"Service Dog" on Splendor

[njmomof2]

I am a huge supporter of service animals and have made a point of teaching my kids that these are not "pets" but working animals and not to approach them or attempt to pet them, unless the owner in some way indicates that it's allowed.

 

I also am highly allergic to dogs and cats. My cat allergies are much worse, and if I were in a plane next to a person with a cat, even in a carrier, I'd have to ask to be moved. The proximity of the cat, as well as the fact that the owner probably has cat hair on their clothing, would make me sick within minutes.

 

I have not had a problem to date with cabins, because I think the number of service animals on ships is still a very small number. I don't know what, if any, documentation needs to be provided but would hope that the animals on board are truly needed by their owners.

[evilelf]

e - this may be a too personal question but may I ask why it is that your wife needs Duncan when you are also there? I think it is wonderful that he can provide all these many services but I would think they would only be necessary if she was traveling alone.

 

2nd question - how does one train a dog to "do his business" in areas that will remain uncontaminated with urine or fecal matter?

Thanks for asking. While my wife is with me, or in her wheelchair, she doesn't need to use her service dog. But there are many times when I am not with her, where the use of her service dog is a tremendous help to her. The dog stays with her for those times when she needs to move on her own.

 

As to training the dog to "do his business", we first contacted Carnival to find out about the litter box they use. It is appx. 3 foot by 3 foot, and about 2-3 inches deep. They fill it with Nature's First Litter, which is a compressed newspaper pellet. I built one at home to train Duncan to use it. He didn't like it much, since his entire backyard was right next to it. So on our first cruise with him, we brought some mulch to mix in with their pellets, and it worked pretty well. On his second cruise, we brought sheets of sod to put in the litter box. This worked great, as Duncan actually had grass to do his business in. On our last 2 cruises, the rules had changed, and the Dept. of Agriculture prohibited us from bringing anything like mulch or sod onto the ship. The were worried about bringing pests on-board. But the minute Duncan saw the litter box, he immediately went to use it. Very smart dog!

[evilelf]

I'll bet the service dogs are getting all that extra tip money that everyone is griping about!!:D

Don't I wish!!!

[evilelf]

With the cigarette and oxygen she's going to need a mortician, not a service dog.

 

I had a patient who had a service dog only to keep her company.

If it is only to keep her company, this is a therapy or companion dog, not a service dog. Only fully trained service dogs are permitted on ships.

[evilelf]

ICELEVEN

 

The dog barked at just about anyone that passed by and it was heard constantly throughout the hallways. I seemed to run into her constantly. Most likely because we were on the same deck. I went to get on the elevator and they were already on. The dog snarled at me and barked. I made a quick exit off the elevator. I do not think this is normal behavior for a service animal.

No, this is NOT normal behavior for a service animal. Occasionally, a service dog may bark when completely startled, but if it barks constantly, it is not properly trained, and more likely not a service dog!

[evilelf]

I am a huge supporter of service animals and have made a point of teaching my kids that these are not "pets" but working animals and not to approach them or attempt to pet them, unless the owner in some way indicates that it's allowed.

Thank you. You wouldn't believe how many ADULTS don't understand what a service animal is, and they feel they have the right to touch or hug the dog, or worse call to the dog when it is working.

[misguidedangel]

Certain breeds are natural heat sources, so when you can't have a heating pad, bring along your Mexican hairliess dog and they'll keep you toasty warm.

 

I must say, as a former owner of a SHETLAND SHEEPDOG, there is no such breed as a "mini collie"....no, Shetland sheepdogs, aka Shelties, look like a Collie only smaller, but they are a separate breed. They adapted to life in the Shetland Islands and, like the Shetland Pony, evolved to be smaller.

[Umbarger]

ICELEVEN

 

I am glad to see your post. I was on the same sailing. I was beginning to think that I was the only one that had issues with this dog. We were on Deck 8 and the woman and the dog were just down the hall from our cabin. The dogs name is Lola and she is very well dressed.

 

The dog barked at just about anyone that passed by and it was heard constantly throughout the hallways. I seemed to run into her constantly. Most likely because we were on the same deck. I went to get on the elevator and they were already on. The dog snarled at me and barked. I made a quick exit off the elevator. I do not think this is normal behavior for a service animal. I saw the dog and owner in the casino. She was smoking while playing a machine and had the dog in her lap. I assume the oxygen was on as she had the tubes in her nose. There was no sense in reporting anything in the casino as it was not being monitored by the casino staff. Non playing passengers were everywhere smoking and taking up seats at machines that they were not playing. Very poor supervision in the casino.

 

I personally had my doubts about Lola being a certified service animal. It just did not fit.

 

Thanks for posting this concern. I will voice my opinions about it in my review.

 

This was not a certified service dog! Service dogs will never bark, snarl or growl. Service dogs are highly trained and will never have any of these behaviors. My guess is she was beating the system and passing her dog off as a service dog. This is a discredit to true service animals.

[rybreadsmomshubby]

Thank you. You wouldn't believe how many ADULTS don't understand what a service animal is, and they feel they have the right to touch or hug the dog, or worse call to the dog when it is working.

My dog isn't a service dog but you better believe I have a problem with anyone approaching or touching her without asking my permission first.

 

As for this 'service dog' in the OP's post, well, that's no service dog and I'd have definitely opened my big mouth and said a few choice words to the lady.

 

And, as mentioned elsewhere, what about those with dog allergies?

[iceleven]

Thanks to all of you for your responses and opinions. I still have mixed feelings about people who are allowed to bring their dogs onto ships especially when other options are available to them. Wouldn't we all enjoy our furry pals with us on our vacations. I know I would. Sorry, of course that wouldn't be fair to those with allergies. Maybe we could keep them on the port side of the ship. :D Just kidding....just kidding.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

I was also on this cruise and I have no problems with someone having a service dog onboard. But I also wonder if this was really a "Service Dog". I saw the woman many times in the casino and on deck 10 in the aft smoking area (smoking with oxygen) and I was barked at several times during the week. What really bothered me was when we were dining in the buffet area, the woman and her dog were at a table across from us and another woman was holding the dog up on her chest/shoulder area (at the table) and had the dog covered using a cloth napkin as a blanket (you know the ones we use when we are dining...gross). I didn't think service dogs were allowed to be held by others while working.

[Crusin6]

We just returned from a cruise on the Splendor and are hoping that someone might help explain something regarding a lady on the ship who had a Chihuahua dog with her on the ship. Upon first almost stumbling over her bag with the small dog inside of it, I was astonished when seeing the pup and said, "Oh, they let you bring a dog on board?"

 

She was often sitting at a table, at the rear of the ship, in the smoking section with a cigarette in her hand and with a nasal oxygen tube going into her nostrils. With a look of annoyance, she said, "A service dog."

 

Well, I was quite surprised but certainly didn't feel up to asking her just what service a dog, probably weighing not more than 5 pounds, could possible provide. A few times throughout the trip I passed her again and each time the pup barked, she would just shove him down into her bag.

 

Did anyone else see her and does anyone know anything more about her? I also would appreciate if anyone has ever had other experiences with service dogs on cruise ships. I am not speaking of "Seeing eye dogs" for the blind. And what sort of requirements/legal papers does one have to provide the cruise line to get permission for bringing a service dog on board.

forget the dog...that was the least of anyone on the ship's problem....but are you saying..that this lady was smoking while she had an oxygen tank next to her?????

 

She should have been reported and put off at the next stop.

 

Do you realize how dangerous that was? Ok, she was on the back end of the ship...but what happens when she undoubtedly smoked in her cabin?

 

Please tell me you are kidding about her smoking :eek:while using an oxygen tank!!!!:eek:I may be wrong...but don't those 2 things not mix very well?

[Crusin6]

With the cigarette and oxygen she's going to need a mortician, not a service dog.

 

I had a patient who had a service dog only to keep her company.

......agree