RVing with a Dog in Tallahassee: The Rules and the Common Sense

Plenty of RVers travel with a dog, and a good number would tell you the dog is the reason they travel. Tallahassee RV Park welcomes pets, with no extra fee for them or for children. There are rules to go with that welcome, and a few Florida realities that have nothing to do with rules at all. Here's what to know before you roll in with a leash in one hand and a water bowl in the other.

What the park asks

Pets are welcome inside the RV. The rules say inside pets only, and they list no pens, crates, kennels, fencing or dog houses. Your dog stays on a leash at all times and walks in the designated areas. Pets are not allowed inside any building at the park, which means the office, the clubhouse and the other buildings are for people.

If you travel with a crate for the car or for a nervous dog at night, ask the office how they want it handled before you set anything up. A quick call to (850) 878-7641 settles it and saves an awkward conversation on the gravel.

About the breed list

The park does not accept American Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans or other aggressive breeds. That's a firm rule, and it applies when you reserve, not just when you arrive. If you have a dog that might fall into a gray area, call before you book and talk it through, and don't show up hoping it works out. A park full of strangers' dogs is a place where the owners want to know the rules are applied the same way to everybody.

Walks and the dog walk area

There's a dog walk area on the property, and the park asks you to keep your dog on a leash and to walk in the designated areas. The speed limit is 5 mph, and a dog on a leash is a good reason to honor it. Roads in a campground have cars backing, golf carts and kids on bikes. Pick up after your dog every time. It's the one rule every dog owner at every park has to keep, and it's what keeps the place pleasant for the next one.

Walk early and late in the warm months. Gravel and pavement hold the day's heat, and a dog's paws feel it long before your shoes do. A good test is to press the back of your hand to the ground for five seconds. If you can't hold it there, your dog shouldn't be walking on it.

Heat is the real danger

North Florida gets hot and stays humid for much of the year, and an RV is a metal box. Dogs cool themselves by panting, and that works poorly when the air is already hot and wet. Never leave a dog in a parked vehicle, and don't leave one in the RV unless the air conditioner is running and you trust the power. A tripped breaker or a failed air conditioner can turn a cool rig into an oven in a short time. If you must leave your dog for a while, check your power first, and consider a wireless temperature monitor that sends an alert to your phone.

Short-nosed breeds, older dogs, heavy-coated dogs and overweight dogs have the hardest time. Know the signs of an overheated dog: heavy, noisy panting, thick drool, bright red gums, wobbling or unusual tiredness. If you see them, move your dog to a cool place, offer small amounts of water, and call a vet right away.

Quiet time and the neighbors

Quiet time at the park runs from 10 pm to 8 am. A dog that barks at every passing golf cart will find that hard, so settle a restless dog before bedtime with a walk, and don't leave a barker alone in the rig. Close the curtains if your dog reacts to what's outside the window. Your neighbors are people on vacation, people working from their rigs and people who just drove a long day, and they would all like to sleep.

A checklist for the road

• A sturdy leash that is the right length, plus a spare, since a dog must be leashed at all times.
• Waste bags in your pocket, not in the rig.
• A water bowl that won't tip, and fresh water at every stop.
• Vaccination records and your vet's phone number, along with the nearest emergency clinic.
• Cooling help for warm months, such as a fan, window shades and a cooling mat.

The park sits just off I-10 at Exit 209A, and it's easy to get to. When you're ready to plan a stay, you can send a request through the park's reservation page, or call the office. Mention the dog and the breed when you do, so everything is on the table. A dog who knows the routine, a leash in your hand and a cool rig make for a good stay.