New dog not a happy camper in the van

[kgold708]

He doesn't yet realize that the van is his ticket to fun and exciting places. He'll grow out of it. Crate training is the only way to house train a puppy IMHO, it works WITH his instinct not to soil their den and give away his position when moms out hunting.
If he doesn't like the van then leave him in his crate at home, until he's ready. Put a vent clip airfreshener in the van then leave him at home in his crate and come back and cuddle w/him. He'll figure that out fast if you want to force him to accept the van. Other wise use the van to take him to the dog park!
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ASE Master Tech.
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[zeohsix]

Like someone said treats and food in the van. Go for rides and do the drive through at Mickey D's with a plain burger pretty soon you'll have a traveller!

[kgold708]

The biggest thing IMHO is to take him places HE wants to go. I didn't think of the FF drive through, that's cheating
Don't take him out to run errands or get gas, take him where he has fun and if he's ok for 5min before he gets nervous then you've got to plan five min trips let him run around and 5min back home for awhile.
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ASE Master Tech.
ASE L1 Advanced engine performance specialist.
ASE L2 Advanced electronic diesel engine specialist.

[DAIZEE]

First year with the van my little 12 pounder was a royal pain and fussy. Next year I got a doggy nylon open top 'room', put it in the passenger's seat swivelled around. She is much more content, less fussy and stays put. Has her own personal fan and sun shades where necessary. As long as I stop about every 2 to 3 hrs she is fine. She likes small places and I think this nylon holding pen gives her some security. She is blind and likes to be near me so the back seat didn't work out. Behaves much better now, I can talk to her and she knows I'm around and she's right in the thick of things.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[snowsyncro]

When we first got our last dog, he was terrified of any vehicle. He would shake uncontrollably and drool buckets. But for the last 15 years of his life, he was a constant van companion, to the point that he had his own van. We called it the "dog van". Let the dog outside, open the van door, and he would climb in and spend the day there, coming and going as necessary. Where's the dog? In the van! He would do that all winter long.

As others have said, it will get better.

RonC

[Syncronicity]

Hey Dave, Very good ideas from folks on training tips. Coming from a guy who spent 14 years with a neurotic, whining, PIA traveling dog. You have to nip this now. May take some drastic measures now, like crating, restraining, absolutely not being allowed in your lap or behind you while you are driving, being told no Put in the time and headaches now enjoy the next 10 to 15 years with that dog. I like to think I am being rewarded with our good dog Iggy because I never, in 14 years pulled over and choked our other one or dropped him off at the pound. I know this isn't much help, more of a warning.
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Tom, Juanita, Iggy & Abbey the Dirty Desert Dogs
2.1 L 87 Syncro
KD0ALU
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[tschroeder0]

Keep the van open when outside doing things, encourage him to hang out in the van, pull the rear cushion and use it as his bed for quite a while then he will associate it as being his own place. Use the van to take him to the dog park so he associates it with fun places.
Do NOT let him sit in your lap, you are setting yourself up for a lot of headaches.
As stated, you are the alpha dog, and if not then your puppy is, your dog is looking to you for guidance and security, be firm and completely consistent, if not then you are not teaching anything and your dog will remain confused.
Dont worry it will work out.

[j_dirge]

Plenty of good feedback here...
I had an older dog we had to "train to enjoy" sailing. Was fine on flat calm days.. not so good when it picked up. Motion can do strange things.

Do yourself a favor thru all of this, though.
Cover your upholstery with throw rugs, blankets.. Anything thick enough to protect against sharp puppy claws.. to catch drool, and remnants of treats, fire-hose barfs, etc..

Second maybe to cigaretter smoke, pet damage has to be the one of the worst on interior values.
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-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
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[spiritid]

Lots of good advice here. I always crate trained my dogs with bones from the butcher shop. The crate was the only place they got the bones so it was a special place. Susan
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'81 Air Cooled Vanagon (AdventureWagen)
'69 Standard Beetle

[davevickery]

He may be getting a little car sick because he does better in my ssmoother riding car. It helped to pile up cushions between the seats to cushion the road bumps. He didn't go for the French fries which is why I thought he might be a litte car sick. No throwing up though. Seems like more patience will work. I didn't create train him,.so that makes it hard now. Plus I don't want him caged up, he isn't a burrowing type dog. Doing the short trips sounds like part of the answer but that has been hard since I want to go places with him. I'm sure I'll see some of you at synchro solstice and you can evaluate how well I've done from now till mid may. Thanks Dave

[Californio]

Count your blessings. My dog can't be left alone in the van when we're doing something visibly fun; she tears out the rubber weatherstripping, eats the curtains, eats the door panels, and so forth. Never does it in a parking lot--just when we're out in nature and want to take a hike where dogs aren't allowed, as in basically all parks. It pisses her off.

I was told a bit of Benadryl on a piece of bread works wonders, but I don't want a druggie dog so haven't tried it.

At eight, she's starting to calm down, at least.

Pit bull mix. Gotta love 'em.