Expertise:
Topics of Expertise: Dog Behavior, Animal Care Years in Expertise: 14+ Profession: Owner, Head Trainer of Newman's Dog Training
Education & Certifications:
Education: Anthropology, Bachelor of Science, University of Arkansas
Year of Training Animals: +14
Clubs & Associations: Heartland Positive Dog Training Alliance, Association of Professional Dog Training, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (CGC)
As a true animal lover, I couldn't imagine a life where I didn't work with them on a daily basis. After graduating college, I was a zookeeper at the Kansas City Zoo. After many years of gaining experience and mastering my training skills with exotic animals like elephants and sea lions, I decided to start a dog training business. It has been my pleasure to help my clients build fulfilling and lasting relationships with their dogs all through positive reinforcement training methods. We have a chocolate Labrador named Barry who we take everywhere in our Vandoit camper van. We have traveled from Maine to the bottom of the Baja Peninsula putting over 40,000 miles on our van and counting. This has given us the freedom to pursue our hobbies that include mtn biking, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and camping. I truly believe the most important part about life is to pursue your dreams and go outside and play!
We got our first Vandoit LIV model in 2020 and loved it so much that we upgraded to the new MOOV model in 2023. Our goal has always been to travel the country and explore the road less traveled—camping in remote areas, state parks, national parks, and sometimes even RV parks when needed. We chose vanlife for these reasons, but over time, even more unexpected perks have emerged.
Our Van is More Than Just a Vehicle
We never realized how much our van would feel like home. One of the biggest surprises has been that, when visiting friends and family, we actually prefer sleeping in our van. As much as we appreciate the hospitality, our van is our space—it’s where everything is in its place, and we don’t have to pack and unpack constantly. While we enjoy the occasional break for showers, a dishwasher, or laundry, given the option, we always choose our own bed.
The Perfect Holiday Retreat
During holiday visits, our van has been a lifesaver. When there aren’t enough bedrooms for guests, there’s no stress about finding space for us. We have our own retreat right outside, offering a cozy, familiar space to relax after hours of socializing.
Traveling with Barry and Villa Nelle
Having our chocolate lab, Barry, and our almost two-year-old daughter, Villa Nelle, in the van has made traveling even easier. In places where dogs aren’t allowed indoors, Barry can stay in his familiar van environment, running and playing outside before settling in for the night. Even when we travel for Vandoit shows and the team stays in Airbnbs, we park outside and use the amenities but keep Barry comfortable in the van.
Villa Nelle also loves her van. It’s her play space, her safe space, and most importantly, her bed is always with her. No need to rush home for nap time—we just find a parking spot, set up, and get some work done while she sleeps.
Home Is Where the Van Is
We never expected to develop such an emotional connection with our van, but it has truly become our home. What started as just a vehicle to take us from place to place is now a space we love and never have to leave. And that’s the best part—home is always with us, no matter where we go.
We have been traveling in our Vandoit campervan since 2020. It started with me, my husband Derek, and our dog Barry. We hit the ground running when we got our first van and made our way from the Midwest to Maine, Canada, down to the bottom of the Baja Peninsula, and to the most western tip of Washington state.
Growing Family, Continued Adventures
We added our daughter to the mix in 2023. This year, after a short break to learn how to raise a child, we jumped back into the van and continued our travels. It was a different experience, but it didn’t slow us down or make us want to quit traveling in a van. In fact, it got us even more excited about our future travels.
Discovering Baja Peninsula
In 2022, we spent three months traveling the Baja Peninsula, driving all the way down to Cabo San Jose. We stopped at countless beaches for free overnight camping and snorkeled in the clearest waters. Along the way, we met some incredible people who were all doing the same thing: escaping winter while enjoying everything Mexico has to offer. The community of other van lifers and overlanders really made the trip even more fun.
Learning what motivated other travelers and how they were able to make this kind of adventure happen just solidified how much we appreciate the opportunity to travel as we do in our Vandoit van. I’ve never been as relaxed in my adult years as I was on that trip. In those three months, I was able to read over 20 books. It. Was. Amazing. We only counted 12 nights not waking up to our door facing the ocean.
Exciting Plans for 2025
Jump to 2025: We are going back! This time with our almost 2-year-old daughter, Villa Nelle, and our updated MOOV model campervan. We are coordinating with another Vandoit couple who will be joining us with a new MOOV Vandoit. They have never been, and we are excited to show them all our favorite places while exploring places we missed last time.
These updates in our van will make this trip more fun and give us the freedom to explore more places:
Updated lift with suspension gives us the clearance to explore places we couldn’t before.
Front winch will be super helpful when we get stuck in the sand. Not if, but when.
An indoor shower is perfect for keeping us clean after a sunny rinse-off day.
Swiveling front seats provide more space to escape the hot sun and get work done.
15-gallon water tank allow longer trips out of towns, enjoying secluded beaches longer.
Starlink is crucial for us remote workers, enabling work from any beach with no cell service.
Upgraded lithium battery setup means we don’t worry about power while at beautiful places.
We literally have everything we need for this epic adventure.
Summer and Beyond in Our Home on Wheels
When we get back to the States in May, we will do our summer rotation of visiting our favorite places in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, before deciding where to go next. The best thing about living in a van is no matter where we go, we are home. We get to decide as we are driving what we want to do next.
We can’t wait for this adventure and to share all the beautiful places we see and the amazing people we meet.
Do you ever just look at your dog and know they need to run and get its energy out? Are they so close to driving you nuts that exercise is the only option?
This is a genuine concern when traveling in our camper van with our 70-pound chocolate lab, Barry.
Hi, I am Jena Newman, and we have been traveling in our Vandoit since 2020. My husband, Derek, and I take our dog everywhere. Barry has gone with us from Quebec City, Canada, to the bottom of the Baja Peninsula. No matter where we are, his needs are always in our minds.
Camper Van Reality for Dogs
Camper vans are small. There is no room for Barry to run and chase a toy. Our job is to make a point to take him places where we can run freely and get all of his energy out. If we don’t, we pay the price.
Traveling in the van makes this easier and harder at the same time. We will sometimes be in a dog-friendly place, and using a park or beach is perfectly legal and acceptable. Then there are times when dogs are not allowed anywhere, and we must find alternatives to getting Barry exercise.
Vanlife Solutions: Dog Parks
As a dog trainer, I avoid traditional dog parks. We have worked hard with Barry to set him up for success and keep him safe. Dog parks are typically unpredictable; most trainers tell you to avoid them like the plague. But living on the road means bending my rules and going to dog parks. It may be the only way for Barry to exercise and follow the local laws.
When choosing an off-leash park, I try my best to go at less busy times, and there aren’t a lot of other dogs there. Barry is excellent with other dogs but would rather play fetch and swim than run around with other dogs anyway. We are just looking for an open space for him to run around safely.
Our favorite dog park states are California, Arizona, and Colorado! The Carmel by the Sea dog-friendly beach in California was our favorite—Barry’s first experience in the ocean.
In Sedona, Arizona, there is a fantastic Dog Park where Barry could run around and enjoy the different smells. They have done a great job of keeping it clean and well-maintained. There was a flat area at the bottom of the hill for full-out sprinting and playing fetch, and then there was another area fenced in that had more trees and foliage for Barry to explore. We went at a slow time, so Barry had the place to himself.
In Colorado, our favorite park was the Durango Off-leash dog park. If I were a dog, this is where I would want to spend most of my time! There was plenty of space to run and play fetch, and we didn’t have to be face-to-face with other dogs if we didn’t want to be. There is also access to the river to swim and chase balls in the water. There was so much space that this could be great for any dog who needs exercise.
No Dog Park? No Problem!
When we aren’t in a place with specific dog parks or secluded, we will take Barry to other controlled environments to set him up for success. This might include a baseball field that is fenced in. Or disc golf courses that aren’t busy.
Some rest stops off the highway also have designated dog running areas, which work great in a pinch. We have also used the website and app iOverlander; there is a setting to search for “Pet Services” and some dog-friendly parks.
If we are in a pickle and there isn’t a place for Barry to safely run, then we will put him on a long leash and go on a sniffari. We take Barry on a sniffing safari. We use either a 15 or 30-foot leash and follow Barry and his nose. Mental exercise is as important as physical exercise. Thirty minutes of him taking in all the smells works well at tiring him out if we can’t give him a good run.
Vanlife for Dogs: Final Thoughts
Our end goal is to camp in places that aren’t too busy, and typically this is where Barry will get most of his exercise.
We continually monitor the surrounding areas and keep him from running away or bothering other dogs and campers if they are nearby. Having a solid recall has given Barry the freedom to not always be on a leash so that we can give him the exercise he needs after a long day of driving.
Where do you exercise with your dog while on the road? Is there a place we haven’t thought of that is a safe option? Please share in the comments below.
Hi! I am Jena Newman, and live full-time in my Vandoit van with my husband Derek. We have traveled over 40,000 miles from Maine to the bottom of the Baja Peninsula! The entire time we have had our chocolate lab, Barry, with us.
Barry goes everywhere with us! Our hobbies include Barry–biking, hiking, boating, and, my favorite, eating!
Where Can Barry Go?
One of our favorite things to do when we are exploring new places is to try new restaurants. We trained Barry to sit quietly while we eat, so we are able to take him to restaurants with us. Navigating this can be tricky when we are in a new place.
Some places are more dog friendly than others, so we have to do our research before showing up with Barry.
In general, we don’t expect or try to take Barry inside a restaurant. We prefer to sit outside anyway, so we look for places with patios. Once we find a place we like with a patio, I call ahead to be sure Barry is allowed. If we want a quick and easy search for a dog-friendly restaurant, we have used websites like BringFido to help us narrow it down.
We have come across places where it is against the law to have pets at restaurants, even if there is a patio. We respect this and come up with another plan. If it is cool enough outside, then Barry will stay in the van, or we will order our food to go. There is almost always a beautiful park nearby to stop by and enjoy our meal!
Barry’s Favorites
One of Barry’s favorite restaurants is Mickey’s Hideaway in Kansas City, Missouri. They have a very pet-friendly patio in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Bentonville Brewing Company in Arkansas is a favorite because it has a dog park attached to it. Barry is able to get his energy out while we enjoy our craft beer and meal. They also have a kids’ bicycle pump track, and it’s adorable!
We really enjoy the patio at Eddyline Restaurant in Buena Vista, Colorado. It is right next to the Arkansas River and has a great view of the mountains. Barry loves it because there are always other dogs there to meet, and he knows a long walk along the river is in his future.
It is safe to say every restaurant in Baja, Mexico, was my favorite. They are so dog-friendly that Barry was welcome almost everywhere we went. We spent a lot of our time at Lazy Daze Beach Bar in Los Barriles. We parked our van a very short distance away on the beach for about three weeks. Barry was able to go off and swim in the ocean and then hang out with us while we played cornhole during dinner.
Dog Training
I have been training Barry since we got him at 8 weeks old. Being a dog trainer by trade, I knew that I wanted him to be a good canine citizen and be able to go everywhere with us. By starting young and focusing on certain behaviors, we have been able to give Barry the gift of adventure!
Here are a few of the behaviors I focused on with him to make taking him to the patios enjoyable. My personal favorite is sitting when he wants something. It is his way of saying please and showing self-control.
I taught him to lie calmly under the table while we eat our meals. He doesn’t beg for food but is happy to clean up what is left over or what has fallen on the floor.
He is also very good on his leash. He never pulls, which allows us to attach him to the legs of the table for safety, and we don’t have to worry about him pulling the table over.
Reach out if you are interested in training your dog to be better at restaurants! We do a lot of virtual training while on the road in the van, and I would be happy to help you.
Make sure all his needs are met so he won’t get restless. We feed him and play fetch with him before expecting him to sit still while we enjoy our meal.
Make sure he is sitting out of the way so people can walk by. We never want him to cause someone to trip.
We will bring a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter to keep him occupied if he starts getting bored.
We always attach his leash to our chair to be sure he can’t wander off while we are deep in conversation.
Barry’s favorite rule: If they have a special snack for dogs on the menu, we make sure to get him a treat, too! One of his recent favorites was in Canada at The Lockstreet Brewery in St. Catharines, Ontario. He thoroughly enjoyed his Beef Tendon Chew while we devoured our sandwiches!
When we find the perfect patio for Barry, we make sure he maintains his good behavior and doesn’t bother other patrons. Here are our tips for the best restaurant experience with your dog:
Dogs And Vanlife
Our van makes these restaurant visits possible because we have everything we need to be prepared for any circumstance. We are able to store all of his toys to ward off any boredom he may have while on a patio.
It is also a safe place for him when he isn’t allowed to join us. We are able to give him a puzzle toy while we are gone and not have to worry about him getting bored in the van.
What are your favorite dog-friendly restaurants? As we travel around, we are always looking for places to eat with Barry. Maybe we can stop by your personal favorite, too!
Do you have a dog? Do you want to try van life? With a few fundamental essentials, living the van life with a dog is doable.
My name is Jena. My husband Derek and I have been in our Vandoit camper van since the summer of 2020. We have put over 40,000 miles on the vehicle.
We work full time while on the road, running our dog training and care company, which we have been operating for 11 years. In the past two years, we traveled from Maine to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula and everywhere in between. Our chocolate lab Barry has been by our side every step of the way.
While running a full-time dog care and training business – and being dog lovers ourselves – nothing brings us more joy than having Barry on all of our adventures with us. When we decided to jump into van life, we knew having him with us was a priority. His comfort, along with our own, was important.
We needed to find the best ways to regulate airflow, keep him clean, manage wear and tear from paws and equipment, and ensure all of this was as easy as possible.
When searching for the perfect van, Vandoit came in first in this category: We loved it for our comfort but especially for the ease of having a dog with us.
Our Vandoit Van Has Four Things We Can’t Live Without:
The MaxxAir fan is a game changer when traveling with Barry. This fan helps regulate the airflow throughout the van. We can set the speed as well as the airflow direction.
It has given us the freedom to leave him in the car to run into a store or to go somewhere dogs aren’t allowed. We have to be sure the temperature outside is mild, and we never leave him in the van if it is too hot.
When we park in the shade and have the windows cracked, we can leave him unattended safely most of the year. (He doesn’t mind, either. He finally gets his daily nap without all the outside stimulation!)
Let’s face it–dogs are dirty. The point of having him with us is to allow him to explore different environments. Barry gets pretty dirty by the end of the day. Having water at our fingertips to clean him is so helpful.
The best part? It’s all outside, so there is no mess inside the van!
We chose the Heather Grey Woodgrain Polyvinyl flooring and have no regrets! It has been super easy to clean and maintain. With a quick sweep and wipe down, the floor is clean in minutes.
We all know dog hair gets everywhere, so being able to take the van apart and give it a deep clean had me look no further.
We spent three months in Baja, Mexico, this past winter, and every couple of weeks, we would empty the van and clean it out thoroughly. It was easy and made the trip much more comfortable in a world of sand and dog hair.
I know we got this van for ourselves and the adventures we wanted to go on. As it turns out, Barry is having the time of his life exploring oceans, mountains, deserts, lakes and rivers. This wouldn’t be possible, or nearly as comfortable, without our Vandoit.
