Do they let (non-service) dogs onboard?

[PEGLEG]

If the cruise line says only service animals and the mall says only service animals, how do you justify talking the animal in training to the mall but not on the ship?

 

Ever hear of an "outdoor mall"?

[NorbertsNiece]

So bring a "dog in training" is O.K.? That would be an infraction to the rules. There would be absolutely NO reason for this. This is where some think they are above the rules. If one wants to expose an "animal in training" to large crowds, go to the mall.

 

How it was explained to us is this:

 

The service dog needs to be exposed to as many different environments as possible whilst it is in training. As it is with able bodied trainers they can reassure it and adjust its needs to the situation it finds itself. So taking an authenticated service dog in training on board a cruise ship is very valuable. When it is homed for life, should the owner wish to go on a cruise ship this will already be in the dogs memory and it will be able to do its job - that of caring for its owner.

[PEGLEG]

How it was explained to us is this:

 

The service dog needs to be exposed to as many different environments as possible whilst it is in training. As it is with able bodied trainers they can reassure it and adjust its needs to the situation it finds itself. So taking an authenticated service dog in training on board a cruise ship is very valuable. When it is homed for life, should the owner wish to go on a cruise ship this will already be in the dogs memory and it will be able to do its job - that of caring for its owner.

 

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

[DramaBB82]

How it was explained to us is this:

 

The service dog needs to be exposed to as many different environments as possible whilst it is in training. As it is with able bodied trainers they can reassure it and adjust its needs to the situation it finds itself. So taking an authenticated service dog in training on board a cruise ship is very valuable. When it is homed for life, should the owner wish to go on a cruise ship this will already be in the dogs memory and it will be able to do its job - that of caring for its owner.

 

Not sure why some people are being so vicious about it, but what you said here makes perfect sense to me. No worries. :D

[spanner14]

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

 

No - God forbid blind or disabled people would want to go on a cruise, eh? :eek:

[NorbertsNiece]

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

 

Even if one person who needed assistance wanted to cruise the dog should be prepared. Inclusion is vital for people who would otherwise be denied such an experience and this allows it to them. The dog we encountered had the most rigorous training and would only be given to someone who had need of it... training costs thousands of $. Your view of breaking a rule just 'cause they can is completely at odds to what service dogs are all about.

[Tranquil Waters]

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

 

You are perhaps being a bit hasty here. I am sure the dog trainer also spent a week in jail so the service animal would be prepared should its eventual owner find him or herself incarcerated. :D

[Ocean Boy]

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

 

How many service dogs have you trained?

[RoofingPrincess]

Thank you, Cathalain, for posting and trying to explain. I know that took some courage! I do understand what you are saying.

 

Our son has schizophrenia and he sometimes gets very depressed with it. He has a little cat, who has been with him through thick and thin - through his worst periods of paranoia and feelings of persecution and through his depression. Her attitude to him never changes and she always loves him, even when he is feeling alienated from people.

 

While he would never claim she is a therapy animal and he certainly would not attempt to cruise with her, I am certain that caring for her is the only thing that gets him out of bed some days, and occasionally the only thing that has kept him from suicide - he would not want to leave her alone. To us, she is truly a lifesaver!

Hm. I wonder if that's one of the reasons why my bipolar son keeps trying to talk me into getting a pet... only problem is, he wants a cat (his girlfriend's family has about a dozen) and I'm allergic to those! And our condo complex is allegedly no-pets, but a few residents have "discreet" cats (which don't go outside - but you can occasionally see them sunning in the window!)

[RoofingPrincess]

Sounds like bullcrap to me. Just an excuse for someone to break a rule, 'cause they can. What are the odds of an animal in training being assigned to someone who goes cruising? Maybe one in ten thousand?...Maybe? Hard to believe it would be that high.

Wow. Why so much hostility? Who p'd in your Cheerios this morning??

 

Service dogs in training are not pets. They are learning to do their job. I think going on a cruise is a great educational opportunity for them as it exposes them to a lot of different scenarios: restaurant, theatre, casino, hotel-type room, pool area; possibly small boat (tender), dock, waterfront.

One family in our church has trained service dogs in the past. The dogs even came to church. Fortunately, the dogs did not try to sing along with the choir! :p

[NorbertsNiece]

Wow. Why so much hostility? Who p'd in your Cheerios this morning??

 

Service dogs in training are not pets. They are learning to do their job. I think going on a cruise is a great educational opportunity for them as it exposes them to a lot of different scenarios: restaurant, theatre, casino, hotel-type room, pool area; possibly small boat (tender), dock, waterfront.

One family in our church has trained service dogs in the past. The dogs even came to church. Fortunately, the dogs did not try to sing along with the choir! :p

 

 

Might be an improvement where my singing is concerned but that's a whole other thread!

[gdpups]

I felt the need to post on this subject. I have been raising puppies for a school for the blind for the past 15 years and we have personally raised 13 puppies. The biggest problem we puppy raisers have right now is people who claim their PET is a service animal. Makes me wonder how many of those dogs on cruise ships were legit! That being said I have visually impaired friends that cruise with their guides all the time.

 

I just wanted to say it's not necessary for a pup in training to experience being on a cruise ship as a pup. If the dog is properly socialized as a pup to crowds, loud noises, etc. and is confident enough to become a service animal it will not have a problem adapting to any new situations.

[musik07]

Still, you'd be surprised at what turns up at shelters. I work for a vet & we have had some very nice dogs come in that were either picked up as strays or given up due to personal circumstances. I know I've seen a maltese & poodle among the breeds adopted out.

 

we rescued what we assume is a pure bred bichon frise from the humane society last spring. he was four months old and surrendered because the owner had passed away and the family that took him in couldn't handle him. we don't have papers or a pedigree but our vet (who was the vet with his owner before he passed) has told us that he was bought from a reputable breeder in Indiana! He has stayed home with me while my parents were cruising and he will be staying with family friends (who's dog just stayed with us while they cruised) while we cruise. I would never consider talking him with us!