How to make my motorhome pup friendly

[Makingtrax]

Got a 15 week Border collie cross. He's a great chap and very friendly, but a fur ball of destruction while his training is in progress.

After reading so many funsters enjoying their dogs while motorhoming, I thought this was a good idea. All those lovely walks by the sea.

But now the reality has hit home I'm having sleepless nights about the confined space, chewed leather seats and woodwork, wet dog smell, travel sickness, muddy paw prints and endless cleaning. Beginning to think this was a terrible mistake and I'm on the wine.

Planned our first trip in March but need some help before I turn into an alcoholic.

Here's the hound from hell.

 

[Puddleduck]

I no longer have a dog but would suggest a crate / cage but get him used to being in there first, also covers on seats and take out any carpets or make sure you can wash them. Also lots of toys to distract him.

He is a lovely looking dog enjoy.

 

[Makingtrax]

I no longer have a dog

Do you want one, by any chance . . . please!

 

[JohnJan]

He's cute.

Wet wipes, seat covers and a dyson for that hair that's going to be everywhere. And febreeze or similar.

You'll have great times walking the legs off him

 

[DBK]

You can't really leave a pup alone in a MH in my experience.

No real damage but "All the Aires" never recovered.

The crate is a good idea.

That's a young Charlie in "travelling mode" but now he's grown up we've swapped to a harness designed for dogs in cars attached to an anchor point I fitted. But the crate must be seen by the dog as a refuge, they should never be forced into it but see it as their "home" which they can retire to for a snooze. Putting a blanket over the top so it becomes dark might help but not in warm places of course. The Endless Breeze is a brilliant dog cooler when it gets really hot. When it isn't so hot expect the dog to keep out of the way of the blast - see above!

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[Langtoftlad]

Crate simple as - his safety, your sanity.
You might see it as a cage, he'll see it as his den.

 

[Theonlysue]

Guess it's all down to training. My dog will do anything for treats ?

 

[OwnedbyCollies]

OMG - he's gorgeous! What is he called?

Ours are older now and fortunately were never destructive but we manage the wet muddy stuff with LOTS of dog towels, covers on all seats, a Dyson hand held hoover and a 12v portable rechargeable shower.

Although we have not needed one, a folding crate is a good idea and will keep him safe and you sane (and reasonably sober!)

 

[Steve and Denise]

We use a crate they soon get used to it put a cover on top and is soon their space our dog uses it as a bed.

 

[Geo]

Just told my Jaffa about this
He is disgusted by this young mans behavior and says Motor Homes are for chillin

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[TheBig1]

he has collie dna so will be intelligent and get bored quickly. plenty of toys and a crate. Leather seats wipe clean easily as does vinyl flooring

 

[bellabee]

confined space, chewed leather seats and woodwork, wet dog smell, travel sickness, muddy paw prints and endless cleaning.

The most important bit is to prevent him from chewing. The rest comes with the territory of dog ownership. Either you'll have a muddy and smelly van, or you'll have to keep cleaning .

As others have advised, get a crate for him, and make it into his den. You can train him to use it in the house, before you go. Even then, I don't think it's really a practical proposition to leave a puppy alone in a van.

We've never had a problem with our dogs, but neither was a puppy when we got the van.
If, and when, we get another dog, I think we'll look at the soft dog crates. I'm a bit worried that the metal ones could cause damage to the van.

He's a lovely pup, and I'm sure you'll have lots of happy times with him.

 

[Figaro]

I find febreeze essential to cover those wet dog smells.
Lots of old towels and seat covers

 

[Makingtrax]

The most important bit is to prevent him from chewing. The rest comes with the territory of dog ownership. Either you'll have a muddy and smelly van, or you'll have to keep cleaning .

As others have advised, get a crate for him, and make it into his den. You can train him to use it in the house, before you go. Even then, I don't think it's really a practical proposition to leave a puppy alone in a van.

We've never had a problem with our dogs, but neither was a puppy when we got the van.
If, and when, we get another dog, I think we'll look at the soft dog crates. I'm a bit worried that the metal ones could cause damage to the van.

He's a lovely pup, and I'm sure you'll have lots of happy times with him.

Thanks he's pretty good in his crate. I can bring that out at night and put him in. The biggest problem I think will be rainy evenings. Can see him going stir crazy!

 

[Makingtrax]

I find febreeze essential to cover those wet dog smells.
Lots of old towels and seat covers

We have a leather sofa in the dining room and we put a cover on that. He ripped it off in 5 minutes.

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[bellabee]

Thanks he's pretty good in his crate. I can bring that out at night and put him in. The biggest problem I think will be rainy evenings. Can see him going stir crazy!

I can see you're in for lots of exercise during the day! I f you're not fit now, you soon will be . You've chosen a very active breed.
In order to avoid the rainy evenings, take plenty of trips abroad .

 

[Hollyberry]

Thanks he's pretty good in his crate. I can bring that out at night and put him in. The biggest problem I think will be rainy evenings. Can see him going stir crazy!

Kong toys, the type you hide treats inside.
large marrowbone ( buy baked ones as less likelihood of illness)
You have to exercise a dog even if it’s raining ! Wellie boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket.
Lots of old towels ( for the dog, not you)
Agility train your dog, uses up energy and keeps their minds occupied.
Just shows you have to think of the next 15 years if your life and how you live it BEFORE acquiring a dog.
If you think it’s not going to work, rehome him now, it’ll be less painful in the long term.

 

[Makingtrax]

You can't really leave a pup alone in a MH in my experience.

View attachment 361374

No real damage but "All the Aires" never recovered.

The crate is a good idea.

View attachment 361376

That's a young Charlie in "travelling mode" but now he's grown up we've swapped to a harness designed for dogs in cars attached to an anchor point I fitted. But the crate must be seen by the dog as a refuge, they should never be forced into it but see it as their "home" which they can retire to for a snooze. Putting a blanket over the top so it becomes dark might help but not in warm places of course. The Endless Breeze is a brilliant dog cooler when it gets really hot. When it isn't so hot expect the dog to keep out of the way of the blast - see above!

That first pic is a horror story, mate. Was hoping for morale boosting stuff Realising we should have got a border terrior now.

 

[Makingtrax]

Guess it's all down to training. My dog will do anything for treats ?

I'm the same Sue

 

[Makingtrax]

Just told my Jaffa about this
He is disgusted by this young mans behavior and says Motor Homes are for chillin
View attachment 361390View attachment 361389

That's something I can only imagine! Did you use half a bottle of prozac?

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[busby]

Guess it's all down to training. My dog will do anything for treats ?

My cat does as i tell it,,always sits on its own blanket,,sits down when i tell her,,never ever ventures in the kitchen..No litter tray (horrible things) she asks to go out or at night comes in the bedroom and wakes me up,,usually about 4.0am grr,,but its better than a mess.Obviousley i dont wait up for her to come back in,,BUSBY.

 

[Caggsie1]

Wouldn’t be without a dog. As babies you need to make sure you keep them company, dog crates are great for short jollies, allowing them to get used to being alone but somewhat restrained. We’ve had dogs that have chewed and ones that haven’t. Dogs are a big tie. We are able to leave ours for a few hours, but we have two and they’re small. if you know he is going to chew don’t leave him on his own.

 

[Makingtrax]

Kong toys, the type you hide treats inside.
large marrowbone ( buy baked ones as less likelihood of illness)
You have to exercise a dog even if it’s raining ! Wellie boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket.
Lots of old towels ( for the dog, not you)
Agility train your dog, uses up energy and keeps their minds occupied.
Just shows you have to think of the next 15 years if your life and how you live it BEFORE acquiring a dog.
If you think it’s not going to work, rehome him now, it’ll be less painful in the long term.

Bought the pet shop out of Kongs. He already goes out running with me around the fields at the back and he's brilliant at fetch. Can't wash his paws without a tantrum and his 'mad hours' in the evenings are off the scale if he's not completely worn out. Up twice a night and running out of fabreeze and dettox.

Nothing can prepare you for the whirlwind that is a new puppy, however much you think about it. Can see why a lot are rehomed.

 

[rb62]

Crate's the best especially if he's used to it already and plenty of excercise when you arrive at your destination,they soon get used to it!

 

[Makingtrax]

Crate's the best especially if he's used to it already and plenty of excercise when you arrive at your destination,they soon get used to it!

View attachment 361400

Can see no problem while they're asleep like that, but what happens when they're not in that confined space?

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[rb62]

Can see no problem while they're asleep like that, but what happens when they're not in that confined space?

Plenty to keep him occupied as they're intelligent dogs,you just have to be sure he knows what's play time and when it's time to stop! We only had to keep ours in a cage for one trip,now she spends her time asleep or looking out of the window

 

[bellabee]

Bought the pet shop out of Kongs. He already goes out running with me around the fields at the back and he's brilliant at fetch. Can't wash his paws without a tantrum and his 'mad hours' in the evenings are off the scale if he's not completely worn out. Up twice a night and running out of fabreeze and dettox.

Nothing can prepare you for the whirlwind that is a new puppy, however much you think about it. Can see why a lot are rehomed.

I don't know how much of your post is 'tongue in cheek,' but think you need to be honest with yourself, for your sake and the pup's.

Hollyberry is right, if you think it's not going to work, better all round to re-home him now

 

[138go]

We actually had a boat when we first got our dog. We took her down to the boat from 12 weeks, so she could get used to it. There's a window of opportunity with dogs, so the sooner you introduce them to new experiences to sooner they adjust. We used a canvas kennel to start with, so she was confined. This worked really well, as she was used to being in the kennel for travelling.

Don't wait until you go away to get your dog used to your motorhome. Take your dog into the motorhome, let him have a sniff round and a look. Do this several times, then try a short journey. I would definitely recommend some sort of travel kennel.

If you don't want your dog on your sofas, train him to stay down.

Our dog transferred to the motorhome without a backwards glance. She's now a very well travelled dog and has been all over the UK, France and Spain.

Small steps, lots of patience, and make sure you make the rules.

 

[Makingtrax]

I don't know how much of your post is 'tongue in cheek,' but think you need to be honest with yourself, for your sake and the pup's.

Hollyberry is right, if you think it's not going to work, better all round to re-home him now

Yeah, tongue in cheek. Love him to bits.

 

[Geistguy]

Stick with it through the trying times, you will be rewarded 10 fold. Border Collies are intelligent, hard working dogs and need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Don't worry about mud and mess it will all clean off - with a large hairy Old English Sheepdog we know all about mess ! Try to cover any seats to protect them and a pen is a good suggestion.

Best of luck to you and your gorgeous pup.

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