Doc Holliday Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 My collie x staff has always been a tad stressed whenever she's been out in the van but recently she's been getting stressed a lot quicker. Even at the weekend just sitting in the van without the engine running she started panting hard and not settling down, which is what she generally does after some distance. She often looks directly at me whilst panting as if looking for assurance but I have to admit I'm reluctant to give it as I don't want to bolster this behaviour in her. As I said, it's been happening sooner over the last few months and I can't for the life of me point to anything definate. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 My collie x staff has always been a tad stressed whenever she's been out in the van but recently she's been getting stressed a lot quicker. Even at the weekend just sitting in the van without the engine running she started panting hard and not settling down, which is what she generally does after some distance. She often looks directly at me whilst panting as if looking for assurance but I have to admit I'm reluctant to give it as I don't want to bolster this behaviour in her. As I said, it's been happening sooner over the last few months and I can't for the life of me point to anything definate. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Doc. Where abouts in the van is she in the back front in a cage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Could she be to hot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 Sounds like bad experiance, is the cage sliding about? Has something fallen on it? Go back to engine off conditioning. BTW my GWP loves the car but hates exhaust fumes, i trust the doors were all shut when you ran the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted September 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 She's not too hot as she starts panting straight away now. She pants whether up front in cab or in the back. I don't keep her in a cage if I put her in the back, just make her up a bed out of some dust sheets and her blanket over them. Nothing realy slides about as I keep everything in place so it doesn't (it would annoy the hell out of me with everything sliding everywhere). The only thing that does make a noise is the racking. It rattles and squeaks a bit but nothing too drastic unless I catch a sunken manhole or pot hole. I've tried recently just sitting in the cab with her with the engine and everything off but it seems she anticipates that she's going to be going somewhere (if dogs can anticipate). Trouble is I don't want to give her treats when she acts in this way as, to my mind, it's telling her that it's a good thing to act like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 She's not too hot as she starts panting straight away now. She pants whether up front in cab or in the back. I don't keep her in a cage if I put her in the back, just make her up a bed out of some dust sheets and her blanket over them. Nothing realy slides about as I keep everything in place so it doesn't (it would annoy the hell out of me with everything sliding everywhere). The only thing that does make a noise is the racking. It rattles and squeaks a bit but nothing too drastic unless I catch a sunken manhole or pot hole. I've tried recently just sitting in the cab with her with the engine and everything off but it seems she anticipates that she's going to be going somewhere (if dogs can anticipate). Trouble is I don't want to give her treats when she acts in this way as, to my mind, it's telling her that it's a good thing to act like this. Bingo, you ever tried walking in a moving van without a view outside. Put it in a box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 You could try some Rescue remedy, the homeopathic medicine stuff. Its supposed to calm dogs and cats down a bit. My wife used to put it on her cat's paws before taking it in the car as it got stressed out. You might want to google it first. I'm pretty sure we tried it on my dog but its worth checking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Bingo, you ever tried walking in a moving van without a view outside. Put it in a box I don't quite follow. I started putting her in the back as she was getting too stressed in the front plus she wouldn't settle properly in the front (up and down and staring at me wilst panting). She would sit up on the bench seat with Mrs H so she had a clear view out of the window. Putting her in the back allowed her to lay down properly on a makeshift bed so she was reasonably comfy, and it didn't slide around or move in anyway. With tools & boxes around her she wouldn't have got up to move around. Essentially it would have been like being in a cage but without the cage. I have thought about the calming stuff for dogs but am sceptical as to how effective it is. I would like to try and get her over this but am unclear as to the best and most effective way to do so. Maybe persisting with just geting her to sit in the van without going anywhere is the best route for now, unless anyone can suggest and method they have heard of or tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 All it takes is for the dog to stand up and fall over as you turn a corner and it can get spooked. Dogs don't think, oh i wont stand up and try and move coz there is tools and stuff all over. You might even have stopped at the lights, dog thinks time to get out and you set off- it falls over. I am not sure about the backs of vans but dogs have to be restained inside veichles by law now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted September 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 All it takes is for the dog to stand up and fall over as you turn a corner and it can get spooked. Dogs don't think, oh i wont stand up and try and move coz there is tools and stuff all over. You might even have stopped at the lights, dog thinks time to get out and you set off- it falls over. I am not sure about the backs of vans but dogs have to be restained inside veichles by law now I think you've hit upon it. Thanks for that Kent. I recall now that on pretty much every occasion when she has been in the front she has been standing or moving about when pulling away or even having to brake suddenish causing her to lurch or fall over. The thing is how will a crate or cage stop her from standing up any more than without one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 17, 2011 Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 I think you've hit upon it. Thanks for that Kent. I recall now that on pretty much every occasion when she has been in the front she has been standing or moving about when pulling away or even having to brake suddenish causing her to lurch or fall over. The thing is how will a crate or cage stop her from standing up any more than without one? Many say your dog shouldnt be able to fully stand in one, just enough room to make itself comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark47 Posted September 17, 2011 Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 Hi get yourself a crate for the van with the dogs own bedding this make them feel more secure and have they own space in the van and if you have to brake it stops them from going over plus the weather is still very warm for dogs in vehicles my own dogs pant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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