With the discussion of dogs, as an issue, I got thinking about the different solutions plus what products I use that make life easier on the road and/or at home. Once I learned about using a crate, I would never be without one. Our dogs count on the crate as their bed and go there even with the door off. Although many oppose it, I have used the prone collars for almost 30 years with our dogs as it allows me to control them and it provided some protection for the neck of our dogs when we encountered the 2 pitbulls since biting on on them. I walk them with a traffic lead which is 24" long - I have just the two large dogs so the reach is perfect. Some people use the longer leads, like 20 feet, and if you do, know your area and be vigilant because coyotes have been known to snack from the end of a very long lease and dogs are fast when approaching and if you freeze...... One of our dogs, Rinnie, has separation anxiety (another name for she is determined that she should not be left alone feeling she is people equal) so I tried a cheaper vibrating collar and I think she liked the "buzz". For the difficult barker, the collars were $100.00 so I decided she might be more difficult than that so I purchased a citronella collar after reading reviews and it works like a dream. With the collar on now, she doesn't bark and it only took about 3 sprays from the collar before she realized "cause and effect" so now she doesn't challenge the collar. For bathing, we love the outdoor shower and I use "fleecy beds" inside because they attract the hair, wash up easily and last a long time. Our dogs ride on the back seat of the van and I purchased a heavy duty pet cover for the bench seat and leashes which attach into the seat belts so they are leashed from the minute we stop rather than having to leash them out of the crate or worse yet catch them if they are loose. We buy most of our dog supplies from a company that we have used for probably more than 20 years and they have a dog trainer that you can email about advice. I have used her a few times and she has a lot of knowledge as she worked with the shelter where Rinnie was adopted from as a puppy 9 years ago in AL. I did purchase a small tape recorder long ago to tape what went on when we left, this is how I learned about Rinnie's "issue". I treat my dogs well but they are pets not people so if anyone knows a way to convince Rinnie she isn't a human................ Yellow Dog seemed to realize she isn't human but considered herself "dog royalty".
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 14th of September 2014 08:06:17 AM
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 14th of September 2014 10:18:01 AM
Camper Chronicles said
07:32 AM Sep 14, 2014
Hi Cathy,
Very timely for us as we just purchased a ton of items we felt would make things easier after living in our RV this last month. They are:
Collapsible bowls for cooking - the big ones take up way to much space and are a pain to dry in the small kitchen space. Used them last night and loved them
A Dyson slimline sweeper - Youch on the price tag but we were using a cheapie one that made me crazy and this one got so much more dirt and dust up. Also it works on the hardwood floors saving me form needing to sweep constantly
Magna stacking cookware - again pricey but and 11 piece set fits in a very small space and he quality is terrific, plus they work on induction burners
Gravity chairs - again pricey but we had the cheaper ones and since we spend so much time sitting outside its worth it.
Previous items we purchased that I couldn't live without are
Tiki torches - great at keeping the bugs away and pretty
Small portable Ice maker - I like ice and when I need it so glad I have it
Full range of fire making tools (ie poker and grabber). We brought these from the house and since we like fires use them constantly.
Free standing fire grate - bought this at camping world ..it cost $50 but comes with it's own metal rod to put in the ground and a round grate that can be moved up and down and rotated away from the fire. I cook outside all the time and it works great plus unlike most of the cheapie ones it's really held up
The Sages said
07:08 AM Sep 15, 2014
I won one of those moveable grates at an RV show. We love it and have used it to make not only traditional grill food, but even fire roasted pizza. Yum yum. I will be sad when we are in states that do not allow campfires. My kitchen is large and I have a big pantry, so I just use all the kitchen stuff I used in my s&b. I did purchase several racks to divide up cupboard space and couple storage cubes which double as foot stools or seating if needed. Beyond that not to much so far.
Bill and Jodee said
06:19 PM Sep 15, 2014
SnowGypsy - I hope someone can give you an answer on Rinnie's "issue" as Tessa has a similar one. We are staying at a local RV park for two months before we launch, hoping to get her accustomed to the MH being home and not a vehicle. She doesn't fuss when left at the house, but is just indignant that we would leave her elsewhere She is a house dog who is off leash when outside unless walking in an area with "blind spots" or an area where it is required. Her bed and toys will go with us. She will probably let us have the king bed.
With the discussion of dogs, as an issue, I got thinking about the different solutions plus what products I use that make life easier on the road and/or at home. Once I learned about using a crate, I would never be without one. Our dogs count on the crate as their bed and go there even with the door off. Although many oppose it, I have used the prone collars for almost 30 years with our dogs as it allows me to control them and it provided some protection for the neck of our dogs when we encountered the 2 pitbulls since biting on on them. I walk them with a traffic lead which is 24" long - I have just the two large dogs so the reach is perfect. Some people use the longer leads, like 20 feet, and if you do, know your area and be vigilant because coyotes have been known to snack from the end of a very long lease and dogs are fast when approaching and if you freeze...... One of our dogs, Rinnie, has separation anxiety (another name for she is determined that she should not be left alone feeling she is people equal) so I tried a cheaper vibrating collar and I think she liked the "buzz". For the difficult barker, the collars were $100.00 so I decided she might be more difficult than that so I purchased a citronella collar after reading reviews and it works like a dream. With the collar on now, she doesn't bark and it only took about 3 sprays from the collar before she realized "cause and effect" so now she doesn't challenge the collar. For bathing, we love the outdoor shower and I use "fleecy beds" inside because they attract the hair, wash up easily and last a long time. Our dogs ride on the back seat of the van and I purchased a heavy duty pet cover for the bench seat and leashes which attach into the seat belts so they are leashed from the minute we stop rather than having to leash them out of the crate or worse yet catch them if they are loose. We buy most of our dog supplies from a company that we have used for probably more than 20 years and they have a dog trainer that you can email about advice. I have used her a few times and she has a lot of knowledge as she worked with the shelter where Rinnie was adopted from as a puppy 9 years ago in AL. I did purchase a small tape recorder long ago to tape what went on when we left, this is how I learned about Rinnie's "issue". I treat my dogs well but they are pets not people so if anyone knows a way to convince Rinnie she isn't a human................ Yellow Dog seemed to realize she isn't human but considered herself "dog royalty".
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 14th of September 2014 08:06:17 AM
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Sunday 14th of September 2014 10:18:01 AM
Very timely for us as we just purchased a ton of items we felt would make things easier after living in our RV this last month. They are:
Collapsible bowls for cooking - the big ones take up way to much space and are a pain to dry in the small kitchen space. Used them last night and loved them
A Dyson slimline sweeper - Youch on the price tag but we were using a cheapie one that made me crazy and this one got so much more dirt and dust up. Also it works on the hardwood floors saving me form needing to sweep constantly
Magna stacking cookware - again pricey but and 11 piece set fits in a very small space and he quality is terrific, plus they work on induction burners
Gravity chairs - again pricey but we had the cheaper ones and since we spend so much time sitting outside its worth it.
Previous items we purchased that I couldn't live without are
Tiki torches - great at keeping the bugs away and pretty
Small portable Ice maker - I like ice and when I need it so glad I have it
Full range of fire making tools (ie poker and grabber). We brought these from the house and since we like fires use them constantly.
Free standing fire grate - bought this at camping world ..it cost $50 but comes with it's own metal rod to put in the ground and a round grate that can be moved up and down and rotated away from the fire. I cook outside all the time and it works great plus unlike most of the cheapie ones it's really held up
I won one of those moveable grates at an RV show. We love it and have used it to make not only traditional grill food, but even fire roasted pizza. Yum yum. I will be sad when we are in states that do not allow campfires. My kitchen is large and I have a big pantry, so I just use all the kitchen stuff I used in my s&b. I did purchase several racks to divide up cupboard space and couple storage cubes which double as foot stools or seating if needed. Beyond that not to much so far.
Jodee