Camper Dog Crate
How can I help my claustraphobic dog?
I recently rescued a 1 yr old GSP mix from the SPCA, so I am not sure of her history. They stated she chewes and jumps..She has not chewed anything (except at our gates), she did jump, we trained her to sit and laydown. She walks on a leash 2-3 times a day, very well and loves to ride in a car. She is with me about 18 hrs a day. But when I placed her in our back yard she freaked out, chewing and pushing at the gate. We fixed the wooden gates so she can't chew at them. She starts to run around in a panic (I was w/her) and starts to pant rapidly. She has gotten a litte better over the last few days. I wanted her to sleep inside with me, when I closed my bedroom door ( I was w/her) she scratched at the door and started panting again (rapidly), she seemed like a scared little kid. I have not tried a crate yet, because I don't want to stress her out. I want to take her camping with us in our RV but I am worried that she will be stressed in a small area .How can I help her?
It seems like a closed door or gate triggers an "I am trapped" type of response from your dog. You should work on reprogramming her by feeding her next to a closed door, brushing her and giving her treats next to a closed door or gate, etc.
We adopted a Minpin with a LOT of phobias, and we have been able to help her work through almost all of them. It takes patience, creating positive experiences to accompany the phobic situations, and lots of love.
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Do you travel with your pets? How I love camping trips with my animals! We just returned from hiking explorations of the Wind River Range, the Teton Mountains and the Gros Ventre Range. Cinnamon, our cat, and Maddie, our dog, travel with us. Maddie is sooo energetic. Those few people we passed on the trails would comment on her energy and joy.
"Now that dog has some hunt in her!" commented one man as Maddie flew back and forth across the grassy meadow. Well, we aren't hunters, but I'm sure Maddie wouldn't mind at all if we were. Watching her run and do her own form of hunting is a thing of beauty to watch and brings smiles to our faces. This is a picture of Maddie and me at the top of Coal Creek -- Mesquite Divide with the back of Grand Teton in background.
My nephew, Brad and his fiance, Lauren, traveled from Boise, Idaho to meet us in the Wyoming Wind River Range before Tom, my husband and I rolled further north in Wyoming. Of course, Brad brought his black lab, Drake and Lauren brought her dog, Moose. You see Drake here with Maddie enjoying his daily hot dog treat from me at our campsite. It was an adventure in itself getting 4 humans, 2 large black labs, a Shiatsu, and a cat in one small camper for dinner!
And who says small dogs can't do long hikes with the big dogs? Here is Lauren's solution to Moose's tired little legs, but that didn't stop him from traveling up Green River Lakes trail with the rest of us!
My favorite has to be my 16 year old cat, Cinnamon, who gets braver each year. Here you see her looking out the truck window in Pinedale, Wyoming, a first for her since she began traveling with us at age 12. She used to hide in her litter box in the back seat during all stops. Who says an old kitty can't learn to have new adventures?
I wouldn't miss these trips with my special animals. Now I know why so many people travel in campers and RV's, because most of them have at least one animal, usually a dog, along for the ride. It costs less, too. You don't have to pay a kennel or a pet sitter to care for them while you are gone. You get the added joy of their presence while you are on vacation, and you don't have to worry about them while you are gone with them right under your nose.
© By Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life: A Story of Love
http://www.dawnkairns.com
http://www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
*Indie Book Publisher's Award Finalist*
*DWAA Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist*
Author Bio
A family nurse practitioner turned writer, Dawn Kairns has also published in nursing journals, American Fitness magazine, The Daily Camera, and Real Travel Adventures Magazine. A lifelong animal lover, her passion for dogs led her to volunteer with the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Front Range Labrador Rescue, and Freedom Service Dogs. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dawn volunteered with the Humane Society of the United States in Mississippi, assisting the displaced Katrina dogs. Her own dog and cat are rescues.