If you have an RV, chances are you also have a pet. We don’t have any official statistics, but more than half of the RVers we meet have a dog, cat, pig, chicken, tortoise, or even… mini horse! Our two dogs, Ziggy and Ditto, love exploring just as much as we do. They go everywhere with us, which is why RV pet safety is something we’re truly passionate about.

RV pet safety is a big topic (one we cover in depth in our 8-week RV jumpstart program). Whether it’s how to get vet care on the road or how to monitor your pets in an RV,  keeping your furry companion safe on the road is critical for enjoying full time RV living.

There’s so much to safety on the road, so we’re breaking this up into a series of posts. This blog focuses on keeping your pet contained using proper leashes, harnesses, and crates so that you don’t lose them when you’re in a new environment.

To see how all of these different tools work, check out our YouTube here:

Why do we care about RV pet safety? Out of all the RV questions we get on our Facebook group, this is the one that comes up more than any other…

How can I keep my dog safe in my RV?

The easiest way to make sure your pet stays safe is by having the proper leashes, leads, and harnesses to keep your pet close. Most tragic stories of RV dogs come from off leash incidents or dogs getting lost out in the wilderness. 

Here are the types of leashes and leads you should have to keep your RV pet safe:

1. Standard 6-foot leash

A standard 6-foot leash is a must for all pet owners (even non-RVers). This leash will easily connect to your pet’s harness or collar while walking. Many RV parks require pets to be on a 6-foot leash (compared to an extended or retractable leash), so it really is a must for life on the road. 

The 6-foot length gives you excellent control over your dog while adventuring or exploring your campground. The length allows you to quickly get control of your pet and contain your pet. Because many people keep their dogs off leash, having your pet on a shorter leash helps protect them from off leash, aggressive dogs. 

We recommend a standard leash and harness for all dogs, cats, and pigs!

2. Slip lead

A slip lead simply slides over your dog’s head. It controls your dog’s direction more easily than a standard leash + harness. Slip leads are typically 6 feet or shorter. These are great to have when in high stimulus environments or for leash training your pet. 

Vets, groomers, and doggy daycares use slip leads because of the ease of putting it on and off and how much control it gives the handler. You’ll want a slip lead that has a guard on the leash to keep the size of the head hole consistent. 

Here’s a great YouTube by Ceasar Millan to learn how to use a slip lead:

3. Extended 25-foot lead

Longer leads are great for beach days and giving your pet more room to roam when you’re at your site. You can find this type of lead at most Walmarts, and we use them all the time! 

Make sure to buy the proper lead for your dog’s weight. The heavier the dog, the more heavy duty your lead.

One end of the lead will connect to your pet’s harness or collar and the other end will connect to your RV, a stake, a tree, or anything else you have that’s sturdy and nearby.

Here’s the lead that we use.

Always keep your leashes easily accessible. We have hooks right next to the door of our RV where we keep the leashes. This makes it easy to control our dogs before even opening up our door, giving us peace of mind and training them in the process.

Note: We advise against retractable leashes because they give you less control over your pet and are not as strong as a standard leash. If this is your favorite choice for a leash, you should also keep the leashes we mention in your RV for extra security.

Once you have the leashes, you’re already way ahead when it comes to RV pet safety. Here are a few other basic tools we recommend to keep your pet secure while on the road:

1. Stake

Stakes are great having a secure place to attach your leashes and leads wherever you go. They screw into soft ground (sand and damp soil) so you don’t have to hold the leash constantly. Just like a lead, you’ll want to make sure to get the proper size stake for your dog’s weight.

These will not work on hard ground or asphalt, so you should have another way to secure your leads in these situations! 

Here’s the stake that we use.

2. Runner

A dog runner gives your dog room to roam like a stake, but it doesn’t need to screw into the ground. You’ll need two places to attach the runner (2 trees, 2 poles, etc.), meaning you won’t be able to use it everywhere you go. If you have a runner and a stake, your dog will have plenty of room to explore while you’re mastering RV pet safety.

Here’s an example of a good runner.

3. Crate

There will be a time that you need to leave your dog alone in the RV. It’s just a fact. Something will come up. And when it does, you’ll want a secure crate to keep your dog safe. 

We use the crate when we go out to eat, visit friends and family, or put Ziggy & Ditto in the RV to stay warm while we’re outside. 

The best dog crate for an RV is a collapsible metal crate. It takes up minimal space and is extremely secure. If you’re not full time yet, you should definitely start crate training your dog prior to RV life. It makes a huge difference!

Here’s the crate we use.

4. Harness

Harnesses are ideal when your pet is just hanging out and is in a controlled environment. You can use the harness with your lead and stake/runner to prevent your dog from escaping their collar. We put Ziggy and Ditto in harnesses when we go on hikes, boondock, eat out with them, or have them on a lead. 

If your dog is a puller, a harness is not the best solution when going on walks. This actually gives them more power to pull. Start using a slip lead to help train your dog to pull less on walks.

RV pet safety is something that all people on the road should take seriously. We’ve seen too many lost pet signs in campgrounds, and it breaks our hearts. Keep your pets close and contained so you can all enjoy full time RV living together. 

For a full list of everything you should bring in your next RV trip (including more pet goodies), download our Ultimate RV Packing Checklist right to your inbox!