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

[wizard-of-roz]

Like DKD said, we always get the bulkhead seat. Mostly because John is handicapped, they usually reserve for hp and elderly that take wheelchairs onto the plane.

 

Ummmm New York??? Whats wrong with Boston?? :mad: If your butt is coming east, we better see you!!

 

Cindy, you're the first one I thought of when I was thinking about doing an eastern trip. No matter what I did you had to fit in somewhere!

First, it was going to be a cruise out of New York [this is on my bucket list, actually it was something Morey and I wanted to do together!] And, then it was Christmas in New York, then it was a New England cruise.

Life changed a lot of my plans and I'm writing about what I'd love to do.....I don't know if I truly have the courage to do any of it, now.....I leave my house and cry my way to wherever I'm going. It's so draining! By the time I get to work in the morning....I look like I haven't slept [and, lately I'm not], my eyes are swollen and I'm tired.

Right now, going to work is an accomplishment, anywhere else is such an effort. But, I do like talking to you guys about what I'd like to do. Doing it is another story!

Edited June 5, 2013 by wizard-of-roz

[rangeley]

Cindy, you're the first one I thought of when I was thinking about doing an eastern trip. No matter what I did you had to fit in somewhere!

 

First, it was going to be a cruise out of New York [this is on my bucket list, actually it was something Morey and I wanted to do together!] And, then it was Christmas in New York, then it was a New England cruise.

 

Life changed a lot of my plans and I'm writing about what I'd love to do.....I don't know if I truly have the courage to do any of it, now.....I leave my house and cry my way to wherever I'm going. It's so draining! By the time I get to work in the morning....I look like I haven't slept [and, lately I'm not], my eyes are swollen and I'm tired.

 

Right now, going to work is an accomplishment, anywhere else is such an effort. But, I do like talking to you guys about what I'd like to do. Doing it is another story!

 

Honestly I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. I don't know what I would do if I was in the same situation. But, as they say, "life goes on" and you learn to cope...somehow.

 

You know if you ever want to come out this way, John is the best tour guide around. And I know Wex and Horty would be best buds.

 

 

Next Thursday we will be sitting for a puppy. I think he is less than a year old. He will be here 10 days! What have I gotten myself into??? :eek: I must have had a moment of weakness. ;)

[trudle]

Unfortunately they can't buy one. Our puppy raisers make them. I have asked for a new one right now, but I don't think they are making them like they used to. She said we should have it before our Feb cruise. I think her and her daughter used to make alot of them for charity but now that the daughter is in college they haven't been doing it.

 

Cindy---if you can send me a picture of the Tux and how wide and long it is, I might be able to make one for you or at least try too. Wex did look so handsome in his Tux.

 

Hi and hello to the rest of you. I have been fighting a cold and am finally feeling a little better. Hope that those going on a cruise have lots of fun.

 

Roz----glad to hear you have plans------life does go on and hopefully it will get easier with each passing day. I know it is hard but you can do it. So glad that you found someone to take care of your baby. And yes-----you have to go see Cindy----Maybe she can go on the same cruise, with you, out of NY. That would be a great plan.

 

Have a great day everyone and a great weekend also.

 

Trudy

[wizard-of-roz]

Honestly I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. I don't know what I would do if I was in the same situation. But, as they say, "life goes on" and you learn to cope...somehow.

 

You know if you ever want to come out this way, John is the best tour guide around. And I know Wex and Horty would be best buds.

 

 

Next Thursday we will be sitting for a puppy. I think he is less than a year old. He will be here 10 days! What have I gotten myself into??? :eek: I must have had a moment of weakness. ;)

 

 

Thanks Cindy for your, as usual, great words of support! Love you.

Puppy sitting, how much fun is that! But, what were you thinking....10 days is a lot. You're going to fall madly in love with this pup and never want to give it up! Or, you'll be so exhausted by the time your done you'll be throwing that little guy at the folks when they pick him up! Wex is going to so enjoy his time with a puppy.....I don't know how he'll feel about sharing his space but these CCI dogs are so used to "everything" being thrown at them, he'll probably love every minute!!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindy---if you can send me a picture of the Tux and how wide and long it is, I might be able to make one for you or at least try too. Wex did look so handsome in his Tux.

 

Hi and hello to the rest of you. I have been fighting a cold and am finally feeling a little better. Hope that those going on a cruise have lots of fun.

 

Roz----glad to hear you have plans------life does go on and hopefully it will get easier with each passing day. I know it is hard but you can do it. So glad that you found someone to take care of your baby. And yes-----you have to go see Cindy----Maybe she can go on the same cruise, with you, out of NY. That would be a great plan.

 

Have a great day everyone and a great weekend also.

 

Trudy

 

Trudy, I hope this finds you feeling better. I hate summer colds. Actually, I hate anything that effects my nasal breathing!!!! :( Thank you for your support and kindness. You are so sweet!

I would love to cruise with Cindy, John and Wex. I know Horton would love it too. I just need to make a plan....not right now but hopefully in the not too distant future!

Edited June 6, 2013 by wizard-of-roz

[Insuregal]

I do like Southwest but I'm afraid Horton's legs need at least a "two seat minimum" when it comes to laying down. And, I've seen him roll-up pretty good but those legs need to be stretched occasionally and when he gets up to stretch - look out!!!!! Great Dane anyone!!!!

Roz, my daughter, the one who does not have a service dog, and I flew SW from Kansas City to Boston last month. Because she had a wheelchair we qualified for the "blue card or blue jacket" that put us at the front of the line for boarding. This is before even the super members get to board, so we had our choice of seats. I would think that having a service dog would qualify you for this same privilege.

 

The flight was not full so we did not have anyone sitting between us in the bulkhead seat. There was plenty of leg-room in the bulkhead area in the airplane model we were on, SW flies all 737s but some are configured differently. When we go back to Boston for referral to a new specialist both girls will be going and so will Gibson. I am not worried at all about there being enough room for Gibson to stretch out. He is a big boy and really likes his space!

Beckie

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz, my daughter, the one who does not have a service dog, and I flew SW from Kansas City to Boston last month. Because she had a wheelchair we qualified for the "blue card or blue jacket" that put us at the front of the line for boarding. This is before even the super members get to board, so we had our choice of seats. I would think that having a service dog would qualify you for this same privilege.

 

The flight was not full so we did not have anyone sitting between us in the bulkhead seat. There was plenty of leg-room in the bulkhead area in the airplane model we were on, SW flies all 737s but some are configured differently. When we go back to Boston for referral to a new specialist both girls will be going and so will Gibson. I am not worried at all about there being enough room for Gibson to stretch out. He is a big boy and really likes his space!

Beckie

 

We have always been taken to our seats first when we flew with Brenda. I think the airline staff wanted to make sure that we were not inconveniencing other passengers who may have had allergies or fear of dogs.

Again, Brenda was a great "pill-bug" [wrapping her paws and legs into her tummy to become a big circle], when it came to laying down on a plane, train or bus. Our plane was full and the lady sitting next to us was not particularly pleased every time Brenda stood up to stretch [i don't think she was much of a dog lover!]

And, even if the seat next to you is taken and the flight is not full sometimes the passenger next you will refuse to move to accommodate your dog, anyway. You never know! And, they have every right to not like your dog and not want to be in a plane with one! And, then there's the folks who can't resist talking to, touching, laying down next to and hugging your dog every chance they get!

On Brenda's last airplane ride I think EVERY passenger stopped to give her a pat on the head as they walked down the aisle to leave the plane......it was so cute, and, of course, I never stop that kind of loving!!!!

I can't wait to see how Horton does on his first airplane ride with me.

[cjborne2]

We were on a (short) flight once and the people who had the bulkhead were adamant about not moving to help us. We ended up in first class instead. This was obviously not a SW flight.

 

I felt the worst when, on another trip, a very kind couple offered to move for us. They sat in front of the wife and two sons of a governor. These two boys kicked the seat the entire time. (it was thankfully another short flight), while he sat with his daughter a few rows in front of us.

[wizard-of-roz]

We were on a (short) flight once and the people who had the bulkhead were adamant about not moving to help us. We ended up in first class instead. This was obviously not a SW flight.

 

I felt the worst when, on another trip, a very kind couple offered to move for us. They sat in front of the wife and two sons of a governor. These two boys kicked the seat the entire time. (it was thankfully another short flight), while he sat with his daughter a few rows in front of us.

 

Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you get the kid who just can't stop crying, kicking, screaming, etc., etc.

Our dogs serve as wonderful examples of how a living being can be so quiet and so invisible!!!!

[rangeley]

Cindy---if you can send me a picture of the Tux and how wide and long it is, I might be able to make one for you or at least try too. Wex did look so handsome in his Tux.

 

Hi and hello to the rest of you. I have been fighting a cold and am finally feeling a little better. Hope that those going on a cruise have lots of fun.

 

Roz----glad to hear you have plans------life does go on and hopefully it will get easier with each passing day. I know it is hard but you can do it. So glad that you found someone to take care of your baby. And yes-----you have to go see Cindy----Maybe she can go on the same cruise, with you, out of NY. That would be a great plan.

 

Have a great day everyone and a great weekend also.

 

Trudy

 

Ugh summer colds are not fun! :mad: Glad you are feeling better.

 

Hope you did ok with this storm we are getting. I saw pics from West Palm and the tornado damage.

 

Johns best friends father died this week,he was 94, so we have a funeral tomorrow. It's going to be about an hour drive in the rain. Hopefully it will stop sometime during the day so we don't have to drive home in it too. Some of the family lives in Florida, and were flying in last night. We don't know if they got here yet cuz of the storm or if they were delayed.

 

Thursday we get the puppy for a week. I warned Wexler this morning that he would have a visitor. He does good with any dog, so I'm not worried. We did sit for one that we had to crate cuz he wouldn't leave Wex alone for a second. Hopefully we won't have to do that with this one.

 

We also might have to cancel our cruise for Feb. :mad: The air conditioning in the van hasn't been working so John brought it to our mechanic and he said all the piping for the air is shot. He said he can't fix it and to take it to Ford and it would probably cost atleast 2,500!! :eek: I don't need to cancel til November, so I'm going to wait and see what happens. Hopefully things will work out.

[rangeley]

We have always been taken to our seats first when we flew with Brenda. I think the airline staff wanted to make sure that we were not inconveniencing other passengers who may have had allergies or fear of dogs.

 

Again, Brenda was a great "pill-bug" [wrapping her paws and legs into her tummy to become a big circle], when it came to laying down on a plane, train or bus. Our plane was full and the lady sitting next to us was not particularly pleased every time Brenda stood up to stretch [i don't think she was much of a dog lover!]

 

And, even if the seat next to you is taken and the flight is not full sometimes the passenger next you will refuse to move to accommodate your dog, anyway. You never know! And, they have every right to not like your dog and not want to be in a plane with one! And, then there's the folks who can't resist talking to, touching, laying down next to and hugging your dog every chance they get!

 

On Brenda's last airplane ride I think EVERY passenger stopped to give her a pat on the head as they walked down the aisle to leave the plane......it was so cute, and, of course, I never stop that kind of loving!!!!

 

I can't wait to see how Horton does on his first airplane ride with me.

 

What John does is book the flight, then he immediately calls the airline and gets the bulkhead seats. Jetblue is very good about this, and we never have a problem.

[wizard-of-roz]

Ugh summer colds are not fun! :mad: Glad you are feeling better.

 

Hope you did ok with this storm we are getting. I saw pics from West Palm and the tornado damage.

 

Johns best friends father died this week,he was 94, so we have a funeral tomorrow. It's going to be about an hour drive in the rain. Hopefully it will stop sometime during the day so we don't have to drive home in it too. Some of the family lives in Florida, and were flying in last night. We don't know if they got here yet cuz of the storm or if they were delayed.

 

Thursday we get the puppy for a week. I warned Wexler this morning that he would have a visitor. He does good with any dog, so I'm not worried. We did sit for one that we had to crate cuz he wouldn't leave Wex alone for a second. Hopefully we won't have to do that with this one.

 

We also might have to cancel our cruise for Feb. :mad: The air conditioning in the van hasn't been working so John brought it to our mechanic and he said all the piping for the air is shot. He said he can't fix it and to take it to Ford and it would probably cost atleast 2,500!! :eek: I don't need to cancel til November, so I'm going to wait and see what happens. Hopefully things will work out.

 

I'm sorry about John's friends dad. Give John my best.

I bet when these puppies see our big boys they want to be all over them and the patience it takes for our dogs not to get angry always amazes me. Again, something that CCI instills in these dogs is the "no fighting" or angry voices allowed!

I hope you can keep your cruise. One of my biggest fears is something happening to my car. Without Morey I'll have to depend on my son to help me make the right decisions.

My car [Ford Expedition-2009] has always been a big oil drinker and Morey would always keep a quart of oil in the back of the car for replenishing it.....I guess it's something I should be checking more often. I keep-up with the servicing on it [Morey always insisted on it] but it still likes to guzzle oil.

Thanks for reminding me to have it checked.

[Quampapetet]

But really, the only time I will have to leave him home is when it's too warm for him to be in the truck if I go somewhere after work or on the weekends.

 

It is so dangerous to leave a dog in a car in ANY temperature, so please don't ever do this for your dog's safety and life! It is illegal in some states because it is so lethal. It is also a good way to have your dog stolen.

 

As for the new SD, I know it will take well over a year to complete all his training, but I just wasn't sure at what point it would be okay to expose him to various situations as part of his training - including the cruise. Harley was 13mos old when I adopted him. Though we worked hard for a year with obedience and task training, and continually reinforcing the behaviors that were needed for my particular situation, he started being with me 100% of the time within 6 months and did very well. That's why I wasn't sure - because Harley was 18 mos old when he first traveled by air with me. So, while the new puppy will have trained for about the same amount of time by the cruise date, he will be much younger at approx. 8 mos. old.

 

Only fully-trained service dogs are allowed on cruise ships, not service dogs in training, especially not puppies. So, no, your new dog will not be able to go. You wouldn't want it to go, anyway, as it would not be trained enough - not only would you be stressed out instead of having a nice vacation, and the stress of you and too much too soon could ruin the dog, but it would make service dogs in general look bad in the minds of those you came across when your dog misbehaved.

 

(Incidentally, my most recent AKC Rottweiler - which I paid for/rescued about a year ago from a bad situation at 6 mos old - graduated top of his beginning and intermediate obedience classes. I sold him to an excellent family when I realized he was not SD material, and in fact was too rambunctious to even be around me as a pet (due to my mobility and balance issues). He's going to be a daddy in several weeks and I have pick of the litter. But I don't like the conformation of the female that they bred him to, so I'm not sure I want to take one.) My point is that I take the training very seriously and it IS a lifetime of reinforcement and consistency.

 

Do be aware that some countries have breed restrictions on certain breeds they don't allow in. I don't know if the Rottie is on any of the Caribbean lists, since I don't pay much attention to which breeds are on them, but if you plan to travel, you should check into this before choosing a dog that you can't bring on your trip or that will make you have to stay on the ship at certain islands. For sure you should not get anything in the Pit Bull family, I know that much! :)

 

If the father didn't work as a service dog, the offspring likely won't, either.

[Quampapetet]

Horton drinks a huge amount of water and his needs to be changed twice a day.[/b][/color]

 

Have you had his thyroid levels checked?

[Quampapetet]

For the person asking about our packing lists, I'll post my general one and then try to remember all the cruise stuff to add on, since I don't have a cruise planned at the moment so don't have a list for one right now. As for the bottled water for both the dog and myself, I buy it near the port and bring it onboard with me, as that's much cheaper and comes in smaller bottles. :)

 

• canned food according to length of trip (plus extra in carry-on bag)
  
• dry food measured out according to length of trip plus extra into a nylon feed bag
  
• supplements (bee pollen, fennel seeds, Dasuquin, salmon oil capsules, CranIntense powder)
  
• heartworm preventive if trip is during the first of a month
  
• Bach's Rescue Remedy in case of those evil fireworks
  
• plastic travel bowls (they fold flat and have a Ziploc-type closure on them and are from Petco - I highly recommend them!)
  
• collapsable silicone measuring cup for dry food
  
• measuring spoons for supplements
  
• silicone spoon for canned food
  
• can cover
  
• canned food top popper
  
• treats (of course!)
  
• C.E.T. HEXtra chewies
  
• Z-Ridge Bones chewies
  
• Power Bones (energy treats for dogs, good for long days like at Disney)
  
• Brushes
  
• Comb
  
• Rinseless shampoo (I use Chris Christensen products)
  
• Mystic Ear ear rinse
  
• faux chamois towel
  
• toothbrush
  
• toothpaste
  
• nail grinder
  
• Dispoz-A-Scoops poop bags
  
• Flexi-Leash for pottying at hotels
  
• flashlights (small one for hotels, a powerful one for my cruise balcony since they don't allow the lights to turn on at night on the aft wraps I like to get, as it interferes with navigation/what the bridge can see)
  
• first aid kits (large one for the room, small one for excursions; large one is from RuffWear and I forget where the small one is from)
  
• first aid books
  
• ear thermometer
  
• Pawz dog booties (though I don't end up using them, LOL)
  
• spare collar and leash, just in case something breaks! On my first cruise, part of my dog's mobility harness broke - how it attaches to itself! The temporary fix broke, then the second temporary fix kept coming undone all the time, but I made do until the end of the trip (had no choice, of course!). Never have had a collar or leash break, though I always have spares.
  
• mobility harness (duh! She wears that, it is not packed!)
  
• car harness, if we will be in a car at all (taxis/tours excluded, as she'll be on the floor on those, of course)
  
• "house harness", a lightweight harness that gives me a little mobility support with a floppy handle - I use it when taking her to potty in hotels
  
• laser pointer for directed retrieves
  
• toys (two or so, I try to get a new one that fits the trip, like a Caribbean-themed one for a trip to the Caribbean or a Disney one for a trip to Disney)
  
• bandanna(s) to fit the trip (theme, location, holiday, parties, games, group you're with, etc.)
  
• water bottle made for dogs (has a top like a hamster bottle that dogs lick to get water from so you don't have to pour it into a bowl - I highly recommend these types of bottles! I got mine from PetEdge, but they are available other places, too.)
  
• water bottle holder for said water bottle (hands-free carrying)
  
• bottled water
  
• potty area: potty pads under faux grass (3'x6' area) with a layer of garbage bags under the pads to protect the balcony deck. (After my first cruise, I do not trust the potty area to the cruiselines!!)
  
• if your dog is light-skinned, doggy sunscreen is a good idea
  
• spiral-bound multi-folder with dog paperwork organized into labeled folders (label them with Post-Its so you can reuse the folder) - I picked this up at Staples many years ago and it comes on every int'l trip with us (land and cruise trips) and is very helpful
  
• dog tag(s) with the info. of your vacation location(s) on them (for a cruise, that would be your cruise line and cruise ship and room number [if known] and an int'l cell phone [if you have one], and for a land trip, that would be your hotel name and address and their phone number). You can make these in a machine at your local Petco, Petsmart, etc. for maybe $10-12 or so - it is worth the cost, just in case of an accident or something!
  

[rangeley]

For the person asking about our packing lists, I'll post my general one and then try to remember all the cruise stuff to add on, since I don't have a cruise planned at the moment so don't have a list for one right now. As for the bottled water for both the dog and myself, I buy it near the port and bring it onboard with me, as that's much cheaper and comes in smaller bottles. :)

 

• canned food according to length of trip (plus extra in carry-on bag)
  
• dry food measured out according to length of trip plus extra into a nylon feed bag
  
• supplements (bee pollen, fennel seeds, Dasuquin, salmon oil capsules, CranIntense powder)
  
• heartworm preventive if trip is during the first of a month
  
• Bach's Rescue Remedy in case of those evil fireworks
  
• plastic travel bowls (they fold flat and have a Ziploc-type closure on them and are from Petco - I highly recommend them!)
  
• collapsable silicone measuring cup for dry food
  
• measuring spoons for supplements
  
• silicone spoon for canned food
  
• can cover
  
• canned food top popper
  
• treats (of course!)
  
• C.E.T. HEXtra chewies
  
• Z-Ridge Bones chewies
  
• Power Bones (energy treats for dogs, good for long days like at Disney)
  
• Brushes
  
• Comb
  
• Rinseless shampoo (I use Chris Christensen products)
  
• Mystic Ear ear rinse
  
• faux chamois towel
  
• toothbrush
  
• toothpaste
  
• nail grinder
  
• Dispoz-A-Scoops poop bags
  
• Flexi-Leash for pottying at hotels
  
• flashlights (small one for hotels, a powerful one for my cruise balcony since they don't allow the lights to turn on at night on the aft wraps I like to get, as it interferes with navigation/what the bridge can see)
  
• first aid kits (large one for the room, small one for excursions; large one is from RuffWear and I forget where the small one is from)
  
• first aid books
  
• ear thermometer
  
• Pawz dog booties (though I don't end up using them, LOL)
  
• spare collar and leash, just in case something breaks! On my first cruise, part of my dog's mobility harness broke - how it attaches to itself! The temporary fix broke, then the second temporary fix kept coming undone all the time, but I made do until the end of the trip (had no choice, of course!). Never have had a collar or leash break, though I always have spares.
  
• mobility harness (duh! She wears that, it is not packed!)
  
• car harness, if we will be in a car at all (taxis/tours excluded, as she'll be on the floor on those, of course)
  
• "house harness", a lightweight harness that gives me a little mobility support with a floppy handle - I use it when taking her to potty in hotels
  
• laser pointer for directed retrieves
  
• toys (two or so, I try to get a new one that fits the trip, like a Caribbean-themed one for a trip to the Caribbean or a Disney one for a trip to Disney)
  
• bandanna(s) to fit the trip (theme, location, holiday, parties, games, group you're with, etc.)
  
• water bottle made for dogs (has a top like a hamster bottle that dogs lick to get water from so you don't have to pour it into a bowl - I highly recommend these types of bottles! I got mine from PetEdge, but they are available other places, too.)
  
• water bottle holder for said water bottle (hands-free carrying)
  
• bottled water
  
• potty area: potty pads under faux grass (3'x6' area) with a layer of garbage bags under the pads to protect the balcony deck. (After my first cruise, I do not trust the potty area to the cruiselines!!)
  
• if your dog is light-skinned, doggy sunscreen is a good idea
  
• spiral-bound multi-folder with dog paperwork organized into labeled folders (label them with Post-Its so you can reuse the folder) - I picked this up at Staples many years ago and it comes on every int'l trip with us (land and cruise trips) and is very helpful
  
• dog tag(s) with the info. of your vacation location(s) on them (for a cruise, that would be your cruise line and cruise ship and room number [if known] and an int'l cell phone [if you have one], and for a land trip, that would be your hotel name and address and their phone number). You can make these in a machine at your local Petco, Petsmart, etc. for maybe $10-12 or so - it is worth the cost, just in case of an accident or something!
  

 

Wow that is quite the list!!!! :eek:

Edited June 8, 2013 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi Quam, Horton's thyroid has been checked along with blood work and urine for diabetes. All med. reports were within normal range, he just laps water down like the big boy that he is!!!! The noise he makes is more than the amount that he takes in!!!! :rolleyes:

 

With your packing list for your dog, is there any room left for you?

[wizard-of-roz]

Last week someone from CCI contacted me because Horton's litter mates [handlers] were looking for each other.....since they all just celebrated their 4th Birthday's on April 29th.

 

We found Hamlet [or should I say they found me] and Holt [they all look so much alike with Hamlet having a much bigger head, like a Rottweiler.]

 

Hamlet's a COC [change of career] dog. He has a heart murmur and suffers with the doggie form of Crohn's disease. He's on constant med's and can't exert himself with too much exercise.

 

There's 5 more from the "H" litter and I can't wait to meet them all. :)

[Iris99]

How much extra food? I packed two days extra. I am already taking three suitcases plus my carry on! One suitcase is just for my dog!!,

[wizard-of-roz]

How much extra food? I packed two days extra. I am already taking three suitcases plus my carry on! One suitcase is just for my dog!!,

 

I always pack 10 extra baggies worth of dry kibble.....it's 5 days worth of food. I have NEVER had to use the extra food, it's my insurance for the "what if" something happened to our ship and we were stuck without the ability to get more dog food. I pray that 5 days will be the max I'll ever need.

After 5 days my dog will have to eat whatever I'm eating!

[Algebralovr]

As for the new SD, I know it will take well over a year to complete all his training, but I just wasn't sure at what point it would be okay to expose him to various situations as part of his training - including the cruise. Harley was 13mos old when I adopted him. Though we worked hard for a year with obedience and task training, and continually reinforcing the behaviors that were needed for my particular situation, he started being with me 100% of the time within 6 months and did very well. That's why I wasn't sure - because Harley was 18 mos old when he first traveled by air with me. So, while the new puppy will have trained for about the same amount of time by the cruise date, he will be much younger at approx. 8 mos. old.

 

(Incidentally, my most recent AKC Rottweiler - which I paid for/rescued about a year ago from a bad situation at 6 mos old - graduated top of his beginning and intermediate obedience classes. I sold him to an excellent family when I realized he was not SD material, and in fact was too rambunctious to even be around me as a pet (due to my mobility and balance issues). He's going to be a daddy in several weeks and I have pick of the litter. But I don't like the conformation of the female that they bred him to, so I'm not sure I want to take one.) My point is that I take the training very seriously and it IS a lifetime of reinforcement and consistency.

 

 

Keep in mind that many insurers are now prohibiting Rots and Pits from being on the property. If you try to train a Rot to be a SD, you may put someone in a very difficult position, between the SD laws and violating their insurance regs and risking having no coverage.

[wizard-of-roz]

Keep in mind that many insurers are now prohibiting Rots and Pits from being on the property. If you try to train a Rot to be a SD, you may put someone in a very difficult position, between the SD laws and violating their insurance regs and risking having no coverage.

 

I love them all.....but unfortunately, it's so true about an inbred aggressive nature of a dog. Even with all the love in the world....to be able to have a toddler walk over to your dog and look him right in the eye [when the dog outweighs the baby by at least 75lbs], I'm NEVER concerned about my Labs reactions EVER!!!!!!

[fairbourne]

Hi all my doggie pals - just when you thought you would get some peace from across the big water, here I am shouting hello from the waters of Alaska! :eek:

 

It is truly, truly magical and we have been blessed with beautiful warm sunny days and calm seas.

 

We are missing our two furry babies but met today a lovely young brown girl lab who was having lots of fun swimming in a lake where we had stopped for some (more) photos! Molly was a very good swimmer and simply launched herself into the water with great gusto and I imagine the water was still quite cold, but her doggy paddle was impressive and she was learning to retrieve (sort of!).

 

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and thinking about you all - big hugs! :D

[DisneyKidsDad]

Hi all my doggie pals - just when you thought you would get some peace from across the big water, here I am shouting hello from the waters of Alaska! :eek:

 

It is truly, truly magical and we have been blessed with beautiful warm sunny days and calm seas.

 

We are missing our two furry babies but met today a lovely young brown girl lab who was having lots of fun swimming in a lake where we had stopped for some (more) photos! Molly was a very good swimmer and simply launched herself into the water with great gusto and I imagine the water was still quite cold, but her doggy paddle was impressive and she was learning to retrieve (sort of!).

 

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and thinking about you all - big hugs! :D

 

I can't wait to hear all about your trip as we leave in less than 3 weeks. I just ask one favor. Can you think about how you think it would be pushing a wheelchair around the ports? Thanks..:D

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi all my doggie pals - just when you thought you would get some peace from across the big water, here I am shouting hello from the waters of Alaska! :eek:

 

It is truly, truly magical and we have been blessed with beautiful warm sunny days and calm seas.

 

We are missing our two furry babies but met today a lovely young brown girl lab who was having lots of fun swimming in a lake where we had stopped for some (more) photos! Molly was a very good swimmer and simply launched herself into the water with great gusto and I imagine the water was still quite cold, but her doggy paddle was impressive and she was learning to retrieve (sort of!).

 

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and thinking about you all - big hugs! :D

 

BIG "warm" hugs to you! Amazing how you just can't miss watching dogs wherever you go! I, too, love to watch dogs romping at the beach or lake in the water. Some dogs can't live without water.....Brenda loves it, I think Horty could care less.

Have a wonderful cruise and come back and tell us all about it!