Leaving a dog in the van whilst riding

It's a firm NO from me .

My girlfriend's cat is quite happy in my camper van. He has the run of the place, no cage, and we leave food, water and his tray for him. He mostly just sleeps.
However, cats are very different to dogs. Physically the dog will probably be fine, but I suspect bored senseless. I think the cat just likes a bit of peace and quiet and a nap

A 4 month old puppy. Are you mad?

We got ours after the puppy phase & she is super lazy when she isn’t being active anyway so yes, she gets left in the camper (and occasionally the smaller van) when we go out for a ride, apart from when it’s hot.

We were initially a little concerned about leaving her, but I hooked up a camera and ran it off the Wi-Fi, turns out she does exactly what she does at home, curls up on the sofa & sleeps 🙂

I keep thinking it seems a waste to drive somewhere nice to walk the dog, and then to drive back later to ride there.

I'm really struggling here. What?

A 4 month old puppy. Are you mad?

This.

Plus even in cooler weather a van can get v hot in the sun. I'd call the RSPCA...

Is the dog incompatible with your lifestyle of #vanlife and riding trips?

Four months does seem a bit young. However it depends entirely on the dog, some (like the one above) settle down and switch off. Others can get very anxious and upset. Ours does her nut if left alone for long in the car or camper, but friends have a similar dog (border collie) who is never happier than in a vehicle, even left alone.
I take your point about going somewhere nice with the dog, then having to drive home to leave him. Best thing would be to try and see how he is when you're not there, either ask someone to check after a while, or a camera as above.

Given guidance is to only walk a puppy 5mins for each month for the long term benefit of joints, you should generally only be doing a 20min walk with the pup. Not sure why you're driving anywhere to do that, must be local places you can use.

Is the dog incompatible with your lifestyle of #vanlife and riding trips?

A bit much?

Maybe I wasn't too clear, I was thinking of driving to the moor, walking the dog, then letting him sleep in the van whilst I cycled for an hour.
Thought it would save on fuel, and actually mean he's left for less time.
He is a puppy, so left to his own devices he will sleep hours at a time if he's been active.

Yeah temperature is definitely a thought, and I wouldn't leave him it in full sun but he's slept in it with us and been fine. P

Oh people's thoughts about the 5 mins walk per month would be really interesting. We've heard different things. The evidence seems to be weak, and the study spoke about large dogs who were at risk of joint problems.

He's a working cocker, and if he only got 20 mins a day exercise he would go mad and I actually worry he would do more harm from scrambling round the the house. So instead we do a 45 minute sniff round some woods type thing. I guess the total distance walked is pretty low.

Sounds like your puppy is an inconvenience for you.

Sounds like your puppy is an inconvenience for you.

Again, a bit much?

Of course he's an inconvenience, he's a puppy! I didn't spend 2 weeks sleeping on the kitchen floor for fun! Babies are inconvenient, but people still have them.

We love him dearly, and he has a great life, and he makes me very happy.

I'm glad there have been some sensible answers, to go with the judgemental ones.

I don't know about the 5 mins thing, but I've always understood that you shouldn't run (or by extension, bike) with a dog until c15-18 months. In my experience dogs are self-limiting when it comes to free exercise (chasing a ball, running around etc)...they get tired and they stop. If "forced" to run a long distance (cos they want to be with you), that is, I think, when problems can occur. IANAV, just my observations of mine.

A blink camera, using a cheap phone to provide the necessary wifi hotspot, would let you monitor him, and also check the temp in the van.
If you’re certain he’s gonna be ok temperature wise, my main worry would be if a passerby spots him and immediately decides they’re gonna liberate him.

Not an absolute no per se, in my opinion. But I think you’d be better waiting until he’s a bit older and more likely to be settled, not disturbed or spooked by noises outside etc.

We did it with our two on a holiday in Wales a few years ago.

They were left in the motorhome whilst we rode for a couple of hours (at Llandegla, Coed Y Brenin, Afan and Cam Carn) but that was after a good hour plus walk for them first and they were aged 10 and 4 at the time.

It’s a bigger and more insulated space too. With all the curtains/blinds closed & skylights open it wasn’t particularly warm. (It was also the end of September so fairly cool compared to mid summer )

"Sounds like your puppy is an inconvenience for you.

Again, a bit much?"

Not at all!
Your first dog?

No from me.

The 5 minute per month rule has been mostly debunked but news is taking a long time to get around. However, I really need to emphasise the proviso that you consider the dogs breeding and his genetics when it comes to you ignoring this 'rule' or not. A lot of guide dogs are having to be retired early due to elbow and hip issues DESPITE their puppy raisers religiously sticking to the 'rules', why? Because it's already in their genetics and we all know you can't dodge them, hence why my parents religious get the 'faulty genes' line when I have issues with my IBD. One entire side of the family is plagued by it so I clearly wasn't going to dodge that bullet. If like those labradors you know there are issues of it in their history then yes you should absolutely heed the warning of not doing too much too early on. I also need to emphasise how important rest is to young dogs so it's about being aware when they're overtired and stopping and forcing them to rest, whether that be a crate or time outs, whatever the method rest is vital. Also it goes without saying that you should still prevent jumping from heights, sofas, charging down stairs etc.

Before everyone jumps down my throat and tells me I'm wrong here's an article our first class breeder sent us after telling us the same as what I already knew.

[img] [/img]

Jethro is nearly 6 months now and I'll be doing similar to your question. Will be taking him away into the Lakes somewhere for a lovely walk together then when he's doing his very important resting/sleeping I plan to grab my road bike out of the back and go out for an hour before returning as he'll need double the rest vs time the walk took. My last dog lived to 10 and loved having van adventures in that same way with the nice temperature set fan on the roof. But he's been away in the van with us a couple of times now so understands that situation right from the get go, van is the extension of the house and therefore may mean that sometimes he has to chill out inside it by himself.

Maybe I wasn’t too clear, I was thinking of driving to the moor, walking the dog, then letting him sleep in the van whilst I cycled for an hour.
Thought it would save on fuel, and actually mean he’s left for less time.
He is a puppy, so left to his own devices he will sleep hours at a time if he’s been active.

This is entirely reasonable. First rule of puppy owning is not to listen to dog owners on the internet. Just do what seams sensible.

And to add it is usually these very opinionated dog owners who have dogs with severe separation anxiety as they were never left alone as puppies

I have a Karelian Bear Dog - I don't like leaving him in the car for 5minutes outside M&S food on the tiny little non existent chance that someone would be stupid enough to try and steal him or the car with him in. So just from a theft point it's an absolute no from me.
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Our cocker is 10 years old and we leave him in our camper regularly. Obviously this depends on the temp outside. My only concern with yours being a puppy would be him getting bored and eating your van.

We do put reflective blinds in place, open windows, vents, etc, in case some well meaning soul decides to liberate him. Depending on the location we also leave it unlocked too to save them smashing the windows.

As you say, its your van, you live in it so you know how warm or cold it gets in there.

Don't walk him on warm days in the UK either or his feet will set on fire.

It depends on the dog. I sometimes take one of our dogs to work when I'm nightshift (so not hot). Leave her in the car where she sleeps and walk her at my dinner break. She loves the car and jumps into it any time she can. Regularly take her with me doing errands in the car and leave her in it. Not if hot obviously. She would rather be out and about than at home. Any time I don't take her she is not happy.

To her the car means new places, walks, bothy trips. Much prefers being in the car to being left at home. Even if my wife is at home.

Not sure about a 4 month old puppy. Possibly better off at home if there are other family there than alone in a van for an hour.

And to add it is usually these very opinionated dog owners who have dogs with severe separation anxiety as they were never left alone as puppies

None of my dogs have separation anxiety. I’ve never left a 4 month old one in a vehicle just so i can ride my bike and maybe save a few pound in fuel.

I have a Karelian Bear Dog

There is no way that dog should be allowed to drive

Some dogs would be fine

Mine wouldn't be.

I'd stick a brick through a window (AND call the police) if I thought it was too hot in a vehicle for a dog.

Oh also meant to add the proviso about walking longer distances and hard surface so basically pavement walks you may want to limit as there’s little cushioning to the surface. That’s why running on the road can be harder on feet than trail running, mud is bouncy! The 5 minute rule really exists for the same people who need cautioning about hot liquids when drinking tea! It’s clearly not sensible to take a 4 month old puppy for a ten mile hike because they don’t have that energy level or stamina, but we all knew that!

None of my dogs have separation anxiety. I’ve never left a 4 month old one in a vehicle just so i can ride my bike and maybe save a few pound in fuel.

Would you leave your dog at home alone for a while to cycle?

I love dog threads. All the excessive judgement and emotive overreacting is always so entertaining.

We have a van and we have a dog. Dog gets left in van. Not normally when riding but if we are away and can’t find a dog friendly pub/restaurant she is happy to chill in the van. I just must remember to turn off the interior monitoring on the alarm! It stupidly resets every time you start the van. She is 4 and used to being left at home or in the van, it’s a safe space for her and we often find she sneaks into the garage and goes in the van for a snooze.

I think the OP could have done a better job of explaining his plans.
But I still think 2 things.. You need to be really sure that the van won't get too hot if the sun comes out (it can heat up scarily quickly); and 4 months seems too young (Tho appreciate that you'd want to be able to leave a 4 month old pup at home for an hour, so maybe I'm contradicting myself....)

I hear you but I wouldn’t.

GolfChick, thanks for the info about the walking. Interesting!

Anyway, here is him looking like he owns the moor.

I think leaving him in the van is not something I'll do yet, but I might start leaving him for minutes at a time in the van so he gets used to it. I'm sure in the future when camping there are times we'd want him to be able to settled in the van.

I'm not sure how people who don't leave thier puppy alone can cope , we're lucky that he seems happy to be on his own for an hour +.

Drive to a nice place. Walk puppy for an hour. Put back in puppy crate in a well ventilated car/van in the shade and go for another hour ride. Wouldn’t worry me at all.

I wouldn’t leave a cocker puppy loose in a car if you avoid your interior.

FWIW, I had a friend who used to leave her dog in the car when she went skiing (i.e. for a full day).
Her car was always parked in an underground car park so temperatures where "reasonable" even deep in winter.

So a typical day would start with a 5:30am start, drive to Whistler (1.5hrs), take the dog for a quick pee, go skiing, back for a quick pee/leg stretch at lunch time, ski the afternoon then drive back to Vancouver when the ski lifts shut.

She used to do this twice a week from when the dog was fairly young (I'm guessing below one year old) for most of the winter.

When not skiing, the dog was often out with us for long days mountain biking.

It's 11 or 12 years old now and has started slowing down about 3 or 4 years ago but has not had any major injuries.

(Field Lab)

(I'm not endorsing her behaviour but illustrating that it's not necessarily disastrous to do it...).

I'm now a dog owner and I'd have no hesitation in leaving mine in a van for a couple of hours, assuming it's secure and not going to overheat but mine is somewhat older. Not sure I'd do it with a young pup

A friend lives in her van with her dog, she routinely leaves it in the van for a half day. It's cool, ventilated, the dog has food and water plus it gets a good walk before it's left and when she returns.

She did monitor it for a while but the dog was so laid back that she stopped bothering. Turning the phone on to see a dog fast asleep every time got boring!

It's actually quite important that puppies get a bit of downtime and don't have someone with them 24/7. My sister has a cocker puppy who is absolutely fine in her crate for a couple of hours. If the dog wasn't in her crate she'd be running around over-exerting herself.

Would you leave your dog at home alone for a while to cycle?

At 4 months? No.

I currently have 7 month old pup. Longest he’s been on his own is about 30 minutes, in his crate with food, water and toys. Never showed separation anxiety. He now gets left for about 10 minutes or so out the crate if I pop to the shops. As he gets older I’ll leave him a little more, then he’ll be left like my other dogs if we are both working. I’ve made sure he’s had someone look after hi, either family or dog day care. The answer is get someone to look after the pup while riding or give riding up for a bit.

think leaving him in the van is not something I’ll do yet, but I might start leaving him for minutes at a time in the van so he gets used to it. I’m sure in the future when camping there are times we’d want him to be able to settled in the van.

Sounds sensible. Oscar was left in the camper van while I went for a shower or the toilet whilst I was in Cornwall. Other than that he was with me everywhere we went. Lovely looking Cocker.

Oscar absolutely loves the van and going away in it.

I'm in the middle on the van thing. I wouldn't leave my 6 month old pup in a car or van for more than a few mins, and obvs never in direct sun / hot day. But, sensible decisions on heat notwithstanding, this is mostly just on principle. I've left an adult dog in a van in the shade for an hour and felt comfortable with the idea, although not made a habit of it.

An aside on campers. I used to have an insulated white van which was a pleasure to be in in the heat - I even remember seeking refuge from the heat in it for a couple of hours with my old dog once. It was an oasis of cool. It lacked much in the way of windows though. And I've never had a proper camper - do people building campers not prioritise insulation? I think I would.

On exercise, I think it can be easy to over exercise a young dog and I'm quite wary of it. My 9yo dog was diagnosed with mild hip displasia at 18m and I worried that my exercising her contributed (she did join me on short mountain bike rides at that age and for a few years) however since she's still fit as a fiddle at nearly 10 I should perhaps re-evaluate. Not saying this is you, but I'm inclined sometimes to wonder whether some people focusing on the amount of physical exercise per day are missing a trick about how much mental stimulation the dog needs, and just tiring them out physically instead. At the mo my pup gets a lot of training and not all that much of "going for a walk". Part of her training is linked to a comfort with being left. I'm happy to leave her at home for an hour or more.

our small kokoni is a rescue. she loves the van, tends to run to it more than wanting to go for walks.

She's also a sleeper. all day long. in fact, she's sleeping now, next to me, hasn't moved since her small morning walk at 9am.

We let her in the van she gets in her bed and immediately curls up and sleeps.

We've done the webcam thing to see what she gets up to while we're away, and yes, she sleeps, for hours.

would I leave her in the van? probably, maybe, but not anytime when it's anywhere near warm as the van will get hot regardless of how many windows are open, and not for long. In the depths of winter, possibly, but I'd also have a heat mat under her as the van can get very cold, and most importantly, I'm not there to check her. I suppose you could get a remote temperature monitor for that and an alarm to your phone, but guarantee it'll go off when you're a the furthest point..

the reality is that I'd not want to ride for more than an hour, and even then, I'd probably be worried to the point of distraction by locking her in a metal box with windows.

so, yes, you could, but I'm not so sure you should

For me, I bring my wife along. she looks after the dog, dog gets a walk, she gets to photograph naturey stuff and I get out for a ride. normally finished off by coffee and cakes on my endorphin comedown with the best company, my wife and my dog.

@tabletop2

And to add it is usually these very opinionated dog owners who have dogs with severe separation anxiety as they were never left alone as puppies

is right. IMO. Also

if he only got 20 mins a day exercise he would go mad

I'm on my third boxer, as well as various other dogs over the years. She's never, ever chewed, barked, scratched etc. Not once. Dogs need exercise, she gets plenty of it.

20 minutes for a boxer puppy would be the shittest exercise ever.

Yes, I'm aware that there are other ways to tire a dog out. But the 5 minutes per month rule is a big fat hairy pair.

I’d stick a brick through a window (AND call the police) if I thought it was too hot in a vehicle for a dog.

Interested in what you would then do if it turns out you were wrong?

Maybe I wasn’t too clear, I was thinking of driving to the moor, walking the dog, then letting him sleep in the van whilst I cycled for an hour.

Sounds reasonable to me (with the caveat over how hot the weather is), I was imagining 3+ hour rides when I read your first post but there's always that risk of your van getting broken into and him being stolen or just left with a door open (if whoever broke in wasn't after the dog).

Robz

I love dog threads. All the excessive judgement and emotive overreacting is always so entertaining.

This! 😀
Why can't people make their own decisions about what to do with their pets?

Come to think of it I'm wondering if I should get a dog, maybe I'll stop complete strangers in the street and ask if it's a good idea! 😂 Where's my clipboard...

Sounds reasonable to me (with the caveat over how hot the weather is)

And me, I've done the same (with the additional caveat of knowing the our dog is happy to be left on it's own in the van)

I’d stick a brick through a window (AND call the police) if I thought it was too hot in a vehicle for a dog.

What if you hit the dog ?

I haven’t read all the responses, but I’m going for “it depends”.

I’m sure some will tell me I shouldn’t leave my dog in my camper and that I shouldn’t even own a dog.

This is a photo of him fast asleep in the back of the van whilst we were out riding in France a couple of weeks ago.

[img] [/img]

I’d be very wary of temperature in a van, especially if it’s dark colour and not lined. Obviously the camper is insulated etc, has a big fan on the roof and I can also monitor temperature, a normal van will get very hot very quickly.

And I’d start building a puppy up to the idea of it you want it to become a regular thing. Start on the drive and build up the amount of time, check that they’re not stressed out by it.

Have to admit my dog (choc lab) also loves the camper. If I’m out faffing he will come out and go for a lie down in the van. He has done a fair few overnight trips with me so might associate the van with sleep….but either way he’s comfy enough.
Regarding leaving them, I’ve left my dog loads of times. Never When it’s remotely warm though.
I’d also think about making sure you give them a proper dry if it’s wet and cold. I know my dog loves cold and wet walks, but he also like the warmth afterwards.
Smash the window and phone the police…..hmmmm. Ridiculous. Yes if it’s a sunny warm day then locking the dog up in the vehicle is cruel and idiotic, but on a standard autumn day, parked somewhere quietly, dog has toys, water, has probably just had a small treat after the walk……why on earth would you think the dog needs rescuing? My dog is probably better treated, better looked after and cared for than millions of animals around the world. Having an hours snooze in the van while I’m riding on a cold autumn day is a bonus for him.

Smash the window and phone the police

Tbh this is one of my only worries leaving him the van, that someone will try and rescue him because they know he’s in there and assume he’s about to die from heat stroke whilst I know that it’s a cool 19^C and he’s happily snoozing on my bed.

This is a photo of him fast asleep in the back of the van whilst we were out riding in France a couple of weeks ago.

You left your dog in the van while you were in France? Doing it while popping out for a ride is one thing. Leaving them while you go to France is a whole different level.

2 yr old working Cocker here. When we first got her, I spoke to our vet, other owners and trainers about how much exercise to give her and the 5 min per month thing is a pretty good guide. Other than that, she obv ran round the house and garden but never in a destructive way. Sure, she chewed the odd bit of plastic or whatever, but she was a puppy. No problem at all.

Yes, I was inwardly frustrated at taking her on short walks because I'm used to longer walks/runs. But having a puppy meant I hat to rein that it. It's not difficult. You make adjustments and all is well.

Too much exercise too early IMO and you risk damaging their joints/ligaments etc.

FTR, I would not leave a puppy or a dog in a van/car for any number of hours. End of.

My spaniel loves the car, it is like her kennel. Usual routine (I WFH) is 30min walk before 8am, home for breakfast, she then heads to the front door and scratches it until I open it and she jumps into her car bed to sleep though to lunch time. Run/ride for 45mins at lunch then usually back in the car to sleep for the rest of the afternoon. In summer I leave the boot open and she wanders between house, front garden, car and neighbours.

I leave my dog in the car a lot, many many hours a week. It is her quiet space and she wants to be there. When in the house she is alert to every movement, noise and person. In the car she has a proper kip.

Not every dog left in a car is too hot, too bored or neglected.

You left your dog in the van while you were in France? Doing it while popping out for a ride is one thing. Leaving them while you go to France is a whole different level.

Ha, yeah maybe leaving him in there for 2 weeks was a bit long.

Too much exercise too early IMO and you risk damaging their joints/ligaments etc.

Yup certainly what I’ve always been told, The 5 minute rule is about walks not the only exercise. Playing and training them will tire them out and allow them to develop. It is just a guide to help prevent over exercise, not a hard and fast rule.

For me I wouldn't because of the the security side. Would you leave your bike on display in a vehicle? I'd be gutted if the mutt was stolen.

My girlfriend’s cat is quite happy in my camper van. He has the run of the place, no cage, and we leave food, water and his tray for him. He mostly just sleeps.
However, cats are very different to dogs. Physically the dog will probably be fine, but I suspect bored senseless. I think the cat just likes a bit of peace and quiet and a nap

My mates cat lived in a neighbours locked car for two weeks one summer, until he came home to discover it. Cat was skinny but fine 🤷‍♂️

Car wasn’t nice though

My mates cat lived in a neighbours locked car for two weeks one summer, until he came home to discover it. Cat was skinny but fine 🤷‍♂️

Car wasn’t nice though

Ours went missing for a full week, until we found it in a locked garage down the end of the street. Inside a closed filing cabinet. We don't know how long he had been in there but it wasn't pleasant.

Anyway, carry on. Dogs in vans...

2 yr old working Cocker here.

There's some properly clever dogs on this forum. Mine's pretty good at chasing ball, but typing? That's next level.

Physically the dog will probably be fine, but I suspect bored senseless.

I doubt it (depending on the dog), mine sleeps for hours, especially after a decent walk, he doesn’t need constant entertaining. He’s 9 now but has anyways been like it.

Yup dogs sleep a lot, especially when alone. I’d still not leave a pup for long in a van.

Get a doggy backpack - take him with you.

I've left our dog in the car on rainy days whilst camping when we've sort refuge in a cafe. She's been for a wlak, her bed's in the boot, its warmer and more familiar to her than the tent. If she was at home in similar circumstances she'd sleep. She's better in her bed in the car than on the floor in the cae where she'll be constantly disturbed. For me as long as they're in a frame of mind where they'd usually sleep / part of their routine, and ts not too warm, then its fine

Sounds reasonable to me (with the caveat over how hot the weather is)

And me, I’ve done the same (with the additional caveat of knowing the our dog is happy to be left on it’s own in the van)

+1, if the vans insulated and the weather isn't sunny/warm I don't see a problem as long as the dog's happy which is a question you'd know better than anyone else, it's just crate training them to a very big crate.

2 yr old working Cocker here.

There’s some properly clever dogs on this forum. Mine’s pretty good at chasing ball, but typing? That’s next level.

Working line cockers are the new vegan (how do you know someone has a working line cocker ..... etc).

n.b. on a related note, don't feed working line breeds "working dog" food, they'll get fat unless they're actually being worked. They don't need any difference in diet to other dogs. It's just higher in energy and protein as for the most part dogs digestive systems can't cope with too much volume of food despite what a Labrador will try and tell you.

Also more concerned about the dog getting stolen that the wealth fare of the dog. If the dog is happy to sleep in the van for an hour just as it would at home then no problem at all.
Whether the dog was still there when I got back would be my worry and if it was stolen how would I feel about having left it it in the van...

Totally dependant on your individual situation. Ignore the hand wringers and make your own judgement based on knowing your dog, the location, the weather and your vehicle. My black lab went to work with me from the age of 8 weeks. Sometimes she could be out in a garden with me and sometimes she slept in my transit. She's 13 now and recently we spend 2 years living in a motorhome and left her for up to 5 hours in the van whilst we biked. We used a camera and temperature monitor when in Europe in the summer and she was absolutely fine.

I wouldn’t leave ours - he is working cocker of 4 months. He does get plenty of exercise and sleeps alone all night and regularly naps during the day.

Whilst he is a great addition to our family - he is very ‘chewy’… during the day.

n.b. on a related note, don’t feed working line breeds “working dog” food, they’ll get fat unless they’re actually being worked.

The main reason people buy 'working dog' food, is that it's zero rated for VAT.  Working cocker owner here, did I mention that? 😉 Ours doesn't get tax free kibble mind, the spoilt git gets posh raw food delivered. I haven't bought him a van yet though, I'm not daft.....