RVing is a family affair, and that includes family with four furry paws.
Join the Camping World team as they sit down with full-time travelers and dog parents, Rachel and Nate of 2 Traveling Dogs. The two divulge what it’s like to live and travel with their dogs, Brickle and Digby, at Camping World’s Ultimate RV Roadshow.
But more than just travel tips, the couple recount the growth and influence of their blog and the importance of using their platform for pet adoption and animal welfare awareness.
Pets are Family
Pets are family, and traveling with these special family members requires advance planning. Keeping your pets comfortable is paramount and that begins with choosing the right RV. After traveling in a Class A for a year, Rachel and Nate describe how Brickle began to get nervous about his home being constantly in motion. The solution? Transition to a towable, which keeps Brickle from feeling anxious his home will pick up and move.
Leaders in Pet Ownership
Rachel and Nate have been blogging since 2011 and posting almost every day. Their dedication has resulted in a loyal following of friends who love following Brickle and Digby’s activities. With such an influential platform, the couple knew they needed to use their position of leadership responsibly. This is where the full-time road trip began as the couple and their fur family hit the road to visit 48 animal shelters in the lower 48.
Even if you don’t have a successful pet blog, you can still be a consummate pet owner. Nate says, “Clean up after your pet, because that’s what makes more places up to be pet friendly.” Irresponsible pet owners can often set a poor precedent for everyone else.
Best Practices for Traveling with Pets
RV travel with pets requires a little extra pre-planning, but this kind of effort will surely pay off for the comfort of your animals. Rachel says, “Just do the research ahead of time so you’re not disappointed when you get there.” There’s nothing worse than showing up at an excellent campground to find out its not pet-friendly.
Many campgrounds are specific about their pet restrictions, with cordoned-off areas just for pets, or particular breed restrictions. Be sure to check these rules ahead of time, and when in doubt Nate says to “contact the place that you’re going.”
If a hike or park isn’t pet friendly, which is the case for many national parks, it can be a real bummer. In the event you must leave your animals alone in the RV, turn to the RV community for help. Nate and Rachel suggest exchanging numbers with your neighbors and seeing if they’re comfortable checking on your pets while you’re out. In the event there is a power surge and your AC shuts off, this can be crucial for keeping your pet safe.
The RV community is generous one, and Rachel and Nate offer to do the same for other pet owners in need while on the road.
Pets and Wildlife
Always be aware of how your pet affects the local wildlife. Leashing your pet when on hikes can prevent your animal from injury, and keep local wildlife safe as well.
For Nate and Rachel, they stay vigilant of their surroundings after a bear absconded with Rachel’s backpack late one night. “Be aware of your surroundings all the time,” says Rachel on traveling with pets in wild areas.
In places like Florida, where Alligators in lakes are common, keep small pets away from the edge of the water.
Pets and RV Cleanliness
Pets tend to track in all sorts of debris and contaminants. Rachel suggest keeping wipes by the door and cleaning paws upon re-entry. She says, “I like to have ‘weather,’ bags there,” referring to season specific items to keep the animals clean.
You won’t find Rachel without her favorite tool, a lint brush. Pet hair is part of being a pet parent and a lint brush might one be one of the most useful portable items for keeping your clothes clean on the road.
Brickle and Digby’s social media and blog audience aren’t just followers—they’re friends. The traveling family’s blog is a wealth of information for pet owners. Learn more about Brickle and Digby’s adventures at 2Travelingdogs.com.
For more influencer interviews and exclusive RV Roadshow content, catch up on the on-demand portal.
Hi. Do you offer classes for rv beginners?