Do you leave your dogs alone in your motorhome?

[Jim Schush]

We are currently at the Caravan and Camping Club site in Keswick and our neighbours have decided to have a night out in town leaving the dogs alone in the van. The dogs ( I think there are at least 2) are continuously barking.
Is it just me or does any one else think this is slightly irresponsible. At time of writing it is now 10 .30 pm and the dogs are still barking.

 

[Langtoftlad]

In answer to your thread title - yes
In answer to your post - yes.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

In answer to your thread title - yes
In answer to your post - yes.

Agreed.

 

[phillipsheila]

yes also but my dog is quiet

 

[Landy Andy]

Same as above

Yes, I do leave my dog alone in van
Yes, it is bad to leave dogs that aren’t happy/quiet/safe in the van, especially late at night.

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[phillipsheila]

She is quiet coz im 3 miles away getting pissed

 

[CazPaul]

I would inform them the following morning, they may not know and think the dogs are quiet, relaxed and calm.
We leave ours ours sometimes during the day depending on the weather and i consciously ask neighbouing vans if they have been quiet and calm.

 

[Aly1]

I leave my dog alone in the van when I am on a campsite to go and get a shower. I don’t leave her at any other time because she barks and howls so it’s not fair on her and it’s definitely not fair to other campers.

 

[Wilberforceftw]

Have left mine but I set up cctv in van to monitor. Not fair to go out and leave howling dogs for both those nearby and the dogs

 

[barsteward]

We are currently at the Caravan and Camping Club site in Keswick and our neighbours have decided to have a night out in town leaving the dogs alone in the van. The dogs ( I think there are at least 2) are continuously barking.
Is it just me or does any one else think this is slightly irresponsible. At time of writing it is now 10 .30 pm and the dogs are still barking.

Hm interesting, I have a dog which yes I do leave in the Motor home if I am going out, which I might add is not very often but I think he isn't a problem to other motorhomers? He doesn't make a noise when I leave and generally seems to be asleep when I come back. Having said that if you tried to stroke him outside his territory he would have your leg off I would be distressed if I thought my dog for no reason was disturbing other people....but then again if you don't tell me but post it on a forum how would I know.

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[Minxy]

Yes we do leave our dogs in the MH but wouldn't if they were going to be upsetting the 'neighbours'. Ours are good and taught not to be a nuisance and the only time they bark is if someone comes too close to our vehicle and looks in or there's a dog running around outside (don't ask me how on earth they know but they do!).

We used to have some dogs that as soon as we left them howled but it only lasted 30 seconds max and they'd then settle down, they weren't distressed 'long' howls though, more short joyful 'singing' ones as if to say "thank goodness they've gone out and we can get some peace and quiet now!". At first we used to hide out of sight and listen to make sure they stopped and then creep back to check what they were up to when it went quiet and they were usually sprawled out looking very comfy.

 

[barsteward]

Yes we do leave our dogs in the MH but wouldn't if they were going to be upsetting the 'neighbours'. Ours are good and taught not to be a nuisance and the only time they bark is if someone comes too close to our vehicle and looks in or there's a dog running around outside (don't ask me how on earth they know but they do!).

We used to have some dogs that as soon as we left them howled but it only lasted 30 seconds max and they'd then settle down, they weren't distressed 'long' howls though, more short joyful 'singing' ones as if to say "thank goodness they've gone out and we can get some peace and quiet now!". At first we used to hide out of sight and listen to make sure they stopped and then creep back to check what they were up to when it went quiet and they were usually sprawled out looking very comfy.

I've done that hide out of the way to see if he makes a noise after I've left.. My dog is getting old now and with the best will in the world he cant walk for more than half an hour now. I would however not leave him if I thought for one minute that he was disturbing my neighbours.

 

[tonyidle]

Yes - I have three and they don't make any noise. I close blinds so they aren't triggered by anyone close to the van and I have a camera accessible from my phone.

 

[Minxy]

Yes - I have three and they don't make any noise. I close blinds so they aren't triggered by anyone close to the van and I have a camera accessible from my phone.

We did that ... then got our van broken into in Pisa! If we'd left one of the blinds open so the thieves could see we had dogs they'd have left it well alone ...

 

[tonyidle]

We did that ... then got our van broken into in Pisa! If we'd left one of the blinds open so the thieves could see we had dogs they'd have left it well alone ...

Anyone touching the outside of the van will be made aware pretty quickly that there are dogs inside. Take your point though .

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[Minxy]

Anyone touching the outside of the van will be made aware pretty quickly that there are dogs inside. Take your point though .

I'm sure all hell broke loose when they forced the window open judging by the blind being a bit squished but up until then the burglars wouldn't have known the dogs were in there and the dogs no doubt snoozing and dreaming of grub probably didn't hear the burglars as I'm sure they have 'being quiet' down to a fine art.

 

[Reallyretired]

Ours are quiet when left, but very seldom are as if we go to a pub or restuarant they come with us.

 

[The Coops]

We leave ours alone in the van and she is quite happy to sit in the drivers seat watching the world go by, the number of people in Europe who have been if fits of laughter at her antics is vast, it looks for all the world like she is driving!( Big dog) As for barking, as a Swiss lady commented on. *Your dog does not bark, Most english vans have barking dogs, is she alright? * She does and will bark either on command or when someone knocks on the door, would lick and love then to death but the bark is a strong deterrent, in places like Calais etc as soon as the migrant chancers see we have a big dog then they steer clear! And we do leave the front blinds off or a side blind so she can see out and more importantly she can be seen in! Its all down to training, a dog will bark and whine too get your attention, if you react with words or actions it recognises that you, not it has responded and so I bark, I get attention, you are not paying attention, I will continue to bark and whine until you do ! From day one ignore the cute puppy that has just left its mother and put up with a few days/nights of crying, put a teddy or an old towel with your smell and they soon settle down. I know its hard but it is usually only for a few days and the separation anxiety/attention seeking issues such as barking when left alone will subside.
Just after we were married ( a long time ago!) we bought a Labrador puppy, the nextdoor neighbour continually complained that it had barked and whined all day We found it strange as I worked shifts at the time with funny hours off so to keep the peace when we left the house we gave the dog a prescribed tranquilizer from our vets which knocked him out. We did this for a few weeks and still she complained about the barking and howling so we took the dog over to my parents for a few days with them and looked at getting him rehomed as it was not fair on the neighbours. (No one else had mentioned it) When we got home minus the dog, she was out like a shot *Your dog had been barking howling all day and look what it has done to my flower beds and lawn * she screamed at us! * You must have bloody good hearing and it must have bloody big paws as its 35 miles away and has been all day!* we said, The look on her face ! Turns out that it was a Jack Russell on the other side that was the culprit but ours was to blame as it was a big dog! We moved house very soon afterwards what a nasty piece of work she was

 

[Coolcats]

We are currently at the Caravan and Camping Club site in Keswick and our neighbours have decided to have a night out in town leaving the dogs alone in the van. The dogs ( I think there are at least 2) are continuously barking.
Is it just me or does any one else think this is slightly irresponsible. At time of writing it is now 10 .30 pm and the dogs are still barking.

Dogs can be left for short periods if they are not distressed.

Barking/ Yapping dogs is anti social behaviour With or without the owner present !

 

[Shrimp]

Depends on the dog/s.
Our JRT used to be quiet happy left for an hour or so, I think 2 hours was the max we left her.
We have been near vans where a dog has been left and is barking, it is annoying, talk to owners when you see them but gently they probably don’t know the dogs bark!

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[carolyn]

Having a monitor seems like a good idea, it amazes me how many people think that because their dog was quiet when they left and was quiet when they returned 2 or 3 hours later that means it was was quiet inbetween and didn’t in fact bark for most of it and drive people mad but people were too nervous to mention it! We had a neighbour like that, he was a policeman and his second boxer would bark as soon as it heard you go into the garden and not stop until you went back in.

I am nervous of dogs, going on rallies with Motorhomefun has helped enormously as the owners seem to like their pets and are considerate of others so elsewhere I tend to assume that if the dogs are behaving badly then it’s likely that the owners are at fault so are unlikely to take kindly to being told that they shouldn’t leave their dogs unattended for hours as they are disturbing people!

 

[Coolcats]

Depends on the dog/s.
Our JRT used to be quiet happy left for an hour or so, I think 2 hours was the max we left her.
We have been near vans where a dog has been left and is barking, it is annoying, talk to owners when you see them but gently they probably don’t know the dogs bark!

Maybe best to report it to the site warden who can deal with the issue

 

[Podney]

Have a friendly chat with them first.
If their response is negative,speak with site warden.
If that doesn’t work,try gas.

 

[Clipgate]

I do not have a dog now did for over 40years, mostly they never even came in my motorhome in fact I would never wish to devalue it! I can hear the howles now.
They were my constant companions and took them everywhere in my van.
I would not leave them unattended in a motorhome, everything is a individual decision however if I was not nearby a relative would be.
In short if they were away from home they would have been with me.

 

[Cal54]

I leave my dog when it is necessary and he is quite happy in the van. However if going to a pub I tend to choose dog friendly and he comes with me. A couple of hours is fine but not much longer. Keswick is a very dog friendly town !!!

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[joe and sue]

I would record what is going on and speak to the owners as soon as possible, they may not be aware of what their dogs are doing.
If no positive response then speak to the wardens, I know we all hate officious wardens, but this is part of their job.
We have left our 2 cavaliers on occasions but have a sound and vision camera connected to Sue's phone and can monitor them at all times,
As others have said, close blinds, water bowl available, very soft radio on, and a good long walk just before leaving,
Never had a problem, but then they were taught not to bark from being pups.
God luck

 

[Wissel]

Same as others - I leave my dog in the van, but he is quiet and I have a camera on him I can watch from the pub to make sure he is okay.

Can't take mine to the pub with me, although it would make social distancing a breeze

 

[Minxy]

Same as others - I leave my dog in the van, but he is quiet and I have a camera on him I can watch from the pub to make sure he is okay.

Can't take mine to the pub with me, although it would make social distancing a breeze

... and he's probably the only dog in a MH/camper that's got his own 'personal' fire to snuggle in front of!

 

[bigwood]

Our dog could not be left in the van on his own. Having chewed a Saab and Golf seat belt and chewed through a few leads we couldn’t trust him. He is fine at home being left whilst we both worked shifts. It must be an issue with being confined. He is a quiet calm dog only barking at people coming into the house occasionally.
He is too old and having wonky legs to travel with us know and we miss him on our travels.

 

[Rachelc]

Never had a problem, but then they were taught not to bark from being pups.
God luck

I'm really interested by this, how do you teach a dog not to bark.

I have a 10 month old Golden Retriever who is a delight in every way but she does, on occasion, bark. If she is tied out on a pitch then she might bark if we leave her for a minute. I think it may be anxiety based?

Anyway how do you teach a dog not to bark? She's my second dog, the other didn't bark and I'm doing nothing different.

OP I don't think it's reasonable that those dogs were left barking I'd raise it with the owner or the warden.

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