5 reasons why you should travel with your dog

On National Dog Day, there’s no better way to celebrate than convincing you to take that road trip with your best friend. With more Americans purchasing RV’s to travel domestically around the country, many are considering if it makes sense to bring along their fur baby. We say YES  – your fur child can come along, be comfortable on the journey, be close to you at all times, and make your adventure that much better.

Let’s face it – the bond between us and our dogs is stronger than ever in these strange times. We are spending more time with them, and realizing how much joy they bring to our lives. They are little (or big) balls of love: they lower our blood pressure, force us outside, and teach us to be humble. They make super travel companions. Plus they won’t complain when you miss a turn. 

So after all that, if you’re still not convinced to travel with your dog, either boondocking in an RV or camping in a tent, here are some more reasons why it’s a great idea this year, and every year:

1. It’s easy to talk about your dog.

A dog is a great conversation starter, and if you’re living full- time on the road, sometimes it’s just you, your partner and the dog. Every. Single. Day. Your dog creates an easy way to talk to a stranger, and possibly make a friend. And provides an easy way to break the ice if you’re an introvert. There is nothing I love talking about more than my dog, or other people’s dogs, or just dogs in general. And you know what else is great? People love talking about dogs too. It’s a common denominator at the campground. And when you talk to strangers, magical things happen. Barriers are broken, bonds are made, new things are learned, and little worlds collide. Plus, if the stranger (now friend) is a local, they can tell you about all the dog-friendly spots to see that you won’t find on Yelp or Google.

2. You will always have a friend.

Let’s be real. Traveling can be lonely. You’re away from friends, family, and your hometown community. Traveling with a dog will make you feel less lonely. A dog is an exploration partner who won’t hijack plans, complain, or spend too much time shopping. A dog is also a big plus for any RVer out there who is thinking of hitting the road solo. You don’t have to be totally “solo”, you can have your best friend with you! And if it’s winter and your heater goes out, you have a ball of warmth next to you at all times.

3. They make you feel safe.

Alaska doesn’t bark too much. But when she does, we know something isn’t right. A dog is a natural protector, and will always look out for their pack (that’s you). When Alaska signals strange movement outside the RV, or outside of a hotel room, she lets us know. And when they hear that low, loud bark, it means that no one is messing with her pack. They don’t have to know that she is a puddle of love. 

A dog can also lower your blood pressure, and make you feel calmer in stressful situations. Dogs pick up on energies, and Alaska lays close when she knows I’m feeling uneasy or anxious. Dogs could help tackle any anxieties you have about venturing to a new place, too. They are like a meaty security blanket.

4. They force you to move your body.

A dog makes you get outside, move your legs, and get your blood pumping. If only for 10 minutes. If you neglect to take a dog on a walk each day, you will certainly know about it. They are like gym partners, happy to share the joy of exercise and to keep you accountable. It’s a great way to make sure you get some cardio on vacation and see local places and parks. They can help you discover places that are off the beaten path.

5. They give you a fresh perspective.

Traveling with a dog opens up your world to new possibilities that are sometimes out of the box, and different from your normal travel routine. A dog will help you look for spots with outdoor patios, where you can hear the birds sing and watch the tree leaves dance in the wind. And in the state of the world, outdoor dining is sometimes the only option.

It’s good for your brain to be outside, and if you’re with your best friend, it’s like a double whammy of endorphins. Especially when you need to sit on a park bench, slow down and ground yourself in a new place. A dog will hang out with you, patiently, while you have your moment. Aren’t they the best?

The Dog in Us (Ely, Tom and Alaska) are full-time RVers and dog adventure vloggers encouraging dog lovers to bring their best friend on more adventures. Ely and Tom are currently traveling around the country to explore all dog-friendly National Park Units and towns along the way with their 75lb rescue dog, Alaska. They moved from Australia to find the dog-friendly in the US and brought their fur child with them too. Now their mission is to spend every day exploring with their dog, because she really deserves it. This blog post originally appeared on www.thedoginus.com.