“Petiquette,” Do You Have It?

How well you and your pet behave on the road directly affects the way future travelers with pets will be teated. Always clean up after your pet and keep him under your control. Allow your pet only in designated exercise or animal approved areas; never take him into such off-limits places as the lobby, pool, patio or restaurant. Expect to pay some type of additional charge.

A few words on “petiquette”:

• Try not to leave your pet alone, but if you must, crate or oterwise confine her.
• Crate at night as well.
• “Barker” or “chewer” make poor neighbors - keep your pet quiet and on your assigned site!
  If you leave the site, take your pets with you (if it is permitted) on leash.
• If your dog barks at the neighbor’s dog, reposition him so that the two animals are out of one another’s sight - out of sight, out of mind!
• Unless you will always be present, do not tie your dog outside.
  He could become tangled in the tie-out and get hurt, loose animals could attack him, strangers could feed him, he could tip over his water, and as the day progresses, his “shade” could move, leaving him to bake in the sun.
• Keep lots of toys handy to keep your pets busy if you can’t be entertaining them.
• Clean up after your pet immediately - children often play in those areas too.
  If you walk your dog, carry your pooper-scooper baggie with you so that people along your path can see you are prepared if your dog decides to make an “unscheduled deposit.”
• Walk them regularly - at least three times a day.
  Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. A normally active dog may become quite discontent with having to remain sedintary at your campsite. He will be more able to remain quiet and content if you walk him or play with him so that his normal activity level is maintained.
• Never take your pet into off-limits places as the lobby, pool, patio or restaurant.
• Keep your dog or cat leashed, especially in wilderness areas and around small children.
• Teach your dog basic manners.
  So that when some little child down the way asks to pet your dog he will sit quietly to be petted and not jump on him. After feeding your dog, remove any food which he does not finish.
• After feeding your dog, remove any food which he does not finish.
  Leftover food will attract insects during the day and wildlife at night.

Always keep your dog’s water dish full of fresh, clean water.