Blake and Chelsea here! We’ve lived life on the road in our fully outfitted Jeep TJ with our two basset hounds, Charlie and Blue.

Blue has been a passenger in The Fox, our 1998 Jeep TJ, since the beginning. Once the sound of the exhaust ripples thru the air, she knows it’s time for a Jeep ride.

The day we picked up Charlie, there were no doors or top on the Fox. Sitting on Chelsea’s lap his ears flapping in the wind, we are positive at that moment, he fell in love with the open road.

From day trips to taking the path less traveled from back country roads to old wagon two tracks, Charlie and Blue have always been along for the adventure.

Fun note: We built them what we call The Observation Deck – A metal platform above our gear allows them to see the road ahead and be bobbleheads out the rear.

Here are our tips for traveling with mans best friend on the road safely, and efficiently, keeping them hydrated, warm, and cozy.

Dog Identification

We’ve been on the road for about three years now and the Hounds have a nose that will get them in trouble. We’ve made sure their dog identification tags are easily readable with our phone numbers on them.

We always keep the dogs on a leash, keeping them out of the bushes and away from wildlife.

TIP: Microchipping your dog is a great way to identify them in case they pull out of their leash.

Dog First Aid Kit

This is set up similarly to our medical kit with a few more dog-centric things. A well-stocked first aid kit can be invaluable for any misfortunes. And we talked with our veterinarian about the right medications to keep on hand for Charlie and Blue.

Our dog first-aid kit contains some of the following things.

• Benadryl Paw Balm/Nose Lotion
• Toothbrushes
• Nail clippers
• Gause
• Different sizes of adhesive bandages
• Cotton balls
• Sterile wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Flea/Tick Prevention
• Dog-friendly bug repellent
• Shampoo
• Anti-Diarrhea Upset Stomach Medication (A Pepcid for dogs)

Dry Bag For Food

To keep the elements out of the dog food and contain odor, we use a dry bag and zip-lock bags to store the dog’s food. Using their metal food dishes kept a sense of familiarity and made meal times familiar.

TIP: Always make sure to have treats to reward good behavior in new surroundings.

Gear for Inclement Conditions

Traveling full time with dogs combined with the changing ways of Mother Nature, we prepared a dog clothing bag. If we were cold, we knew the dogs would be too. We outfitted them with dual-purpose jackets that could be flipped depending on the weather. There’s a vinyl type of material that can shed water on one side, and a flannel for warmth on the other.

The same goes for the terrain; we packed dog boots to protect paws from hot pavement or rough trails.

Sleeping Gear

Whether in the ground tent or the rooftop tent, Charlie and Blue have always slept next to us. Many nights their body heat kept us warm until we saw the morning light.

To keep a clean sleeping area, we would wipe them down before entering the tent with baby wipes and every morning Chelsea would shake out the bedding.

We have traveled with pet smart dog beds, which took up room and were ruined within a few trips. For hanging around camp a small durable blanket that we could lay on the ground for them, that was easy to shake out and wash was a better solution.

Water Bottle

Traveling with two dogs, we doubled our water storage. We would waste a ton of water by pouring it into their bowl but soon adapted to a dog water bottle with a bowl attached. Easily one-hand operated and any unused water can go back into the container easily.

Potty Breaks

Keeping them hydrated meant lots of bathroom breaks on the trail. We viewed this as an opportunity to “smell the roses” and enjoy the scenery. We never left the Jeep without poop bags. We’ve pulled up to perfect campsites that have been trashed with a bunch of dog poo. Please, do not be this person. Especially the dog poo part.

TIP: When traveling and using unfamiliar dog parks, its best to have the dogs up to date on their heart-worm and other medications

When we are prepared to accomplish our pet’s needs efficiently it’s a better adventure for everyone. Sharing our experience with Charlie and Blue was a great way to deepen our bond.

A few times we have camped without them, we have truly missed them. These two kept us alive in many situations on the trail, from warmth at night to a perimeter doorbell, they are truly mans best friend.

Thanks for reading!

-Blake and Chelsea CB Overland