On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we turned our attention to a topic that so many RVers eventually face: how to thoughtfully add a dog to an RVing and camping lifestyle. This episode was born from two things, questions we’ve seen time and time again in the RV Atlas Facebook group, and our own family’s emotional journey after losing our beloved Maggie in September.

Maggie camped with us for well over a decade. She was the dog who lived for the campground—she’d leap into the truck long before we were ready to leave and lived her happiest life on the road. We dedicated one of our books to her, and it felt right to dedicate this conversation to her, too.

This isn’t just an episode about how to camp with a dog—there are tons of resources for that. This is about something deeper and more foundational:

Here are some of our own tips for this journey, shaped by our own experiences and the insightful comments shared by members of our Facebook community.

A common question that pops up in RV groups is:

And a very common answer online is usually: “Rescue is the best breed.”

And while we strongly believe in rescuing (we’ve been involved in animal rescue our entire lives), simply “getting any rescue dog” is not the full story. It’s okay—and important—to think carefully about breed, size, temperament, and energy level, especially when you’re an RVing family.

When we adopted Maggie, we intentionally looked for a working dog breed because:

All of that lined up beautifully with who Maggie became in our family.

Not every dog fits every RV. A big dog in a tiny Class B can be stressful. A small dog in a fifth wheel might be perfect. Think about:

Campgrounds are full of:

If you choose a dog who struggles with constant stimulation or new environments, every trip can become challenging.

This is the part of the conversation we felt most passionate about. Rescue doesn’t mean adopting blindly.

It means adopting thoughtfully.

Rescue dogs in shelters can be overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down—making it hard to see their true personalities. Foster dogs, by contrast, have already lived in a home, so you can ask very specific questions, like:

One Facebook member, Natalie, summed it up perfectly:

“We always adopt our dogs at least one year old. I want to know their personality, and adult dogs are easier to match to our lifestyle.”

We have had this experience ourselves. Before adopting Maggie, we met a dog named Cookie—sweet, but not a good match for our young kids at the time. Walking away was heartbreaking, but it was the right decision. Maggie found us soon after, through a foster mom who read our detailed lifestyle description and said, “This is the family she deserves.”

That match became such a blessing to us.

Your camping habits matter just as much as the dog’s traits. Ask yourself:

If you camp in high heat without electricity, certain breeds simply won’t thrive.

Not all dogs are comfortable being left alone in a small space for hours, even with AC and a pet monitor. Some dogs thrive on napping; others panic.

You may want to pop into a museum or historic site—but if your dog can’t be left alone safely, you’ll need to rethink your travel rhythm.

As Facebook member Dave shared:

“We are explorers. We love dogs, but it wasn’t fair to leave ours locked in the RV while we went hiking. We’ll get another dog when we stop traveling so much.”

That honesty is important.

Some campgrounds have:

If you travel with multiple pups, be ready to call campgrounds and do your research ahead of time.

“Off season” is the ideal time to adopt a new dog if you’re an RVer.

Why?

One Facebook member shared:

“We canceled a couple of camping trips so our newly adopted dog could settle in. Now we’re figuring out how to introduce her to camping this fall.” — Danielle

This is exactly the kind of patience that leads to long-term success.

Every dog reacts differently to its first camping trip.

Start with:

And please. Seriously. Follow leash rules.

Here’s what we recommend keeping in your RV year-round:

For peace of mind when you leave your dog in the RV. Many brands work on Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

RV stairs can catch nails and cause injury—protect those paws.

No single solution works at every campground. Bring:

Keep these in the RV permanently so they are never forgotten on trips:

These are inexpensive and invaluable.

Keep a printed copy in your RV—or even better, in your tow vehicle’s glove compartment.

Adding a dog to your RVing family can be one of the most joyful decisions you’ll ever make. But it should also be thoughtful.

As we said in the episode, it’s okay to be selective.

There are so many incredible dogs out there—each with their own energy, story, and needs. Finding the right match is an act of love.

And from our own journey—from Maggie, who watched over our boys as they slept, to Maverick, who brings a spark of puppy joy into our days—we can say this for certain:

When a dog fits your camping life, it makes every campground, trail, and road trip even better.

If you have questions or want advice, the RV Atlas Facebook group is an amazing place to ask. Our community is full of experienced, kind, and generous dog-loving RVers.

See you at the campground,

Stephanie + Jeremy

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