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

[tvaud]

Regarding a "sticky" the board software posts all threads in chronological order. There is no way a post can be made a sticky.

 

 

Host Walt,

 

Is there a way we can get a database or list posted permanently somewhere on CC?

 

Cindra

[thephantomsgirl]

Welcome home Roz and Horton! Can't wait to hear about your adventures. :)

[DisneyKidsDad]

Welcome back Roz & Horton. Let's go...we need details, details!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Welcome home Ms. Queen and the Master. :D

[alexspepa]

Oh my gosh, Rubert, Aruba and Davis are all so adorable!

 

I love seeing the photos! :)

 

love your new avatar!...the old one was pretty cool too.

[thephantomsgirl]

love your new avatar!...the old one was pretty cool too.

 

LOL - thanks. I think Jagger is prettier than me...(or handsome in his case)

 

I liked my old avatar too as I've been working to learn ASL. I'm hard-of-hearing and need to be prepared. Plus it's such a beautiful language.

[fairbourne]

Welcome home Aunty Roz and big bro Horty ...... we missed ya! :D:p

 

Looking forward to reading more of your adventures.

[Host Walt]

Host Walt,

 

Is there a way we can get a database or list posted permanently somewhere on CC?

 

Cindra

There is a proposal by another member that is currently being evaluated. No promises.

[trudle]

Welcome home Roz and Horton. Sounds like you had a fine time. Waiting to hear more.

[DUTRAVEL]

Welcome back Roz and Horton. Waiting to hear more about the Mexican ports.

 

Dianne

[Quampapetet]

The Golden Princess was going into dry dock following our cruise and in no way was it in cruising shape for over 2700 guests. This posting could go on for pages explaining my prior sentence so I'll go into more depth when I'm at work tomorrow.

 

I must say, after all the cruises you've been on and all the years you've been on Cruise Critic, I am surprised you'd choose to go on a cruise just before dry dock! I think I learned that from here before my first cruise. Also, sometimes dry dock takes longer than expected, so sometimes the first cruise after dry dock gets cancelled.

 

The Aphis form, a recent immunization record and exam from your Vet, where he states that your dog is current, in good health, on Heartguard and Advantix is all you need. You will meet with Immigration in the early morning (usually at the first port) and your good to go for the rest of the cruise and the visits to the rest of the ports. Just remember, to be very careful with the strays.

 

Heartguard and Advantix are brand names; your dog is not required to be on those specific brands! Heartworm preventive is essential, as is flea and tick prevention of whatever form you choose. I use the Seresto collar for flea and tick prevention - it lasts for eight months and has no messy, oily stuff to put on like the spot-ons do. Unlike other collars, it has no scent, which is great, since I used to use the Adams collar that had a so-called baby powder scent.

 

I haven't gone to Mexico since my first cruise, but I didn't have to meet with any officials from Mexico for entry. The health certificate will have the vaccination record on it, plus the statement the vet checks stating the dog is healthy and all, but I do recommend bringing the rabies certificate just in case.

 

Mexico, like the rest of the Caribbean, does have strays, but they can be avoided - just use your senses and knowledge of dog body language.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Quampapetet

[thephantomsgirl]

Going to Port Canaveral today! Unfortunately the ship I am boarding is not the Disney Fantasy...

 

Going with the Kia Soulmate Club on the casino boat. I don't gamble but my mother enjoys it. So am taking her. But I should get to see the cruise ships in port (and wish I was on one...) :)

[Caribbean Chris]

Welcome back Roz and Horton!

[Caribbean Chris]

Hi honeys, we're home, too, from our Sunday-Sunday Holland America Ryndam cruise to Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico! Key West, too, where we went to (where else?) the Island Dogs Bar.

 

More details coming later but Holland America was truly wonderful toward our service dog. Lovely, welcoming staff. Can't say enough good things!!

[alexspepa]

Hi honeys, we're home, too, from our Sunday-Sunday Holland America Ryndam cruise to Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico! Key West, too, where we went to (where else?) the Island Dogs Bar.

 

More details coming later but Holland America was truly wonderful toward our service dog. Lovely, welcoming staff. Can't say enough good things!!

 

Welcome Home Chris and Raylene!

[wizard-of-roz]

I got so busy at work on Friday that I didn't have a chance to write more about my cruise.

 

I hope that everyone is doing well.

 

Welcome home Chris and Raylene. I hope your cruise was a good one.

 

The folks on my last cruise were some of the nicest people I have ever cruised with, which made up for the sloppiest cruise that Princess has ever put on the high seas.

 

Quam, you are correct that I've cruised a lot and had NO KNOWLEDGE of this cruise going into dry dock. Lesson learned. When I book a cruise, I will ask this question first....."WHEN IS THIS SHIP GOING INTO DRYDOCK?" NO ONE from CRUISE CRITIC mentioned this anywhere on the boards, prior to and my TA never said a word!!!!!

 

I've got to run back to work but will come back after my event on Wednesday.

 

I love the pictures phatomsgirl.

 

Thank you all for your welcomed well-wishes, it's great to hear from all of you.

 

Host Walt......Thanks for trying to help us!

[frecgenswl82]

Does a service dog ever attack another dog? I read a friend's post about a ?service dog attacking her dog. Her dog is not a service dog.

Welcome home to the recent cruisers. Thanks Susan

[DUTRAVEL]

Hi honeys, we're home, too, from our Sunday-Sunday Holland America Ryndam cruise to Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico! Key West, too, where we went to (where else?) the Island Dogs Bar.

 

More details coming later but Holland America was truly wonderful toward our service dog. Lovely, welcoming staff. Can't say enough good things!!

 

Welcome back, that's great to hear about Holland America. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Does a service dog ever attack another dog? I read a friend's post about a ?service dog attacking her dog. Her dog is not a service dog.

Welcome home to the recent cruisers. Thanks Susan

 

Our amazingly trained Service Dogs from CCI, have been trained since they're 6 weeks old to be "non reactors!" They're trained to allow someone with a cane, a walker, a wheelchair and crutches to move around them in the most uncomfortable circumstances and not flinch. They're trained in an environment with birds, cats, rabbits and small children, to be non-reactive.

 

Horton is the most perfect example of a CCI trained dog. A lady in a wheelchair kept pushing him further and further against a wall and he just kept moving out of her way, as we all danced around her!

 

I was so proud of how Horton handled himself around everyone and in every situation. He was the most perfect gentleman. A little boy ran across the dining room and laid on top of Horton who did nothing but look at him and me for direction.

 

A true Service Dog will not bite, nip or growl.....anytime, anywhere!!!!

 

I've said this before.....they are "sitting ducks" for poorly behaving dogs. It's our job to protect them!

[frecgenswl82]

Our amazingly trained Service Dogs from CCI, have been trained since they're 6 weeks old to be "non reactors!" They're trained to allow someone with a cane, a walker, a wheelchair and crutches to move around them in the most uncomfortable circumstances and not flinch.

 

A true Service Dog will not bite, nip or growl.....anytime, anywhere!!!!

 

I've said this before.....they are "sitting ducks" for poorly behaving dogs. It's our job to protect them!

 

Thanks Roz for the answer. I have been lurking/reading for a long time. I had thought that the behavior I described was not from a truly trained Service dog. I walk with a cane,and like the fact that the dogs are trained to be careful around canes. My biggest fear is falling. Thanks Susan

[Caribbean Chris]

Does a service dog ever attack another dog? I read a friend's post about a ?service dog attacking her dog. Her dog is not a service dog.

Welcome home to the recent cruisers. Thanks Susan

 

Roz is so right. My dog wouldn't attack another dog, unless I suppose if that dog was attacking me. There's a tiny poodle in my neighborhood I call the Terrorista who charges into the street (unsupervised with no tether, leash, fence) and gets in Raylene's face barking almost daily when we are out on a loose-leash walk... Poor Ray just looks up at me and tries to maneuver around the little pup and get away as soon as she can. I worry that the little poodle will be hit by a car someday.

[thephantomsgirl]

Welcome home Chris and Raylene! :)

[Quampapetet]

Quam, you are correct that I've cruised a lot and had NO KNOWLEDGE of this cruise going into dry dock. Lesson learned. When I book a cruise, I will ask this question first....."WHEN IS THIS SHIP GOING INTO DRYDOCK?" NO ONE from CRUISE CRITIC mentioned this anywhere on the boards, prior to and my TA never said a word!!!!!

 

That stinks that nobody said anything! Usually that type of info. is readily found on these boards. I wouldn't expect a TA to say or even know, though.

[Quampapetet]

Does a service dog ever attack another dog? I read a friend's post about a ?service dog attacking her dog. Her dog is not a service dog.

Welcome home to the recent cruisers. Thanks Susan

 

Not typically, but there have been exceptions. My retired service dog was bitten by another service dog (from a small program) and they still graduated it that weekend. One of the large programs (CCI?) had a dog that tried to attack a child, I think it was, and they immediately retired that dog. If a program/private trainer doesn't recertify their dogs every year or two, a dog can easily become untrained, especially if something bad happens to it. Most owner-trainers are good, but not all are, and many refuse to have a third party test their dog, which I think is ridiculous, but they are probably afraid their dog isn't good enough.

 

If it was a real service dog, it should be retired. It may have been a fake, though, and that's the most likely answer.

[Quampapetet]

Roz is so right. My dog wouldn't attack another dog, unless I suppose if that dog was attacking me. There's a tiny poodle in my neighborhood I call the Terrorista who charges into the street (unsupervised with no tether, leash, fence) and gets in Raylene's face barking almost daily when we are out on a loose-leash walk... Poor Ray just looks up at me and tries to maneuver around the little pup and get away as soon as she can. I worry that the little poodle will be hit by a car someday.

 

Call animal control and explain the situation in hopes that they'll pick the dog up. I bet it is illegal where you live for a dog to be at large (off leash off the owner's property). Not all animal controls will pick up animals anymore, so you might have to catch it and bring it to the shelter yourself. Your service dog's safety comes first!