family members—albeit ones who are hard to communicate with—so it’s natural that when they’re about to face the overwhelming change that comes with starting a mobile lifestyle, we want to ensure they’ll be okay through the transition. As a dog mom to one spunky, travel-loving, furry companion, allow me to share the techniques we used to help transition Charlie into a rootless lifestyle.

INTRODUCE THEM TO THE SPACE

Drew and I were lucky enough to have a space on our sticks-and-bricks property to park our RV in preparation for full-time travel. As the space began to resemble a

home, we brought Charlie out to enjoy movie nights, family games, and dinners. When our rig was ready enough for a test run, we went on a weekend outing to the Pocono Mountains, showing him, at least for a short period of time, that our new home on wheels could keep us safe and warm. Then, in the last few days before our departure, we began to sleep in the RV, duplicating our bedtime routine in our new and smaller space. Throughout this process, Charlie became more comfortable with the RV. He learned where the front door was, and that he needed to allow the automatic steps to fully extend before climbing them. He claimed his favorite spots and began squirrel-watching out the front windshield the same way he would through the windows at our house. When it was time to roll away from our property, we did so with Charlie sound asleep in his bed, already comfortable with his new home on wheels.

TEACH THEM VERBAL CUES

After our first few weeks on the road, Charlie developed a disdain for moving days. He would quiver as the RV jostled during our leveling routine, and cower as we rolled in our kitchen slide. In hindsight, the reason for his distress seems obvious—the shaking of the jacks is akin to an earthquake, and the retraction of the slide makes it seem like the walls of his home are closing in on him.

The remedy for this reaction is not found through time, as many may assume, but through teaching Charlie the verbal cues that allow him to anticipate these actions within the RV. Telling him that we’re about to “roll in the slides” before we do so gives him time to find a comfortable spot in his bed and prevents the negative association that used to be reinforced whenever he was startled by the commotion.

Like any command you teach your dog, they will need repetition and consistency to learn its meaning, but it’s often the structure they need to make them comfortable with the unusual activities that come along with a traveling lifestyle.

GIVE THEM THEIR FAVORITE THINGS

Having moved into our RV only nine months ago, I vividly remember the process of touching every item owned, asking to what extent that item brought me joy, and then being forced to decide if it belonged in the “trash,” “donate,” or tragically-tiny “keep” pile. It’s a necessary part of any rootless lifestyle that the freedom we gain through full-time travel requires the sacrifice of everything but our most precious belongings. If you have a four-legged companion joining you on your adventures, you’ll have the responsibility of downsizing their items as well, something encourage you to handle with as much care as you do your own belongings.

When organizing your mobile home, reserve a few areas for your dog’s belongings, even if it means sacrificing some of your own. Like you, your dog will be forced to give up some luxuries while living on the road, so they deserve to have their own small but cherished “keep” pile.

REWARD THEM WITH ADVENTURE

Drew and I often joke that Charlie is underestimated. At only 14 pounds, it’s common for people to remark on his size while we are out for a hike, many of them asking if his short legs will allow him to reach the summit. In fact, he’s often the one pulling us up the hill! He’s an avid hiker, despite his appearance, and we bring him with us on as many hikes as we can.

Although our pets may not be able to help us empty our black tanks, they do an excellent job of absorbing our energy, so they feel the stress of this lifestyle as much as we do. It seems only fair, then, that they deserve to enjoy the rewards of participating in our adventures.

Though tiring and challenging, the allure of living rootless is in the endless opportunity for new experiences. This unquenchable thirst for adventure keeps us on the road, and it’s great to share it with our canine companions. This way of thinking has allowed me and Drew to bond with Charlie more than we ever did in our stationary home. He was panting alongside us as we viewed Nashville from Capitol Hill. He ran with us at Boca Chica beach as we watched the construction of the largest rockets in the world. He got to feel the breeze as we pedaled our bikes through miles of trails surrounding the Bottomless Lakes of Roswell, New Mexico. This rootless way of life has allowed me and Drew to create memories that will last the rest of our lives, and I am forever grateful that our fur baby gets to be a part of them.

Follow Madalyn, Drew, and Charlie on Instagram @discovery.detour