Leaving a dog in the van in summer?

[a1winchester]

Small car (compared to a high top camper), glass, tin roof, tiny slit in the window, no water, visibly distressed dog. Completely different situation.
If someone smashed my glass I'd sue.........

I know that, YOU know that, but does the interfering passer by (with the best intensions, I'm sure) know that?
I can do without the hassle of a court case thanks!

[1664]

I know that, YOU know that, but does the interfering passer by (with the best intensions, I'm sure) know that?
I can do without the hassle of a court case thanks!

I see your point, but I would not allow any 'interfering passer by' to dictate my behaviour. Fairly academic though since I don't actually have a dog

[daschmoo]

I have a high top and last summer (not exactly the hottest on record) my van was regularly 100f even on overcast days.... and that's WITH windows shielded and a small roof vent! Made sleeping in it when I was on night shifts quite uncomfortable so wouldn't want a furry critter in there cooking.

[Plasticman]

Well lots of mixed and sun/news of the world style copy.

For the last 7 years our terrier has been out with us in the van, we spend a good 60= nights away each year and many daytrips,

Our is hitop and insulated, I park up in summer with blackout curtains shut roof vent wide open and a couple of side windows open. which gives a good through flow of air, I would add that we have a partition behind the front seats so the cab area (much glass) is sepparate.
The temp inside is considerably lower than that outside and if parked in the shade even cooler, now our dog is in there and ofted I am as well, he sleeps etc, doesnt drink more than normal and is not distressed. so no problem.

Mike

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
We used to leave our two dogs in the van sometimes. Did it for many years with no problems.
It depended on the weather, if it was warm/hot that was a no no. Never left them for more than a couple of hours and made sure we could get back to the van if the weather changed.
We had a high top, still have, but sadly no dogs now. Roof vent was left open and cab window vents were fitted; these are for sale if your interested, water was left and dogs had a good run before being left.
Dogs were a Labrador cross, would sleep in a oven if given the chance, and a Border Collie, hated sun and heat.
We went places,met people etc cos' of the dogs but other times we didn't/couldn't because of them. This you accept because you choose to be an animal lover.
Don

[syncrosimon]

Fiamma do a range of electric fans built into the hightop skylights. We have two of them, and can have one extracting and one drawing fresh air in. Even in Corsica in 40 degs it was cool inside the hightop (with Silverscreens fitted and blinds down)

The turbovents are a direct replacement for a standard roofvent and were about 40 quid each. Well worth it as they suck all the hot air out.



This one is the posh version of what I have got, and has a speed controller for running overnight etc. It is also a good deal more expensive.
http://www.fiammastore.com/Fiamma-Roofl ... bo-Vent-P3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This soloution will guarentee you a cool interior and we leave our two dogs in there with no problems what-so-ever.

Simon.

[meggles]

I know this is a what if reply but: Just supposing you had an accident (hope you don't) and you were delayed for several hours I fell asleep in my van once (heavy consumption night before). My wife woke me up because I was sweating so much and struggling to breathe! Can't understand why I didn't wake up when breathing became a problem Not worth the risk is my opinion. If you ever HAVE to leave any living thing in a van and there's a risk of high temperatures my advice is "DONT GO ABROAD! Seriously, make sure there is adequate ventilation. My dog goes where I go when she comes on hols with us! (Only been once and got car sick so our old neighbours have the pleasure of looking after her now!).

[Bowton Lad]

I saw a tv programme last summer where a policeman was called by a passer by to a parked vehicle with a dog in it. He got his batton out and smashed the window to gain access and let the dog out.

I reckon you run the risk of this happening even if the dog is ok. - don't risk it!

Then there was the incident last summer where a policeman left his German Shepherd police dog(s) in the back of his van on a hot day & it/they died. He was prosecuted & faced an internal disciplinary hearing as well.

[Blue Moonraker]

We have the Royal Norfolk Show here near Norwich, takes place over 2 days.Last year the weather was so very hot and sunny. The RSPCA and other dog trusts set up an air conditioned creche for people to leave their dogs for up to two hours at a time (for a small donation) on site and the police warned owners that they would be patrolling the car parks, windows would be smashed and owners would be prosecuted if any dogs found.

We always take our dog camping. Where we go, he goes, if he can't go, then we don't. If we want to go in anywhere we go seperately.
He is a much loved part of our lives and family.

[syncrosimon]

Common sense must rule,

I know our setup is fine for our dogs. With two extractors getting rid of the hot air in the top of the roof and drawing in fresh air it is ideal.

The dogs come with us 95% of the time, and it is easier in France where people don't mind dogs, but how frustrating is it when you arrive somewhere and find that no dogs are allowed. Very irritating.

I make a point of taking my dogs into shops that dont have a no dogs sign displayed.

If we had a better attitude towards dogs in this country it would make hot dogs in cars much less of a problem.

Just ruling something out completely is not really the way forward.

[meggles]

syncrosimon, I agree with you. If it's a problem then just ban it seems to be the answer to some folk, even if it's only a problem to a few. My dog is so special to me. She doesn't travel well so stays at home with trusted sitters when we go away. If we couldn't trust the sitters we wouldn't go away, END OF!! I can understand it where absolute hygiene is essential but, let's face it, they banned my tethered dog from the local beer garden Birds drop their droppings there all day long, and there was once a rat!!!!! Common sense has to prevailat all times. We take our animals away from their natural habitat, put them in ours and should, therefore, make allowances. They did not ask to be part of our families. We just expect them to conform! (BTW, my dog is the boss, what she wants she gets. Temperemental little buggar though, just ask Disco Dave!).

[binka]

I'm beginning to wish I'd got a Chiahuahua instead of a greyhound and then I could carry her round in a handbag with me like Paris Hilton.

[dirtygertie]

Knowing what pointy dogs are like your grey would probably love to be carried around in a handbag!!!!

[very_bland]

I've got an idea (yes I know thinking is dangerous and I shouldn't do it!)

It would be quite a mad mod, and probably not entirely practical and even more likely- totally over engineered but what if......

You made what is effectively another tailgate, but out of heavy duty steel mesh, like a dog guard you get for cars, but rather than preventing the dog getting out of the boot into the car.... it allows you to leave your tailgate up, while still having having a thief preventing barrier (presuming it's lockable), and prevents your dog getting out the van. Along with the window vent things, foil windscreen watchimabob, it might prevent the van from overheating.... or am I just being a prat Could make one for a sliding door too!

The VW holiday kennel!




I couldn't go to Leeds Royal Armoury (amongst many other places) in the summer because I had the dog! Would quite like a solution for this summer, that doesn't involve:
a) putting dog in kennels
b) selling the dog

[very_bland]

Blimey, I'm not as mad as I thought!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-T25-TAILGATE-G ... 414c11d2e0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;