looking for ideas: 21' bed foot area aka wasted storage space

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Jill

I always thought that's where the dog water will go, and maybe a removable trash or other bin attached to the cabinet above it. If you don't put it there, where does the dog water go?

Our dog water bowl goes on the floor of the bath next to the drain. Gets dumped in the sink at night and a new one goes down next morning.

[Jill]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Outside? We have never considered putting it inside actually, in nearly 25 years of owning an RV (and a dog ). Seems potentially messy.

Maybe it's a big dog vs small dog thing. We used to always have big dogs like yellow labs and golden retrievers. They knew they were dogs and were quite happy to be treated as such. Now we have 2 small dogs who would be so offended to find out that they had to eat outside if we were able to eat inside!

[tractors1]

My Irish Setter and a Golden Retriever were dogs. Fine with house and camper rules. Currently have 3 terriers who were taught the same rules. They are also fine with the same rules. Very easy to manage when the baseline is it's a good life it you obey the rules. If you don't, it's not so good.

[Jill]

No doubt we spoil the little dogs more than we did the big dogs. The little dogs have a lot more leeway in some regard (ex. they can get up on the sofa). But on the other hand, they are far more part of the family than the big dogs that were kept off the carpets, off the furniture etc. And they still have manners (ex. aren't allowed in the kitchen when meals are being prepared). I think part of it is now that are kids are out of the house the dogs have had to step it up and substitute!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Jill

Maybe it's a big dog vs small dog thing. We used to always have big dogs like yellow labs and golden retrievers. They knew they were dogs and were quite happy to be treated as such. Now we have 2 small dogs who would be so offended to find out that they had to eat outside if we were able to eat inside!

My current dog, Jasper, a 50 lb Australian Shepherd is the smallest dog I have had. Even at home he eats outside, partially because he is raw fed. Only on the coldest and most miserable of winter days does he eat some ground meat inside, and even then is hesitant to do so with an audience. I guess part of the factor is that we eat outside 95% of the time ourselves, though this may change a bit once I retire and it is just the two of us (and Jasper) doing longer trips.

Originally Posted by tractors1

My Irish Setter and a Golden Retriever were dogs. Fine with house and camper rules. Currently have 3 terriers who were taught the same rules. They are also fine with the same rules. Very easy to manage when the baseline is it's a good life it you obey the rules. If you don't, it's not so good.

This for me is paramount, that there are guidelines set for dogs, and they are followed, something which they are more than happy to do. It makes taking them camping an enjoyable thing. Many here have met Jasper, and know how much he loves the camping life, though camping in the heat of Osoyoos is not his favourite place.

Originally Posted by Jill

No doubt we spoil the little dogs more than we did the big dogs. The little dogs have a lot more leeway in some regard (ex. they can get up on the sofa). But on the other hand, they are far more part of the family than the big dogs that were kept off the carpets, off the furniture etc. And they still have manners (ex. aren't allowed in the kitchen when meals are being prepared). I think part of it is now that are kids are out of the house the dogs have had to step it up and substitute!

I had never allowed pets on furniture until now with Jasper, but even then it is not an often occurrence. Though even when we do allow him to come up on the bed when we first get in, he almost always gets too hot laying on it, and opts to get down onto the floor.

Every combination of furkid and owner is different though, and if the are loved and well trained, that is really what matters the most.