A motorhome trip with our dog

I'll take you aboard Stephanie and Chipie's motorhome. Stéphanie loves to travel this way, she takes her house on wheels and sets off to discover France as she pleases. Her dog follows her everywhere and enjoys these Too W'ouf holidays with her. I am happy to share their travel anecdotes with you and their advice for setting off on an adventure in a motorhome or a campervan with your dog.

Stéphanie: “It's up to you. To start: introduce us to your little Chipie.”

Since Chipie's arrival in the home, she has always been part of the family's travels. Chipie is an English cocker spaniel of almost 5 years old, with a rather sweet and sociable character, she loves children and the company of humans. Always ready to roam, she likes above all to sleep in her giant basket which is none other than our bed. She is of a greedy nature like most of her congeners. We call it “little barrel”. We are always in his care.

She shares most of our trips: holidays with her are a moment of pure happiness. Holidays according to Chipie are: Jumping in mud puddles, running in the snow but also on the beach, and rolling in the sand (especially after swimming).

We adopted Chipie, against all odds, after attending the motorhome show in Paris. A month earlier, our first cocker spaniel left us at the age of 17. This absence weighed on us, and going on a trip together seemed so gloomy. Coming back from the living room, we made a small detour to a breeding farm, and there our little Chipie was waiting for us. At a glance, we knew that a new adventure was beginning. 

His very first trip was therefore in a motorhome! More than 200 km coiled in my arms because she was very scared. As we had not planned this getaway, we had no accessories for her, neither a leash nor a collar. 

In recent years, Chipie has tested all modes of transport except the plane. The hold is not the most suitable for her. She even rides a scooter in her carry bag between my husband and me, “ears to the wind”. She seems perfectly in her element. When we go to an island, we opt for a special "pet" cabin so that she can sleep with us. We can say that it is a real “adventurer”.

👋 Musher's great deal

Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts

Before leaving, my husband takes care to check our itinerary, targets campsites that accept dogs and if possible those that offer a doggy beach (beach for dogs).

We generally have no worries about the parking areas, it is enough to be a minimum of respect to be well received. For example, you have to keep your dog on a leash and pick up its droppings. When we go to the beach, we make ourselves as discreet as possible by choosing the quietest corner possible even if Chipie is always on a leash. 

In every camper van, Chipie has her "treats" cupboard. I also keep leashes , spare harnesses , medications, her health record, and her European pet passport there. I bring enough kibble and wet food for the entire trip. She has a bed in the bedroom, her toys, and her bunny comforter—everything she needs to feel at home. She usually sleeps where she feels comfortable. I always remember to bring plenty of microfiber towels because Chipie loves water, and my husband installed an outdoor shower (because she likes muddy water). As for breaks, we stop every two hours, so she relieves herself then. She's used to long journeys; she's well-behaved and very calm. The only time we leave her alone is at a campsite, never in the summer when it's hot, and for no more than two hours (and even two hours is a long time for us). We always make sure one of us stays with her. This winter, for example, we left her alone for an hour while we went for a swim in the pool. In the summer, we take turns going swimming in the pool; it's too hot to leave her in a confined space. Some might say we're exaggerating, but we're not at all. During the journey, she wears her safety harness and is secured in a seat in the back with a special seatbelt attachment.

👋 Musher's great deal

Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts

Our first travel vehicle was a camper van. It was a little too small for the three of us and not suitable for winter sports. Our new motorhome is perfect. Chipie adores her because she can now climb on our bed by herself; he is right up to it. Our nights are complicated given the space it takes despite its small size!!

Our last destination was the resort of Grand Bornand in the Alps, in a campsite. We went on walks, and especially on snowshoes with Chipie in total freedom! 

If you are a little apprehensive about leaving, I have only one word: go for it!! Just tell yourself that a motorhome is a big car, so you should never leave your dog alone inside because of the heat, but also because of thefts, unless you are in a secure place ( camping for example).

Remember to bring your dog's papers, to keep his passport up to date. I also advise you to respect the places that welcome you, for you, but also for future visitors with dogs.

I end this interview with a sentence that sums up the holidays with my hairball: only happiness !!!!!!!!

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I'd like to thank Stéphanie and Chipie for their fantastic interview. I learned so many useful things for my next trip with Musher. Ready to hit the road in a campervan with your dog? I also recommend reading our article " The Campervan: The Ideal Solution for Holidays with Your Dog?" You'll find even more helpful tips there.