Cutting short our van life

[pom7756]

We are in our 3rd week of van life! The two of us and our 60lb rescue Liza! Should have listened to Bob!! We did everything right! Custom build out in less than 2 months! All set and GO then “oh no”! We’’ve made the tough but heart felt decision to go back to •nothing•! Everything we own is in this van but our travel girl is miserable and we love  her enough to sell the van and regroup!  Just heartbroken!

 

[Elbear1]

A bigger vehicle might make a big difference. Theres someone here looking to trade her schoolbus for a van.

 

[crofter]

Get a tent. Big dogs prefer tent camping to van travel. The tent can double as a studio, reading room, or a man cave, and your big canine will love time spent there with you. You will need to put items in there that already smell like your dog, and is a good alternative to where to put the dog dishes. My GSD loved time in the tent in camp. I noticed you called your dog a rescue, how long have you had it?    ~crofter

 

[highdesertranger]

are you keeping them locked up in the van all day. I don't see how a dog can be miserable in the outdoors. highdesertranger

 

[LowTech]

I've traveled w/ dogs twice, one for 11 years, and once for 8. Both of those time it was in a van. Both times my dogs loved it! I couldn't go anywhere near my rig w/o my last one asking to get in the passenger seat.

I don't really think that the size of the rig is important, it's more about it being there, and your, home. If that's the "go to" place then where else would they want to be. They are pack animals and you are their pack.

Are you saying that they try to go away from it even when you're hanging out there?
What about it does he/she/it dislike?

 

[maki2]

There are many factors that could make a dog feel miserable, just like for people but maybe worse. It could even be some noise the van makes that human ears can't detect but drives that particular dog nuts. Could be a belt, bearing or some such thing making a very high pitched noise in a range you can't hear.

Some large dogs get joint issues and the constant motion of the van could make their life a misery of pain. Crating that type of dog helps reduce the stress on its joints while the vehicle is in motion. I had a friend who a German Shepard that developed troubles at an early age and he always crated her in the car for that reason.

There are dog behavioral specialist who might be able to sort out the issue in a few sessions. That is certainly worth a try before calling it quits all together. You could also try one of the "thunder shirts" which help relieve a dog's anxiety. Who knows, something that simple might be all it takes. No big deal for a dog to wear a shirt like that until they adapt to their new lifestyle.

So before you give up the dream try a few more things and watch to see if there is a change.

It will take a team approach, one driving the other carefully observing when and where the dog begins to feel uncomfortable. While observing try not to interact with the dog, just watch for the smallest of signs of body positioning, panting, whining, etc. Be good detectives, it is worth the time to figure it out.

 

[Elbear1]

The noise thing is a great insight. All the electrical devices in there giving off HF. I had a usb multi-port do that. I finally heard it on a super quiet night.

2 months is right at the slump hump as well, maybe its you projecting a bit of your feelings you dobt want admit onto the dog. Or even the dog picking up on your unacknowledged feelings?

 

[squire]

If you REALLY want this life, your dog will adjust.

 

[Firtree]

I would do the same if my dog miserable and we couldn’t find a fix.

Had one boy who would throw up even as a young adult. He was very happy to get in vehicle and travel... but.
When he finally out grew that he had loose bowels. He was otherwise a perfect house broken dog. So always a number 2 potty break before getting in any vehicle and then another #2 break about 30 minutes down the road. Then he was fine, happy.

Sometimes used Bonine a human non drowsy anti nausea pill. Lasts 24+ hours and no doping. There are generic versions.
There is also a human/dog anti anxiety pill... that could help.

 

[maki2]

speaking of anxiety pills. My vet had me give some benedryl to keep a dog calm for a long car trip. It makes them drowsy. You can find the dosage per pound on some of the internet veterinarian websites.

 

[vanbrat]

I hope you can find a way around for both you and the dog. It may take a while for the dog to get used to everything it is still so new. Give it more time....

 

[outermostsoul]

Get a tent. Big dogs prefer tent camping to van travel. The tent can double as a studio, reading room, or a man cave, and your big canine will love time spent there with you. You will need to put items in there that already smell like your dog, and is a good alternative to where to put the dog dishes. My GSD loved time in the tent in camp. I noticed you called your dog a rescue, how long have you had it?    ~crofter

My medium to larger dogs over the years were miserable tent camping until I finally upgraded to a large family tent I could stand up inside. I was  upgrading from a three person dome tent you had to crawl into- small tent = easy to set up/ big tent = hard to set up, but happy dogs.

 

[carestock]

I part time van camp with my 60# poodle and we are testing the travel still. He does well. I use a zipline at our camp spots sometimes, also a 9x12 mesh tent for a patio effect, lots of hiking or walks at breaks and camp sites, I keep an anti anxiety collar on him too. So far so good.

 

[vanbrat]

We are considering getting a trailer to haul kayaks and bikes and other 'stuff' also considering making it a rolling kennel complete with air conditioning for our 100+ pound dog. He HATES getting in the lakes etc. and is calmer in his own space even at home. That way he would be safe and contained even if we are out on a lake somewhere. Maybe try finding a way to have your dog have his own space would help.