New Member, please be kind! Travelling with reactive dog, any advice?

[morrma]

Have just bought a Cali for trips away on my own, with my husband and maybe sometimes with our reactive dog. I think we are probably deluded to think we can have a calm, relaxed break with a dog-reactive dog but we can’t go through life missing out! Have thought of some things that might help including a wind break situated so she doesn’t see other dogs (she loves humans) but wondered if anyone had any experience or advice?

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

We had an old English sheep dog like that. Specialised traing in adulthood, which is supposed to be too late, actually helped. Also ,can't remember what brand but a chill pill really helped. I hasten to add it was not a sedative. The thing is dogs use their noses. Not sure a wind break would work unless your dog can accept that that's THEIR patch. You could try talking to the campsite and ask for a pitch away from other dogs. BTW that chill pill worked when our OES shared kennels on the ferry to Santander. She was a lovely dog. Loved people. Also if you are in with the other dog pitches on the site just walk around and explain the situation. I did and it, owners were sympathetic and just relieved their dog wasn't like that. Good luck and enjoy life.

 

[PopsEllsDaisMollMegs]

We have a working cocker spaniel that loves people, other dogs and just generally wants to explore whenever she gets the chance - she's so excitable!
We've found that a windbreak really helps with guiding her to settle into 'our space' and generally seems to stop the previously irresistible distractions from outside.
We're going to get a couple of new windbreaks with upper see through panels, so that we still have a view and don't feel closed in when they're up.
Hope this helps - enjoy.

 

[BeeBee]

We have a rescue boy who can be iffy with dogs he doesn’t know. We use a dog stake out spike to ensure he can’t leave our pitch area. We don’t use the associated length of lead ( as it’s too long) instead just use his Halti training lead which gives enough to play around.

 

[66tim99]

Following with interest as we have a mixed breed who like to defend ‘our’ territory.

 

[LastOrders]

We had an old English sheep dog like that. Specialised traing in adulthood, which is supposed to be too late, actually helped. Also ,can't remember what brand but a chill pill really helped. I hasten to add it was not a sedative.

Interested in hearing about any ones experience of the "chill pill "

Our pooch is fine when we get there its the travel he doesn't seem to like constant panting seems like stress but also stresses us out sounds like a runaway train right behind me.

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

P

Interested in hearing about any ones experience of the

We ended up buying, so called dog calming food. Using dog calming tablets, Its a long time ago since our OES passed away so the memory is a bit foggy. We would also make sure she had a long walk beforehand to try and tire he out. I was never sure if the fact it made us more relaxed as owners, thinking all this would work, in turn made her more chilled out. It is a bit of a vicious circle when you have a dog like that. You get stressed about her potential behaviour, she senses your anxiety and goes into high alert. It definitely did help in our case. Bless her !

 

[P600BOO]

Sorry but if your dog is going to cause a nuisance to other people on site then you should not go.
Nothing worse that dogs barking all day when you go away for a restful few days.

 

[DMC]

Interested in hearing about any ones experience of the "chill pill "

Our pooch is fine when we get there its the travel he doesn't seem to like constant panting seems like stress but also stresses us out sounds like a runaway train right behind me.

View attachment 127857

Out of interest, where does your dog travel when he is in the van? We found that our dog used to pant like crazy when travelling on the bench seat. We put a bed on the floor and anchored him in at the back of the drivers seat and he now just settles down. He doesn’t sleep but he is settled.

 

[LastOrders]

Out of interest, where does your dog travel when he is in the van? We found that our dog used to pant like crazy when travelling on the bench seat. We put a bed on the floor and anchored him in at the back of the drivers seat and he now just settles down. He doesn’t sleep but he is settled.

Yeh thanks for that I wanted to try that with him on the floor as he's been on the seat but the other half said no
next trip next weekend I'm going to try that

OP sorry to hijack a little , a windbreak is good idea think I need one to

 

[BeagleMum]

Sorry but if your dog is going to cause a nuisance to other people on site then you should not go.
Nothing worse that dogs barking all day when you go away for a restful few days.

We’ve had more disruption from children being a nuisance on site than we’ve ever had from dogs. Nothing worse than children running around screaming & generally being a nuisance, with parents who are simply unwilling or unable to stop them being disruptive & making no effort to control them.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

We’ve had more disruption from children being a nuisance on site than we’ve ever had from dogs. Nothing worse than children running around screaming & generally being a nuisance, with parents who are simply unwilling or unable to stop them being disruptive & making no effort to control them.

My view is that both children and dogs are more than capable of ruining the peace, in almost any holiday environment, (skiing being a notable exception), if the parents / owners don't instil discipline.

There seems to be a growing lack of discipline and responsibility taken by some feckless parents / dog owners to control their charges in wider society of late. I have observed some parents seeming to think that as long as their child / pet is on their 'pitch' they can be as noisy as they wish and they do nothing to address the awful volume levels, even though this is clearly affecting the peace and enjoyment of other campers.

 

[Loz2286]

Interested in hearing about any ones experience of the "chill pill "

Our pooch is fine when we get there its the travel he doesn't seem to like constant panting seems like stress but also stresses us out sounds like a runaway train right behind me.

View attachment 127857

Fortana Red with Sports Pack. Nice! But I'm very biased.

Our two Schnauzers used to get a bit stressed while travelling but are now settled since they travel in a crate, with a comfy mattress and a few of their toys.

On site they're fine so long as they do not have direct line of sight of other dogs. Judicious placement of the van and some side panels on the roll-out awning usually sorts of the territorial instinct.

We'd never be able to trust our two that close to a BBQ.

 

[LastOrders]

Fortana Red with Sports Pack. Nice! But I'm very biased.


We'd never be able to trust our two that close to a BBQ.

TA- happy with the choice does look good think theres a few on here need to get a intro post up with more pics

Believe me I was guarding them like a guard dog!
Well behaved little ones (including the 2 legged versions) can sometimes be easy to bribe when foods on the go

 

[WelshGas]

We’ve had more disruption from children being a nuisance on site than we’ve ever had from dogs. Nothing worse than children running around screaming & generally being a nuisance, with parents who are simply unwilling or unable to stop them being disruptive & making no effort to control them.

That's why there are Adults Only campsites and No Dogs allowed campsites to cater for all.

 

[P600BOO]

We’ve had more disruption from children being a nuisance on site than we’ve ever had from dogs. Nothing worse than children running around screaming & generally being a nuisance, with parents who are simply unwilling or unable to stop them being disruptive & making no effort to control them.

Well you must be a dog owner that has become deaf to their barking and yapping.
The poster said she had a reactive dog, that is a dog that barks at other dogs when it see them. The amount of dogs on Caravan site she is asking for problems and others peace and quiet is going to be disturbed.

 

[morrma]

We had an old English sheep dog like that. Specialised traing in adulthood, which is supposed to be too late, actually helped. Also ,can't remember what brand but a chill pill really helped. I hasten to add it was not a sedative. The thing is dogs use their noses. Not sure a wind break would work unless your dog can accept that that's THEIR patch. You could try talking to the campsite and ask for a pitch away from other dogs. BTW that chill pill worked when our OES shared kennels on the ferry to Santander. She was a lovely dog. Loved people. Also if you are in with the other dog pitches on the site just walk around and explain the situation. I did and it, owners were sympathetic and just relieved their dog wasn't like that. Good luck and enjoy life.

 

[morrma]

Thank you for your helpful reply. We have never had a campervan before so the whole thing is new to us! I have had a couple of signs made to put on the van to say that she’s a rescue, could react etc but you are right, it would help to have a quick chat with our neighbours too. We are using a product called nutricalm but as yet I’m not sure how effective it is. I was the same with my children, when a toddler was kicking off I was just relieved it wasn’t mine!! Thanks again

 

[BeagleMum]

Well you must be a dog owner that has become deaf to their barking and yapping.
The poster said she had a reactive dog, that is a dog that barks at other dogs when it see them. The amount of dogs on Caravan site she is asking for problems and others peace and quiet is going to be disturbed.

I am well aware of what a ‘reactive’ dog is and it isn’t necessarily one that barks, there can be other issues a reactive dog can have.
Generally these dogs have been badly abused by disgusting humans & when taken in by a new caring home as a rescue they need time to overcome their stress & fear.
You are coming across as lacking in tolerance & good will to others, not a nice trait.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

P

We ended up buying, so called dog calming food. Using dog calming tablets, Its a long time ago since our OES passed away so the memory is a bit foggy. We would also make sure she had a long walk beforehand to try and tire he out. I was never sure if the fact it made us more relaxed as owners, thinking all this would work, in turn made her more chilled out. It is a bit of a vicious circle when you have a dog like that. You get stressed about her potential behaviour, she senses your anxiety and goes into high alert. It definitely did help in our case. Bless her !

View attachment 127894

I think this post is bang on. Its the human/dog interaction that is key. Dogs are very good at 'reading the room'. If the owner is stressed or worried they go on high alert. But as we all know it impossible to tell yourself to 'stop being stressed'!.

I did learn one trick when we had to look after a nervous and reactive dog. It was a key word. Its not the word itself its the fact that it put me in the right frame of mind. I am sure the dog didn't care a jot about what I was saying - it was the mood I managed to create with it. So in my case it was "Enough" said firmly but calmly - and with meaning.

So as @CaliforniaSeb says if feeding calming food (or eating it yourself!) gives you conviction, do it because its as much about how you are feeling as about any inherent characteristic of the dog.

The other issue is of course the human/human interaction that can stress you out (which the dog also reads as threat). So being worried that your dog is going to annoy others is always an issue. I think if you target dog friendly sites (read some reviews and look at how much they offer in terms of facilities -- rather than just dogs tolerated) you can be more relaxed. Most if not all dog owners will have experienced some issues with their own dogs and just accept it as going with the territory.

We have found with our two (not reactive) dogs that they love going away in the camper. With luck you will find the same. So don't think yourself deluded that you can have a relaxed break. You may well be pleasantly surprised. In any case good luck!

 

[larrylamb]

Have just bought a Cali for trips away on my own, with my husband and maybe sometimes with our reactive dog. I think we are probably deluded to think we can have a calm, relaxed break with a dog-reactive dog but we can’t go through life missing out! Have thought of some things that might help including a wind break situated so she doesn’t see other dogs (she loves humans) but wondered if anyone had any experience or advice?

Welcome to the forum. Finding a routine that works for you is essential with a small campervan, even more so with a reactive dog. Our cockapoo can be reactive in many ways as @BeagleMum mentioned. Familiarisation, reinforcing training, treats etc. can help get results. My advice would be to start with days out in the Cali with your dog so she gets accustomed to the new environment then try an overnighter somewhere quiet or even on the driveway at home. Good luck, you will have some great times.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

I find that dogs, and children, eventually get tired and go to sleep. Pensioners on the other hand go on and on and on forever. I’ll get my coat

 

[willwander]

Gradually introduce your dog to the van. Short drives, day trips, just sit or sleep on the drive etc, Don’t force anything, or push too far too soon, try associate the van as a happy, relaxed and safe space. Use the window blinds, I would also try a windbreak and crate training.

When you sit in a van with a dog barking it sounds deafening, when you are 30 foot away in another van, it’s really not that bad. You know your dog and why it barks, so try not to worry what other people think, it’s not a reflection on you.

Then just enjoy your trip as normal, accept the dog might bark a bit, if it does, don’t worry about it.

If you are going to worry about the dog barking or upsetting other campers the dog will pick up on your anxiety and you are setting yourself up to fail.

We go to dog agility shows, there are often hundreds of dogs camping together in a field, it’s very rare to hear any of them bark, especially during the night.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

You are coming across as lacking in tolerance & good will to others, not a nice trait.

That comment was totally uncalled for!

 

[WelshGas]

I am well aware of what a ‘reactive’ dog is and it isn’t necessarily one that barks, there can be other issues a reactive dog can have.
Generally these dogs have been badly abused by disgusting humans & when taken in by a new caring home as a rescue they need time to overcome their stress & fear.
You are coming across as lacking in tolerance & good will to others, not a nice trait.

I refer to your previous comment in Post 11.
You expect others to be tolerant of your canine family when on holiday but you are not tolerant of their children playing games and making noise when they are on holiday.
As I said previously pick Adult only campsites then you won't have to tolerate any children.
Those children might have been abused or bullied or just revelling in being on holiday . I presume you were a child once?