Dog or no dog?

[user 35711]

I have a 1.5 year old border collie. I was surprised by the challenges of raising a young dog on the road. No regular classes to attend, constant new/ stimulating environments, small indoor space to train, no consistent dog friends to learn how to share with, no “ low stimuli” (like noise) places to put her, difficulty getting vet appointments, limited places to run free in some areas. It has been a vastly different experience compared to raising my previous border collie and taking her to classes/ doing agility. I’d love to do agility with Willow, but it’s too equipment heavy for the road, so we’re learning frisbee tricks instead. I would definitely say, yes dog, but it can be harder on the road.

 

[Granwa]

I am 100% a dog person and wouldn't even consider living any kind of life that would not allow me to have a dog, so there is some bias to what I say.

To me, the number one question that anyone considering getting a dog, whether or not they have had dog(s) previously, is "What do I have to offer to a dog?"
Most people instead think: "I want a dog who will do this and that and not do this or that and be this thing which I desire."
But that, in my opinion, is exactly the opposite of the right approach. Dogs aren't here for people to use any more than people are here for that purpose. And, just like with people, you will most of the time get out of a relationship what quality you put into it.

The point being, of course, that having a dog is having a Relationship. Not just having an animal.

So I always suggest a person ask him or her self the following:
How much room do I have?
How active am I? Can I keep a large and very active dog who needs a lot of exercise happy? Or do I need a small dog who doesn't need to go far to get exercise and likes to be a couch potato?
How much do I know about training, can I get training help if there are issues, and am I willing to put in the effort needed to train my dog in the way that will work best for our ongoing relationship?
Can I manage a large breed dog who is very strong on a leash and train him or her not to pull me off my feet?
Do I need a dog who will alert me to the presence of others or one who will actually protect me?
If the latter, then am I willing and able to train the dog to be protective without being a danger to anyone?
How much good quality dog food can I afford? (small breed vs large and how much they eat)
Can I afford to create a fund to pay for vet bills and shots and all of the other things that can come up that cost money?
Can I take full responsibility for keeping my dog safe and taking good care of him or her?
How much time do I have to spend with the dog? (Now, living full time in a vehicle, of course, that answer is "almost all the time", and dogs always like that!

I am a dog trainer with some skill and many years of experience and I have helped a great number of people to solve problems they had with their dogs. Usually the problem is caused because the person didn't think it through before getting the dog, or allowed a bad habit to continue until now it is unbearable and hard to change, or they don't realize that building a strong and trusting relationship is the foundation of living peacefully and happily with a dog, and just expect the dog to do what they are told without realizing that dogs need to be shown what is good to do and training has to be done with patience, kindness, and rewards, rather than NOs and punishment.

I don't think it matters all that much your circumstances; if you go about building the relationship the right way and are able to manage the size, energy, and needs of the dog, you should have a dog. Dogs don't need fancy things. They don't need expensive organic dog food, just healthy ingredients. They can be very happy in a small trailer or living in a van or car with someone who treats them well and loves them and puts their needs first. By which I mean, things like no matter how tired you are the dog gets a walk.

Personally, I would go hungry and never let my dogs be without a meal if it came to that. Not saying everyone has to be like me in that way, but the dog is a thinking, feeling, innocent and intelligent being who depends on the person for everything, and that always has to be taken into consideration.

Bottom line: would THIS dog be happy with what I can give to him or her? If you think the answer is yes and you really want a dog then I say go for it, no matter your age or circumstances. In my opinion, dogs are the best companions anyone can have.

Thanks for that information! I retired in May and currently building out my home on wheels. I agree with sentiment “ what can we offer our dog”. My son wants to assist me with choosing a rescue. He has 2 and they are so loving! My fur grand babies! I need one that is midsize and does not shed a ton. Can’t wait to meet my fur baby and create new memories together.

 

[user 35711]

Thanks for that information! I retired in May and currently building out my home on wheels. I agree with sentiment “ what can we offer our dog”. My son wants to assist me with choosing a rescue. He has 2 and they are so loving! My fur grand babies! I need one that is midsize and does not shed a ton. Can’t wait to meet my fur baby and create new memories together.

 

[maki2]

I can offer a dog lots of love, attention and fun and daily care. Shopping to avoid the too hot car issues is not that big of a deal, I can go shopping early mornings or evenings, so what if I do not like that? As to taking a dog on walks frequently, that is a benefit as it keeps me from being sedentary which is bad for me. Barking too much is an issue and that means looking for a rescue dog that you can foster on a trial to find a dog that is not stressed out by the lifestyle as well as one that responds easily to training. The shelter volunteers are likely to have figured out which dogs handle stressors and which will not. The more frequent change of location and things like riding in vehicles can stress out some animals. Just like some people have agoraphobia and social anxiety issues so do some cats and dogs.

What I can’t offer it is regular visits to a veterinarian for vaccines, flea and tick medicine, heart worm meds, etc. So instead of being an owner I enjoy other people’s dogs and cats when allowed to.

Maybe one of these days I will try out being a vacation house/pet sitter. I have done that before many times, but not while traveling full time.

 

[user 35711]

You offer good thoughts and suggestions. Again, I guess it would come down to what an individuals wants and needs ultimately are. Thanks!

 

[D'L]

i did love my dog BUT a barking Dog will get you in trouble in a Heart Beat(PETA) people are determined to do that too. any pet lover will scorn you as well. walk your pet .(PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER IT) this is my 2 cents.
keebler.

Not all dogs bark and you can train most dogs not to bark or to stop when you ask them to. Mine are always trained in this way.

Don't know what you mean by " any pet lover will scorn you as well" but don't think that is at all true.
I would never scorn another person for their dog barking or for anything the dog did. I know not everyone knows how to train, ad some dogs are simply more barky than others (shelties, for instance are serious barkers....don't have one of those in a stealth van!)
Now, if the dog is filthy or has ticks or is starving or being hit, I will surely dislike the person responsible for that.

 

[D'L]

What I can’t offer it is regular visits to a veterinarian for vaccines, flea and tick medicine, heart worm meds, etc. So instead of being an owner I enjoy other people’s dogs and cats when allowed to.

You know what you can and cannot do so I am not refuting you, but getting shots and heartworm meds and so on can be done at any vet in a town you are staying in for a few days or you could make advance appointments when you know you were going to be some place.

I am only saying this, not to convince you to have a dog but to let others know that there are always ways to work around that kind of thing. I have been treated very well at times by vets in towns I was passing through on a trip and my dog needed something. You can even get a prescription medication from a vet in a town where you know no one, if your home vet emails it to them. For me that only took a phone call and I had the medication my dog needed.

 

[maki2]

You misunderstood. It is the ongoing expense of owning a dog or a cat that means I can not responsibly look after it providing all that it needs. It is hard enough to provide for my own expenses such as dental without having to also pay to have a dog’s tooth care.

So I, using my own sound judgement of responsibility of what makes sense to me in my budget considerations say NO to dog ownership. My emotional desire to have a dog should not overwhelm what is best for the animal. They age much more quickly than humans.

 

[D'L]

Oh, sorry. I didn't know you meant expense.
And yes, keeping companion animals involves expense for sure. Anyone who doubts they can afford it makes the correct decision and is indeed using sound judgement if they choose not to have one. You, in your decision, are putting the needs of the (potential) dog first, and that is always the right thing to do.

 

[Zerpersande]

… No regular classes to attend, constant new/ stimulating environments, small indoor space to train, no consistent dog friends to learn how to share with, no “ low stimuli” (like noise) places to put her,

I get the deal with not having a regular vet. I can see how that could be very problematic. The attending classes in stimulating environments, my previous dog never attended any classes at all. His classes were being out in the real world with me. He was off leash almost 100% of the time in a small, Japanese city environment, where he was walking beside me on the road, with no sidewalks, and cars passing within a meter or so of us, or riding a bicycle with him running beside me. That was class time. Of COURSE, it started on a leash, but he was well trained to be my companion. He went to a dog park only a few times in his life, and then it was for the pool. But he preferred mountain rivers. His major training was to heel, come, ignore people/dogs/cats, and not pee/crap in the house.

 

[user 423]

I may be wrong but I'd bet that 99% of dogs have never attended any type of class ...

 

[Markw]

Personally I would love to have a dog. However, being in a minivan and being on disability I just don't think I can a) afford it (I would feel very strongly that I should make their food myself rather than buy the off-the-shelf stuff for example) and b) give the dog everything it needs as far as enough exercise etc.

Yes, I know there are ways around these things...but would that really be fair to the dog? Don't get me wrong, I really want a dog but I have to be realistic.

 

[user 35711]

I get the deal with not having a regular vet. I can see how that could be very problematic. The attending classes in stimulating environments, my previous dog never attended any classes at all. His classes were being out in the real world with me. He was off leash almost 100% of the time in a small, Japanese city environment, where he was walking beside me on the road, with no sidewalks, and cars passing within a meter or so of us, or riding a bicycle with him running beside me. That was class time. Of COURSE, it started on a leash, but he was well trained to be my companion. He went to a dog park only a few times in his life, and then it was for the pool. But he preferred mountain rivers. His major training was to heel, come, ignore people/dogs/cats, and not pee/crap in the house.

I have done both with dogs, classes and no. And I have had dogs that are wonderful without just like you say. I wonder if may have to do with the natural bond between us and the dog's desire to please? I saw an interesting documentary about the difference between cats and dogs this way and how you have to train the two differently because of it.

 

[D'L]

I may be wrong but I'd bet that 99% of dogs have never attended any type of class ...

This is true. A class is important if the dog needs socializing, and/or the owner is clueless about training. Or if specific training is needed (like training to be a service dog, for instance). Otherwise, the school of life (as in, This is how things are done with me as your person), is good. Dogs, like everyone else, learn from experience. The job of the person is to make those experiences consistent in terms of reinforcement and to make learning enjoyable for the dog. This can be done in many ways, and as long as it is kind to the dog, what works is what works.

 

[Zerpersande]

I have done both with dogs, classes and no. And I have had dogs that are wonderful without just like you say. I wonder if may have to do with the natural bond between us and the dog's desire to please? I saw an interesting documentary about the difference between cats and dogs this way and how you have to train the two differently because of it.

From current experience, it varies from dog to dog. I got another Golden when my last Golden died suddenly. Mistake? Maybe. Very different dog. At the same time, maybe Cloobey is just living up to the name I chose, an ‘intriguing rogue’. And he’s not even a year, and I see regular progress.

Patience…. Patience

 

[Zerpersande]

Otherwise, the school of life (as in, This is how things are done with me as your person), is good. Dogs, like everyone else, learn from experience.

I remember what one YouTube trainer said…Everything you do is training, you’re always reaching regardless of whether or not you intend to do so or not.

 

[that420vanchick]

I would love to hear from all of you...pros and cons. I am currently without a canine companion, first time in as long as I can remember. I do still have a 19 year old cat though. She certainly won't be around by the time I hit the road...she will have crossed her rainbow Bridge. So what do you all think...??

19?! That's incredible!!! That makes me smile.

For me? I say take the pup... You'll have company and the puppy will absolutely love being on the road!!

Bottom line, I couldn't do it without my dogs. I had a 16 y/o cattle dog who passed away last November who I traveled with for years in vans, RV's, planes, trains and automobiles... You name it. I got my Shar Pei/pit mix the summer before she passed, he's going on 2 years old now... Thanks GOD he came into my life when he did. Had she passed and I was left to my own emotions on the road without a pup to cuddle, IDK what my head would've done.

Back in April some friends and I rescued a litter of 9 pyrenees/lab puppies from under an old abandoned trailer in the middle of the AZ desert like 8 miles from the highway.... I kept one of the puppies and she's already 80 lbs at only 7 months

When we found the puppies I could literally carry four of them at a time they were so small and as I'm watching her grow there was a certain bit of anxiety because I was afraid she was going to be too big to stay with me but much to my surprise the three of us fit quite comfortably in there and I haven't even gotten around to my build out so there's a lot more room to be found. Plus, they keep me warm AF on these cold nights and I know there hasn't been many since she came into my life but I have a feeling I'm going to save a lot of money not having to buy propane to eat the van this winter thanks to them.

 

[user 35711]

19?! That's incredible!!! That makes me smile.

For me? I say take the pup... You'll have company and the puppy will absolutely love being on the road!!

Bottom line, I couldn't do it without my dogs. I had a 16 y/o cattle dog who passed away last November who I traveled with for years in vans, RV's, planes, trains and automobiles... You name it. I got my Shar Pei/pit mix the summer before she passed, he's going on 2 years old now... Thanks GOD he came into my life when he did. Had she passed and I was left to my own emotions on the road without a pup to cuddle, IDK what my head would've done.

Back in April some friends and I rescued a litter of 9 pyrenees/lab puppies from under an old abandoned trailer in the middle of the AZ desert like 8 miles from the highway.... I kept one of the puppies and she's already 80 lbs at only 7 months

When we found the puppies I could literally carry four of them at a time they were so small and as I'm watching her grow there was a certain bit of anxiety because I was afraid she was going to be too big to stay with me but much to my surprise the three of us fit quite comfortably in there and I haven't even gotten around to my build out so there's a lot more room to be found. Plus, they keep me warm AF on these cold nights and I know there hasn't been many since she came into my life but I have a feeling I'm going to save a lot of money not having to buy propane to eat the van this winter thanks to them.

This is a wonderful story and I love the photos. Animals are our best friends and love us unconditionally. No love like theirs for sure. For now I am not planning to travel with a dog or pet, but should the universe see differently down the road (literally), I will decide then!!! Xo

 

[that420vanchick]

This is a wonderful story and I love the photos. Animals are our best friends and love us unconditionally. No love like theirs for sure. For now I am not planning to travel with a dog or pet, but should the universe see differently down the road (literally), I will decide then!!! Xo

Just keep paying attention to them synchronousities sis

 

[user 35711]

Just keep paying attention to them synchronousities sis

Always Always Always