[g.brookes]

Evening chaps, calling on the advice on those who have a dog in the van.
 I got a dog last week from an animal sanctuary with the aim of her coming in the van with me.  Has anyone got any tips for me?  At the moment she hates being left alone, so im currently training her at leaving her alone in the van.  She currently barks all the time and dont know if anyones got advice in getting her more relaxed?

[richard jagger]

She sounds like a teenager.

[Halfadaylee]

She sounds like a teenager.

I'm sure he could take the dog back, Ive nowhere to take my teenagers 

[Nameless Drudge]

I read somewhere that electric shocks and punching them can have the desired effect.

[mikeyfaerosyth]

start off in your house giving her a treat when you leave room and she doesnt bark,then do same in van,might work.

[Mike #1]

I read somewhere that electric shocks and punching them can have the desired effect.

Fuc*ing idiot

[Mike #1]

It will take time mate but while you are with your dog at home spend as much time with her as you can get her up on couch and let her sit with YOU as much as possible .

Basically she is lacking confidence and attention seeking so needs that reassurance just do as much as you can  walking and playing just to get the confidence in her it might take months we have always had rescue dogs and it takes time .

If you leave her at home at any time put radio on local radio with loads of talking on although classic fm used to chill our last dog right out . Mike

[landy2]

hello mr brookes i often see you cleaning the hairdressers next to royal bank of scotland in stockport , allways in a rush will let on next time , have you seen the window cleaner in there who has his window pockets nearly touching the floor when he walks.

[Nameless Drudge]

You can try this at your house,leave the dog in the van and then completely ignore the barking,when the dog desists from barking then open the van and give it a treat,patience required obviously.Try not to reappear whilst the dog is still barking and unfortunately thats what is probably happening when you bring him out with you now,this will only re-inforce in the dogs head that its barking got a result.It needs a result(the treat)when it stops barking.

[g.brookes]

cheers for the advice chaps.
 i know its probably best to leave her their until she stops barking.  im just worried im gonna be hiding behind the van for hours until she stops and she could hurt herself.  i have to take her with me on monday to clean my shops and im worried im gonna have to come back after every shop cleaned, or just leave her there and come back when i come back.  just worried the latter option will stress her out too much

landy i know the guy you mean, he does some of the shops by the air raid.  thats not you is it?

any more advice about dogs in vans would be great.  currently she always wants to be in the same room as me at home as well, need to teach her independence

[simonr]

training with treats is the way but it can take ages,best advice i can give is get yourself a quality seat cover not the crap from halfords or pets at home - they dont last  oh aye lots of air freshener

[Barnes Wallis]

Does genocide work on  four legged critters?  My custards swear by it.

[landy2]

no its not .

he does a lot of shops in there , looks like he has no work in him hes there every day only seen him clean a window once , always walking around .

[Spruce]

We 'inherited' a Lab cross sheep dog from my daughter when they moved into a flat and then they moved to London. He was still a puppy at 9 months old - more than a bit wild.

First day alone in the back garden he wrecked the place. Second day he finished the place off.

Third day in desperation I put him in the front of the van (has a dual passenger seat) and was as 'happy as larry'. Now he is ready and waiting at the front door when it's time to go to work.
In the early days if I went round the back where I couldn't be seen then he would bark a bit. I did put the pole down and come back to the van and talk to him. Once he had settled, I went back to the job. I didn't get much done those first few days.

Now 3 years later he doesn't worry if I'm away for an extended period - he's in the van and that's all that counts and I will come back. As long as he hears the pump he just sleeps. Occassionally he goes ballistic if another dog comes by, but I react as quick as possible if I hear a lot of aggressive barking.

Unfortunately you have to expect some dogs jumping up at the doors and scratching the paint work and you also need to ensure that you carry your van keys around at all times - in the excitement they can lock themselves in the van.

In the summer you need to carry a water bowl and you need to leave the windows partially open. I have also turned my van around so the sun doesn't come in through the windscreen even if not convenient, and put a towel up at the side window to stop the sun if necessary. You also need to be aware of the weather. A cloudy cool day can turn hot for a dog in a short period of time when the sun comes out. I do regular checks on him to ensure he isn't too hot - ie panting. He has a black coat and gets hot quickly.

At times I have used to opportunity to take him for a walk at lunch time on one of the many walking tracks we have in our area. So I carry a roll of poo bags with me in the van. I also carry a Hozelok spray nozzle that I can connect up to the hose port with the same hose I use for the hose reel and wash the mud off him. Also carry a towel especially to dry him off. I also have a towel across the front seats and just put up with the amount of hair this dog sheds. Regular hoovering keeps on top of it.

There can be times occassionally when its too hot to take him out. He then stays at home. He isn't happy, but its in his best interests.

And then in winter the van is the best place to be in. If it gets too cold then I put the diesel air heater on and keep the cabin cool to warm (18 - 20 degrees) while I'm freezing my butt off outside.

Having your dog around is good company, but will reduce your productivity, guaranteed. Customer's enjoy talking to him sometimes and I have also heard the remark often that 'I see you have brought the boss around with you'.

Customers see you as soft hearted when you have a dog, if you are a dog lover then you are OK in most people's books.

I never carried treats around - it would be my luck that I would teach him that barking is a way to get a treat.

[simonr]

you can get unspillable water bowls for about £12, well handy

[Fin Clearview]

I have taken my Jack Russell with me to work for the last 3 years since he was 12 weeks bar the hot summer days when I leave him at home. He is my best mate and I love having him with me, the best employee I've had to date! We've had our moments though, when he was a pup he cut his teeth chewing up the hand brake, pop up door locks and digging a hole in my seat! To nowadays when I let him out and he spots a cat he hits the ground like usain bolt going absolutely nuts. He's brilliant though, many custy's seem to look forward to seeing him more than me which is quite worrying! He gets fussed over every day and has since I had him which has made him a lovely dog, great to anyone that goes near him in the van. He makes me laugh every morning as I get my work gear on he waits for me at the front door, he's much keener than I am that's for sure. Anyway good luck with your dog it will payoff in the end mate.

*just read spuce's post after writing this funny how we all share the same experiences when having a working dog.

[Dave Garrett]

Buy a thundershirt from pets at home calmed mine down perfect now ...

[g.brookes]

ah thanks for the considered replies chaps.  lots of useful info.  i know for a fact that she is gonna bark a lot to start with.  just a case of getting her used to it and trusting that i am going to return, before someone calls rspca!
i bet it will reduce my productivity, but im a bit of a slacker anyway!

[Mike #1]

Take her for a drive out in van today and pop into shop and see how she reacts just been in  a car or van is an adventure for a dog as they are curious and need mental stimulation .

My dog is obsessed with going my truck with me had her at work a few times she just goes to sleep . Anytime we go out for a walk she wants to be in truck . Sits on the back seat and i put bulkhead window down and she just looks out window when driving around , Good Luck Mate . Mike

[EandM]

I've had two Greyhounds that both came to work with me. The retired racer used to sleep on the passenger seat most of the day as he was the most bone idle creature I've ever met, waking only if we were near Burger King or I'd been to the Bakery. The puppy was quite insane and used to bounce around the inside of the truck and was just too wound up to be of any help, especially when she ate the side bolster of a new drivers seat - miss'em both though.

[g.brookes]

haha.  today i took her for a long walk to tire hr out then took her in the van.  as soon as i got out she was barking and when i came back form the shops ten mins later she was still barking getting quite irate.  i just dont know whether she will eventually get used to it, or just get more and more upset

[Dave Garrett]

Honestly mate try a thundershirt fantastic totally calms them down

[Mike #1]

Just has had look on amazon at reviews and product Thundershirt looks really good might recommend one to a mate . Mike

[g.brookes]

ive just bought one and put it on her.  i'll head out to the van with her in a bit

[Mike #1]

Good Luck Mate .

[Ronnie Bryce]

I put a bark collar on mine. When the mutt bark's, it spray's a perfumed mist up the dog's snout. It stopped mine barking within minutes. I never need it now but it did work very well.

[stuart mc]

I put a bark collar on mine. When the mutt bark's, it spray's a perfumed mist up the dog's snout. It stopped mine barking within minutes. I never need it now but it did work very well.

what one ronnie and where did you buy it?

[Blue Frog Systems]

Starting taking my dog out with me. Hes good as gold but dont half shed some fur in the van (German Shep). Brush him daily with a brush that takes loose upper and the undercoat, but he still manages to cover the van

[Ronnie Bryce]

I put a bark collar on mine. When the mutt bark's, it spray's a perfumed mist up the dog's snout. It stopped mine barking within minutes. I never need it now but it did work very well.

what one ronnie and where did you buy it?

[/i]

I got this one Stu, still have it if you need a loan of it. I used it for one day and two night's when it slept in the kitchen, it really does work wonders with a mouthy mutt.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Innotek-Anti-Bark-Spray-Collar-Citronella/dp/B000H3VAQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352061401&sr=8-1

[stuart mc]

I put a bark collar on mine. When the mutt bark's, it spray's a perfumed mist up the dog's snout. It stopped mine barking within minutes. I never need it now but it did work very well.

what one ronnie and where did you buy it?

[/i]

I got this one Stu, still have it if you need a loan of it. I used it for one day and two night's when it slept in the kitchen, it really does work wonders with a mouthy mutt.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Innotek-Anti-Bark-Spray-Collar-Citronella/dp/B000H3VAQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352061401&sr=8-1

might take you up on that, he is ok in van, just in the house when the door goes, it scares the shyte out of visitors, then the dog next door starts then the one two doors down and on it goes posty says he is fine when we are not in

[Dave Garrett]

How did you get on with the jacket mate ?

[g.brookes]

absolutely no different! she's really happy riding in the van with me, but as soon as i get out she starts barking, even if she can see me.  the only time she stops is when i look at her.  the longest i was out of the van was for 20 mins, and she barked solidly the whole time.  had to finish early today as it was stressing m and her out too much.
Bearing in mind this is her first working day in the van, is the best thing to do just to carry on and hope she gets used to it, or am i doing more damage?

[Nameless Drudge]

I`d forget taking it to work for now then as its stressing you.

Do the van training at home,muzzle it or cage it,no treats or contact until its stopped barking.There are other things you need to be on with to get a grip of this dog,make sure its in a different room when you are eating,never give it any food unless its put in its bowl.When you come in and its glad to see you then you must ignore it immediately,you can be "nice" to it later.Don`t keep talking to it as if its a human,its a dog,it needs a master and it will be all the better for it,and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

[Mike #1]

www.videojug.com  go to this site mate and in the search bar type how to stop a dog barking their is a video produced by animal behavioural specialist amongst others .

Might help you out we have used videojug for tips and hints for loads of stuff. Mike

[Spruce]

The trouble is that the dog is from the animal sanctuary. In most cases these dogs have been mistreated.  It will take time and patience to build up a trust with her.

Put her into the van and talk to her. Then try to walk around the side and talk to her some more - so she can hear you and not see you. Then stop talking to her for a moment and the start again, each time keeping the silence a little longer. This doesn't sound a quick fix. Time will be needed.

[g.brookes]

thanks chaps.  i'll give your walking round the van idea a go.  so far i have managed to hide behind the van for about 30 seconds.  guess i just need to try and build that up.  i've got a dog trainer coming on thursday to give me some tips as its really important i can get this to work as quickly as possible.
 im not much of an advert for getting a dog am i!

[G Griffin]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

Give over; that's an old wives tale.

[stuart mc]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

Give over; that's an old wives tale.

every dog I have had has stolen chocolate ate some point, usually stolen but no they never died. well they did but years later

[G Griffin]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

Give over; that's an old wives tale.

every dog I have had has stolen chocolate ate some point, usually stolen but no they never died. well they did but years later

Failed suicide attempts, Stu? 

[stuart mc]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

Give over; that's an old wives tale.

every dog I have had has stolen chocolate ate some point, usually stolen but no they never died. well they did but years later

Failed suicide attempts, Stu? 

  probably I read back my sentence and it makes no sense to me, is ate a word? according to my mrs chips kills them stone dead as well and chicken skin

[davids3511]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

[G Griffin]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

So can water.

[stuart mc]

I have just thought of a way to stop the barking

[davids3511]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

So can water.

Nah, old wives tale that mate.

[Nameless Drudge]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

So can water.

Nah, old wives tale that mate.

Depends on the ampage!

[G Griffin]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

So can water.

Nah, old wives tale that mate.

Is it? I just made it up  .
I must think like an old wife, then.
Anyway, the cows in the field opposite are lifting their tales. That means rain tomorrow  .

[stuart mc]

Its not an old wives tale. White choc and milk choc isnt too bad but dark and especially cooking choc really can kill em.

So can water.

Nah, old wives tale that mate.

Is it? I just made it up  .
I must think like an old wife, then.
Anyway, the cows in the field opposite are lifting their tales. That means rain tomorrow  .

no that just means they are having a shyte cows lie down with their back to the wind when weather is going to be bad at least that is what I thought and asked my dad who used to be farmer and he grunted, or they could just be tired

[EandM]

Theobromine present in chocolate is poisonous to humans in sufficient quantities but usually doesn't affect us because we metabolize it very quickly. Domestic animals, including cats and dogs metabolize theobromine very slowly leading to poisoning leading to internal bleeding, heart attack and death. Apparently it's more hazardous to cats but they are unlikely to consume it in large quantities so it's rarely a problem. Generally the larger the dog the lower the risk but a given ration is about one one hundredth eg 20 kg dog / 20 g chocolate.
As stated previously theobromine content is much lower in white chocolate and highest in dark / cooking chocolate and Chocolate drops for dogs don't contain any at all.

In the good ol' USA it's being used as the base for a Coyote poison.

Not an old wives tale.

[G Griffin]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

That bit is an old wives tale.
Enough chocolate will kill a dog is not the same as never give it chocolate.
A human will die without water but will die if they drink too much. Hot water can freeze quicker than cold but it's not always the case.
See, it's not so black and white; or should that be dark and white? 

[Ronnie Bryce]

And don't throw crumb's of Christmas cake to Turkey's, if freak's them right out. Do you hear? I said they don't like it.

[Steve Sed]

and never give it chocolate,it kills them.

Give over; that's an old wives tale.

every dog I have had has stolen chocolate ate some point, usually stolen but no they never died. well they did but years later

Failed suicide attempts, Stu? 

  probably I read back my sentence and it makes no sense to me, is ate a word? according to my mrs chips kills them stone dead as well and chicken skin

Chips and chocolate? Deep fried Mars bars kill enough Scotsmen, imagine the effect on dogs.

[david wood]

snails and slugs can also kill your dog they carry something called lung worm dont leave your dogs toys out in the garden i lost my dog a few months ago to this