Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[arcone]

Thank you for a informative post

[wizard-of-roz]

Please disregard the above post...I found the answer to my question on another forum.

 

Meanwhile, I hope the service dogs enjoy their travels and the fakes stay home.

 

First, let me just say that if you see a dog "lunging at someone in the public forum", please call them out. First, talk to the handler and let them know that you know that their dog is NOT properly trained to be out in the public. And, that you would prefer that they leave their misbehaving dog in their cabin or you will file a formal complaint.

 

A properly trained Service Dog will NEVER lunge at anyone, anywhere, anytime. Nor will it have fleas, or any skin lesions.

 

I have witnessed a "fake" Service Dog and its handler, along with her luggage, being escorted off the ship in San Diego and the handler was asked to find transportation back to L.A.

 

I am personally insulted and offended by people who try to bring their pets with them where ever they go. And, their pets are obnoxious and dangerous to be around. If I see one I will warn the handler and then I will do all that I can to have it removed from my presence.

 

I don't want to be around a nippy, sniffing, barking, whining or lunging animal onboard my expensive vacation!

[rpclmc]

Move my daughter and her boyfriend into the dorms tomorrow and Thursday. My husband will be gone for several weeks starting Saturday. I am going to start the potty box training for Halo and consistently, since it will just be me here and I won't have to worry about someone opening up his dog door or just letting him out.

 

 

Not much else going on on my end. I did order a new wheelchair. I found a travel, electric wheelchair that looks so much easier than my travel scooter. I never thought I would be excited about a wheelchair, but I am going to be able to tow my luggage behind me and travel more independently.

 

 

Roz, I am glad a cruise ship removed a disruptive dog. So many businesses are so afraid of getting sued that is how all the fakes are getting away with it.

 

 

 

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

 

Linda and Halo

[Host Walt]

Very interesting thread posted on the RCI board:

 

 

Royal Caribbean banning emotional support animals

[rangeley]

Very interesting thread posted on the RCI board:

 

 

Royal Caribbean banning emotional support animals

I had no idea esa were allowed on ships. Is that just rccl?

 

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[meatloafsfan]

You don't have problems with people approaching him when you do this?

 

I do have booties for him. My trainer taught me, if it is too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your dog. I love this and I won't walk on those sun decks barefoot.

 

When I take him to the beach or other outside pools, I have a small chair umbrella I hook to the lower part of a lounge chair, place his towel - yes he has his own beach towel, under the shade, I have a mini portable fan that I set up in front of him, put his water bowl in the shade and place a couple frozen water bottles out for him to lick on or lean against.

 

Yes, I take care of him more than I did more daughter when she was a toddler:)

 

Linda and Halo

 

Have you looked into a cooling mat? My uncle had one for his service dog - our front porch got a lot of sun so when he would come over, he brought this blue, cooling mat with him. The dog could lay comfortably on it and gave the benefit of giving the dog his own space (the dog also knew that when he was on that mat, he was "off duty" and could relax). I don't know about all of them but his rolled up like a yoga mat and was easy to clean (really well trained dog but boy did that thing shed).

[rumpelstiltskin]

I have witnessed a "fake" Service Dog and its handler' date=' along with her luggage, being escorted off the ship in San Diego and the handler was asked to find transportation back to L.A.[/b'][/color]

 

I hope you & others who witnessed her departure cheered & jeered.

 

Too bad it wasn't a foreign port so she would have to deal with all the quarantine hassles.

 

Perhaps then she would consider if her scam was worth the savings of boarding & travel to the embarkation port.

[rumpelstiltskin]

Forgot to add that she would find out that airlines in other countries aren't required by law to fly her foo foo dog for free.

[wizard-of-roz]

Move my daughter and her boyfriend into the dorms tomorrow and Thursday. My husband will be gone for several weeks starting Saturday. I am going to start the potty box training for Halo and consistently, since it will just be me here and I won't have to worry about someone opening up his dog door or just letting him out.

 

 

Not much else going on on my end. I did order a new wheelchair. I found a travel, electric wheelchair that looks so much easier than my travel scooter. I never thought I would be excited about a wheelchair, but I am going to be able to tow my luggage behind me and travel more independently.

 

 

Roz, I am glad a cruise ship removed a disruptive dog. So many businesses are so afraid of getting sued that is how all the fakes are getting away with it.

 

 

 

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

 

Linda and Halo

 

Halo will have the potty box down and be a genius at using one. You're going to be so glad that you did this training.

[wizard-of-roz]

Very interesting thread posted on the RCI board:

 

 

Royal Caribbean banning emotional support animals

 

They should have NEVER allowed this to begin with. If a ship is going to allow Service Dogs they should be following the DOJ and ADA standards and laws.

 

Of course this means that my next Service Dog will be a Minature Horse. ;p

[wizard-of-roz]

Have you looked into a cooling mat? My uncle had one for his service dog - our front porch got a lot of sun so when he would come over, he brought this blue, cooling mat with him. The dog could lay comfortably on it and gave the benefit of giving the dog his own space (the dog also knew that when he was on that mat, he was "off duty" and could relax). I don't know about all of them but his rolled up like a yoga mat and was easy to clean (really well trained dog but boy did that thing shed).

 

 

Must have been a Lab.......they shed a new dog every day. There are definitely months that they're worse than others.....but, they do shed every day.

[wizard-of-roz]

I love, adore and deeply respect the Seeing Eye Dog......that said.....when the handler is resting, the dog is resting. When the Hearing Dog's handler is resting the Hearing Dog has to over-ride, and think about what's happening in their environment. He must make a decision to "alert" the handler to noises in their environment i.e. a fire alarm going off, a phone ringing, someone knocking on the door. He must "alert" the handler and actually sleeps with one eye [ear] open ALL THE TIME!

 

Talk about a brilliant dog and heavy training necessary to teach this dog the skills necessary to be a true "sentry" in every environment. Imagine, doing this job in strange surroundings, filled with lots and lots of foreign sounds.

 

My respect quotient goes up to one-zillion when I meet a Hearing Dog and watch them do their job. Sometimes their subtle gestures, known by only the Handler and the dog, are pure genius at it's finest! This, of course does not dismiss the difficult tasks and thoughtfulness required to be a Seeing Eye Dog, they are true heroes.

[wizard-of-roz]

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. :p Don't you just love all the great "doggie" movies that are out!

[CruisenOne]

Of course this means that my next Service Dog will be a Minature Horse. ;p

[Mack2]

 

 

We've met Confetti! She's famous!

Confetti is a guide animal... has been in service longer than a guide dog.

 

Edited August 20, 2018 by Mack2
better photo

[Onagh]

So I just got off the phone with USSDA and made my appointment for Certification of our Health Certificate. My local office resolved so much anxiety and validated not only what I found here in this thread but also my understanding of the process and I am so grateful that I was able to have everything done properly with the guidance that I’ve received so far.

I guess my point here is that the original poster who has given us so much information and instruction is absolutely validated after my conversation with the veterinarian at the USDA office.

So we are ready to fly we are ready to cruise we are ready to cross state lines and enter any country globally.

Again thank you so so very much for all of the information that was provided here.

 

 

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[wizard-of-roz]

 

What a miracle to see this little genius waiting to help someone have a better life!

Thank you so much for sharing this great picture!

[wizard-of-roz]

We've met Confetti! She's famous!

Confetti is a guide animal... has been in service longer than a guide dog.

 

 

Service Minature Horses can live more than 20 years.......Can you imagine having your service animal with you for that long.......it would be wonderful, our dogs lives are way too short. I wonder how this little hero would do if it wanted to sleep with you? ;p

[wizard-of-roz]

So I just got off the phone with USSDA and made my appointment for Certification of our Health Certificate. My local office resolved so much anxiety and validated not only what I found here in this thread but also my understanding of the process and I am so grateful that I was able to have everything done properly with the guidance that I’ve received so far.

I guess my point here is that the original poster who has given us so much information and instruction is absolutely validated after my conversation with the veterinarian at the USDA office.

So we are ready to fly we are ready to cruise we are ready to cross state lines and enter any country globally.

Again thank you so so very much for all of the information that was provided here.

 

 

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Please enjoy your cruise and come back and share all your great adventures with us.

Cruising with my Service Dog is my very favorite way to vacation. My dogs love it too!

[wizard-of-roz]

Something we don't talk about much are those "afternoon naps" while cruising. This is especially most enjoyable on those long sea days.

Have a relaxing room service lunch and then crawl into bed..ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!

 

Horton loves to nap...my first dog Brenda, not so much! She was a nosey, busy body.....but, Horty, he loves those long, restful, cruising sea day naps. There's nothing like the ship moving along at a slow pace [as to not disturb the guests daily activities, as opposed to the night-time pace, where the Captain will kick the knots-up more than a notch] to make it on time to the next port. :p The ship rockin & rollin at night will lull you off to sleep!

Unless you have Parnelli Jones navigating your ship and then the rocking and rolling can turn into a nightmare! Been on a few of those ridiculous cruises! :eek:

[rpclmc]

I got my new wheelchair today. I don't know how to post pictures. It is an electra 7 hd, electric travel wheelchair. Hot pink, I ordered it in pink, but it is really pink. That is ok, will limit the possibility of it getting stolen and it is easy to see.

 

 

However, the red dress I was looking at buying for formal night on the cruise will clash. But with my red hair it was probably not the best choice of colors for me.

 

 

Nobody but myself and Halo at home for a couple weeks. Perfect timing to do the relief box training. Let's see in 24 hours he has peed once and no poops. I hate this, but at least, it isn't on the ship stressing me out. And I do have a party when he goes. In fact, he gets smoked salmon when he pees. When he poops he will get an egg and smoked salmon, I might even break out some elk meat for him.

 

 

Linda and Halo

[puppycanducruise]

Hot pink chair! Great.

 

 

Good luck with the box training. Don't worry, he'll get it.

[rpclmc]

Any thoughts about traveling and/or advice for traveling to Western Europe with a service dog?

 

 

Linda and Halo

[Onagh]

Quick question: how do I find “pet friendly” excursions in the various ports? So far I am finding plenty of hotels and monthly rentals LoL! Any secrets? Or is walking the ports pretty much our limitations?

[HenryKisor]

Onagh, the first thing I would do is choose your port excursions. Second, contact the disabilities accommodations people at your cruise line, tell them of your excursion choices, and ask them to contact the excursions vendors to make sure they will accept service dogs.

 

I did this with HAL before a recent Panama Canal cruise, and all the vendors said sure, bring the dog, and some even said they'd reserve a front seat for us on the bus.

 

Vendors generally value tourists from America and will do everything they can to make an excursion work for a service dog team.

 

If you are going to Alaska or Canada, you needn't inquire ahead . . . the vendors have to accommodate you by law.

 

If you are going to Mexico or Central America, be aware that the countryside and town squares are full of free-range dogs, many of whom harbor fleas and disease. You might think of staying aboard the bus if there are more feral dogs than you can handle. But this would depend on where you are going.