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Our dog always comes away with us, and we never leave him in the van.  In fact most sites state that they are not to be left unattended.

He is a major part of our holidays, and we will find dog friendly pubs, or sit outside other pubs in the sunshine!

Hi All, at the risk of being shot to pieces, what about a 12bore? Just kidding, as Surfer01 says, the dog collar may be an option, a bit pricey though, should get results quickly, or you could start to re the train dog, by leaving it for longer periods, some kind of training like they do on that program “its me or the dog”, if using the collar spray, you could try when dog in van, (only good if van on drive and not in storage), and you could keep an eye on him and the van, good luck whatever you decide to do.

Please don't buy a spray coller they shouldn't be used without the help and assistance of a behaviourist and can make the problem worse if used incorrectly. Imagine getting sprayed in the face everytime you spoke up to let everyone know you were frightened and lonely- I would just end up screaming.

Personally our dog comes with us everywhere I thought this was what everyone did. Dog friendly pubs are usually also teenager friendly After all most sites ask you not to leave your dog alone in your caravan or tent. But if you do want to leave your dog then I offer the following advice:-

~If you do want to leave your dog in the evenings a dog that has been out with you all day is usually an exhausted dog, a tired dog is a happy quiet dog.

You might want to look at what is causing the dog to bark is it territorial, separation anxiety, boredom because each problem needs a separate cure.

Start with getting your dog very tired then leave it with a background noise such as the radio, a crate is a good idea, give the dog an item that smells of you and home such as a blanket from their bed at home, give the dog a stuffed kong to keep it occupied.

Leave the dog for short periods of 5 minutes ignoring it when you return and praising the dog when you are sat down and it is sat/ lying quietly chewing on the kong. Praise the good behaviour ignore the bad, don't shout when the dog barks it thinks you are joining in the fun noise and is rewarded. Don't make a big fuss about going out or coming back. Dogs don't understand why you are getting worked up saying goodbye it only makes them anxious.

Personally some of our best evenings have been spent at dog friendly pubs because everyone chats to you about your beautiful dog so you make friends and my son would say the dogs a girl magnet. Mind I was mortified when we went to the vets recently and he commented the dog looked a bit tired and I had to admit he'd been out with the son to a teenagers party the night before.

Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 22/8/2011

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Id just like to say to the op its not an IT or a bleeding dog ITS an animal she may be upset for not getting away in her new caravan but like many people i bet when they got IT i dont think they thought what it would involve.These threads make me angry....

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As I was reading down I was thinking along the same lines as you Jeff, pi**es me off when people think of their pets as a nuisance, don't bl**dy have them then!   

And 12 bore joke isn't funny either.