Mike Harding wrote:

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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

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 The restrictions on a lone traveller are even more severe, because of leaving animals alone in vehicles.

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I know well that the internal temperature of a parked car in sun can reach something like 60C in 10 minutes or so on a 30C+ day but I had assumed a caravan would have a much longer time constant because of its significantly greater volume - am I correct?

I hadn't thought this one through (hence this thread) but I kind of assumed one could leave a dog in a caravan for, say, 30 minutes on such a day?

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 Mike Harding,

if you are contemplating leaving a dog or any animal in a locked caravan for any length of time then do the animal a favour and dont take them with you.

Mike Harding wrote:

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Dickodownunder wrote:

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 Mike Harding,

if you are contemplating leaving a dog or any animal in a locked caravan for any length of time then do the animal a favour and dont take them with you.

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Oh dear.

No, I'm not thinking of leaving a dog in a locked caravan for "any length of time".

But, I assume, they would be fine whilst one fills up with petrol? Or stops to look at a noticeboard? Or go to toilet?

I'm simply trying to get an idea of the time it takes a caravan to heat up. Is it one second? Five seconds? Two minutes? Five minutes? Four days?

Don't jump down my throat mate.

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Mike ,sometimes i have left my cattle dog in the M/H for about 30 min with a few windows open and plenty of water.

Every situation is different , the times that she has been left , it has been reasonably cool .

My rule of thumb is ---- if i can reasonably stand the heat then she can also.

Just remember every situation IS different............. I shall now wait for the bombs to fly..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike's question is perfectly reasonable, I don't believe he asked about leaving it locked in a vehicle.

The best way to manage it is the same as you would for a human. If you need to stop on a hot day, park the van in the shade if possible, open plenty of windows, flick on your 12v fans if you have them (fit them if not), put water down. We probably wouldn't leave our girl longer than 15 mins or so in those conditions without checking on her, and likely not at all if over 30c ambient, even though the van may be comfortable enough inside. It doesn't heat up as quickly as the more confined space in the car. For longer stops (shopping etc), in hot weather do it early am or after sundown when your buddy can be left a little longer.

The whole thing is less of an issue for us as we're not heat freaks, we plan trips (locations/seasons) to get more comfortable temps and as little humidity as possible (having lived in Europe, 20-25c is perfection!). Entirely doable if you know where to go and how to avoid even Vic's 35-40c summer temps. North in mid winter only, if at all. If it was easier to get a van across the creek, we'd spend more summer time in Tassie.

We are travellng with two small dogs..... and use common sense (as you seem to have).... no trouble leaving them for short periods in reasonable temperatures as people have stated. You get good at finding shady spots etc. Have found lots of eating places have outside spots where the dog can join you.... lots of parks allow them outside of peak period. Best to keep their diet exactly consistent with home, regulary wee/poo times etc.

One does just have to accept no national parks.... and maybe the odd time you might need to spend $25 a day to kennel them if you want to do something that precludes them (most country vets will do this for a fee) . Travelling in cooler regions makes things easier of course.... generally.... if alone I'd rather a dog companion than most people!

-- Edited by Noelpolar on Tuesday 29th of May 2018 10:21:40 AM

-- Edited by Noelpolar on Tuesday 29th of May 2018 10:22:51 AM

-- Edited by Noelpolar on Tuesday 29th of May 2018 10:26:57 AM

Mike Harding wrote:

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Dickodownunder:
Will you please stop twisting and distorting what I say in order that
you can score a cheap debating point by knocking down an argument I
didn't make but which you now attribute to me.

Blues Man:
Thank you for your sensible answer.

Tony:
Again, thanks for a sensible answer.

Those are the sorts of times I was expecting. As Tony says, it very
much depends upon the weather conditions and the initial temperature
of the van.

Like Tony, I'm not a heat follower and expect to be spending most of
my time in Victoria where, in the winter in much of the state, the
issue is not overheating but keeping warm enough :)

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Mike, I try not to respond to posts that are designed to get a rise out of you, nothing takes the wind out of their sails faster than to spend time composing a post only to have it completely ignored, they get the message pretty quick.

(Noelpolar)
>generally.... if alone I'd rather a dog companion than most people!

Ain't that the truth! :)

Thank you for a helpful first post and welcome to the forum.


(Santa)
>Mike, I try not to respond to posts that are designed to get a rise out of you,

You are quite correct, of course. Tolerance and patience; just two of
the many positive character traits I have failed to properly learn in
this lifetime... maybe next time around?

Mike Harding, I think the mutt will be worth it. Enjoy life out their together........Kisha.

You get a dog....you make a commitment.
The dog is part of the family...it goes where you go.
It will offer you unconditional loyalty and love and deserves the same in return.
If you can't accept that don't get a dog.

There are many options to be flexible owning a dog and travelling. Shopping early or late is one. Supermarkets are open late now when its cool.

I think you'll get a dog Mike. Nothing better around a camp fire with an ale and doggy on your lap...

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Wednesday 30th of May 2018 12:30:54 PM

Or a miniature foxy  - cheap ,durable ,maintainance free and an alert and  intelligent mate. (small ,short haired, no wrinkles , tough)

KB

Mike Harding wrote:

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Hylife wrote:

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Not sure why you bothered to ask the question, when you pointed it so.

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Predominantly to discourage responses such as yours.

With 20 thoughtful and helpful replies and one not so it seems to
have worked.

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But you only got the biased replies that you WANTED to see, not the ones that you NEEDED to see.

It is like asking steak lovers if red meat is good for you. Of course everyone will say yes.

If you only seek answers from dog lovers who take their animals on holidays, then of course everyone will tell you to take your dog on holidays, but that is NOT a balanced viewpoint.

Mike Harding wrote:

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Eaglemax:
>I think you'll get a dog Mike.

Yep, I think I will too :) I don't want to spend the rest of my life
without one.

Your little chap's a beaut, how old is he?

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Santa:
>A Cavoodle would probably be a good choice

I think so; the intelligence of the poodle combined with the
wonderful loving and fun nature of the Cavalier King Charles could be
a good combination and the lack of shedding or need for excessive
grooming will be good too.

We had a Cav. as a family dog for some years, she ended up with me
after the divorce and it broke my heart when I had her put to sleep,
just old age.

>Let's know what you finally do

I shall.

It'll be a few months before I get rid of most possessions and sell
the house and take to the road. This, obviously, will be a massive
change for me and will take some time to acclimatise to so I won't
get a dog until I have been nomad for at least six months and have
found some kind of stability but I am looking forward to it :)

Many thanks to all who have responded to this thread your replies
have indicated to me that it's only National Parks which are a real
issue and on those occasions when a NP is a must there are ways
around it.

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KJB:
>Or a miniature foxy

Thanks for that suggestion, I'll take a look

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Good grief i hope that poor little dog isn't locked up in that car.

Yeah Santa ,you won me .