RV Dog Fence - Pet Safety on the Road
RV Camping with Dogs
Would it surprise you to know that according to the RV Industry Association, 68 percent of RVers bring a pet along on their trip and of these, about 92% of them are dog people. Camping with dogs has become more and more popular, as increasingly large numbers of people are exploring life as full-time RVers.
After three years of traveling with dogs ourselves, one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced has been how to keep our dogs safe when camping.
And while there are several factors that you will need to consider (changing environments, travel-day care, exposure to different plants, bugs, or wildlife … ), above all, you’ll want to make sure that safety begins at home - your campsite.
Dog Fence for RV Camping
One of the best investments that you can make to keep your dogs safe while camping, is a dog fence, or dog playpen.
Benefits of Dog Fence
There are many benefits to adding a dog fence to your campsite, including:
Keep your dog safely contained: Using a dog fence, you are able to determine just how much free space your dogs will have to roam, and you won’t need to worry about leashes getting tangled around trees or picnic table
Provide your dog with a sense of home: By adding a dog fence to your campsite set-up, you can help to create more normalcy and a sense of home for your dogs, regardless of where you’ve parked your RV. This not only helps your dog feel secure but if your dog is nervous in new environments, it would also prevent them from trailing off
Keep unwanted visitors out: Kids, dogs, or other animals - a fence will provide a barrier that prevents unwanted visitors from entering the space that your dog considers to be his home
Independence: A great benefit of having a dog fence on your campsite is that you can encourage active, independent dogs with a bit of freedom as they are able to run and play right outside your camper door and not always dependent on being leashed up to take a walk
Peace of mind: Overall, you will gain greater peace of mind, knowing that your dogs are safe and sound
The Dog Fence Made for RVers
There are a number of options to consider when purchasing a dog fence for RV camping, and we were delighted to find one company that actually designs its products with outdoor and RV pet parents in mind.
FXW is a pet outdoor gear brand that prioritizes high safety standards with the compatibility of weight and space restraints that RV travelers crave.
We were so impressed by our new FXW fencing, that after FXW provided us with the Quick Assembly Playpen, we even purchased additional panels ourselves.
FXW Dog Fence for RVers: Quick Assembly Playpen Features
The playpen includes 180° rotatable hinged panels, making set-up and tear-down a breeze
The pole-connected design provides you with the flexibility to shape panels to best fit your space, and they insert into the ground
There are no tools needed! Simply remove the panels and poles from the box and place them in your desired location
Sturdy, heavy-duty construction and easy-to-use locks on the gated panels will keep your dogs safe
Choose from 3 height options (24”, 32” or 40”) or number of panels (8, 16, 24, 32, or 48), so you can customize the fence that best fits your small or large dog needs
RV Travel with Dog Fence
When we hit the road, the fence folds down to a pretty compact size, and stores away in one of our outside compartments. With the additional panels that we purchased, we have 24 in total, 3 of them being gates. This gives us the flexibility to build out the fencing in many different ways, which is much needed when we stay at all types of campsites big and small.
Since adding the dog fence to our campsite, Aska and Matilda have gained so much more freedom and are able to enjoy more of our campsite.
Weather providing, we can leave the door open and let them run in and out of the RV, which is great for when we are working on projects or just hanging out. We also have gotten a small pool and splash pad, so on hot days when they’re running around the site - they can cool down in the water.
One of the best parts is that just the other day while I was outside with Matilda, we watched a young girl who was maybe 7 or 8, walking her large dog without a leash. Because we were inside our fence, I didn’t have to worry. If that had happened before, Matilda would have been out on a leash, and I would have been grabbing her to run inside, out of fear.
24 panels of fencing = peace of mind
How FXW Dog Fencing Has Helped Us
Our Personal Experience
You may or may not know that 3 years into our RV journey, we lost our 12-year-old Yorkie, Pita. He was tragically taken from us, after being attacked by a dog who was newly fostered, and at the dog park for his first time.
Even though we care for and treat our dogs like they are our children, there are other irresponsible dog owners just around the corner. I am honestly shocked at the number of times we have seen off-leash dogs roaming campgrounds, or owners who just walk their dogs right up to ours, without asking permission or checking the vibe first.
Between experiencing the traumatic loss of Pita and a childhood fear of ‘big’ dogs resurfacing - I have been dealing with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. After many months of mourning, we decided to bring another dog into our lives. We all felt the hole in our hearts from the loss of Pita, and we knew that a companion was the best thing for Aska. I also hoped that this new addition would help me continue to heal, and in April 2023, we welcomed Matilda into our family.
Bringing a new puppy into our lives has been a whirlwind of emotions. She has brought so much love and light, but also many sleepless nights, too. We’ve had to adapt in many ways, from our day-to-day schedule, to putting things up and away to not be eaten, and all the things that come with puppy life. But the biggest change, and the one that I wasn’t fully prepared for - was how hard it would be to put myself back in those situations that cause me fear.
My senses are so heightened and constantly on the defense when it comes to unknown dogs. When I am walking Matilda, I can hear another dog’s leash from down the road. My entire body will freeze while I intently listen, waiting to see if it’s a loose dog. Or if their owner has them on a leash that’s too long. Or if they’re so rowdy that they might break free. If I see someone opening the door to their RV, I stop and wait, wondering if they have a dog that’s about to run out the door.
Because of these fears, unless I am walking with Eric, I can only walk Matilda alone in spaces where I can clearly see the full landscape of what is happening. Obviously, this can be difficult when we are traveling to new places.
Adding the FXW Quick Assembly Playpen to our campsite has been a lifesaver. When I say that a benefit of getting a dog fence for RVs is peace of mind, I mean it. It affords me the freedom to spend anxiety-free time outside with Matilda. It makes me feel safe, and in turn, I can help her feel safe, too.
(Even in the dark, when she’s waking me up at 4:30 in the morning for a potty break.)
Thanks for being here,
- Jen
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