Stopping dogs getting out of van

[Mark and Mindy]

How do other dog owners keep their dog(s) inside their PVC when the sliding door is open?

We will, eventually, be buying a PVC with a rear lounge and no front dinette and need to find a solution for having the dogs in the van when the sliding door is open. We are intending to get a skirt and windbreak pet enclosure combination for when stopped for the night but if we want to have the door open while just being inside the van we can't work out what would be the best solution to keep them inside.

They are confined to our kitchen overnight or when we go out etc with a barrier with a child stairgate in the middle as the kitchen and living room have no door between. Poppy definitely can't get out, and Harry could as he engages in some vigorous jumping with his back legs with his front legs over the gate... we haven't told him he can get out and so he doesn't try!

We could try and barricade the area where the door slides, but a stairgate would be heavy and where to put it when not in use, the other issue being that I don't need more opportunities to fall over than I already have on normal inanimate objects and can see myself catching a foot and falling headfirst into the van.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

Accidental post - moved to another thread

 

[Minxy]

I don't think that you should be allowed to own a dog if you can't/won't train it personallyView attachment 233418

If you've got the dogs as puppies its much, much easier to train them than when you get them 'pre-loved' as they've already had life experiences that can make it very difficult though not totally impossible.

Oh, that would be a great picture for a caption competition ....!

 

[Reallyretired]

We have our dogs on a longish lead attached to the mh on sites when they're outside. Not really necessary but thems the rules and we follow them (mostly) .

 

[Wissel]

I don't think that you should be allowed to own a dog if you can't/won't train it personallyView attachment 233418

I agree in most cases. But I think owners should be fully in control of their dogs at all times in every case.

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[Silver-Fox]

If I ever say I’m going to get a dog, someone PLEASE give me a good slap....

I’ll give you a slap without you saying it if you want

 

[Cat53]

The problem for us with Poppy goes right back to her puppy days - she was in puppy training and doing well, but at 4 months old she broke all the toes in one of her front feet - a total accident as I was not more than 2 feet away at the time, but my son was holding her and she tried to jump out of his arms to me, he grabbed her and somehow her foot got bent in the excitement! She had an operation and had pins put into each bone to hold them in place and was then splinted and on cage rest for 6 weeks total. When she was allowed to come off cage rest I was with her in the woods with our very old creaky Welshie (15 yrs old) and a dog walking pack came hurtling up to us, the Welshie was deaf and nearly blind and so didn't really know much about it but an Irish terrier went for Poppy, the dog walker was totally useless, didn't control the dog and by the time we managed to extricate Poppy and Conker from the pack Poppy was a total quivering mess which turned into full on aggression - she can't identify which dogs are friendly and just want to say hello and have a run around and which might be attacking!

She's now scared of other dogs, and other owners can say all they like about how their dog is fine... "yours might be, but mine isn't", she's muzzled and walked on a long line which we pick up when we see other dogs, she does all the things terriers do - muddy puddles, ditches etc and gets security from knowing that we "have her".

It isn't a case of saying no, or telling her to sit, if another dog approaches her or she sees one then she will go for it - we've had a lot of expensive training to learn how to work with her and not to have her put down as that was a serious consideration - we'd rather have her as she is than not have her at all and so have learnt ways round things so that she isn't put into situations which absolutely terrify her!

A lot of people don't realise what fear aggression is really like for an animal who is affected by it... she's a sweet loving dog, loves Harry with all her heart and they eat, sleep and play together, no aggression at all - he's her "family" - but she is terrified of other dogs, there's no "chat" or "hmm are you ok?", she would literally get in first every time - but holding her to a short lead and keeping on walking works for us - she's 5 now and things have calmed down, but she will never be able to walk without a muzzle or long line, it just isn't worth the risk!

Poor little sweetheart. Once they have been traumatised like that they aren’t l8kel6 to ever forget it. Think doggy PTSD and she has no intention of ever being in that situation again...I don’t blame her. So you do what you must. Bless her. She’s having a great life. And you are doing what you must to allow her to enjoy it.

 

[eddie]

I agree in most cases. But I think owners should be fully in control of their dogs at all times in every case.

Fully in control doesn't have to mean tied to a bit of rope

Under control is all about training and obedience

 

[Cat53]

I’m off to teach my 11 week old puppies to stay. Have conquered sit...just about! Just need to work on the keeping them sitting as a reach out to treat them.

 

[Cat53]

Fully in control doesn't have to mean tied to a bit of rope

Under control is all about training and obedience

And a lot of owners THINK they have just that, until.......

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[Cat53]

I’ll give you a slap without you saying it if you want

Can I watch?

 

[Minxy]

Fully in control doesn't have to mean tied to a bit of rope

Under control is all about training and obedience

Any owner who believes they ALWAYS have full control is misguided ... you can only hope to be in control most of the time so IMV it is better to have measures in place to reduce the risk to zero if you can. Any dog can do something unexpected ... they are not robots that you programme and will obey 100%, they have personalities etc and will sometimes do 'naughty' things regardless of how well trained they are.

 

[eddie]

Any owner who believes they ALWAYS have full control is misguided ... you can only hope to be in control most of the time so IMV it is better to have measures in place to reduce the risk to zero if you can. Any dog can do something unexpected ... they are not robots that you programme and will obey 100%, they have personalities etc and will sometimes do 'naughty' things regardless of how well trained they are.

Well that’s your opinion, nothing more

But to be fair you have already posted to say that you can’t always control your dogs, so I can see why you think that way

Also I don’t remember anyone saying “ALWAYS full control”

And a lot of owners THINK they have just that, until.......

and again a lot of owners have to barricade their dogs in when they want the door open because they don’t make the ongoing effort to continually train

 

[Wissel]

Fully in control doesn't have to mean tied to a bit of rope

Under control is all about training and obedience

They are animals not appliances

Until my dog was 7 I never used a lead. He is very well trained and does exactly as I say at all times so why would I need one.

When my dog was 7 he was attacked by another dog. A big American Bulldog that came out of nowhere. Are you telling me that if your dog was attacked you'd just tell them to sit?

Since that day he's been on a harness. The harness has a handle and I can whip him into the air if needed. So I'm fully in control.

 

[eddie]

They are animals not appliances

Until my dog was 7 I never used a lead. He is very well trained and does exactly as I say at all times so why would I need one.

When my dog was 7 he was attacked by another dog. A big American Bulldog that came out of nowhere. Are you telling me that if your dog was attacked you'd just tell them to sit?

Since that day he's been on a harness. The harness has a handle and I can whip him into the air if needed. So I'm fully in control.

My dog “lost one end of last year” weights 48kg so whipping him up into the air isn’t that easy lol

But at 48kg he has never been attacked, so not an issue

A couple of rat like things have taken liberties over the years, but they get flicked off into the bushes howling and squealing and have never come back

I’m not trying to tell you anything, it started as I answered to OP’s question how do you keep you dog in the Motorhome

And I answered truthfully I say Stay

What ever floats your boat, floats your boat

We have a campsite next door, and the rule is that dogs must be under control, that does not necessarily mean tied up, nor does it mean that a dog that is tied up can be a knob with no consequences

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[Minxy]

Well that’s your opinion, nothing more

Yes it is, but I would rather think this way than the other.

But to be fair you have already posted to say that you can’t always control your dogs, so I can see why you think that way

Our dogs are well trained and controlled however they are also 'naughty' occasionally and have 'baggage' from before we owned them but are very good for the vast majority of the time - Lily gets a bit excited when she sees other dogs as she's been attacked in the past though she doesn't 'go in for the first bite' as a preventative measure normally ... I'd rather have a baby gate and know they are 100% secure than risk that very small chance that they may be 'naughty' and then suffer the consequences like being squished by a car.

No-one can ever be in full control of a dog unless they have it attached to them in some way in order to restrain it IF it decides to disobey ... you may like to think you are but in my experience people who believe their dogs are 'well trained' can get a nasty shock when the dog doesn't do as they're told/expected ... no dog is perfect no matter what an owner thinks.

... and again a lot of owners have to barricade their dogs in when they want the door open because they don’t make the ongoing effort to continually train

Agree as there are a lot of people who don't bother to train their dogs more than just for the basic commands with no real control but using a barrier doesn't then make them stupid or irresponsible, in fact just the opposite as they are aware of the limitations of their control and act accordingly.

 

[eddie]

No-one can ever be in full control of a dog unless they have it attached to them in some way in order to restrain it IF it decides to disobey ... you may like to think you are but in my experience people who believe their dogs are 'well trained' can get a nasty shock when the dog doesn't do as they're told/expected ... no dog is perfect no matter what an owner thinks.

LOL Again, I have to ask who said that they are perfect? you keep making a statement, and then arguing your statement is right It is like me saying that "you shouldn't say Patterdales are stupid as you can't train them (I know I know no one has said that)

Agree as there are a lot of people who don't bother to train their dogs more than just for the basic commands with no real control but using a barrier doesn't then make them stupid or irresponsible, in fact just the opposite as they are aware of the limitations of their control and act accordingly.

The trouble is that those same people then expect to take their dogs out and mingle with people who do bother to train their dogs

 

[Minxy]

Eddie ... you believe you are 'fully in control' of a dog sitting in your MH doorway etc and on the vast majority of occasions you 'may' be but there is always the risk that one day your dog will 'disobey' your stay command ... so IMV that gives a 'false sense of security' and it appears to me at least that those of us who decide to use an additional method as well are being tarred as 'stupid' owners, whereas I believe it is the other way round ... its a bit like "closing the gate after the horse has bolted" ... you may never have this happen, but then again you may as no-one can know for sure that their dog won't do this so using a dog-gate means we are 100% certain at all times.

You do it your way, I'll do it my way.

 

[eddie]

it appears to me at least that those of us who decide to use an additional method as well are being tarred as 'stupid' owners,

If that is what you think? that is your opinion

If you are waiting for me to disagree with you? You may have a long wait

 

[Silver-Fox]

Can I watch?

Of course but there is a charge

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[Minxy]

If that is what you think? that is your opinion

If you are waiting for me to disagree with you? You may have a long wait

Need to go to Specsavers Eddie you missed off the rest of the text you were agreeing with ...

... and it appears to me at least that those of us who decide to use an additional method as well are being tarred as 'stupid' owners, whereas I believe it is the other way round

So you appear to agree that I am right then and you are wrong ... yay!

 

[eddie]

@Minxy Girl This may help you:- https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Dog

 

[tonyidle]

I just tell mine to stay. Only 9 months old, she sat at an open door looking into the activity in the tea tent most of last weekend at the Newbury Show. Took about 30 minutes over 20 short sessions to teach.

Training is easy, Sit her there in the door, tell her to stay, take a step back If she steps off, make yourself big, lean over the dog, use a deep voice and physically and not being too gentle (just like her mum wouldn't be when telling her off) physically put her back on the step. Not asking, firmly telling. Step back and repeat. , once she stays for five seconds call her off the step and deliver lots of praise, then, get her back in the van door and repeat getting a little longer stay each time, a few sessions is all Jazz needed. Some dogs might need to do it 106

I appreciate many have dogs that just will not do this, but its far fewer than you imagine so don't give up, you just have to persevere. Some dogs will need to be heaved back in the door a hundred times, but it will stick for most dogs with half a brain if you have the patience to stick at it. Sadly many dog owners are not the pack leader

If you rely on a gate, one day you wont shut it properly or they'll find a way through it. If you teach you dog to only leave the van when you say, you might save her life.

You any good with Whippets?

 

[Cat53]

With the best will in the world I don’t believe you can train your dog to be 100% reliable in 100% of situations. There will be something that scares them enough to forget all their training. Of course it may never happen, so then you can spend your life thinking you are the best trainer on the planet. Some of us are not that arrogant........we would rather take a few extra precautions.

 

[Cat53]

Well have shown the pups the motorhome and they did really well with their sit and stay in the doorway.....however, I’m not convinced it’s Jim’s training methods....merely that they have never done steps before along with they are too little to reach the steps anyway.

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[Jim]

With the best will in the world I don’t believe you can train your dog to be 100% reliable in 100% of situations

I trained dogs so I could follow them while searching for explosives and weapons. 100% reliability is the minimum requirement .

Back to Motorhomes, Of course I would never leave my dog “unattended” in the open door way. No more than I would leave her on her own behind a baby gate and an open door. As you say, anything could happen.

 

[Jim]

You any good with Whippets?

My limited experience of them is that they are intelligent, loving dogs. So training would be easy enough (I imagine, being a southerner I’ve no actual experience ) . however getting them to stay if a ball of fluff in the shape of a cat or rabbit ran by the door then I imagine the training would have had to be pretty good

 

[tonyidle]

The problem for us with Poppy goes right back to her puppy days - she was in puppy training and doing well, but at 4 months old she broke all the toes in one of her front feet - a total accident as I was not more than 2 feet away at the time, but my son was holding her and she tried to jump out of his arms to me, he grabbed her and somehow her foot got bent in the excitement! She had an operation and had pins put into each bone to hold them in place and was then splinted and on cage rest for 6 weeks total. When she was allowed to come off cage rest I was with her in the woods with our very old creaky Welshie (15 yrs old) and a dog walking pack came hurtling up to us, the Welshie was deaf and nearly blind and so didn't really know much about it but an Irish terrier went for Poppy, the dog walker was totally useless, didn't control the dog and by the time we managed to extricate Poppy and Conker from the pack Poppy was a total quivering mess which turned into full on aggression - she can't identify which dogs are friendly and just want to say hello and have a run around and which might be attacking!

She's now scared of other dogs, and other owners can say all they like about how their dog is fine... "yours might be, but mine isn't", she's muzzled and walked on a long line which we pick up when we see other dogs, she does all the things terriers do - muddy puddles, ditches etc and gets security from knowing that we "have her".

It isn't a case of saying no, or telling her to sit, if another dog approaches her or she sees one then she will go for it - we've had a lot of expensive training to learn how to work with her and not to have her put down as that was a serious consideration - we'd rather have her as she is than not have her at all and so have learnt ways round things so that she isn't put into situations which absolutely terrify her!

A lot of people don't realise what fear aggression is really like for an animal who is affected by it... she's a sweet loving dog, loves Harry with all her heart and they eat, sleep and play together, no aggression at all - he's her "family" - but she is terrified of other dogs, there's no "chat" or "hmm are you ok?", she would literally get in first every time - but holding her to a short lead and keeping on walking works for us - she's 5 now and things have calmed down, but she will never be able to walk without a muzzle or long line, it just isn't worth the risk!

We have a Whippet dog that's exactly as you describe. We understand the problem but obviously others don't. Walks can be testing!

 

[tonyidle]

My limited experience of them is that they are intelligent, loving dogs. So training would be easy enough (I imagine, being a southerner I’ve no actual experience ) . however getting them to stay if a ball of fluff in the shape of a cat or rabbit ran by the door then I imagine the training would have had to be pretty good

I came across a list (on Facebook I think) of dogs listed in order trainability. There were 50 on the list with Lab & Collie at the top. Whippets came in 48th . It seems that the most easily trained dogs are those that have had complex interactions with humans for centuries (The Border Collie for example exhibits sheep-herding instincts from birth). Dogs that have been used purely for hunting, a base instinct for all dogs that needs little encouragement, are the most difficult. Whippets aren't restricted to the North - that legislation along with the insistence on the Flat Cap - was repealed a long time ago .

 

[Mark and Mindy]

I came across a list (on Facebook I think) of dogs listed in order trainability. There were 50 on the list with Lab & Collie at the top. Whippets came in 48th . It seems that the most easily trained dogs are those that have had complex interactions with humans for centuries (The Border Collie for example exhibits sheep-herding instincts from birth). Dogs that have been used purely for hunting, a base instinct for all dogs that needs little encouragement, are the most difficult. Whippets aren't restricted to the North - that legislation along with the insistence on the Flat Cap - was repealed a long time ago .

I just found https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs with the dogs listed in order, seems that Harry as a poodle/mini schnauzer cross would come in at 10 or 11 which would be right as he is very intelligent even if he does play the role of a small heedless boy very well, whereas Poppy comes in at 39 - terriers are lovely little dogs but definitely hard to train, although not as hard as our previous terrier (Welsh Terrier no. 101), perfectly behaved in an enclosed space, won his class at dog training, performed faultlessly, could be dropped from a distance, could leave him in a sit or down/stay for indefinite periods, but let him off the lead in the woods and we'd hear him off in the distance barking as he tracked the squirrels in the trees and the ONLY thing which would bring him back was to make our Standard Schnauzer bark to order!

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[eddie]

With the best will in the world I don’t believe you can train your dog to be 100% reliable in 100% of situations. There will be something that scares them enough to forget all their training. Of course it may never happen, so then you can spend your life thinking you are the best trainer on the planet. Some of us are not that arrogant........we would rather take a few extra precautions.

I wonder if Cesar Milan thinks that he is the best trainer in the World?

Everyone takes everything so black and white nowadays. its like writing a legal document!

The OP asked how to keep a dog in the van? Some of us said "Stay" All of a sudden the people that can't control or train their dogs are getting all upset, what it there was a road, or a pack of roving dogs? what if this what about that?

Any way any dog that is small enough to be picked up, wear clothes or have a bow isn't a proper dog and could easily be kept in a cage.

Had the OP posted how would you keep your dog in the van parked near a busy road, I would have answered "with the door" lol


This is motorhome fun after all, not life and death and not to be taken too seriously

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