VAN LIFE WITH DOGS
My Solo Road Episode 3 | ft. Lee Asher
How to make it work with a dog on the road? What happens when I have to go inside and she has to stay in the car? This week I dive into the logistics & impact traveling with a dog can bring. Also, we are joined by our first ever guest, Lee Asher from The Asher House, who travels full time with 9 RESCUE DOGS in an RV for a completely different perspective.
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INTRODUCTION
Most of you will know that I travel with my dog Ella, a one year old golden retriever. Therefore, I get a lot of questions about traveling with a dog and the logistics (like grocery shopping when it’s hot outside, or taking her to national parks). I’m with the Asher House. He’s the owner of 9 beautiful rescue dogs. He also travel across the country 8 months out of the year with my 9 dogs in an RV, spreading awareness about animal rescue, made it possible for over 500 dogs to get new homes.
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Training dogs on the road
A lot of training involved:
- Lee says that most training comes with having boundaries and deal breakers e.g. barking creates a lot of tension, energy and chaos between the dogs which can lead to dog fighting and even attacking a human. So Lee decided to put a stop to barking immediately which can be seen as a form of training.
- Lee believes his dogs are so well-behaved not only because training but also because the pack mentality.
- Sydney also sees this with Ella: “Ella used to have a hard time coming when I would call her, because she knew she would get leashed. Now, after spending a lot of time with the dogs and not being an only-child anymore, this has improved, also because she is on the leash far less now.”
- Families argue, and even fight sometimes, like a regular family with siblings. That is something to understand as a dog owner, because that is practically the same. “The Parent Mentality”.
- When dog arguments happen, try to stay calm and understand the situation. Lee has never experienced a fight that resulted him having to go to the vets or even blood been drawn.
- Key is to paying attention to what happens, so next time you can catch it before it happens.
VAN LIFE LOGISTICs with dogs
- Run errands early in the morning when it isn’t too hot yet, or late in the evening, so it has cooled down.
- Create air circulation to make the van colder than outside by opening windows and lock the pocket door if you have one. Other ways include using a sun shield or a vent van.
- Consider and prioritize air circulation and insulating the van properly when building it and when owning a dog!
- Look up the weather forecast and average temperatures of the place you want to travel at that time to see if it is suitable and to avoid difficult situations.
- Lee has a generator, but it doesn’t always work. Therefore, Lee has the mindset that the AC can turn off any minute and prepares for those situations.
- Embrace the constant thought of the safety of your dog(s), you will be constantly worried about this when leaving the van most probably. Just make sure that your dogs are okay when you leave them.
- National parks. Respect the rules when there are no dogs allowed. However, Lee adds, that when it says to leash your dogs, he doesn’t necessarily listen to that, as it isn’t possible for him to leash 9 dogs and go on a leashed walk with them. He adds that he hasn’t experienced any problems with that so far. But at the same time, Lee won’t let all 9 dogs out at the same time when this rule is given, he will go in groups of 3 most of the time. Sydney keeps Ella on the leash and adds that usually most national parks give her a dog treat when entering and give her specific park rules. So, going to national parks and having dogs shouldn’t be a deal breaker! National parks usually have the rules not to leave your dog unsupervised and some even have special trails where you can walk them leashed.
The impact of traveling with dogs
- Lee: it makes him happy to bring moments of joy to his dogs, to show them new places. Comparing them from the beginning in the shelter to now, he knows they couldn’t be more happy and that they would never experience this.
- The beauty of the dogs is that they remind us of how we should be with their unconditional love, their smiles and their attitudes.
- It is hard for Lee to say how it would be to travel without the dogs, because they are like his children. However, he would like to add that you feel so much responsibility for a dog when you have them and having to consider their needs and concerns wherever you go. Therefore, traveling without a dog is easier, but it is not worth it in his opinion.
- Sydney: she was traveling with Henry and Finn, went on a hike together, which was rough, in the middle of the winter with snow shoes and that even when at the top she wanted to go back immediately because she was exhausted. However, the dogs were playing at the top and Henry started taking pictures. And in that moment she realized how happy Ella was and how much she was enjoying the snow, which also lifted her spirits, just seeing the enjoyment and fulfilling Ella was experiencing. Which without the dogs she probably wouldn’t have felt at that particular time.
FAQ
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT BATHING THE DOGS ON THE ROAD?
- Usually naturally, when in a river for example, and just let the dogs swim.
- To figure out if the river is safe, check if the water is moving, as it may contain algae which dogs have lost their lives to unfortunately.
How do you get water on the road?
- Lee: Same like bathing, from the rivers
- Sydney: Buys water and gives Ella the same, so it’s always clean. Ella may drink from rivers when bathing or swimming.
What do you feed them on the road?
- Lee: Feeds them human grade dog food, from a company named Ollie, which is being kept in his refrigerator. He also stretches that like with humans, dogs should be fed well. It’s really important to check how your dog reacts to certain foods to judge which is good for them.
- Sydney: Ella has recently also transitioned to Ollie dog food, because of Lee. Before, Ella was on dry food, which has been changed around a few times, because not all pet shops would have the same food, which caused Ella to get sick, even with slow transitioning. Ella reacted perfectly fine to Ollie dog food.
- CBD oil, according to Lee and Sydney, can be greatly beneficial for your dogs. However, there are many different kinds. Lee sells his own on his website theasherhouse.com.
FINAL ADVICE
Don’t doubt that you can travel with a dog, Lee travels with 9! It is one of those things that makes everything better! Traveling with a dog is perfectly possible and shouldn’t stop you. Even when your dog has anxiety for example, don’t forget your dog is going to have so much fun. And this can help your dog, just like it can for you. Do note that when traveling, you are going to encounter new experiences and a dog is going to look at you when having those new experiences for security and safety, as you will rely on them as well. That is where that beautiful bond between you is created. That is why it is so important to travel and don’t have any excuses like my dog doesn’t want to travel. He wants to get in that van more than you know! Even if the dog doesn’t like car rides, he will get used to being in the van. Then take baby steps and adjust your driving to his needs, so he becomes more comfortable driving.
WRITTEN BY: Sanne Klein
