It is time to take a break away from the main show this summer; which is all about Chloe Rue and I backpacking the longest Pet Friendly stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. Today we will dive back in to my maybe not-so-normal life where I live full time in a truck camper (named Lil Red) and travel around taking contracts as a traveling healthcare professional. Let’s talk about 7 ways I’ve made dog-mom life easy while living in Lil Red.
****This blog post uses Amazon Affiliate links for items I recommend to keep life easy in a camper. All items I have tested out for myself and recommend personally, having good experiences with them. I do make a small portion of funds if you click on the link from this blog post and then purchase the item. Thanks for your support!****
1. Simple Safety Strategies
A huge concern for most people transitioning from a house into a smaller space such as a camper, RV or van is safety. Many newer spaces have taken safety seriously, with two exit points for fire risk, sprinklers, and all the appropriate alarms. However, there are a couple more ways to optimize your dog’s safety in a small space.
Waggle Temperature Monitor
Waggle is a VERY awesome feature that I recommend constantly for folks who are living in vans, campers or RVs. The unfortunate key though, is that you do need cell reception in order for waggle to work. Waggle monitors the temp of your camper and will alert you to any temps that are unsafe for your pet. It’s amazing in that you can move it from space to space (keep it in your car for example if your pup has to be in it for a minute), it will alert you, but you can also watch temperatures via the app and it’s affordable compared to many other systems! Other options are using a camera (like a baby monitor, or Arlo 2 go) that tracks temperatures, or keeping a thermometer in sight of a camera in your traveling home.
Camera Monitors
After the move into Lil Red, I do have both Waggle AND an Arlo 2 Go camera monitor. Both require cell reception to work, but I do like being able to watch the camper throughout the day, or keep an eye on things if I am traveling abroad. There are other camera options for keeping an eye on your pup but I have used arlo for the past 6 years.
There are some awesome baby monitors out there too! Though I have not personally tested it, this baby monitor also does not require wifi.
Sticker/Magnetic Alerts
Many folks who work during the day and leave their pup in their van/camper/RV have a sticker or magnet they attach saying “Fido lives inside! Please let him out in an Emergency.” This little piece of information can be VITAL for first responders. It’s also great information for anyone with nefarious goals; as anyone looking to steal something will likely hesitate at the presence of a dog.
Roof Vent/Air Conditioning
While many campers and RVs have propane heat options, some do not have air conditioning- much less solar powered options. Some vans don’t even have a roof vent! These temperature control concepts are SUPER important and necessary to make camper life with a pup easy. Talk to Camper World or your local RV shop to see if they can install a vent for you. Otherwise if you’re feeling handy, install it yourself! Dometic brand is known to work well with solar systems and is available online.
Install “Pet First Aid” App
An app by the American Red Cross called Pet First Aid is amazing to have while traveling. If you don’t already have a digital folder filled with your dog’s health records, there is space in the app for it! You can also educate yourself on health and safety resources for your pet. Most important, if there is an animal emergency while you’re traveling, the app will direct you to the nearest animal hospital. 10/10 this app makes the camper life SO much safer.
2. Storage Space is Key
Okay so THIS is where I spent the most money on my Lil Red Camper, other than the purchase itself. Not a new fridge, nor a little fireplace. Not even fixing the water heater. Storage!
I invested in storage space because it truly does give peace of mind when everything you want in a tiny space, has a home. It can feel like your living situation is constantly messy when you have too much “stuff” and not enough storage.
Take the time to minimize everything you own. Get rid of any object that does not bring you joy; or does not have a specific use. Then take the time to make sure every single item in your small space has a home.
The Container Store
In Portland Oregon, there is a magical place FILLED to the brim with different storage containers, known as: The Container Store! Now, these containers are awesome but also outlandishly expensive. If you’re on a budget, definitely make a plan with the storage experts at the container store. Purchase a couple things as a “thanks”. Then check out Amazon because you will save SO much money by purchasing on Amazon instead. The key is to check and triple check the dimensions you need for your space because it can be tricky to purchase the right sized item on Amazon. I purchased a few things that are working great for me including:
- Three Drawers
- Stacking Drawers
- Expandable Shelf
- Dish Rack
- Under Bed Storage (also to help with moisture control which has been difficult in Lil Red, especially throughout the winter).
Be sure to get creative too. Using old boxes with wrapping paper from the dollar store made it easy to optimize this storage, without spending an excess amount on those canvas fold out boxes.
Dog Food Storage
Every space where you live is different. Some places will have plenty of space for dog food. Lil Red the Truck Camper has one large cupboard that fits EVERYTHING we need, including (you guessed it) dog food. This is what we use for keeping dog food fresh, and stored in a safe way while traveling.
3. Outdoor Space for the Win
When you are sharing a small space with your dogs, I cannot express enough how important outdoor access can be. Having the opportunity to play fetch, sit outside, cook outdoors, feed your dogs outside, and just enjoy the extra space is absolutely VITAL.
Awning vs Gazebo
This is a CONTANT debate inside my head and I truly have not decided if I want an awning or a gazebo. The perks of an awning include:
- It is easy to open/close
- Simple storage because it is attached to the roof
- You don’t have to worry about leaving it behind.
However a gazebo can be left to hold your spot if you free camp (like me! Check our post about it here); offers walls to contain your doggos for the most part or to offer privacy if your shower is outside. However they are usually harder to store and more difficult to open/close. I haven’t made the decision yet. What would you choose? Awning or a Gazebo? Let me know in the comments or on social media!
Long Leash
If you’re like me, and you just aren’t ready to invest in a covered space yet because you can’t decide what space is best, long leashes are for you! A long leash is a cheap, easy, and reliable in-between that keeps your pup safe outside, but also allows awesome off leash training opportunities. These are the long leashes we have been using. They have lasted us over a year, including the last 300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. (In fact if you’ve been following our story, you’ll notice we used Freyja’s long leash to belay down a waterfall cliffside).
Outdoor Eating
Many campers and vans have options for dining tables outside. However, some don’t and you get to have some creativity with how to dine outdoors. For Lil Red, I knew my partner Seth and his dog would be moving in with me once we’re off the trail (and his dog lived with me for a few months while he was out hiking). I also know how important cooking is to Seth. So when I had to design under camper drawers and build them myself, I made some space for an outdoor kitchen. Simple use of insulation called Reflix for keeping things cool and a pull-out drawer for a grill made the perfect place to cook outside. An upgrade to the truck endgate that has space for chopping food is also coming soon and is something I definitely recommend for outdoor cooking.
As an avid backpacker, of course I love backpacking gear. These chairs are AWESOME options. They are small, very light, great for overnight backpacking trips (definitely not for the PCT) and perfect for sitting outdoors at our table while the dogs enjoy being outside.
4. Get into Town
When you’re living off grid most of the time in a small space like a Lil Red truck camper, it can feel easy to get cooped up sometimes. I like to joke that I’m slowly forgetting how to interact with humans and adopting dog social skills instead. I might start sniffing butts instead of shaking hands soon. Chloe Rue approves of this! Making sure to go into town to dog friendly spaces, using pet friendly free- roam areas and even signing up for a pet friendly event or training class can make it much easier to interact with humans and dogs appropriately.
Sniffspot!!
This could also work under the get outside category- but for those who have never heard of the Sniffspot App it is an AMAZING option to find safely fenced in areas/private dog parks for a small price. They even offer monthly memberships! Safer than a dog park because you know you will have the place to yourself, Sniffspots will often times have doggy perks like a ball launcher, treats, and toys that you can use when you’re there! It is sometimes SO nice to just let your dog be a dog. They can roam around in a large fenced in area, while you can finish writing that blog post! Otherwise you can just smile and watch them play. I’ve been using Sniffspot dog parks regularly with my partner’s dog Freyja all over Oregon. We LOVE the app and can’t wait to hopefully contribute a safe spot some day!
Bring Fido
Bring Fido is a pet friendly focused website that offers many suggestions on pet friendly spaces, no matter where you are! From coffee shops and restaurants to beaches and hotels; I constantly check out the website when I am traveling.
Rover
Rover is an AWESOME app that advertises local pet sitters and walkers. When you need that time away from your pup for any reason (long work days, national park hikes, international trips) Rover is the first place I look for a pet sitter. Unless I’m in Albany where my doggy daycare is AHmazing (thanks Lisa!). Whenever I have to leave Chloe behind for a minute, having a reliable person check on her is extremely reassuring.
Hands Free Leash
When you are exploring a town with your dog, it is SO nice to have a hands free leash where you can store poop bags as well as treats. I have been using the ruffwear hitchhiker leash while backpacking the PCT and I absolutely love this leash. Poop bags, treats and an adjustable leash that snaps around my waist makes town excursions extremely easy. This leash is definitely worth the price and will make your life in a camper so much easier.
5. Secure Everything
If you have a home that moves, you will likely experience the horror that occurs when EVERYTHING spills EVERYWHERE. When I first moved in to Lil Red, I learned that I might be a crazy driver when my refrigerator “threw up” all over my living space.
Cupboard Latches
This is when I learned the importance of ensuring all cupboards have that extra latch of security. Though Lil Red is a 2019 year camper, her cupboards (and fridge) just would not stay closed while on the road. Insert: cupboard locks! Many campers and RVs have extra locks available, but if you’re like me and everything has a habit of exploding on the road, check out these cupboard locks. They are for babies, but with some JB Weld and some determination, they will help hold everything in your living space where it belongs while you commute down the road.
Key Pad Door Lock
Another suggestion that makes sharing a space with dogs SO much easier is upgrading the regular door lock to a key code lock. I did this on my first camper immediately, and it is on the to do list for Lil Red once we are off trail. Door codes are SO helpful if you have an emergency and someone needs to get your dog out, if you have a dog walker come to visit, if your doggy daycare is dropping your pup off before you’re home OR if anyone is visiting you from out of town. It is also considered a more secure method of locking your space, as many of the keys used for camper doors can be purchased online. Just make sure you purchase the right size for your adventure vehicle!
6. Chloe’s Thoughts
There are just a couple items that Chloe thought I better share with you all, that she specifically finds important to the Lil Red Camper Life on the road. First, she has short hair and doesn’t shed all that much but her step sister Freyja the Aussie sheds SO MUCH.
Dog Hair Control
This anti shed dog brush that was trending on tiktok is actually absolutely AMAZING. I have pulled an unbelievable amount of hair off these girls and it helps tremendously at controlling the dog hair I deal with on a daily basis.
I also love this lint roller that does not have any waste involved.
Fun fact- if you happen to have a spare pair of rubber gloves if you’re a healthcare professional (or from any job really) they pick up dog hair off of fabric extremely well! Better than a lint roller OR duct tape, I love using rubber gloves for shed control.
Muddy Paws
One of Chloe’s favorite things to do is roll around in the mud. When she gets back to the camper she knows that it means her paws get wiped down, and between the good girl hair brushes and the soft cozy paw towel, my girl gets pampered every time she rolls in mud! We love this microfiber, extra absorbent towel, especially during Oregon’s wet winters. Keeping the camper free from muddy paws is easy with this as our rug at the door.
Dog Food Bowls
Another item Chloe recommends is dog food bowls and water bowls that have either a special holder or a rubber bottom. She helped me realize that once I start driving her dog water bowl likes to spill EVERYWHERE. We made a bigger investment in this than I like to admit, in purchasing an actual diatomacious stone bath mat. The same brand offers very fancy dog bowls with the same absorbent features; but for camper life I loved how sticky the base is for the stone bath mat. It also fits perfectly where I like her water to go, and hasn’t moved a bit! It also has not yet broken which is awesome.
A silicon mat underneath the dog bowls also works magically.
7. Dog Training Every Day
Maybe I am a broken record about dog training, or maybe this is your first time reading my blog! If you’re wanting some reliable information on training your dog to travel, check out these posts right here!
Dog Treats
I highly recommend keeping dog treats on your hip at ALL TIMES when you’re on an adventure with your pup. Make sure they are having so much fun traveling with you and reward them for all the new experiences they are having! My favorite treats are dried liver, which you can find right here. Just remember to recycle or reuse the container!
Patience and a Pawsitive Outlook
While Amazon does not have these in stock, training your pup for adventure DOES require patience and an optimistic approach to progress. Every pup struggles with something. Chloe has a hard time walking past dogs while on a leash, and when she’s stressed it’s even HARDER for her. Freyja has a hard time walking past anything that looks remotely edible. Most dogs will have difficulty with something new they encounter while living the camper life. Just be sure to recognize where they struggle, and help them through it in a positive manner. They will learn and grow, just like you will in all your traveling adventures.
Well, there it is! A nice break away from the trail, with some great ideas to make camper life easy, with your dog. What do you find to be especially helpful while on the road? What’s your favorite piece of advice for dog adventurers? I hope you all are staying well and wonderful; and Chloe sends some dog wagging love with Happy Tails and Happy Trails ❤️
Subscribe Here for More Dog Adventure Advice!
Find BarkingEmbarkers on Social Media! You can find us on our
Facebook group, Instagram, or Pinterest Pages. Chloe and I are also now on tiktok!
Check out our brand new Youtube Channel with a PCT “Captains Log” journal right here.
You can also ALWAYS reach out with questions by emailing us at barkingembarkers@gmail.com.
