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

[Cuizer2]

fairbourne,

If either one wins, we all still loose. :( Just my opinion.

 

You are not the only one with this opinion. Usually people have to choose between the lesser of the two evils. This time the choice is between the lesser of the two very evils.

[wizard-of-roz]

Here's a fun thing that happened this weekend. Someone contacted me on Facebook and, long story short, I got to see photos of Raylene's litter mate from Guide Dogs for the Blind in California, another female black Lab.

 

She's a working Guide Dog and looks exactly like Raylene! It was almost eerie, but they are twins, after all.

 

I know exactly how you must have felt. Seeing Brenda's father and meeting some of Horton's littermates was so rewarding and felt so good!

 

We have so little to do with their "past lives", before they went to Team Training and met them at the age of 2 or more........it's so neat to see their family members.

Edited October 10, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

Wow! We went right from potty boxes to politics.....and, hardly took a breath!!!!

[DisneyKidsDad]

Wow! We went right from potty boxes to politics.....and, hardly took a breath!!!!

 

I don't see much difference between the two this year Roz!

[wizard-of-roz]

I don't see much difference between the two this year Roz!

 

Like you and so many others on this thread who have traveled the world by cruise ship.......it didn't matter where I went......I couldn't wait to come home to the good old USA!

 

For the first time in my life.....I'm questioning the way I feel!

Edited October 10, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[Cuizer2]

Wow! We went right from potty boxes to politics.....and, hardly took a breath!!!!

 

There really isn't much difference between the two.

[Host Walt]

There really isn't much difference between the two.

A brief comment I heard on the radio this morning; this year we have the evil of two lessers.

 

In any case let's make this the last political post in this thread. The PTB*'s have a very quick trigger finger when it comes to deleting a thread that engages in political discussions.

 

*PTB = Powers that be.

Edited October 11, 2016 by Host Walt

[wizard-of-roz]

A brief comment I heard on the radio this morning; this year we have the evil of two lessers.

 

In any case let's make this the last political post in this thread. The PTB*'s have a very quick trigger finger when it comes to deleting a thread that engages in political discussions.

 

*PTB = Powers that be.

 

Thanks Walt.

Edited October 11, 2016 by Host Walt

[S.S. Cruisers]

Good point, Walt.

[Quampapetet]

You said, "I have a SD In-Training." If this were NOT a dog friendly hotel they would NOT have to allow your dog-in-training, since dogs-in-training do NOT have the same rights that fully-trained SD's have. Unless, there has been a special arrangement made between the SD training org. and the folks with their pups in training.

 

Service dog in training laws vary from state to state, but if the state the hotel is in gives access to trainers with service dogs in training, the hotel would have to accept her with her dog and not charge a pet fee.

 

Remember, you NEVER have to "warn" or otherwise let the hotel know that you're bringing your SD. I let the airlines know because usually I'm requesting bulk-head seating for mine and my dogs comfort!

 

Exactly! I never tell a US hotel ahead of time, but do for airlines because I need the bulkhead. The exception is that currently, those who have psychiatric service dogs must call the airlines at least 48 hours before their flight to notify them about the dog (they also need a doctor letter less than a year old). The DOT will soon be changing the regulations, likely doing away with emotional support animals (which are pets, not trained service animals) and perhaps changing more like requiring doctor letters for all types of service dogs - we shall see!

[Quampapetet]

 

I love Horton to the moon and back........that said, there will NEVER, EVER be another dog like Brenda Elizabeth.......NEVER!

 

And there will never be another Horton; each dog is their own. :)

[Quampapetet]

Horton will be seeing him for; Rabies/DHLPP update 3 weeks before we leave.

 

Most countries don't allow dogs in if the rabies was done sooner than 30 days before entering, so the immunity has built up, so you would need to go get the vaccine done four to five weeks before you leave.

 

No rainforest, no jungles, no deep sea diving, no bus/train tours and no zip-lining or para sailing for Horton!

 

You are so mean! Horton told me he wants to go on the zip-line, so you better strap him in and let him goooooooo! :p

[Quampapetet]

You mention the dog can not be a Therapy Dog or Dog in Training. Who determines this? I know this can be a hot topic so please understand my interest is to learn more. I'm aware of the ADA requirements and the two questions that can be asked. I would think this would make it difficult for a cruise ship to know if it's a Service Dog, Therapy Dog or Dog in Training.

 

The requirements of the ADA are what determines whether or not a dog is a service dog. The cruise lines can ask the two questions, just like other businesses. The cruise lines can also observe the dog's behavior upon arrival and during the cruise, as they can the passengers' behavior. A service dog has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with the disability and those tasks/work must directly relate to the disability. They must also be housebroken and behave in public. The person must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as seeing, walking, hearing, caring for self, etc.

 

 

On our recent TA cruise there were 5 dogs. I guess I didn't word my query correctly when I said expectations. What I mean was expectations/guidelines from the ship. For example - leaving a dog alone in the cabin, allowing a dog to sit on furniture in public lounges....like the Schooner Bar......and being able to carry a dog under your arm while getting food in the Windjammer. I saw the owner(s) of these dogs many times without their dog(s) in public places onboard. One dog was running loose in the Centrum and obviously got away from his/her owner.

 

The ADA does not allow service dogs to be left alone in hotel rooms (the dogs must always be under the handler's control), so the same would go for cruise cabins. The cruise lines generally have rules against it, too. Service dogs are not supposed to be sitting on furniture in public places and the ADA states businesses do not have to allow it as an accommodation. Service dogs are allowed to be carried, but should not be carried next to the buffet. Service dogs should walk on the floor next to the buffets and other serving and dining areas, though this is not a law. Service dogs must be leashed unless the person's disability prevents them from using a leash or while the dog is performing a task that it needs to be off-leash for, such as a distance retrieve or getting help when their person is having a seizure.

[Quampapetet]

Hawaii is a perfect example. They want a Rabies Titer done within a few days of entering Hawaii [by plane], they know it can't be done within that time, if arriving by ship. Which is why having as much as you can from your Vet on paper, informing them of your dogs good health, is so important.

 

This is not true, especially since it takes weeks, sometimes a month when the testing facility is busy, to get back the results of a rabies titer test. Also, they used to require a six-month wait between the blood draw for the test and the dog entering Hawaii (still required for pets). Here are the current requirements for entering Hawaii with a service dog (note that this information does not apply to pets, which have different requirements):

 

http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/guide-service-dogs-entering-hawaii/

[Quampapetet]

Hi, everyone! I hope you're doing well and enjoying all those cruises! Maybe one day I will go on another, but who knows.

 

 

Okay, that cruise ship potty that was cardboard with turf on top is utterly ridiculous!!! Who in their right mind thought that would work?! Glad you finally got it resolved, but it should not have happened in the first place.

 

 

Roz, no monkeys, huh? You need to search YouTube for videos of the drunk monkeys on one of the Caribbean islands - hysterical stuff! I so wanted to go to the bar they hung out at, but unfortunately it closed down before that trip, so I never got to buy a drink for a monkey and see him fall off the table drunk! :p

 

 

Well, it was nice to have a six-month break from one of my disabilities being chronic (only happened two to four days per month during that time), but now it is back to chronic. Fun times. :( I really hope I am not coming down with the bug a family member is trying to get over, too. Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

 

My girl is doing well. Not really anything new to report, so I guess that's good news! :)

[wizard-of-roz]

Most countries don't allow dogs in if the rabies was done sooner than 30 days before entering, so the immunity has built up, so you would need to go get the vaccine done four to five weeks before you leave.

 

How interesting......I don't mean to be argumentative......My USDA Certified Vet told me to come in at least 11 days prior to boarding the ship. That that is the actual time needed for any and all immunities to build-up!!!!! And, he gives me a letter stating this "in writing" in case any port questions it! Now, I'm no Vet but I tend to trust and believe whatever my Vet says.

Edited October 11, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[Algebralovr]

Interesting bit of news about the state laws in my state: My pup in training is allowed to go into anywhere a fully trained SD can go with me as long as he is fully under control. If he becomes unruly, I'm expected to remove him.

So far, things are going well. The questions I get are more along the lines of his age, his breed, how hard is it to train him, etc.

[Cuizer2]

The questions I get are more along the lines of his age, his breed, how hard is it to train him, etc.

 

Do you give the age in dog years or people years?

[Algebralovr]

Do you give the age in dog years or people years?

:)

 

He is currently 10 months old. Most of the time, people exclaim how well behaved he is and comment that their dog, who is (fill in the blank on age and breed) doesn't behave as well and they cannot imagine taking all over.

 

Then there are the people who say they wish they could take their dog with them everywhere. At which point, I compare it to taking a 2-year-old everywhere, including leaving 20 minutes early to arrive on time.

 

Keep in mind, I live in a rural community and dogs are welcome plenty of places they would not be in the city.

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[Cuizer2]

:)

 

He is currently 10 months old. Most of the time, people exclaim how well behaved he is and comment that their dog, who is (fill in the blank on age and breed) doesn't behave as well and they cannot imagine taking all over.

 

Then there are the people who say they wish they could take their dog with them everywhere. At which point, I compare it to taking a 2-year-old everywhere, including leaving 20 minutes early to arrive on time.

 

Keep in mind, I live in a rural community and dogs are welcome plenty of places they would not be in the city.

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

Well, if it is a service dog, it better be well behaved.

 

I used to take my pet cat to work on the last Friday of the month. However, I had to stop because all my co-workers would call in sick that day and we couldn't get any work done ...

 

[wizard-of-roz]

Interesting bit of news about the state laws in my state: My pup in training is allowed to go into anywhere a fully trained SD can go with me as long as he is fully under control. If he becomes unruly, I'm expected to remove him.

So far, things are going well. The questions I get are more along the lines of his age, his breed, how hard is it to train him, etc.

 

Horton weighs over 80lbs and if he became unruly he could do a lot of damage. He's under control 100% of the time that we are in the public. When we are in our cabin or an empty lounge [when the ship is docked at a port and most passengers are on excursions] he is his goofy, playful self. I bring a ball and let him romp and play.

 

It's all about the behavior of our dogs in public. Most folks have absolutely no idea about the "puppy in training" vs. the "fully trained dog!" It's really up to the handler to present the best dog behavior that they can!

Edited October 13, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[fairbourne]

Our pups in training don't have the same "right of access" as the fully trained working guide dogs but with one exception we have been welcomed everywhere and as most folk say to me " well how are they (the pups) supposed to learn if they don't come in?"

 

I am constantly amazed at how kind people are - I remember one of our first visits with Bonnie into a local shopping mall and an elderly lady in a wheelchair was shopping with her daughter - they both gave me the look that I know now very well which translates into "I really, really want to say hello to that darling pup but I won't" and if I get that look I always say hello and smile. Anyway, got chatting to these two ladies and the result was an impromptu training session for Bonnie as she had never seen a wheelchair before. So in exchange for a puppy cuddle we did a couple of laps around the mall with Bonnie trotting alongside me next to the lady in the wheelchair. We had fun and the lady went off delighted with herself telling me that she never thought she would have helped train a guide dog!

 

We were talking about this the other day that our dogs and pups go into a different mind set when they are working/training - Bonnie is another total goofball at home! And that's the way it should be! :D.

 

We are due to go on our ferry training soon - I'll just have to pretend it's a cruise ship! Wonder what they do about a potty box! I will make sure to ask and take Chris' photo of the "good" potty box with me.

[wizard-of-roz]

Our pups in training don't have the same "right of access" as the fully trained working guide dogs but with one exception we have been welcomed everywhere and as most folk say to me " well how are they (the pups) supposed to learn if they don't come in?"

 

I am constantly amazed at how kind people are - I remember one of our first visits with Bonnie into a local shopping mall and an elderly lady in a wheelchair was shopping with her daughter - they both gave me the look that I know now very well which translates into "I really, really want to say hello to that darling pup but I won't" and if I get that look I always say hello and smile. Anyway, got chatting to these two ladies and the result was an impromptu training session for Bonnie as she had never seen a wheelchair before. So in exchange for a puppy cuddle we did a couple of laps around the mall with Bonnie trotting alongside me next to the lady in the wheelchair. We had fun and the lady went off delighted with herself telling me that she never thought she would have helped train a guide dog!

 

We were talking about this the other day that our dogs and pups go into a different mind set when they are working/training - Bonnie is another total goofball at home! And that's the way it should be! :D.

 

We are due to go on our ferry training soon - I'll just have to pretend it's a cruise ship! Wonder what they do about a potty box! I will make sure to ask and take Chris' photo of the "good" potty box with me.

 

Love your stories of your sessions with your "Pups in Training."

 

I love how some folks look at Horton with such adoration and then there are some, [not many] who look with frowns!

 

I was in Target on Tuesday and a little girl kept teasing at Horton with barking noises and growling at him......Between you and me, I wanted to bop her on the head. Instead, and with great restraint, I asked her Mother to please restrain her child from distracting my Service Dog.

 

The mother was very nice and told her little girl that the dog was working and she should stop making the noises. She did for 10 seconds and resumed again, as I went walking past her. Horton just looked at her, as if to say......"you are so ignorant and you have NO manners!"

[wizard-of-roz]

Well, if it is a service dog, it better be well behaved.

 

I used to take my pet cat to work on the last Friday of the month. However, I had to stop because all my co-workers would call in sick that day and we couldn't get any work done ...

 

 

What a handsome boy!!!

Edited October 14, 2016 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

I want to wish everyone a wonderful, happy weekend. I'll be in Eugene, Oregon with my daughter and look forward to catching up with all of you upon my return. She says there's lots of rain so I should bring Horton's rain gear......I live in L.A., what do I know about rain? I've loaded up my car with lots of goodies and stuff that belonged to Morey that I want my children to have.

 

My daughter says no one in Oregon really carries an umbrella, they're used to it. She says, "Mom, just wear a good coat with a hood!" "And, be prepared to have frizzy hair the entire time!!!!" Horton doesn't like to step in puddles, we'll see!!!!

 

Take care everyone!

Edited October 14, 2016 by wizard-of-roz