Tips on taking your dog in van (1 Viewer)

Bowman

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Feb 12, 2011
27
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South Northants
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Fleetwood Pacearrow
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Many years
We have a very large lab who sleeps on the spare bed and gets very annoyed if we have visitors who try and share his bed (not a bad thing when the kids find us) The worst thing is trying to pack. As soon as we pullup in the motorhome outside the house he sits squarely in the front door of the house or motorhome. You’re not going anywhere without me! So any packing has to go over his head, normally tripping my husband on several occasions. We do have a friend that puts the dog bed in the shower.
 
Jan 10, 2013
5,958
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Near Uttoxeter and Crete
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24,227
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Warwick XL PVC
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Still trucking and learning
One of the problems with dogs in motorhomes that they are always under your feet so it's really important that you find a way to put them outside in a safe and comfortable environment. We have the metal spiral dog tetherers and are about to buy a see through windbreak so that they can be tethered inside the windbreak but be able to see out. We have decided on a windbreak as opposed to awning panels as they will work even if it's too windy to put your awning up. These windbreaks have stabilizing struts between the poles so don't need guy ropes to keep them stable. Saw these at Newark shown and they survived that atrocious weather so should survive our European tour.

We keep our dogs away from the cab area when travelling by erecting a babygate between the rear lounge and the cab. They are not harnessed when travelling, however I think in Germany it is illegal for dogs not to be harnessed and, if you can get your dogs used to it from the beginning I think it's a safer way to travel for all concerned.

They sleep on the floor of the van on their bed between the seats of the rear lounge.

Hope this helps and happy travelling with your new best friend.

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Oct 2, 2011
864
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Scotland
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Does anyone sleep their dog in the garage in a crate (if you have one)?

Wouldn't even think of it. If I wouldn't make the wife sleep there I won't make the dogs........

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Jan 9, 2013
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Wouldn't even think of it. If I wouldn't make the wife sleep there I won't make the dogs........

Reason I ask is that our pup is unlikely to get past the chewing stage for several years, if ever. Because I like chairs with 4 legs I would never leave her unattended indoors unless in a crate.
Edit, wife has got past the chewing stage
 
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Lindylooj

Lindylooj

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Jun 24, 2011
189
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Weymouth, Dorset
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Newbie from Oct 2011
Thanks for all the tips guys. Have got a strap that goes into the seatbelt so she can travel on the rear seats with blanket on and sleep there hopefully. Have fallen on our feet with her she came over from Southern Ireland as a rescue dog where they only keep dogs for 5 days in the police pound so Dorset Dog Rescue brings them over here for rehousing. She is a joy, is ok being left alone - although only done this for 4hrs, uses the large cat/small dog flap if she needs to without being shown what it was for. She must have been someone's much loved pet i think.

Off to Broadlands in a couple of weeks so that will be her first trip out in the van. All the walking is tiring me out if not her :Smile:
 
Jun 17, 2012
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As you wish

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Wildman

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May 30, 2008
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since 1967
Our two medium sized dogs have their own carpet and travel harnesses, are not allowed on the seats or beds. In return I don't shout at them, sleep on their carpet or eat their food. seems fair to me.
 

Road Burner

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Apr 24, 2008
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NORFOLK
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Dogs in the van

We have two dogs , a Cocker spaniel and a lab cross. The Spaniel sleeps on the seats any of them ( We have very good canvas covers) the Lab sleeps on the floor as he is now too old to get up on the seats.

Traveling they both sit on the seat with dog harnesses.
 
Jan 10, 2013
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Still trucking and learning
We have an Autocruise Stardream with a rear lounge. In between the lounge and cab is the kitchen and bathroom. If we were to harness the dogs (2 of them) where would we attach the harness to given that they will be travelling in the lounge area. Would it be OK to attach the harness to the legs of the lounge sofas?? Or is there a better solution?

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Ukteak

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Jan 10, 2013
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Stockport
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Kentucky
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We have German Shepherd / Bear X and 4 month old Border Terrier. The GSD sleeps on the floor of the MH or in the awning and Chester will be the Borders first outing in the MH. All the advice given so far is very good, we find you just can't have enough towels. Both ours dogs greet everyone like their best friend (if we are with them) The GSD just want's to play he doesn't realise he's so big.

Enjoy and try not to get too stressed about the mud!!

Malcolm
 
Dec 6, 2011
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We have an Autocruise Stardream with a rear lounge. In between the lounge and cab is the kitchen and bathroom. If we were to harness the dogs (2 of them) where would we attach the harness to given that they will be travelling in the lounge area. Would it be OK to attach the harness to the legs of the lounge sofas?? Or is there a better solution?

you can get short harnes leads that clip into the spare safety belt clips. assuming you have them other than on the cab seats

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maz

Jan 26, 2011
4,445
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Bizeljsko, Slovenia
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Since March 2011
Nix (Border Collie) sleeps on vet bed pad in lounge - not allowed on seats. Have removed enormous German table so plenty of room.

Travels in harness that clips directly into seatbelt socket by lounge passenger seat, so that she is sitting/lying on bed on floor.

When younger she was crated - both for sleeping and travelling. Crate removed when she was 1 year old.

Carpets removed (didn't like them anyway) so no worries about mud. Floor is very easy to clean.

Enjoy your travels with your new dog! :Smile:
 
Jan 10, 2013
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Near Uttoxeter and Crete
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Still trucking and learning
"you can get short harnes leads that clip into the spare safety belt clips. assuming you have them other than on the cab seats"

Ours is a 2 berth so no spare seatbelts - any other suggestion?
 

SuperMike

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Apr 28, 2010
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11yrs, but many years a tugger.
At home Kobi sleeps in the kitchen and has a big surprise waiting for him when we get home mid April -- NO MORE sleeping on the bed beside me.


Says you.
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Apr 27, 2008
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"you can get short harnes leads that clip into the spare safety belt clips. assuming you have them other than on the cab seats"

Ours is a 2 berth so no spare seatbelts - any other suggestion?

The main thing is the anchorage must be secure. If you stop in a hurry or are involved in a collision there will be a lot of dog hurtling towards you.

I would be inclined to put a big bolt through the floor with a spreader plate under it and attach a couple of seat belt buckles to it.
Perhaps improvise something from something like this Link Removed
 

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