Quampapetet

Better safe than sorry. I want to be a good customer, always prepared, rather than putting that burden on the business owner. I'm lucky in that I have the mobility to bend down and clean up messes on most days. :)

It isn't about a burden or not being a good customer, but many stores (especially ones selling/serving food) have a follow specific protocols under the health codes and such. There is a reason they tell you they will take care of it. Of course, you should alert the store and apologize.

I'm hopefully going to be getting a puppy out of one of two upcoming litters: one due at the end of this month, one next month. With the puppy, we'll be reinforcing "Better go now" for ALL toileting, on various surfaces (concrete, rock, pea gravel, grass, dirt, etc.)

That's great that you'll have a new puppy soon! I hope you will post a photo once you get it!

Do the rest of you carry Natures Miracle with you?

No, it isn't necessary. On the rare chance the dog does get sick in public, the business has protocols it must follow for cleaning up biological spills, same as if a kid pukes or otherwise soils the store/its goods.

If I'm flying, I definitely want to find an area for him to go in and I make sure that he only gets a few ice cubes to wet his mouth so he's not too uncomfortable while waiting to either enter or exit a plane.

By October, US airports are supposed to have service dog potty areas within the secure area by law, which will make layovers and delays much easier! :cool:

One thing that shocked me... This morning, I was eating alone at Haymaker, at a quiet table near the exit from the back room. A family of six walked past me, heading for the exit, or so I thought. They stopped where Darian was lying down, and the dad put his baby -- a kid barely old enough to stand up -- right in front of Darian! Before I could even get this absurdity through my head, the kid leaned forward and grabbed hold of Darian's ears.

 

Thank God Darian is unflappable. He didn't even lift his head. I was so proud of him, because he has virtually zero exposure to kids, so this was a totally new situation for him. I think he was just as shocked as I was! I couldn't even think of what to say to that idiot father.

:eek: What is wrong with people?! He had NO way of knowing how your dog would react to a baby in its face (not to mention the baby grabbing the dog's ears), especially with all the people faking their pets as service dogs these days (the vest doesn't necessarily mean a well-behaved dog)! He was lucky this time, but next time might not be, and the child will be the victim. :mad:

Rabies: I don’t have an original rabies certificate and I am not listed as Henri’s owner (I have a copy of the certificate, she did not belong to me when the rabies shot was given) Is this going to be a problem? Has anyone else just had a copy of the rabies certificate to take? As for the other required vaccinations, do you have a certificate or just what is filled out on the Aphis 7001 by the vet? Some countries seem to require information that I don’t have like the manufacturer, brand name and lot number of the other vaccines.

I would check with the USDA about whether or not they think the copy of the rabies certificate will be an issue. Rabies is the only vaccine that has a certificate. I would recommend doing titers before your trip so you can prove the other vaccines were done.

Endoparasites: Some countries require that the dog be treated for endoparasites. Does the dog need to be treated for more than just heartworm? Is treatment for roundworms or tape worms, etc. required? Is a negative fecal test all that you need to satisfy this requirement?

You probably will need to give your dog a chewable pill for the parasite treatment - check with your vet well enough in advance to be sure they have it in stock. I had to do it for one country, I forget which, in a certain time frame before we entered, so did it while on the ship and showed them (they came aboard to check the microchip and paperwork) the empty wrapper in the bottle with the prescription info. on it (they barely glanced at it, go figure).

Leptospirosis – Does anyone vaccinate their dog for Leptospirosis? Is it a safe vaccine? It looks like several of the countries we will be visiting will require this vaccine.

 

Lepto is safe. It only lasts one year, so I have to give it yearly for the Bahamas. It protects against a water-borne disease.

 

 

Colombia – Colombia is on the list of “screw worm” countries. I am concerned because this is our last port and I will not be able to provide the required vet certificate regarding screw worm to re-enter the US. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

I would also direct this question to the USDA.

Hmm. I wonder if that would work on scorpions. The only thing I *know* works on them is a blowtorch. (I spend nine or ten months out of the year hunting scorpions in the backyard in hopes of keeping them out of the house.)

:eek: I don't think I want to visit AZ!!

I was thinking of bringing something I could use as a vertical surface, like a plastic tent stake.

By the time he's fully trained, he should long be potty trained to squat to pee, as appropriate for service dogs.

Note that when my husband and I go on our cruise next year, my dog probably won't be wearing his vest, due to the heat. (He's a chow/golden mix.) Because of that, I purchased two leash sleeves.

Have you looked at any of the mesh vests? There are also evaporative coolers you can get if you're really worried, but remember dogs are in all types of climates and do well.

Do you allow people to pet your dog or just hope people to ask permission? Our boy is doing awesome in training right now. Has no problem being quiet under a table and doesn't beg for food.

You definitely don't want anyone petting or otherwise distracting your medical alert dog, which could lead to a missed or late alert. That happened to a girl whose seizure alert dog was distracted by someone who refused to stop and the girl ended up getting hurt, rugburns all over her face, because she didn't have enough time to get to a safe place before the seizure once the dog finally alerted late. (You can Google for the article, as it went viral last year.) No types of service dogs should be petted/distracted when working, but especially not alert dogs.

Physical positioning involves blocking (sometimes called posting) to keep people from approaching too closely. Here's an example of active blocking:

Ah, gotcha. I know what blocking is, just never heard it called "physical positioning" before.

Has anyone had issues with breed discrimination? Looks like we won't be getting off in Nassau now since Jemma isn't allowed in. Ugh.

 

I searched their laws and found nothing excluding any breeds.

Many countries, including in the Caribbean, exclude certain breeds such as bully breeds, typically aggressive breeds, and occasionally even German Shepherd Dogs. If you have a bully breed, you're going to have a tough time travelling internationally with your dog.

So cute, Horton's got one! He's a real toy lover. He must have a toy to play with when we travel. I AWAYS buy him a new one each travel journey. I take it out and he's a happy boy in a new cabin or hotel room!

I typically buy new toys for most trips (not short ones that are a few days long), too. :) I try to make them applicable to the trip, so my previous girl had a lot of tropical/Caribbean-themed toys! And Disney toys, of course. (But poor Minnie Mouse was laid to rest recently thanks to my current girl! :eek: ;) ) One of my previous girl's favorite toys was a plush suitcase with travel patches from different locations on it - really cute!

The school I'm working with will board the puppy (and continue his training) if necessary. We're not doing scent-alert training or brace/balance work -- it's all physical positioning for PTSD -- and some pups can be ready for public access in their first year, while others take significantly longer. It all depends on temperament, training, and luck when it comes to fear periods. And it may be a moot point, if I don't get a puppy out of this very next litter. All the other litters this year will produce pups who'll be too young.

 

Either way, I'm really hoping my current SD is still willing and able to keep working, even at age ten.

Being ready for training/being in public is not the same as being a fully-trained service dog, which typically happens between 18-24 months of age. Public access training is begun when the puppy is young.

What is "physical positioning for PTSD"? Is that the same as DPT?

Roz, I was looking on the Web site for Unleashed by Petco to see if they had a certain toy I saw in their store on their Web site and I had to come on here to show these two toys to you, as your Horton needs his own Horton Hears a Who toys!!!

http://www.unleashedbypetco.com/shop/en/unleashedstore/dog/dog-toys/dog-plush-toys/dr-seuss-horton-squeaker-mat-dog-toy

http://www.unleashedbypetco.com/shop/en/unleashedstore/dog/dog-toys/dog-plush-toys/dr-seuss-medium-horton-flat-plush-dog-toy

The awkward part is that we're set to cruise in March of 2017, which means we'll either have my ten-year-old buffalo dog or a puppy. If I get a pup from the first litter that's going to be born in seven or so weeks, we'll be okay. If I don't get a pup until the autumn litter, though... well, I won't bring an untrained or under-trained pup with me. That wouldn't be fair to me, to the other passengers, or to the pup himself.

The puppy won't be going with you no matter what, as service dogs in training are not allowed on cruises. They are not covered under the ADA. So, you will have to have someone care for your puppy while you are away - your vet may do boarding, otherwise there are great boarding kennels, dog sitters, or friends/family, or you could send the puppy for board-and-train training during that time.

Guess who?! Wow, I had twenty pages of this thread to read! I wanted to come on the boards to see what people are saying about the crazy Royal Caribbean ship that went through the wild storm - I can't imagine being on that one!!! And I am sure none of our dogs would enjoy it!

I am glad some of you have had great cruises! We're doing well here.

I can't believe it has been about a month since I came on here - I really thought it was a lot more recent than that! Time is just FLYING by! Christmas is this week and soon after, it will be - gulp - 2016!!! I can't believe it.

Reading all the messages here, I feel like I am the only one who is NOT going on a cruise/just got off a cruise!! I hope everyone has/had fun!

My service dog is doing well and it feels like she's been here forever, not just a few months. I guess that means she is a great successor dog to my late girl! I will tell you something funny: she's really vain. How do I know this? Because if you sing a (made-up) song about her, she's fine, but if I sing a song about anything else, even if it is a Christmas carol, she starts kissing my mouth to shut me up!!! LOL! Sheesh, I didn't think my singing was THAT bad - everyone's a critic!

Merry Christmas to all! May Santa Paws bring good stuff to your pups! Toys and treats for mine (and treats for the pet dogs of close family members).

I would like to sail with her and my wife in about 3 weeks. We are not 100% sure yet, but we were looking at cruises that go Jamaica and/or Bahamas and/or Cayman.

Dogs can't get off in Jamaica and I believe Cayman requires a rabies titer with six-month wait. The Bahamas requires an import permit, which you only MIGHT be able to get so quickly if you fax the form in (I would recommend calling to let them know you need it in a hurry, too) - they are on island time and papers sit on desks for months sometimes. Note that you don't need paperwork for a port your dog is not getting off the ship at.

Well, we live in Canada and my dog has all her vaccination papers (last time she has a 3-year shot). Thus, I am not sure if I will have to get the USDA health certificate for her, or that would be only in case we would like to disembark with her.

You will need to get an international health certificate from your Canadian vet, not from a US vet. You do have to fulfill all the requirements of importing a dog into the US, since you will be getting off the ship in the US, which is basically just a valid rabies vaccination and the health certificate.

My biggest concern is how it is going to be at ports of call. The cruise I am interested in goes to Cayman Islands and to Jamaica. How is it to go out with my service dog? And how is it coming back to the ship? What is necessary etc?

 

As stated before, I would much prefer leaving my Service Dog onboard. Can the dog stay in the vessel while I disembark? If I bring a big and comfortable crate, can we leave her locked in the crate? Will the cruise line know and do anything if both me and my wife leave the ship and my dog stays in the cabin?

No, you cannot leave your dog in the cabin alone. You or your wife (or someone you bring on the cruise with you to dogsit) will have to stay onboard with your dog. The cruise ship marks your cruise card (used for getting on/off the ship, in your room, for purchases, etc.) as your having a service dog and if you try to exit the ship at a port your dog doesn't have permission to get off the ship at, a very loud alarm will go off when you try to exit the ship.

Moreover, how will it be coming back to the USA after the cruise? Any special request? When we come back to Florida, will they need any certification or quarantine for my dog?

No quarantine or anything, just need the health certificate like I said above, since you are importing the dog from whatever country your last port is - I recommend bringing the rabies certificate, too, even though the health certificate would have that information on it.

When I travel abroad with my Service Dog, I was never asked for any documents for her (although I always bring with me her vaccine papers, her United States Service Dog Registry card etc.).

I don't know if it is because you're not knowledgeable about US stuff, being from Canada, or if you're trying to fake your pet or emotional support dog as a service dog, but every single one of those ID cards you can buy online is a scam. Fakers use these fake IDs to attempt to bring their pets and emotional support animals in public places. They have the validity of the piece of gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. The US has no legitimate registry and ID cards, vests, etc. are not required for access here.

As long as you fit the US definition of a person with a disability (have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, etc.) and your dog fits the definition of a service dog (individually trained to do work or perform tasks that are directly related to your disability, plus is housebroken and trained to behave in public - comfort, emotional support, etc. does not make a dog a service dog), your dog can be brought onto the cruise ship with you. Businesses are allowed to ask if the dog is your service dog and what tasks it has been trained to do that directly relate to your disability. Ships follow the US laws when they depart from the US and in each port you get off at, their laws (most of the Caribbean doesn't have access laws for service dogs) apply.

When you board the ship, throw your useless fake ID in the ocean (okay, don't ACTUALLY do this, as throwing things off the ship is not allowed and could get you kicked off!). If you're a legit service dog handler, you would not want to be seen with said card by anyone who knows they are for fakers!

We have one dilemma. Our dogs are so sensitive (wheat, corn, chicken) that we make their food to prevent hot spots and ear infections. We use potatos, sweet potatos, brown rice, carrots, beats and either canned salmon, hamburger meat or pork roasts. Most can be served raw except for the rice prep and meat. Does anyone have any experience with this? We use a microwave to prep the food, and I know the ships will store some food for us.

 

Any thoughts?

I would recommend switching to a dehydrated raw diet for the cruise (switch beforehand if your dog is sensitive to switches in food), then all you need to do is measure, add water, stir, and wait. I feed both dehydrated raw ("i and love and you" brand) and kibble (same brand) and I mix the dehydrated raw with the water each night for the next day's meals (you put it in the fridge, of course), but otherwise, you wait around fifteen minutes for the food to rehydrate (it rehydrates better overnight, which is why I do that - well, it is also easier that way!).

If you can't/don't want to switch to dehydrated raw, you could ask the cruise line if you'd be allowed to bring some sort of portable device to cook the rice in (small rice cooker or a baby bottle warmer, if that would work, or something - you'd have to research your options on that 'cause I don't know what is out there). Don't be surprised if they say no for safety reasons. Your dog can do without rice for the duration of the cruise - if he needs it for stomach issues, as I would assume would be why you feed it daily, you can substitute pumpkin puree, which Weruva sells in pouches for dogs (I recommend Chewy.com for buying this and dehydrated raw food of various brands). You can raw feed the meat, so no problem there, although you would need to ask the cruise line if you're even allowed to bring raw meat aboard (might be a customs issue, as might the veggies be, and you might not be allowed to take any off the ship after your cruise, in case you are staying at your destination after the cruise). Oh, just saw that you use canned salmon - you could just feed that all week instead of worrying about the slabs of frozen meat. There are lots of options out there.

Oh, and you can e-mail (or probably call) "i and love and you" for a few samples of their food, including dehydrated raw, to try it out without the expense of buying a whole bag (dehydrated raw isn't cheap). The company makes good treats, too. You can find their contact info. on their Web site, iandloveandyou.com, and customer service is very helpful. (Chewy's customer service rocks, too - they even send you a handwritten postcard after you make your first order to welcome you to their "family"!)

I am curious as to how all of you would handle this situation. I was at Target the other day with Ellie and I had a lady a register over make a snide remark about how she should get one of those vests for her dog, since you can just by one on E-bay.

 

I know many question Ellie being a service dog since she is so small (7lb miniature Poodle), but she was behaving herself and doing what she would be doing. She was even on the floor and not in my arms. I don't know what deserved that comment from her. I ignored her, but I wanted to tell her to go ahead if she thought she could afford the $2000 fine and jail time. What would all of you have done?

I probably would have ignored her, too, unless she was speaking directly to me. Unfortunately, fakers are going to fake no matter what you tell them. They only care about themselves and cannot comprehend that they are indeed hurting people when they fake their pets as service dogs. (You can see their behavior on Instagram - but I don't recommend looking for it because it is infuriating! I hear Twitter is bad, too, but I am not on there.)

I have no idea where this came from but when we're in a large crowd that we have to maneuver our way through Horton will actually walk in front of me and guide me through it. I had sun glasses on and my SIL said, OMG, these folks think he's a seeing eye dog. They literally parted a huge path for Horton and I to walk through. This is not part of his training but it sure came very natural for him to do this behavior and it kept either one of us from being trampled.

 

I get that all the time, people thinking my service dog is a guide dog. I know that has a lot to do with them not knowing the difference between a guide harness and a mobility harness, plus I have to wear tinted glasses due to one of my disabilities. It is helpful when they point out steps, but not helpful when waitresses don't give me a menu because they think I can't see it! :p

These are videos of both urination and defecation while sailing as that was the number one question guest asked....

And the number two question! :p :D

I'm curious, how many of you are members of the IAADP?

 

I read up on the organization, and Pedro meets all of their qualifications for membership, so I will scan his certificates into the computer and email them over, probably this weekend.

I have been a member for years and find it to be quite worth it, especially since you get Cosequin or Dasuquin for free (that's worth MUCH more than the membership fee)! My previous vet was a VCA hospital, so I also saved a lot on vet bills (including for health certificates) using the VCA discount over the years. I no longer go to a VCA hospital, so won't be using that discount anymore, and am sad my new vet has no discount for service dogs (the one where my trainer is had a sweet 30% discount!), but my new vet is up on all the latest medical stuff, including using lasers not only for incisions (including laproscopic) but also to reduce/prevent bleeding during surgery and to promote faster healing - worth having to pay full price!

I enjoy getting the IAADP newsletter, top, although it seems like it doesn't come out as often as it used to (anyone else feel this way?). And, of course, IAADP is great at advocating for us - they recently worked with the DOT to get a new law requiring service dog relief (potty) areas in the secure parts of airports (I believe those have to be in place by next fall).

They also have a new chat line or something for those of us who have lost service dogs, though I have not participated in it.

They don't require you to send in your certification, just fill out the membership application with the program/trainer info. as well as at least two tasks your dog does for you (among some other info.).

A Day At the Bank - a true story

 

by: Roz

 

Uh, Roz, sometimes your life is a little TOO exciting!!! :eek: Goodness! I am glad you were safe, especially since you couldn't hear his demand to get on the floor. Scary!

Did they ever catch him?

Roz,

 

As soon as I found out we had to do the titer, I got Pedro into the vet ASAP for the blood draw. According to the Kansas State lab, they're working on it. The vet said they can take two to three weeks to get the result back. That's why we are now on a time crunch, especially with St. Kitts.

Did you use the IAADP discount, which also moves you to the front of the line? The first time I did it, my vet was all confused about the discount et al and didn't use it, so it took a while to get the results, but the second time they did use it and I got the results much faster. (Of course, I had to do the six-month wait for one or two of the countries, so I wasn't in a rush to get the results.)

You do realize that you don't need to wait to get the results of the first test back before doing the second test, right? If there's a thirty-day time frame between titers (as I recall), it is from the dates of the blood draws (which is also when the six-month wait begins for places with that requirement), not the dates of the tests/results. Unless you have reason to think the test will come back negative, which would be unusual.

Just got off the phone with our local USDA office. We have our appointment to get 7001 stamped. Phew! I also asked them about Barbados. He said the reason why they won't allow dogs in from ships/yachts is because a flight can't be definitely traced back to its original location. A ship can come from anywhere...even if a ship has an official log. Stupid...imho.

That's crazy, especially for a cruise ship since you know it isn't going to fake logs or anything like maybe a private yacht might try to do. And if anyone is going to fake paperwork, they'd probably fake the rabies paperwork, including people flying in.