Travelling with dogs in hot weather

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Clare&Tony

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We're facing our first year with a campervan, and 2 dogs, and 2 bikes. Looking forward to it immensely but just wondering how to keep dogs cool in the campervan and whether you recommend an air conditioning unit - our van doesn't have A/C... There will be times when we go out on our bikes and can't take the doggies so will need to keep them cool ... Thank you x
 
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Make sure you choose a shady pitch, keep blinds closed and use a silver screen. Leave plenty of water down.

I wouldn't be happy to leave them in the middle of the day if it's very warm, though. You may have to adjust your holiday to suit your dogs. Maybe you could go out on your bikes early morning, or in the evening.
 
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If your camping on a site, leave a key with a fellow camper if the weather is likely to be too hot. Leave skylight windows open for ventilation and ask the neighbour to monitor the weather and the dogs.
Dogs can do crazy things if left in a overheated vehicle and it may be against the law.
 
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You don't get the same heat problems with a MH as with a car. Make sure there is a flow of air (couple of windows and/or vents left open a bit), boosted by a fan if necessary. Close blinds on sunny side.

As previously stated, plenty of water.

We've never had a problem with our two being left inside, although we only tour in UK (so never been VERY hot)
 
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Fr the next few years we will only be in the UK but when you hear these scary stories about dogs dying in cars and things, I want to be prepared and make them comfortable ... x

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I think they should be pretty much OK in the UK with windows / vents left open, just be a little careful though some sites have rules about not leaving dogs on site unattended.
 
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We travel with 2 dogs and like you occasionally leave them whilst out and about on the bikes. We have habitation air con, but can obviously only use that when on hookup and we take all the precautions as described, close blinds etc. We also carry an animalarm, which sends a text to us if the temp inside the van rises above a threshold that we have set. This gives us peace of mind that the dogs are comfortable even if we have a power cut and the air con switches off. They're not cheap, but our dogs are worth it!

http://theanimalarm.com
 
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We travel with three labs, we don't have aircon, have a fan in ceiling which draws air or out depending on setting. In UK this has worked well, in conjunction with a plug in fan at other end and roof vents left open and blinds closed. We only leave them on an evening though when it's cooler, during the day they come with us, or if it's hot we stay with them. They are a bind and stop us going many places, but we have to put their health first. If in doubt about how hot it's going to get, don't leave them.
Like the sound of the animal alarm, will be checking them out.
Happy travels

Lin :)
 
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katv said:
We travel with 2 dogs and like you occasionally leave them whilst out and about on the bikes. We have habitation air con, but can obviously only use that when on hookup and we take all the precautions as described, close blinds etc. We also carry an animalarm, which sends a text to us if the temp inside the van rises above a threshold that we have set. This gives us peace of mind that the dogs are comfortable even if we have a power cut and the air con switches off. They're not cheap, but our dogs are worth it!

http://theanimalarm.com
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Hi @katv have just looked at these, do they need a good signal to work properly, we have found even getting mobile phone signals in the UK difficult sometimes, wondered how you have fared with this?
We spend a lot of time abroad too have you ever used outside the UK?

Thanks Lin
 
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We never leave the dogs in the van but this will have to change if I want a decent walk with 2 of them. Our old lab has torn her cruciate so will have to be left behind sometimes, will take suggestions onboard.(y)

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The dogs can go with you if you go cycling. It isn't me in the picture, it's from Google but I have this kit. It's a full body harness for the dog, a line with a bungee section, and a bracket on the front of your bike.

Our springer loves it, the cocker hasn't had a go yet but will do.

http://www.bikejor.com

20120414_144139d_0.jpg
 
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big bertha said:
We never leave the dogs in the van but this will have to change if I want a decent walk with 2 of them. Our old lab has torn her cruciate so will have to be left behind sometimes, will take suggestions onboard.(y)
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Yes I can see this happening with us as oldest is coming up 11, others two are 5 & 3, the time is coming when she wont be upto long walk/days out :(
 
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You can get a doggy trailer to fasten on back of your bike ,quite a few to choose from and not too expensive ,worth a look ,also 3 sizes .lol
 
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treetops1 said:
You can get a doggy trailer to fasten on back of your bike ,quite a few to choose from and not too expensive ,worth a look ,also 3 sizes .lol
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Was wondering whether to get a large doggy buggy but not sure if she would be happy in it.(n)

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Stay away from heavy crowds and signs that say no dogs allowed!
clear.png
 
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DevonBeekeeper said:
The Endless Breeze fan gets top marks from our dog. When travelling he lies in a collapsible cage with the fan blowing air at him.
P9200101.JPG
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Hi DB
I bought one of these on the strength of this photo when you posted it in an earlier thread(y)
Not used the MH yet but the Endless Breeze could blow your toupee
off :LOL:
 
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big bertha said:
Was wondering whether to get a large doggy buggy but not sure if she would be happy in it.(n)
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We had one for our now departed dog Millie, she couldn't walk for in her old age, but as long as we could get her to the common in Portsmouth she would happily potter close to us whilst Biskit chased a ball. She hated it when we first got it, only ever pushed it (could go behind a bike) but eventually she got used to it and loved sitting inside getting attention from all the other dog owner :), who were surprisingly kind about it, (we had expected to be ridiculed). :)
 
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Milliemobile said:
We had one for our now departed dog Millie, she couldn't walk for in her old age, but as long as we could get her to the common in Portsmouth she would happily potter close to us whilst Biskit chased a ball. She hated it when we first got it, only ever pushed it (could go behind a bike) but eventually she got used to it and loved sitting inside getting attention from all the other dog owner :), who were surprisingly kind about it, (we had expected to be ridiculed). :)
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Thanks, might seriously think about it, we did have a little border on wheels and he loved the attention.:D
 
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big bertha said:
Thanks, might seriously think about it, we did have a little border on wheels and he loved the attention.:D
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We would certainly get another one for Biskit the 11 year old if she gets to the point of not walking far :)

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We've been abroad in the summer many times and even when it's hot outside, it doesn't get too bad inside the camper if we leave a couple of windows open.

Don't forget, that it's cars that overheat, not campers.
 
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Milliemobile said:
Hi @katv have just looked at these, do they need a good signal to work properly, we have found even getting mobile phone signals in the UK difficult sometimes, wondered how you have fared with this?
We spend a lot of time abroad too have you ever used outside the UK?

Thanks Lin
Click to expand...

Yes, we've used it abroad. We took the option of the SIM with the unit which allows worldwide coverage. We have had no problems with signal either in the UK or abroad.
 
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We worried about this at first but even when hot in France it never got hot in the motorhome (I think cause its white well insulated and big roof vents)

David
 
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