🐾 Motorhome Travel with Dogs: A Safe and Memorable Adventure
🚗 Introduction
Travelling in a motorhome with your dog is one of life's greatest pleasures. There’s nothing quite like sharing the open road, waking up to the sound of birds, and watching your dog explore new places. But whether you’re moving from site to site, settling at a campsite, or wild camping near wildlife, your dog’s safety always comes first.
This guide is written for dog-loving adventurers, especially those over 50, who want easy, practical advice without complicated downloads. A printable checklist is included at the end, ready to pin up in your motorhome.
🚊 On the Move: Keeping Your Dog Safe While Driving
Imagine this: you’re cruising through the countryside, and your faithful companion is right there with you. Daisy, our lively spaniel, used to bounce from seat to seat—until we realised how risky that was. Dogs need to be just as secure as humans when travelling.
Simple Travel Safety Tips:
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Use a crash-tested seatbelt harness that clips into the vehicle's seatbelt system.
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A secured travel crate can offer extra safety and comfort.
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Install a cab barrier to prevent your dog from wandering into the front seats.
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Never allow your dog to stick their head out of the window while moving.
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Stop every 2-3 hours for toilet breaks, stretching, and water.
Securing your dog properly keeps everyone safe and turns a stressful journey into a relaxed ride.
🌄 Campsite Safety: A Happy Home Away from Home
One of our fondest memories is arriving at a small, quiet campsite, setting up our chairs, and watching Daisy happily sniff every blade of grass. Campsites can be wonderful places, but they’re busy, and not every dog loves a crowd.
Campsite Manners and Safety:
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Always keep your dog on a lead or long-line.
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Use a tie-out stake to give your dog safe outdoor freedom.
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Provide a cool, shaded spot to prevent overheating.
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Attach a clip-on LED light to your dog's collar at night for visibility.
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Always pick up dog poo and dispose of it in the correct bins.
A well-prepared dog owner creates a calm, safe environment for everyone.
🌳 Wild Camping: Protecting Wildlife and Livestock
We love the freedom of wild camping—but it comes with responsibility. On one of our early trips, Daisy caught sight of a flock of sheep and bolted before we could grab her lead. We learned that day how vital it is to stay in control.
Why It Matters:
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Dogs can frighten wildlife, causing animals to abandon their young.
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Chasing livestock is illegal in the UK, and farmers are allowed to protect their animals, even if it means harming your dog.
Simple Wild Camping Rules:
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Always keep your dog on a lead near livestock and wildlife.
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During spring and summer, protect ground-nesting birds by using a lead.
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Follow the Countryside Code: close gates, stick to paths, and always control your dog.
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Clean up all dog waste—this protects soil, plants, and water.
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Consider using a GPS tracker in case your dog slips away.
More Help:
Wild camping is magical when done right. With your dog under control, you’ll protect wildlife and enjoy the freedom safely.
🚑 Emergency Kit Must-Haves
On a trip to the coast, Daisy slipped on rocks and cut her paw. Thankfully, we had a pet first-aid kit in the van. Little things like that can make a big difference.
Be Prepared:
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Pet First-Aid Kit
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Collar with ID tag and microchip
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Vet contact details and vaccination papers
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Pet insurance documents
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Spare lead and harness
📆 Example Day on the Road
7:00 am: Wake up, breakfast, toilet walk.
9:00 am: Secure dog in harness or crate and drive to next location.
11:00 am: Stop for water and a short walk.
1:00 pm: Arrive at site, set up cooling area and tie-out stake.
4:00 pm: Beach walk with long-line lead.
7:00 pm: Dinner, relax together inside motorhome.
9:00 pm: Evening walk, poo bag ready, LED collar switched on.
Midnight: Quick toilet trip, then back to bed.
A simple, steady routine helps your dog feel calm and happy on the road.
📚 Printable One-Page Checklist
(Print this and keep it in your motorhome. Easy to tick off!)
Travelling
Campsite
Wild Camping
Emergency
Leave-No-Trace
🌍 Leave-No-Trace Guide for Dog Owners
The countryside is not just ours to enjoy—it belongs to the wildlife too. When we take Daisy wild camping, we always follow these simple rules:
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Always bag and take dog poo with you.
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Keep dogs on leads near livestock and wildlife.
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Respect nesting birds and seasonal no-go zones.
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Stay on footpaths to protect the landscape.
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Keep your dog calm and quiet after dark.
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Take all rubbish with you, even if you didn’t drop it.
These steps help preserve our beautiful places for future generations.
💚 Helpful Dog Gear from JSM Store
You can find all the recommended products at JSM Pet Store:
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Crash-tested seatbelt harness Dog Seat Belt for Car – Adjustable Pet Safety Restraint for Travel – J.S.M
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Travel crate for Small Dogs Dog & Cat Carrier Travel Car Seat - Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Dog – J.S.M
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Long-line lead Dog Lead Reflective 3M to 20M - Dog Walks, Dog Product – J.S.M
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Dog seats Portable Dog Car Seat Small Dog Car Booster Seat - Dog Supplies, Dog – J.S.M
Dog Waterproof And Hard-wearing seat covers for Dogs in Black & Grey – J.S.M -
LED collar Pet Supplies Rechargeable Mesh LED Lighted Harness - Walks, – J.S.M
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Cooling mat Cooling Pet Ice Mat Mattress – Non-Slip Ice Silk Pad for Dogs – J.S.M
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GPS tracker Not currently supplied at J.S.M
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Pet First-Aid kit Not currently supplied at J.S.M
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Collapsible food/water bowls Outdoor Folding Dog Food Water Bowl - Camping made easier – J.S.M
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Poo bag dispenser Dog Training Bag Treat & Poop Bag - Dog Walking Accessories - Dog – J.S.M
We offer easy-to-use, high-quality products ideal for motorhome travel, also check out other similar products for your travels at https://jsmstore.co.uk/
😊 Final Thought
Motorhome travel with your dog is about creating memories, staying safe, and respecting the countryside. With good preparation, you and your four-legged friend can enjoy years of stress-free adventures.
