Traveling in a camper van with your dog is an incredible adventure but it requires some adaptations! Space, cleanliness, equipment, temperatures... Discover all the advice for a road trip in a camper van with your dog.

Going on a motorhome adventure with a dog is pure freedom! No more worrying about dog-friendly accommodations; your home goes everywhere with you. But living in a motorhome with a dog also presents a few challenges : limited space, temperature fluctuations, daily organization… That's why Nana and Elodie are going to share their experience, tips, and travel essentials for living in a motorhome with a dog! I've never experienced this style of travel with Musher, so I wasn't the best person to share advice. However, since more and more of you are traveling in motorhomes or campervans with your dogs, when Elodie offered to share her experience, I jumped at the chance! I know her tips and tricks will help many fellow dog lovers on their next trips.

Here we go! I'll let Elodie and her dog, our two adventurers who travel the world in a camper van, speak. Because you'll see that for them, travel has no limits. Moreover, as their road trip progresses, they'll share with us the different episodes of their adventures in the United States and across Mexico. Coming soon in the Mag'.

Summary

Why travel in a camper van with a dog?

Today, Nana and I are going to tell you about our campervan trips and the adaptations that come with traveling with a dog.

There are three major challenges to living in a campervan with a dog: space , cleanliness , and extreme temperatures . Each of these three topics will be addressed below.

First, why did we choose this way of traveling? Let's be honest, traveling with a dog from one accommodation to another has its limitations (are they allowed? Are there extra charges? Cleaning fees?). So, it was only natural that we eliminated these constraints by traveling in our campervan. We've been traveling in a van for a little over four years now, and beyond the practical aspect, it's a real passion of ours and offers a great sense of freedom. We would find it hard to go back, even if all accommodations were dog-friendly.

Musher and Sophie: “Do you want to take the plunge and travel in a motorhome with your dog? Don't know where to start? Discover how to travel in a motorhome with your dog ; you'll find all the tips and tricks to prepare for living in a motorhome with your four-legged companion!”

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Adapting your dog to life in a camper van: stress, physical exertion, routines, etc.

We got our first van a month before we had Nana. So as soon as Nana arrived among us, we got her used to it right away since our first van also served as our everyday vehicle. She quickly became VERY comfortable and we often found her with her 4 legs in the air on the mattress in the back on a mountain road, so zero stress.

However, switching to a camper van stressed her out a bit more . It's noisier, less comfortable when driving, and most importantly, she can't see the road, which she doesn't particularly like. And despite our precautions, we sometimes forget to close a cupboard and things fall on her head while we're driving. Apart from that, she settled in very quickly.

At first, she had trouble moving around with us so as not to be in our way, but now she knows exactly where to position herself so as not to disturb us, and I think what she really likes is the fact that we are all together and sleeping in the same room as mom and dad.

During the journeys, Nana doesn't really settle down. I don't think she gets bored. As for stress, I think it's mainly present when the roads are in bad condition and the car is shaking all over the place. In those cases, we just have to be patient, for her sake as well as ours. There's no magic solution, unfortunately . However, she's never shown such a state of stress that we'd have to stop immediately.

It's often said that a dog needs two types of exercise: physical and mental . Long days on the road provide Nana with so much mental stimulation that when we stop, all she wants to do is lie down and sleep. We make sure to give her exercise whenever we can, but it's not always fun and easy, we won't pretend otherwise. When the day has been particularly difficult, I save her some long-lasting treats to chew , and she enjoys them at the end of the day. We haven't noticed her being any more excitable since we hit the road, so I don't think she's lacking physical activity.

We haven't established any routine to make Nana feel comfortable on a daily basis. Or perhaps it's unintentional and we don't even realize it. When we had a sedentary lifestyle, Nana didn't necessarily eat at the same times, and it's the same here. She still has her two meals a day, and "more or less" at the same times, but it can be between 7 and 10 a.m. and usually around 20 p.m. She might ask for food in the evening, but in the morning, she likes to sleep in, so we don't hear her.

It's true, though, that we have our routines . A short walk as soon as we wake up to relieve herself, then dinner. And the same in the evening: one last pee of the night and then bed after taking off her collar (if she's wearing one. There are days when she wears neither a leash nor a collar). It's a kind of routine, I suppose!

A camper van on a beach.

Advantages and disadvantages of camping for your dog

Get your dog used to it from a young age and make it a pleasure for both of you. A campervan trip = a great ride or great friends! Create a cozy little corner for your dog so he feels comfortable.

If there is one mistake we would have liked to avoid, it is to have only two seats in the front. A third seat in the middle and she would have been happier. But for reasons of layout and safety, we chose only two seats.

Advantages: Being with mom and dad all the time; having a huge, different garden every day; sometimes sleeping with mom and dad when it's cold; experiencing a WWOOFing adventure that will make your doggy friends green with envy

Disadvantages: Having less space than at home; Not being able to play inside (the fifteen minutes of madness before meals no longer exist); not being able to go outside whenever she wants to relieve herself (a bit like living in an apartment in the end); having less rest time; having to constantly move around inside depending on mom and dad's needs.

Anecdote: Nana isn't particularly fond of it when we're driving the campervan, especially if it's bumpy because she can't see the road. On the other hand, she loves living in it and riding in it. Before embarking on this big trip, when we went out in the campervan or van and came home, there was no way to get her out. It was like punishing her to bring her home. We had to carry her, and if our backs were turned, she'd rush back to the van. The same thing happened as soon as she saw us loading our things before leaving. No need to look for her; she was already in the van.

Musher and Sophie: “Are you interested in the experiences of our Wouafer's in motorhomes? Discover Stéphanie's story, who tells you about her motorhome trip with her dog Chipie!”

Thanks for the great advice, Elodie! Nana seems to be enjoying her new life on the road. Traveling in a motorhome with your dog is a unique adventure that requires a few adjustments. Thanks to Nana and Elodie's experience, we understand that despite the challenges related to space, cleanliness, or temperature, it's all about adapting and being organized! And if you're wondering what equipment is truly essential for traveling in a motorhome with your dog, don't miss Elodie's next article on " What Essential Equipment Do You Need for Your Dog's Comfort in a Motorhome ?" She'll reveal all the essential gear to guarantee your dog's comfort and safety. See you on the road!

Follow Nicolas, Elodie, and Nana's entire journey on their Instagram page: un_voyage_de_woof