i know my dog loves to be with me which is great, and so far he has been great on the road, but today for the first time having him out side, (were in Hay for the night)

Don't know how long it will take, but he definitely wants to come inside with you. What sort of dog is he Milo? I wouldn't leave a small dog outside at night, in case something got him. Be aware about Roaming Dogs in a town area, or Feral Dogs, Dingoes, and Pythons in a bush setting. My sister has a Motorhome the size of yours, and both of her dogs sleep inside at night. One small one, but the other is a Red Cattle Dog. They sleep on the floor next to the bed. Cheers, xina.

Hi Milo Our dog sleeps inside at night up front of van in his own bed.

he's upset about something Milo, either find out what it is or bring him in with you, he's possibly scared of something

thanks guys, ben is a border collie with a bit of kelpie, we got him when he was around 5 or so years old. previous owners did bugger all for him, we did the micro chips , the vet stuff , found he does have an anxiaty issue, most times at home he's fine, and on the road he's great , just when were stopped some where having lunch or having our evening meal we want him out side, unless its raining, oh he sleeps on his rug inside next to my bed.. sadly as i said previous owners have done nothing, no training or anthing, weve tried drugs, bark busters and those stupid coller things. ive had him now for 7 years so must be about 12 ish? i love him so much, i will never hurt him, i hate even yelling at him.. he's my best friend!

He's about 84 in human years Milo, older than your father I think. Is there no way you can eat outside[ at least in fine weather] so that he can still see you while you're having your meals? Does he have any hearing or sight problems? They won't help his anxiety, if he can't see you. Cheers, xina.

Hi Milo where do you usually feed your dog? inside or out. if you feed him at the same time as yourself he should be happy, or give him something like a pigs ear, that keeps our dog quiet. Is he barking at your door to get your attention or barking at passers by or other things? as he is now becoming used to travelling with you, he may be protecting his/your space. Johnw

border collies are a working dog, kelpies are a working dog, both are prone to boredom and barking, if he is only barking occasionally then a little reasurring word "SHOULD" settle him, if not then lower the tone of your voice and in a commanding way just tell him to stop it protecting his space is probably as good an explanation as any, but he must have discipline (not belting) but a short sharp command, you are the pack "leader" if you dont take up the reins then he will!

If it were just me , Ben would be inside the whole time, dad wants him outside while getting meals ready and having them he also tells me that ignoring Ben might work but i don't know.. Ps my dad is 86

ignoring him may in fact make him worse, particularly if it is companionship that he is seeking

thats what i think dave, he just wants to be with me, when dad gets something in his mind its very hard to change it

people dont give enough thought to the pet, other travellers, national parks, themselves etc before buying them or setting off with them, rather listen to a generator than a barking dog, least the generator will run out of fuel sometime.

well you will never hear either from my camp only laughter and frivolity (they come over most nights, frivolity can get a bit noisy but he's usually asleep by ten thirty) when we take our blokes out with us they are by our side at all times, they sleep in the rear annex and sit either by dad or on dad, only barking or growling at an "unknown" which is their right to do I used to have a fox terrier with me on the dozer when I was operating for the mines, he rode on my lap and went everywhere with me, a constant companion, all through the dust and the dirt and the rain (no cab in those days) he stuck with me through thick and thin, I simply adore dogs, (hate cats but thats another story) to take your mate along is, to me, the best thing you can do, he just needs to be "understood" a little

Milo
Don't forget it is all new and exciting to you and Dad but you chap might be a little confused still, try to have a routine that is quite similar to your routine at home.
I would not dream of putting my boys out at night, I take them on holiday to share the holiday with me!
I realise it may be a bit difficult for your Dad to understand that but perhaps your chap could have a bed made up in a quiet corner or the van and be trained to stay on that spot unless he needs out?  I know Border Collies are really bright and quick learners so he should pick that up in no time!

Good luck and enjoy!

Annie

do you take any "familiar" stuff with you Milo, his blanket or a few of his toys, if he is chucked out into a totally new environ on his own then I dont blame him barking

dogs are a "pack" animal, if you take the "pack" away from them then you must replace it, the dog's "pack" is you and DAD!

if he cant be with his pack then I dont blame him for barking, if it was me and you locked me outside on my own then I would bloody bight you next time the opportunity arose.

-- Edited by dave06 on Saturday 31st of October 2009 09:48:42 AM

Thanks Dave, I brought his rug and things with him, tonite in the new park I fed him as we had our dinner and put his rug outside for him, when he started barking I told him to sit on his rug, and he did, to my surpriese ! I'm sitting outside now with him and had a chat to someone, afterwards siaid the same and he's on his rug, were here ti Wednesday

no worries Milo, I dont like to see or hear about unhappy doggy's, just a little understanding and everybody is happy!

Hi Milo,I understand your feelings for your mate and the answers you recieved are all nearly spot on.I always take Wallys bed away with us as it is his"Den".If it is cold at night he kips next to us on the van floor otherwise he sleeps in the back of the station waggon.The first couple of trips he played up a bit but that was only because it was new to him.Good on you for taking him with you.........your dog I mean, not Dad.lol.Cheers.Ibbo.

I was nearly frantic for the first 24 hours with my 2. They wouldn't eat or drink. After the first day though, no problems. Now they love it when we take off. Cheers, xina.

If anyone is interested send me your email and I can email you a 3 volume dog training manual in PDF...

If a dog is barking there are a few ways to calm it down.
Don't start yelling at it as it will think you are joining in and bark more.
Try responding to the negative behavior by distracting it, one thing that I have used and works well is to get some of those zip lock sandwich bags and put some water in them, when the dog is barking hurl one near it so that it bursts and distracts the dog. Must be while the dog is doing what you don't want it to do.... if it stops call it and pat it with long slow strokes this usually acts as a "sedative" and calms the dog down.

However the 3 golden rules of Dog Friendly Van Parks are:
Clean up after the dog
Keep the dog on leash and under control at all times
Keep the dog inside at night

I'm kind of surprised the Vietnam Vet who runs the Hay Caravan Park did not take you aside and give you some quiet time....

yeah so far so good, i might pm u basil about the pdf thing...

hmmm!!! good luck getting him to read it!!!!!! at least it will keep him quiet!

dave06 wrote:

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hmmm!!! good luck getting him to read it!!!!!! at least it will keep him quiet!

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A Collie Kelpie X would have no trouble reading it but Milo may have trouble dealing with his dog when it realises what is going on.....
This of course begs another question, If a man can have a dog can a dog have a man?

 

Basil asked........................... "If a man can have a dog can a dog have a man?" I guess it all depends on the height of the dog and how far the man bends over and if he is "on guard" or not

Our dog Axel has a cat, even as I type Axel is grooming the cats ears. He doesn't eat or drink much while we are travelling, once we stop and set up he is fine, loves travelling. Of course its a bit hard to get in the nightly howling ritual we share most nights, don't know how the neighbours would take to that. He seems to accept the two different sets of rules, home and travelling quite well, and yes he has common toys and some bedding for both places.