Van Life With a Dog: My Tips, Challenges, And Essentials

I have loved experiencing van life with a dog. Prior to living in my van with my golden retriever, Oscar, I had loads of questions. I wanted to know if I can leave my dog alone in my van, how to keep my dog cool in a van, and if dogs are allowed in national parks? The list goes on.

I had questions. Now, after 4 years of van life, I have answers! And I’m sharing all my secrets and tips with you.

My goal for this guide to van life with a dog is to give you all the information you need in order to feel confident and comfortable about living in a van with a dog.

In this post:

• Van Life Dog Essentials
• Tips for safely keeping a dog in a van (I’ve learned a few good secrets!)
• Perks of van life with a dog + the challenges
• Adorable pictures of my Golden Retriever – Oscar

Van Life Dog Essentials List

After spending a few years traveling full time with my Golden Retriever, Oscar, there are a few items we use daily.

I couldn’t imagine doing van life with a dog without these items.

Some are so random, and not something I ever thought I would need, but after hitting the road I quickly realized were van life dog essentials.

1. No Spill Water Dish

This no spill water dish is my number one van life dog essentials item. Even on the worst washboard roads I never have spilled water!

It’s nice to have one less thing to worry about when prepping the van to drive.

I can leave the water dish out for my dog to drink whenever he wants to, even if we’re driving. This is especially handy on long drive days.

2. Waterproof Dog Blanket

A waterproof dog blanket is a lifesaver for your cushions and bedding- and much easier to throw in the laundry.

My dog comes in with wet or muddy paws just about daily. The cushions get dirty, but that’s not even my biggest concern.

If the cushions get wet the inside can start to get moldy. I avoid that by putting something waterproof down on top of them.

Not only are the blankets easier to wash, they also don’t let the water get into the cushions and make a bigger mess.

Originally, I used a regular waterproof dog blanket from Amazon. But eventually I upgraded to the Nomadix festival blanket.

I prefer the Nomadix festival blanket because it’s multi-purpose. We use it for hanging out at the park during the summer.

It’s really well made. The bottom fabric is waterproof, and the corners have loops so you can stake it down if it’s windy.

I like that it packs down really small and is easy to store. I pull it out often and cover my couch cushions with it whenever my dog tracks in water.

3. Handheld Vacuum

I thought I could survive van life with a dog with just a broom … but I was very, very wrong.

Fur gets EVERYWHERE. A handheld vacuum cleaner is probably the thing I use the most in the van each day.

This one on amazon is great. I also suggest looking at Facebook Marketplace to see if you can find a good used Dyson.

4. Dog Backpack

Every time my dog wears his backpack he gets so many compliments. He’s also very excited whenever I take it out of the cabinet because it means we’re going on an adventure!

I only use this for long hikes and backpacking trips when he needs to have a snack or meal and lots of water- that way he can carry his own!

Extra perk: he can also carry out his own poop 💩

I would say this item is only a van life dog essential if you’re planning to take your dog with you on day-long hikes, or overnights.

5. Long Dog Line

A simple long line comes in handy. This is one of my most used van life dog essential items.

It doesn’t need to be a fancy line, just long. When I need it to be shorter I just put a knot in the middle of it to shorten it.

I tie the line to the handle of my van and it lets my dog roam around camp if I’m busy working or distracted with something else. That way he doesn’t need to be cooped up indoors.

I also like using a retractable leash because it helps him avoid getting tangled around things, like camp chairs. A big carabiner clip helps attach the handle of the leash to the van b-pillar handle.

6. Hands-Free Leash

A great addition for long hikes is this hands-free leash. I like the Kurgo model because it’s incredibly adjustable and can be worn several different ways.

I usually wear it as a cross-body so I have my hands free, but you can also wear it around your waste, use it as a regular leash, or attach it to a backpack strap.

7. Dog Waste Holder

If you plan to spend time wild camping you’ll need a plan for holding onto dog poop until you can dispose of it.

Keeping it inside the van can get stinky quickly. Instead, you’ll want to store it outside the van.

I like this dog waste holder because it has a magnet that will hold it to the outside of your van. It keeps the odors outside, and it doesn’t fly away if you forget about it when driving off.

8. GPS Dog Collar

My biggest fear is losing my dog in an unfamiliar location. If he gets separated from me I’m worried he won’t know the area well enough to find his way back.

Any time he’s outside he’s wearing his GPS collar.

Luckily he’s not a runner and I’ve never had to rely on the GPS collar, but it gives me so much peace of mind to know that if he wanders off I will be able to find him.

I used to recommend the Fi Collar. That’s what we used for a few years. However, their collar broke after 1 year. Then, I happened to meet someone who used to work for Fi and he told me that the collar failure was a well known problem within the company.

As you can imagine, Fi refused to replace the broken collar. Annoying, but not the end of the world.

What irritated me was when I learned I could not cancel my subscription on my own. I had to submit a request (the audacity!) – and I was told it’s because they “care about the dogs and don’t want for someone to *accidentally* cancel their account”.

Where was that concern for my dog when he was running around without a collar on because it broke and fell off, just like many of other dogs with the same collar that’s known to have problems?

Anyway, (thanks for listening to my ted talk) now I recommend Tractive. It’s cheaper and as far as I can tell they are a company lead by a mission to protect dogs and not to profit at the expense of their safety.

The Tractive devices attaches to your existing collar. So if the collar breaks, you just move the device to a new collar.

Tractive runs on GPS and cellular signal. This is super important because if you’re somewhere without cellular signal you definitely want to have the GPS option to find your dog. GPS uses satellites so it’s available just about everywhere.

The subscription charge is $15 a month. If you prepay for more months the cost decreases.

Note: there are several companies that sell GPS collars. Make sure that you get one which works on cell and satellite signal. Do not get one that only works on wifi and bluetooth connection. You can’t rely on wifi or bluetooth in remote areas.

9. Treat Puzzles

Treat puzzles are a life saver. As much as I try to get my dog outside for a few hours each day, and go for at least one long walk – sometimes we’re driving for 10 hours, or it’s raining for days and days.

In a small home, like a van, there isn’t much opportunity for him to get enough exercise inside. Instead, I have a few treat puzzles to give him some mental enrichment.

Mental enrichment is a good way to burn off excess energy, especially if you can’t get outside. The Bob-A-Lot is a favorite in our home, but we also use a few other puzzles by Outward Hound, too.

10. Collapsible Water Dish

Another van life dog essential is a collapsible water dish. I prefer the kind with the carabiner so I can clip it to the outside of my pack when it’s wet.

These come in handy for walks, cafe’s, trips to the park, beach days, just about anything you can think of. They don’t take up much space and they’re lightweight. I usually just leave one in my daypack so I always have it with me.

11. RV Pet Monitor

It’s inevitable that there will be times when you have to leave your dog alone in your van for a few minutes while you run an errand. I try to minimize this as much as possible, but it’s unavoidable.

That’s why having an RV pet monitor is non-negotiable for me. These are great temperature devices that will send an alert to your phone if the temperature in your camper gets too hot.

Originally, I used Waggle – read my full review here. Unfortunately, it wasn’t reliable, and it’s far more expensive than other (better, more reliable) options.

Overall, I highly recommend Necto. It’s easy to install, and costs around $180 for the device and two years of monitoring fees (after that it’s $30/year).

For a complete overview of the best RV temperature monitors read this post!

Looking for more van life dog essentials? I’ve added all the items we use to my amazon storefront!

Keeping A Dog In A Van Safely

It’s possible to keep a dog in a van safely. I did it for years.

Van life with a dog can be challenging, especially during the hot summer months, but with these tips you can be sure your dog is safe and comfortable.

A lot of these tips seem obvious, but I’m also including some tips I’ve learned along the way. For a more detailed list, check out my article on RV Pet Safety!

Check the weather

Always check the weather forecast before you leave your dog alone in your van.

Not only the temperature, but also the humidity. 80°F in the dry desert feels very different than 80°F in humid Florida. High humidity feels a lot hotter than identical temperatures in dry climates.

Also consider that with good ventilation and fans in your van it’s possible to keep the interior temperature the same as (or cooler than) the outside temperature. Parking in the shade will really help.

However, if it’s too hot outside for your dog to be comfortable, then rearrange your plans.

It’s hard to get a van below 80°F if it’s over 90°F outside, even with lots of fans.

If you have van air conditioning, then you can probably buy yourself time for a few quick errands.

Otherwise, errands can be run in the evening after the sun sets, or first thing in the morning before the heat picks up.

Park in shade

Park in shade every chance you get.

There’s a major difference in the interior temperature of your van depending on whether the sun is directly hitting it or not. Like 10-20°F difference – it’s massive.

Finding a shady parking spot is the biggest van life hack to having a dog.

Use window covers

Put insulated covers on the windows. Emphasis on insulated – these can be fancy ones or cheap reflectix ones you DIY, but they have to be made of insulating material. Cheap blinds or curtains don’t help with heat at all, just privacy.

Windows are where you lose most of your temperature regulation. They’re the weakest point in the vans temperature regulation.

Even simple homemade window covers (like Reflectix cut to the size of your window) make a big improvement in keeping the temperature steady.

Note: you can DIY your window covers with Reflectix – the material is easy to cut to size and rigid enough that it’ll hold itself in your windows if you make it slightly larger than the window frame. Reflective insulation is great at keeping heat out, but it’s not ideal for cold weather as it loses most of its ability to insulate in the cold temperatures.

My front cab window covers are from Van Made Gear and I love them.

They fit perfectly, attach easily with magnets, completely block out all light, and are reversible. I put light gray facing out during the day to help with heat, and the black side facing out at night to be stealthier.

The back of my van has VanEssentials window covers (because I wanted to be able to compare different brands). They’re very comparable to Van Made Gear’s window covers – even the colors are a close match.

My recommendation is to price shop. The front cab covers were cheaper from Van Made Gear, and the back window covers were cheaper from VanEssentials. They’re easy to mix and match because of how similar they look, and the quality is almost identical.

Turn on fans & AC

If you have a van roof vent, turn it on to exhaust so it pulls the hot air out. This creates a vacuum of air flow in your van, so you also need to open a window.

It’s best if the open window and vent fan are far apart from each other so more air is moving around the van.

I also suggest opening a window that’s in the shade, so the air coming through it will be cooler. Make sure your window covers are fully over any windows in the sun.

I like that my MaxxAir Fan Deluxe has a thermostat setting which allows me to program it to turn on if the van reaches a certain temperature.

In addition to a roof fan, I have 2 wall mounted fans that provide additional air circulation.

If you have a roof AC unit that operates from your battery bank, turn it on when you leave.

I usually set my van AC to 75°F. It’s not going to be super cool inside the van, but 75°F is comfortable enough for my dog.

The harder the AC has to work, the faster it’ll use your battery power. Try and avoid setting the thermostat for super low temps that’ll drain your batteries quickly.

If you don’t have a campervan air conditioner you can turn on your vehicle and run the AC to cool down the interior temperature before you leave. Let it get really cold so you have some time to run your errands before the van has warmed up too much.

Keep the water bowl filled

Always fill your dogs water bowl before you leave.

Make sure you top up the water supply for your dog so he doesn’t run out while you’re away. If it gets warm, they’ll need more water to stay hydrated and keep cool.

I love my no spill water bowl. They’re supposed to be for dogs that are messy drinkers and spill water everywhere, but I have found they work amazing as a van or RV water dish for dogs.

You can keep water in them while you drive and it won’t spill out. That means there’s always water in it when my dog needs a drink.

Use a security system to monitor

Consider a security system with cameras and a temperature monitor if you’re keeping a dog in a van.

My security system allows me to check in on Oscar while I’m away.

I receive a phone alert if the temperature in the van exceeds the high or low temperature I set.

I’m also alerted about smoke, poisonous carbon monoxide gas and break-ins because all of the sensors are connected to my van security system.

Additionally, I have interior cameras. You really don’t need these, but I like to stalk my dog and see where he’s napping.

There’s several options and price points for van security systems. I wrote a few articles with more details.

This one on van security systems is more about van safety and how to secure your belongings.

This one is specific to RV pet temperature monitors and how to keep your pets safe – it includes options like Waggle, SimpliSafe and lesser known alternatives that aren’t as expensive.

Build Tips For Van Life with a Dog

If you’re traveling full-time in your van there will be times when you have to leave your dog alone in your vehicle (grocery shopping, van life showers, a dentist appointment, etc.)

There are several things to proactively consider during your van build that will help you to safely keep a dog in your van when you’re traveling.

Insulation

You want to make sure your van is very well insulated. There’s a big difference between an insulated vehicle (like a van or RV) and a non-insulated vehicle (like a regular car or SUV).

A van with good insulation will maintain its temperature far longer than a van without.

My camper van insulation is a combination of 3M Thinsulate, foam board and spray foam. It has worked extremely well for me.

I also really like my van window covers. I looked at a few brands before I decided on Van Made Gear. The quality is outstanding, they fit the van windows perfectly, and they make a massive impact on keeping the van comfortable.

Ventilation

Air flow will also help keep your dog comfortable in your van. Make sure your van has windows that can open as well as a van roof vent fan that can exhaust warm air out.

Ideally, plan to have each of these at opposite ends of your van so you can circulate as much interior air as possible.

I also added two Sirocco 12v fans to my van. They’re a little pricy (around $100 each), but totally worth it – I wrote a full review of the fans here. My dog loves to hang out under these in the warmer weather.

Camper Van Air Conditioners

If you will be in warmer clients often, it may be worth installing a RV roof AC.

These can run on 110v or 12v. The 12v units are newer and more expensive, but much better on your battery life. Either way, you’re going to have to invest several thousand dollars.

I have an AC unit in my van that can be powered by my batteries – it was a big investment and is a huge draw on my battery bank, but it has come in crucial a few times when we hit really hot weather.

I typically do not run my AC for more than an hour at a time. If I have no choice but to run errands during the heat of the day and leave my dog in my van I turn the van air conditioner on for him.

Between that, and the temperature monitor on my van security system that sends alerts to my phone, I know he’s safe and comfortable when he’s alone in the van.

When I built my van in 2020 there weren’t any good 12v options, so my AC runs on 110v. That means I have to have my inverter on, and it also means I blow through my battery power.

If I were to do another build now, I would install a 12v AC in the van. They’re more expensive, but way more efficient so you can get away with fewer batteries.

When I sold my campervan, I recouped the cost of the AC. It’s a good investment if you’re considering resale – not only will you get more for the sale of your van, but many van buyers are specifically look for vans with rear AC units, so it’s easier to sell if you have one installed.

Van Life with a Dog – The Perks

The benefits of van life with a dog are companionship, safety and exercise! 

Other benefits include: a quiet backseat driver, a trail buddy for hiking, and a pre-bedtime bed warmer.

#1 Companionship

Having your best friend with you as you travel is always comforting. My pup, Oscar, keeps me on a schedule- he never forgets when it’s dinnertime (and he ensures I never forget by reminding me exactly 30 minutes prior to our mealtime)- and he’s always looking for someone to play with or take him for a walk.

I think I would feel much more lonely on the road if I didn’t have my dog.

#2 Security

Dogs have far better senses than we do, so they’re able to notice an approaching person or animal before we do.

My dog lets me know when he senses something so I know to be more alert as well. 

Additionally, the mere presence of a dog can deter would-be bad guys from approaching you- no one wants to mess with an unpredictable dog protecting their human.

As a solo female traveler, I’m much more at ease knowing I always have a security guard on-duty.

#3 Healthier Habits

Lastly, a dog needs exercise. I have a tendency to get into focused work mode in my van office and let hours pass before I realize I haven’t moved and my foot is asleep.

Having a little “boop” nose-nudge from my dog helps remind me it’s time to walk and enjoy some fresh air … and to stop taking life so seriously.

Van Life with a Dog – The Challenges

Being responsible for the safety and comfort of a dog while living on the road comes with it’s own set of challenges, including limitations on where you can travel and a much messier van.

#1 Weather

Without a dog you can easily escape hot or cold temperatures by spending the day in a library of cafe. With a dog your options are more limited.

In extreme heat or cold you can’t leave your dog in a van. Instead, you’ll have to find dog-friendly places where he can accompany you, continuously travel with the moderate weather or pay for a pet-friendly hotel room to ride out the heat wave.

One way I made this challenge a bit easier was to install an RV pet temperature monitor in my van that sends me alerts about the conditions in my van.

#2 National Parks

One of the largest obstacles I face when it comes to traveling with a dog is National Parks that aren’t very pet friendly.

Most National Parks don’t allow dogs on hiking trails (exceptions are usually made for developed areas like paved paths, bikeways, roads, etc) which means I have to leave my dog behind if I plan to complete a trail in a National Park.

Sometimes the weather allows for this, and other times it’s just not an option for me.

You can find pet policies for each National Park here. I’ve also written about dogs in Acadia National Park and where dogs are allowed in Arches National Park.

An additional hurdle that larger National Parks present is their shuttle systems- basically leaving the van in a parking lot and riding a shuttle to the trail head. Most of Zion National Park is only accessible by shuttle during the summer months.

I will never do this as it requires me to be reliant on a shuttle schedule (something I have absolutely no control over) to get back to my van if something changes and I need to get to my dog immediately.

In this case, there are a few alternative options.

Some National Parks open trailhead parking during the off-season and taking a shuttle isn’t required.

Many National Parks have year-round parking available at the trailhead on a first come, first served basis. There are usually very few spaces available and you have to arrive very early (typically before sunrise) you can grab one of the coveted spots!

I recommend checking out the trail reviews others have left on AllTrails to determine what time parking is usually full.

#3 Travel Restrictions

Having a larger breed van dog also means I’ve accepted that I must drive everywhere. My dog is too big to be allowed on a plane, and I choose not to crate him in the cargo hold (the safety of this is highly debated, but for me it’s not a risk I’m willing to take, and it’s not something I think Oscar would feel comfortable about regardless of the safety aspect- he’s far too clingy.)

This might not be an issue for some, especially if your van dog is small enough to be allowed in the plane cabin.

If your van dog is over 20 lbs and you need to make a quick trip home, want to go on vacation, or have a business meeting, chances are you won’t be able to fly with your dog in the cabin of the plane.

Without a dog you could park your van at the airport and jet off anywhere you want, but with a van life dog you’ll either need to drive or make arrangements for a pet sitter.

#4 Dirt Will Be Everywhere. Always.

Lastly, prepare for your van to be under constant attack by mud, dirt, water and fur.

If I could train my dog to take his shoes off before getting in the van I would, but he’s not that into shoes.

Instead, I sweep and vacuum multiple times a day.

Keeping my van clean is an uphill battle I will never win. Oscar drags dirt in faster than I can sweep it back out.

On that topic… bedding and cushion covers go through the laundry far more frequently than they would without dirty paws walking all over them.

I was blissfully unaware of how expensive laundromats were before vanlife, and now I’m painfully aware of how much money I spend washing things over and over again.

Do Dogs Enjoy Van Life?

Yes! Dogs love van life. I hear a lot of criticism about my lifestyle, saying that it’s awful I keep my dog in such a small van. This is so ignorant! My dog is outside at least 10 hours a day on average, and he gets to explore new places every week.

He’s been to Canada and Mexico. He’s hiked the Appalachian, Rocky and Sierra mountain ranges. Not to mention, he’s in great shape, and super healthy as a result of all the activity we do.

Here’s some proof he loves living in a van!

Which Dog Breeds Are Best Suited To Van Life?

The breed is less important than the temperament of your dog.

Having a dog that is calm, doesn’t have high anxiety about travel and new surroundings, and a dog that gets along easily with other people and animals will make van life with a dog a lot more enjoyable.

Some people think larger dogs aren’t good van dogs, but I disagree. My dog, Oscar, is a 60 pound Golden Retriever and he thrives in our van.

The reality is that we aren’t confined to the van 24 hours a day. Most of our day is spent outside, so the size of the dog is less of an important factor.

Can A Dog Live In A van?

Yes, with obvious limits. You want to make sure that your dog is always safe and comfortable.

If the weather conditions are too hot, or too cold it’s not safe to leave your dog in your camper. It’s also a good idea to make sure that whenever you do leave your dog in your van that it’s only for a short period of time and that you’re close by.

I have installed a security system that alerts me through my phone if the temperature exceeds a range I set, if there’s smoke or carbon monoxide, and if there’s unauthorized entry.

How Do You Keep a Dog Cool in a Van?

To keep a dog cool in a van make sure there’s good air flow and you aren’t parked in direct sunlight. Keep their water dish full and, if necessary, give them a cooling blanket.

Additionally, make or invest in insulated window covers. Windows in your van are where you’ll have the most heat penetrate.

Window covers will help keep the hot air out and the cooler air in. You don’t need to buy expensive covers- you can accomplish the same thermal barrier with a cheap roll of reflectix cut to size.

How Do You Keep a Dog Warm in a Van? 

Cover your van windows with insulated covers to keep the cold air out. If you don’t have an ancillary heater (like a 12v diesel heater) you can turn on your vehicle to heat up your van.

Because camper vans are insulated they’ll hold heat for longer than regular vehicles.

Before I installed my 12v heater I’d run the van for a few minutes before bedtime to warm it up. The insulation holds enough heat in that the van would still be fairly warm in the morning even without having heat on all night in 30-degree weather.

Lastly, make sure your dog has blankets or a bed available for them to snuggle into if desired.

Can You Take Your Dogs to National Parks?

Yes! Most National Parks allow leashed dogs in campgrounds, picnic areas, along roads and paved paths.

Some National Parks also have a few trails where dogs are allowed. You can find the specific rules for each park on the parks website, or by asking a park ranger.

Be sure to inquire about the BARK ranger program too!

Can You Do Van Life With a Puppy?

Yes- it’s not impossible to do van life with a puppy, but raising a puppy is hard even under normal circumstances.

Your puppy will need to be crated at times so your van needs enough space to set up a crate.

You also need to take your puppy out for potty breaks frequently for the first few months- which means in the middle of the night you’ll need to go outside.

Van life isn’t inherently dangerous, but routinely being outside of your vehicle at night requires more diligence for personal safety.