Yappy little "princess" dog

Sounds like a silly title, right? Especially for a cruise. Let me explain. I have been on many cruises over the years, and I have seen many different types of service dogs. (and my background was special education so I know about ADA and other issues). That being said, on last weeks (3-3-12) NOS sailing we had a yappy little dog. She was well groomed (actually a beautiful little, long haired, carmel colored dog - like a very small show dog, maybe 10 lbs) and enjoyed riding around in her pop up umbrella stroller. My first thought was that one of her owners might have a seizure problem, etc. And then she began to yap, yap yap. Whenever we saw her, the dog was yapping. (I probably should say we always heard her before we saw her.) We and others on the cruise weren't sure who "she" was supposed to be with as she was with different "partners" the several time we saw her. I also have never seen a service dog who appeared to be so pampered (and wore nothing indicating they were a service dog). "Princess" was the talk of the ship (or at least the people we talked to) A few people suggested that the couple "Knew" a doctor who would sign off on the paper work so the dog wouldn't have to stay home. Since the people who suggested this were from Flordia and cruised often (one couple every 3-4 weeks, a few others every month to month and a half), I have a feeling this has happened before. I like dogs, and I have great respect for service dogs who make a more "normal" life possible for many people. This dog appeared to be a pampered pet who mama and daddy couldn't bear to part with and wanted everyone to know "she" was on board and the center of attention. If this is a service dog, she needs to be retrained (not to bark at everyone and everything). I post this knowing full well I will be flamed, but I needed to express my opinion. I am very, very happy that she was not in the cabin next to mine

I guess you needed to vent. AFAIK in order to bring a dog on board certain qualifying criteria has to be met. Making a judgement as to whether the paperwork was fudged is erroneous. JMO.

Service dogs are a sensitive subject. I for one am all for them. Sometimes the outside doesn't match the situation of the individual who needs the assistance....I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. ;)

However IMHO......a yappy dog in a umbrella stroller doesn't appear to be a service dog, more like the owner has issues of leaving Fido (or in the case Princess) at home.

I see at them at the mall in a stroller. Or just lately at a major casino at the buffet! :eek:

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AFAIK in order to bring a dog on board certain qualifying criteria has to be met.

Not really. You have to go through a ton of red tape to take the dog OFF the ship in foreign countries but there really isnt any certifications you have to prove or qualifying criteria to get the dog on the ship.

I have been checking extensively on this as me and my 16 week old Lab puppy are doing training right now........She will be cruising with me next cruise I go on. :)

Its people that bring their untrained "pets" such as this seems to be the case that give well trained service dogs a bad name :(

I used to have a customer who always had her service dog with her. It never barked. Sometimes you could tell that it was frightened because it would start shaking. I worked in a very busy, large retailer and with all of the other customers around you would expect the dog to be protective. But the dog was very well behaved, ie trained.

Sounds like the dog described by the OP needed more training or was not a true service dog.

Not really. You have to go through a ton of red tape to take the dog OFF the ship in foreign countries but there really isnt any certifications you have to prove or qualifying criteria to get the dog on the ship.

 

I have been checking extensively on this as me and my 16 week old Lab puppy are doing training right now........She will be cruising with me next cruise I go on. :)

 

Its people that bring their untrained "pets" such as this seems to be the case that give well trained service dogs a bad name :(

So glad you have a service dog that you are going through training with. Labs do make fabulous service dogs. I'm sure she will make the trip more enjoyable for you. (and people will smile to see her on board with you, because I'm sure she'll wear an indication that she is there to help you) I have never seen a "service" dog before this that was not with one particular owner at all times attending to the owner and not to the outside world. IMHO, when a service dog barks, especially over and over, it is because its' owner is in trouble (and not seeking attention for itself)>

I have no issue with service dogs and am sympathetic to the people who use them. But this dog would have driven me crazy.

And ryano is correct. Getting service dogs on board is not that difficult. I do happen to know a frequent cruiser on Celebrity who fudges her paperwork and doesn't really need her little "princess." They are even aware of it but don't want to go down the road of challenging it.

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? I have a great respect for service dogs, and love animals in general, but this just aroused my curiousity, as they obviously can't use the toilet, and would not have access to a designated area to do their "duty".

So glad you have a service dog that you are going through training with. Labs do make fabulous service dogs. I'm sure she will make the trip more enjoyable for you. (and people will smile to see her on board with you, because I'm sure she'll wear an indication that she is there to help you) I have never seen a "service" dog before this that was not with one particular owner at all times attending to the owner and not to the outside world. IMHO, when a service dog barks, especially over and over, it is because its' owner is in trouble (and not seeking attention for itself)>

Maybe the dog knew its owner was going to have a seizure in a week.:rolleyes:

I cruised on Mariner a couple of years ago with 19 service dogs (maybe it was only 15, maybe 21; it was quite a few). You might guess by my screen name that I love the critters, and you would be correct, so I thought it was great. Many of the owners were amenable to having the dogs get some attention from other passengers (always asked first) and they had an evening play time in the conference center, where all of the dogs were allowed to be pets.

But, just as cruising isn't for all people, it's not for all dogs, either. Some were seasick.:( I did feel badly for the crew who had to do the cleanup of the conference room and staterooms of the ill pups...

But I digress. There were a few individual who were prone to seizures. There's no way to tell by looking at them, but their dogs were clearly trained and most were wearing service vests. I would be inclined to believe that they were legitimate. Princess, sounds like not so much.

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? .

They put out a wood box on an upper deck mostly away from everything, filled with various things like sand, dirt, wood chips, etc or whatever you request basically.

The dog goes there and relieves itself each and every time :)

We have three Great Danes...now if I can figure out the paperwork, maybe they can push us around in strollers.....

On my last Princess cruise, I had a suite next to me and they had a dog. It was a little lap dog. I have no way of knowing if it was a trained service dog or not. It barked a few times, but not like what you describe. I saw them walking it around the ship once it a while, but it wasn't always with them when they left the cabin. I could see by the name on the cabin that the man was a doctor. I also jumped to the thought that they wrote up what they needed to get to take their dog a long. Of course, I could be completely wrong. It was a very spoiled dog, though, that wore outfits and stuff. It didn't seem like a service dog to me...but what do I know.

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? I have a great respect for service dogs, and love animals in general, but this just aroused my curiousity, as they obviously can't use the toilet, and would not have access to a designated area to do their "duty".

The crew does a great job in assisting the dog and its owner. Stroll along the outside deck and you will find a small shallow box filled with grass.......Fido will take it from there. :D

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The OP's instincts are probably correct, the dog does not have characteristics of a true service dog. Anyone can get a certificate to show any pet is a service animal. The entire concept of "companion animals" is disingenuous. This does a true disservice to the true service animals. RCCL should begin to require better certification of these service animals. Perhaps third-party certification of animals by a Vet of RCCL choice at the owners expense.

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? I have a great respect for service dogs, and love animals in general, but this just aroused my curiousity, as they obviously can't use the toilet, and would not have access to a designated area to do their "duty".

I have often wondered the same thing, especially for a german shepherd, golden or lab - papers just won't cut it.

RCCL should begin to require better certification of these service animals..

They simply cant :)

I think some dogs are used for anxiety and others for autistic children.

It is against the law to ask to see if the dogs are certified.

I have often wondered the same thing, especially for a german shepherd, golden or lab - papers just won't cut it.

Again, a wooden box is put out on an outside deck somewhere usually out of the main area and is filled with various fillings. The dogs owner can even request specifically what fillings they put in there or what the dog is use to doing its business on :)

here is an example I found.

The ADA law syas that people can't be challenged on their disabilities, it says nothing about animals. RCCL has the right and the responibility to control what's on their ships. If RCCL can prohibit prgenant women past a certain date from sailing, they can prohibit people from bringing their toy pets.

The ADA law syas that people can't be challenged on their disabilities, it says nothing about animals.

Actually yes it does say something about service dogs. They can NOT ask for certification.

Pregnant women aren't protected by ADA. Thats irrelevant.

Cool, I am taking Bob and Darla with me next time! They will be my lifeguards in the pool!:D

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? .

We traveled with another couple who had a service dog. They put astoturf on the balcony. Didn't help. Also got seasick in the theater. Finally crapped out in the casino.

You can also have a certified dog for 69.95 (just google it).

http://www.certifyyourservicedog.com/

Bet I could have found a way to get my Max on the ship. He'd have loved it. Monster Dog knew how to reel in attention and never make a sound. Unusual for a 130 pound timberwolf hybrid, but he'd do it every time I took him anywhere in public.

Sadly, won't get the chance. Had to let him go two weeks ago. Cancer took him at the all too young age of 8. :(

The ADA law syas that people can't be challenged on their disabilities,.

Because of the hippo act;):)