Dogs and the big scary monster Moho. Ideas please.

[Belledog]

Hi all
our dog hates hates the Moho. I’m trying to find a safe solution where she feels happier. We’ve tried between us, strapped in of course With the sides of her bed higher to make her feel safe. Tried the seating in the dinette area. Nope.
im interested in anyone who has solved a problem with a stressed dog.
regards Karen.

 

[The Wino]

When were free to go out take her out every day to somewhere near with a nice walk. Ours loves the motorhome it means he's with us all the time and is going somewhere interesting

 

[Emmit]

Dogs are 2yr old children. That's their best mental age. Treat them as such
They don't like new 'BIG' things. Things that 'jump' out at them. Things that make sudden noise
Get the dog acclimatized. If you can and I appreciate that this is difficult if the 'van isn't on the drive, go to it without going inside. Lots of fuss, distraction and play around the vehicle.

 

[Belledog]

When were free to go out take her out every day to somewhere near with a nice walk. Ours loves the motorhome it means he's with us all the time and is going somewhere interesting

its always a happy ending for her. You can see the excitement on her face. Shes just not happy getting there.

 

[Janine]

Have you tried using a soft dog crate? Maybe use it as her bed in the house and then transfer it to the van?

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[Lenny HB]

Dogs are a bit strange with Motorhomes, taken our daughter's dog a few times. Our last van directly you opened the door she would leap in & loved it. Our current van is almost identical to the last van and she hates it.

 

[Rob and Val]

Your dog may be suffering from motion sickness. It could take a while but the best way to ease your dog’s travel anxiety is by taking several short trips before embarking on a long haul. Start by simply placing your dog in your motorhome, starting the motor, and sitting there without moving for a few minutes.

The next day, repeat this process, but drive off your driveway and then return immediately. Be sure to praise your dog effusively and offer a food reward if she behaves well.

Next, try a trip around the block. Again, offer praise and a food reward only if she behaves well. You cannot force your dog to “get over” or “deal with” her anxiety. Travelling in a motor vehicle can be frightening for a dog and requires time to adjust. Make sure you maintain a calm and cool attitude and do not scold your dog if she begins to howl or whine. Visible anxiety is a sign to stop the current training and then start again another day. Don't reward her if you have to terminate that day's training. Continuing to expose your dog to a stressful situation when she is showing signs of anxiety will only cause her to further associate the motorhome with displeasure and fear and will cause setbacks in your training schedule.

Gradually work your way up to riding comfortably for longer journeys, preferably taking her for a walk as a reward when you arrive at your destination and then a food reward when you return home. If you become confident that she can handle a much longer journey then it may be advisable to withhold her food before setting out. An empty stomach will help reduce nausea but you must be sure to provide access to fresh water whenever possible.

Eventually, she will learn that there is nothing to fear and will look forward to her journeys in the motorhome. Good luck and let us know how she gets on.

 

[Belledog]

Your dog may be suffering from motion sickness. It could take a while but the best way to ease your dog’s travel anxiety is by taking several short trips before embarking on a long haul. Start by simply placing your dog in your motorhome, starting the motor, and sitting there without moving for a few minutes.

The next day, repeat this process, but drive off your driveway and then return immediately. Be sure to praise your dog effusively and offer a food reward if she behaves well.

Next, try a trip around the block. Again, offer praise and a food reward only if she behaves well. You cannot force your dog to “get over” or “deal with” her anxiety. Travelling in a motor vehicle can be frightening for a dog and requires time to adjust. Make sure you maintain a calm and cool attitude and do not scold your dog if she begins to howl or whine. Visible anxiety is a sign to stop the current training and then start again another day. Don't reward her if you have to terminate that day's training. Continuing to expose your dog to a stressful situation when she is showing signs of anxiety will only cause her to further associate the motorhome with displeasure and fear and will cause setbacks in your training schedule.

Gradually work your way up to riding comfortably for longer journeys, preferably taking her for a walk as a reward when you arrive at your destination and then a food reward when you return home. If you become confident that she can handle a much longer journey then it may be advisable to withhold her food before setting out. An empty stomach will help reduce nausea but you must be sure to provide access to fresh water whenever possible.

Eventually, she will learn that there is nothing to fear and will look forward to her journeys in the motorhome. Good luck and let us know how she gets on.

Never would I scold her. She doesn’t whine,she doesn’t pant,she doesn’t dribble. she has shook occasionally on the dinette seating. She just won’t lay down to sleep. Which makes me sad and anxious for her. i Did wonder if I should ask the vet for travel sickness help or calming tablets. Or maybe even try a thunder jacket.

 

[Belledog]

Never would I scold her. She doesn’t whine,she doesn’t pant,she doesn’t dribble. she has shook occasionally on the dinette seating. She just won’t lay down to sleep. Which makes me sad and anxious for her. i Did wonder if I should ask the vet for travel sickness help or calming tablets. Or maybe even try a thunder jacket.

And just to add. She doesn’t like the car seats. But is happy in the estate boot.

 

[denisejoe]

If you're feeling anxious the dog will pick up on that be anxious. You need to keep yourself calm so that she'll feel calm.

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[Belledog]

If you're feeling anxious the dog will pick up on that be anxious. You need to keep yourself calm so that she'll feel calm.

Hate to see her suffering

 

[Shrimp]

Can you just spend time in the van, not doing anything in particular?
Make a cup of tea, sit around and talk normally, read, things you would normally do in the house and try to ignore her.
Even better do it later in the day and give her her supper in there, with you of course sitting doing nothing exciting....nothing to see here, just a normal day!

 

[DBK]

As Emmit suggested, the trick is to get the dog used to the vehicle. You could start throwing a ball near the MH if that is practical, eventually working up to her going inside it willingly. One way might be to feed her near the MH and each day move the bowl closer, eventually under the step, on the step, just inside and so on.
If you know someone who has a dog your dog knows and gets on with you might be able to enlist their help, assuming the other dog isn't frightened of the the MH either!

Then as also suggested, tiny steps to make the journeys longer, starting with perhaps just the engine running and not even moving.

An alternative approach would be to approach a local dog trainer, once you are allowed to of course. I suspect someone very experienced with dealing with these sort of problems would be able to achieve good results very quickly.

 

[Emmit]

If you're feeling anxious the dog will pick up on that be anxious. You need to keep yourself calm so that she'll feel calm.

No truer statement.
When I wore a younger man's clothes, (and before the Dangerous Dogs Act) I was invariably 'given'? the job of going into Scrap Yards in the middle of the night when the burglar alarm had gone off with free roaming 'guard dogs' on patrol.
The term 'Half a Crown, Sixpence' comes to mind.

 

[denisejoe]

Hate to see her suffering

But I think she's only suffering because you're making her anxious, you really need to stop the anxiety you're feeling in order for her not to be anxious. I know it's hard but try breathing deeply and blowing out slowly through pursed lips - that should make you feel much calmer, do it for as long as it takes to rid yourself of the anxiety. This was what I was advised to do when I suffered panic attacks and it certainly does make you feel calmer.

Hope you can do this for your dog.

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[jdk62]

Maybe its the poor driving......