Preparing for puppy

[Explorer]

Our family of three will become four with the arrival of our new collie puppy in a few weeks time - would love to know your top tips for making ours and puppy’s Cali time a happy time .

 

[willwander]

Towels, lots of towels ha

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Waterproof seat covers, crash tested & airbag compliant:
(https://www.inkacorp.com/products/v...SEAI9m-tasxsK9ykSDTZhHwHd3oopexxoCVr0QAvD_BwE)

Crash tested car restraint
(https://www.ezydog.co.uk/drive-car-harness)

towels, or drying bag!:
(https://henrywag.com/product/henry-wag-microfibre-dog-drying-bag/)

Sturdy food bowl:

YETI Dog Bowls

Dishwasher safe and scoot-resistant, trust these dog bowls the next time you're serving up a well-deserved dose of fresh water, kibble, and prime cuts.

uk.yeti.com

 

[Vagophile]

A pack of these is very useful, especially when travelling.

 

[Amarillo]

Our new van arrived at about the same time that Meg’s six border collie puppies turned one. All had been sold (to pay for the LED lights upgrade) except Jess, who we kept for a further six months.

We have an enduring reminder of her in Amarillo: a chewed handbrake lever. Every time Amarillo is serviced the garage highlights the chewed plastic offering to replace the half eaten delicacy for £ridiculous. “No” says I. “It’s the only memory we have remaining of Jess”. We gave her away to my cousin shortly after her act of wanton vandalism.

 

[andyinluton]

We chucked our puppy outside with our youngest for the first week of the school holidays, by end of day one she would sit, stay, lay down & come to order. Do that from the start & it makes life so much easier when they get bigger.
We always caged her if left alone until she had gone through the teething stage.
In the van she sits on the back seat in a harness. In the car she goes in the boot which has a dog guard & partition.
Just start as you mean to go on, they learn easily when young.

 

[66tim99]

Crash tested car restraint
(https://www.ezydog.co.uk/drive-car-harness)

These are a great partner to the harness
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W3WHPX1/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[andyinluton]

These are a great partner to the harness
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W3WHPX1/?tag=eliteelect-21

I like the harness but wouldn't ever pair it with that leash whilst driving. Its ok for a tether whilst parked.

Anything elastic is asking for trouble in the event of an accident, it just means your dog will come flying backwards after it has flown an unknown distance forward.
An inertia seatbelt fitted through the loop of a harness should give plenty of room for a dog to move without that risk.

 

[Hawthorn37]

I like the harness but wouldn't ever pair it with that leash whilst driving. Its ok for a tether whilst parked.

Anything elastic is asking for trouble in the event of an accident, it just means your dog will come flying backwards after it has flown an unknown distance forward.
An inertia seatbelt fitted through the loop of a harness should give plenty of room for a dog to move without that risk.

We haven’t a dog but sometimes look after our sons. On a trip this year we asked another Cali owner what they used for their dogs, and they showed us the same device. It looks good and we are buying one for our next dog sitting.

 

[willwander]

Just start as you mean to go on, they learn easily when young.

Especially bad habits, which can take a lifetime to un-learn

 

[The Merle]

Our family of three will become four with the arrival of our new collie puppy in a few weeks time - would love to know your top tips for making ours and puppy’s Cali time a happy time .

Crate train best thing I ever done with Zebedee.

 

[willwander]

“Wait” is a great command to teach, our dogs are trained to not leave the van until they get the ok, even if the doors are open, stops them dashing out into the road etc.

Although you have a head start with a collie dog, I’m sure he/she will have you fully trained within a couple of days.

 

[pjm-84]

Ted was a chewer so we took a travel crate until he could be trusted. Did the handbrake and the rear boot cover in an X5

 

[BeeBee]

Waterproof seat covers ( forum shop)
Anchor point on floor rail ( to attach lead to when parked up and door open) (forum shop)
Spiral spike/tie down ( useful at sites, allows some controlled freedom) (Halfords or Amazon)
Non spill travel water bowl (Amazon)
Harness for attachment to seat belt ( we use Ruffwear Front Range (safety tested)

And most important ….. lots of patience !

 

[66tim99]

after it has flown an unknown distance forward.

It’s a known distance - very short. The elastic really just allows some ‘give’, similar I’d say to an inertia belt before it bites.
It’s designed for the job and works well. I also use it to clip the lead to when we’re parked up.
Recommended

 

[Baldrick]

We got our dog used to the van by having dinner in there with her every few days and feeding her in there after us.

We have a waterproof back seat cover and a rubber backed fleece throw. A headrest harness clip after she whimpered on a journey and we found she’d knotted herself almost to suicide on a seatbelt clip attachment. No further issues as it’s above the dog despite being occasionally restless.

Have found that the screw in grass attachment points are almost impossible to plant during a dry summer. A pair of good tent pegs (we got some Blue Diamond ones though I’m sure there are many similar) at opposing angles are perfect.

Also have a massive Kevlar climbing sling (perhaps 4m) looped round the drivers seatbelt anchor point which gives just the right amount of pitched freedom.

Happy new dog !

 

[CaliCrazy]

We
Took our boxer pup out in the van from day 1. Camped as soon as she had her vaccinations. Put a pop up soft crate on the back seat as soon as we arrived and she just assumed that as her safe place. Zipped her up at night once she was zonked and woke her nice and early for toileting and cuddles.

 

[vwcaliforniacornwall]

I got this for our (small) Border Collie - See Amazon link. It’s basically a padded box that has straps to loop around the seat back and headrest and a tube that slots between the seat cushion and backrest. There there’s a strap to hook onto your dogs harness. If sits securely on either a front seat or the rear bench which is where `I have it when travelling.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08Y983TMJ/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[Londonsltgapper]

Our family of three will become four with the arrival of our new collie puppy in a few weeks time - would love to know your top tips for making ours and puppy’s Cali time a happy time .

We use
https://www.innerwolf.co.uk/maelson...2BlHTK2AlMmTyA3RPGOka6A1ltZ5s4wEaAmDFEALw_wcB
at night . Seat covers and dry dog bag. Non tip water bowl

https://www.amazon.co.uk/your-orders/pop/?tag=eliteelect-21

And kurgo harness on the road.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009CE8106/?tag=eliteelect-21
Oh and a windbreak in summer and tether to prevent exploring everyone else’s pitch.