Dogs Riding in Fifth Wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Acorn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dogs Riding in Fifth Wheel

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is just my 2 cents worth....Do you know how terrorizing this would be on your dog if he is having trouble adjusting in your vehicle now? You need to go back in your RV and take a ride yourself. With all the bumps, creeking and noises it would scare a dog. I have 2 dogs and have done lots of pet sitting. You say he is a wonderful little guy why be mean to him in doing this? Be a responsible dog owner. You are thinking your ears wil not hear him...that is like a crying baby unattended, even for a pet. You need to deal with it in another way medicating him for 4 to 5 hrs is not good. Yes, I have ranted here for the dogs sake not the owners.
southwestjudy

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lynne & Larry,

That sounds like a tough problem.

Is riding in the truck a new experience for Brody or has he had many trips in the truck and this continues to happen. I'm assuming it's not a new experience.

I don't know if you have the room in the truck, have you tried a pet carrier with some of Brody's favorite toys inside. If Brody is used to a pet carrier or dog house, it might give him some sense of security.

Another solution I've heard of, it sounds crazy but worked for some friends, is to have a 12 volt fan that you can direct into Brody's face while travelling. I guess it simulates the open window breeze that dogs love while cruising down the road.

You know how dogs can sense when you are upset ? Is it possible one of you is also troubled while towing the 5th wheel.... I know I'm always worried about panic stops or the trailer coming unhitched or the big hill coming up or ???? Could Brody be sensing something in one of you that is causing him to be concerned ? Sorry this just popped in my head while typing....I guess I've been watching too much Dr. Phil and the Dog Whisperer.

Just thought of something else one of our friends experienced with their dog. It seems the excitement of being in the car on a trip cause their dog to need to relieve itself about 10 minutes after they started down the road. They would stop, the dog would do it's business and be fine for the rest of the trip. By the way their dog would only do it's business outside, it never had an accident in the house or trailer. So unless they would stop to allow the dog to relieve itself it would moan and pace until they stopped to let him go.

Hope you can find a solution.

-- Edited by thebearII at 10:35, 2009-03-03

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sometimes dogs, or cats for that matter, are more comfortable riding in a crate. It gives them a sense of security. Have you ever considered trying that?

Does the dog regularly ride in truck? If not, maybe you can get him used to it by taking him with you where ever you go for a while.

I have to agree with Judy here, if the dog is upset, putting it back in the trailer is not a solution for the dog, it only makes you happier.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I must caution against allowing any pet to ride in the camper, especially alone. The pet will be thrown around in the camper on curves and a possible sudden stop could seriously injure them. Remember, they may be lying on a couch or even on the floor and in a panic, or even sudden stop, the inertia will cause them to be propelled forward.

I would have to agree with trying some other options, such as suggested above. While we don't do it but about once a year, we have to medicate one of our Min Pins when we take them to the vet. Otherwise, the oldest one has serious side effects from the trip and the handling.

Good luck in your search for an answer.

Terry

Acorn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brody regularly rides with us whenever possible -- in addition to the necessary trips to the vets or for grooming. I think his clever little mind quickly figures out where he's going, and knows he won't like the vet and grooming trips. Rides to get the newspaper, or to "grama's" are a little better -- it's short distances. And on the rides home from the vet/groomers he's very quiet -- I think he knows he's going home! Being a creature of habit as dogs are -- I think he's got it all figured out.

I've considered crating him Fred -- used to do that when he was younger, and may try it again. Course now he sleeps with Mom and Dad at home, not in his crate, so that would take some getting use to as well. In all cases we insist he stay in the back seat on (or near!) his bed that we take along, as we certainly realize the dangers of him being thrown into the windshield, etc.

Thebear -- I like the fan and stopping to piddle ideas. I think we'll try them as well. Terry, your points are well taken -- even in a crate in the camper he would be tossed around. Not good.

We're still waiting for the house to sell and begin fulltiming (or snowbirding)..... so we're just trying to plan for all the issues that may arise. And Judy, we totally agree with your assessment of Brody traveling in the RV -- thanks for pointing out some of the obvious things to us. We certainly will be "responsible pet owners" in this aspect -- he IS more like a child to us than anything else.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

Lynne

LeslieW · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, I hate to disagree. Our results are FAR different than I ever would have expected. We have two cats. They really are our children and I would do anything for them. When we have forced them to travel in the truck (or even a Lexus SUV) they cry and scream each and every mile. I've done it cross country several times. I've tried putting them in a case in the back seat, both together and separately - still they scream. Eventually I decided that they were SO unhappy we had to try someting else. I would ride in the 5er with them if need be (that is legal some places).

First I tried locking the cats in the bedroom. I placed their cases on the bed (open). I closed and blocked the door between the upper level and the living room. We drove a small distance and I would open the door and see how they were doing. Every time I checked, they were sleeping in their cases. Over time and many miles, we extended their travel time before we stop to check on them. Usually we drive less than 4 hours per day. Eventually we noticed that if we stopped at 2 or 3 hours, the cats were annoyed -- it was still nap time. I still sneak in the 5er to check on the cats every 2 hours but usually they are sleeping. The male will get up and check out what I'm up to but the female just sleeps in either her case (open) or her bed (also riding on our bed).

I never would have thought that they would be happier riding in the 5er but many miles of testing have shown me that they really are happier there. When we stop for the night, I ALWAYS have both cats in direct vision before I open any slides. (Sometimes I put both cats in the toilet room so that I can open the slides.) No one except ME EVER opens any slides. (If you've spent any time around electricians, professional electricians clip an ID card with picture to the cut-off switch when they cut off power to do repairs-- no one except that person may ever turn the power back on.)

Over time we have determined that locking the cats in the bedroom doesn't really make any difference. We no longer lock the upper level door. Although they could roam the 5er, every time I go back to check on them they are in their cases that are on our bed. I think that the sound of the turbo diesel was especially painful to their ears. They seem to like riding in the 5er.

I never would have thought that this would be the best solution -- but for these cats -it most certainly is.

Also -- if we are traveling in an area where the temperature might get too high, I set both Fantastic fans to come on at 70 degrees. I also stop once per hour to check the temperature. If the weather is potentially too cold, the cats are stuck traveling with us in the truck. Lastly, even if we are in an RV Park with a/c running, I always leave the 12 volt Fantastic fans set to come on if the temperature rises above 70 degrees. I'm always afraid of the possiblility of the power going off in the park and the cats suffering.

-- Edited by LeslieW at 23:13, 2009-03-03

-- Edited by LeslieW at 23:17, 2009-03-03

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with most of the other posters that a pet should never be allowed to ride loose in a trailer. Pets placed in any vehicle should be restrained for their safety. When we get into a vehicle, we put our seatbelt on, and a pet should be no different.
If you're going to get your dog used to a crate again, and the dog is hesitant about it, make it fun to be in the crate. Toss the dog's most favorite, most yummy treat into the crate, have him eat it in there & let him out immediately. Gradually increase the time he's in the crate. Or if he has a really favorite toy, put that in the crate.
When you're traveling, the crate also needs to be seatbelted in, so the entire crate & dog don't go flying in case of an accident or sudden stop.