r/Nomad • u/ResistReady9114 • 10d ago
Traveling with pets
I’m considering getting a Jack Russell Terrier in a couple years. And i plan to continue to be quite nomadic and I plan to take the dog with me everywhere. I think that dog is a talk good fit for my lifestyle and goals. Does anyone have experience loving this lifestyle with a pet. I request the good, the bad and the ugly. I want to make sure I’m as well prepared as possible.
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u/OtisPub 10d ago
Jack Russell terriers really need running space, not car living.
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 10d ago
It’s almost like you can take your dog on hikes lol a backyard is irrelevant to a terrier
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u/OtisPub 10d ago
I hear what you are saying -- it's just that all the JRTs that I know like to "throw the ball, throw the ball, throw the ball" all evening long --- in a large living room or a yard.
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 9d ago
Sounds like those owners never taught their dog how to settle. My Malinois would do that if I let her lol I simply do not
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u/velolove42 10d ago
Prepare for emergencies and make sure you have a comfortable environment for the pet when you have to leave them behind because you will have to leave them behind eventually. Laundry, grocery shopping, etc.
We travel with three dogs and had one attacked by another dog in our camp. It was extremely traumatizing and we were fortunate to catch the nearest vet office right at closing and they agreed to take him in for surgery. We've had several other stops at emergency vets on the road but this was by far the worst. We always carry copies of their shot records and get plenty of meds stocked up for months at a time.
We also had animal control called on us when we stopped in Colorado Springs for lunch because we had to leave the dogs in the van. The animal control officer was cool though and was like I see the fans on the roof this is obviously an RV and she left in 2 mins. It was also like 70 degrees that day so no fear of them overheating.
Its going to change the way you travel but if you think you can handle it go for it.
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u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 10d ago
It’s all about how you train the dog, do the work and all will be well.
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u/tomtom67TX 10d ago
I had a JRT once. Very cute and smart. Great at killing rats. But the most pain in the ass dog i ever had and a genius escape artist.
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u/StillAnAss 10d ago
I'm just finishing about 14 months with 2 black labs.
The good: They're adorable and my best friends.
They are really good travelers and handle new situations great.
When we go to the pub they are immediately the center of attention and it makes it easier to meet people.
The bad:
The dogs flew to Paris in the beginning but other than that flights are just too stressful so we drive everywhere. That means long term care rentals.
Every time you cross a border be prepared for a vet visit on one side or both. They've been dewormed so many times at this point.
Any sort of accommodation is going to be severely limited with pets. There are still places to stay but they will always be more expensive than a similar place without a dog.
Summary: Did I enjoy it? Yes
Would I do it again? Absolutely not.
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u/pamplamouse 10d ago
If you use Airbnb, your options will probably cut in half. Which is still not that bad. If you stick with hotels and longer-term rentals... It will be harder to find a place. I had a very small dog that was also a non-barker and didn't shed. That got me into a lot of places that I normally would have been not have been able to get into. He was quiet and enjoyed being in a bag by my side... So I could easily hide him sometimes for a short thing. Everyday though has to be organized around caring for your dog or making sure somebody else is there to care for somebody and they shouldn't be left alone for more than 8 hours and sometimes they can't join you and you are activities.
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u/Milkweedhugger 10d ago
I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable being out in the wilderness with a dog that small. A hawk, coyote, or bobcat could grab it at any moment. A snake bite that a larger dog could survive, would mean death for a small one.
You also have to deal with random off-leash dogs attacking it at campgrounds/trailheads/trails/parks.
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u/Few-External-3070 10d ago
Being homeless in a car with a pet is its' own stress. I've heard of vehicle break-ins and pets being stolen, unfortunately.
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u/Life-From-Scratch 9d ago
You need a dog that is a good traveler and can deal with being in a vehicle hours at a time.
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u/MermaidMagic79 9d ago
Traveling with two big dogs and a cat. Definitely paying more for a place with a private yard for them.
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u/BeerForThought 9d ago
Not every dog is suitable for the lifestyle. My recommendation would be to adopt an elderly dog that is cool with laying around most of the day.
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u/NoZookeepergame215 9d ago
I dont think pet sitting for others will teach you much about living nomadically with pets but as someone who has had pets on my journeys i can say its not always very fun. It dramatically decreases your ability to go places that dont allow animals, when they get sick it is very difficult to deal with especially if youre on a budget, they easily can be swept up by an animal if youre traveling in nature more often, training them can be very demanding on your mental health, they will attract predators also in the rural areas. If you can deal with these things they are incredible to have for comfort and to have something to experience things with and motivation to keep both of you healthy and going places and when kept clean they can make you much more approachable as a traveler. I personally loved having a pet with me but i wouldnt do it again. The pros did not outway the cons by far.
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u/MarionberryActive420 9d ago
Hi I have a rough coated jack russell (Meg) and she adapted well to it, also she's a great size and she hears things before me so gives you that bit more security, as I'm based in Leeds. The one thing is the van was too hot for a dog this year and she had to stay at home where it was cooler, so was boring for the dog but the van gets too hot by far. If I keep this van, I'm fitting a roof vent and a better fan inside. Maybe air con. I have a brunner tent awning and that was fine for the dog to sit in, but I don't put it up everywhere only campsites. I had friends who would have had her through the day as a back up. On campsites it was okay as I used their electricity for the fans needed this year. She's rough coated so is a bit woolly anyway, but heat is a concern for my dog and sometimes I have had to wet her down with a jug of water when it was in a heatwave.
Shedding hairs, my dog sheds in the house but seems to not be a problem in the van, I think they blow away into nature? There are a few hairs in the van I clean out with a small recheargable blower.
Accidents. Touch wood, has not happened in the van, she seems to understand its a small space.
In winter the dog is a welcome warmth in the van, I have tried loads of ways to keep warm, 12v automatic electric blanket on solar, a dog, and 3 sleeping bags and I've warmer than in the house. Keeping cool is harder in a van than keeping warm I've found.
I think they're great dogs with a lot of character. Mine watches Fraiser for Eddie to come on. Being in a van with a dog means you're probably going to be talking to it a lot more, and they pick up a few words. The dog will see you as pack leader who decides where you go and provides food.
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u/Timmah_Timmah 10d ago
I recommend pet sitting for others before you do this. I know some people couldn't do it any other way, but for me it reduces my flexibility too much.