Puppy or dog in a motorhome

carmha

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We are getting a labrador puppy and want to take her in our campervan as early on as possible. How do people manage with a puppy or dog when you're driving along, and where do you sleep it during the day (especially if it's raining!) and at night? We have a crate, but it will take up a lot of room in our 5.4 metre van. Any advice welcome!
 
Would love a dog to share our camper but not in a position to to do so at the moment, however i have had experience of transporting a springer spaniel around in a minibus the dog sat up front in one of the passenger seats she had a special harness that attached to the seat belt restricting movement and keeping her secure, as a rule she is extremely well behaved and loves riding shotgun.
 
We took Sparky away with us this weekend & had to solve the dilemma of only 2 seats with belts.
We put a cargo strap across between the 2 seatbelt stalks. On that was threaded a heavy duty swivel hook which fastens to his travelling harness.
He was very happy but we are going to get a smaller bed.

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At night he sleeps under the bed where there is plenty of room for him but he does sneak up onto our bed in the night!

With a puppy I would start them off with just sitting & having a treat in the van. Then trips out for a walk. Most dogs love it but it helps to start off properly.

Don't forget, lots of towels for muddy paws!
 
Part of our choice of dog (small) was because we have a motorhome! Our set up is similar to sharon the cat's, all I would add is that motorhoming holidays and short breaks are great for dogs - all that fresh air, countryside and exploring is great enrichment for a dog.
 
Get a Doberman and he'll take his turn at the wheel.
 

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No need for a steering wheel lock then

guerdeval said:
Get a Doberman and he'll take his turn at the wheel.
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This picture made me think of a friend in the late 80's who used to have his Rottweiler sitting in his uncovered sidecar they went everywhere together he used to leave the dog guarding the motorcycle and it never got touch. I wonder why?
 
mjvw said:
This picture made me think of a friend in the late 80's who used to have his Rottweiler sitting in his uncovered sidecar they went everywhere together he used to leave the dog guarding the motorcycle and it never got touch. I wonder why?
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Excellent dogs and brilliant natural guards, on my third one now,
 
FULL TIMER said:
Excellent dogs and brilliant natural guards, on my third one now,
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Our little Sparky is 10kg of enthusiastic terrier guard dog. A delivery man yesterday said "I wish my dog barked like that". I told him that's why we have a tilt/turn window in the top of the door. One of our delivery drivers is terrified of Sparky, he seems to be able to growl & bark at the same time.
 
hairydog said:
The trouble with labradors is that their hair injects itself into soft furnishings, so I would suggest making sure the dog gets used to sleeping on its own bed. Our dog was a bit bigger then a lab, but was happy sleeping under the table.

He had his bed (a secondhand cot mattress inside a washable cover) there, but for travelling, he liked to stand between the front seats, nose to the dashboard air vents and looking out over the dash.

He never needed a harness or cage. He knew he was not to get in the way of the driver, and he never did.
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The idea of a harness is for the dogs protection too. I wouldn't fancy the idea of something labrador+ size hurtling forward at 30mph or more.
 
As a Labrador is going to be a big dog have you thought about an A frame and a tow hitch?:idea-007::idea-007::idea-007::idea-007::idea-007:
 
We have a terrier. For travelling she has her basket between the driver and passenger seat. She has a harness on, that is fastened to the base of the passenger seat. At night now she’s older she sleeps there too. When a puppy, we had one of the soft kennels we fastened her in.
 
Sharon the Cat said:
The idea of a harness is for the dogs protection too. I wouldn't fancy the idea of something labrador+ size hurtling forward at 30mph or more.
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Any risk of Sparky's bed moving at speed in the event of abrupt deceleration? Or is the bed also restrained?
I may be looking at dog safety in a couple of months, so useful to know how the bed is secured.
 
Gsd in a 5.4 van

In our previous van which was a 5.4 model Jazz used to lie and sleep behind the passenger seat next to the side door, she did take up a lot of room in the van, you just get used to moving round the van with them in it.
 
TJBi said:
Good solution, but not for me as if we have the dog on board the carpets will be taken out!
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Remember the dog is secured in a travelling harness, attached to a strap between the driver and passenger seats. Worst case scenario the bed slides forward but the dog stays in place.

This is our (similar) set up.

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TJBi said:
Any risk of Sparky's bed moving at speed in the event of abrupt deceleration? Or is the bed also restrained?
I may be looking at dog safety in a couple of months, so useful to know how the bed is secured.
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The bed is made of soft foam, weight negligible.
 
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