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

[wizard-of-roz]

I am so glad to read about the groaner. Since I am new to having a service dog and still trying to get over my thoughts of disturbing others, I had thought this was inappropriate. Glad to know it is not. I think my trainer has to work harder on training me not to be worried about what others think.

 

Linda and Halo

 

Linda, actually it's funny when Horton goes to lay down he makes a sound like an old man and then when he turns over he makes a deeper grunting sound......I know he's trying to talk and this is the only voice he has. I love to hear from him.

The sensitivity that we have towards others in the public and our families is a good thing. It keeps us sharp and on our toes in regard to the well-being and lives of our dogs. I, too, think that I could lighten-up a bit when it comes to always thinking how others perceive me and my dog. It's probably so normal for we who walk or wheel with these amazing beings!

[my100cats]

Don't ever worry about taking a service dog anywhere! Whether he is for your own assistance, in training, or was or is someone else's aid, he is not only your family member but has a job just as important, if not more so, than eye glasses, hearing aids, cane, etc. If he groans, so what? People can make unpleasant noises (smelly ones, too) in public. Anywhere any human is allowed, your fury aid should be welcomed with a smile! Cruise, travel, LIVE life to its fullest!

 

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[wizard-of-roz]

Don't ever worry about taking a service dog anywhere! Whether he is for your own assistance, in training, or was or is someone else's aid, he is not only your family member but has a job just as important, if not more so, than eye glasses, hearing aids, cane, etc. If he groans, so what? People can make unpleasant noises (smelly ones, too) in public. Anywhere any human is allowed, your fury aid should be welcomed with a smile! Cruise, travel, LIVE life to its fullest!

 

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Thank you, you're very kind!

[rpclmc]

Roz, Halo groans laying down and rolling over and, sometimes, it seems, when he is bored.

 

My100cats, thank you so much. I think, part of my concern, is being "perfect" because of all the fakers out there.

[DUTRAVEL]

Sounds like groaning is quite common with our dogs!

 

Henri only groans when she is protesting a "down" command. She will go down, but she will give me that little groan to let me know that she isn't completely happy about it. She is also known to snore (very softly) too. I don't worry about her noises; if anyone does hear her they usually start smiling.

 

Dianne

[alexspepa]

Hey Everyone - I had to fly to Vegas on business this week (no really) and I got to the airport early so I thought I would check out the Service Dog relief area at the Charlotte airport.

 

We are very proud of the airport here...nice rocking chairs if you want to take a break, a baby grand piano that many passengers will sit at and tickle the ivories and a lot of nice restaurants so I was curious as to how we were complying with the new regs regarding relief areas.

 

So here it is - between concourses A & B they have built a new connector walkway, and there you will find - a 5x5 (at least) area with very nice artificial turf which looks just like a lawn, a bag dispenser and disposal station, and also a clean-up station with hand soap and towels and last but not least...

 

in the middle of the grass area is a RED FIRE HYDRANT!...how cool is that?

 

btw our lab groans as well...loudly; and I have already told Dottie any and all dogs are welcome at my service. We went to my BIL's funeral a few weeks ago and there were wild turkeys walking around his site when we got there...his wife said he would have loved that!

 

Keith

[Caribbean Chris]

Thanks for the great info, Keith. The relief room at Miami had a red fire hydrant, too.,. it was tiny, about the size of a ketchup bottle. I figured an airport person thought it was a fun touch. It sure made me smile!

[Caribbean Chris]

I don't worry about Raylene's noises, either. A couple of months after I got her, I was at a seminar and she was hidden on the floor beneath a tablecloth. People who came later had no idea she was there, so when she started groaning after an hour or so (probably a hint she wanted to leave), people looked in my direction - I think they thought it was my commentary on the speaker droning on and on.

[Caribbean Chris]

Don't ever worry about taking a service dog anywhere! Whether he is for your own assistance, in training, or was or is someone else's aid, he is not only your family member but has a job just as important, if not more so, than eye glasses, hearing aids, cane, etc. If he groans, so what? People can make unpleasant noises (smelly ones, too) in public. Anywhere any human is allowed, your fury aid should be welcomed with a smile! Cruise, travel, LIVE life to its fullest!

 

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Welcome to Cruise Critic! and to one of its longest-running threads that Roz began so many years ago. I think you'll find people on this forum who are partnered with working dogs are indeed champions of taking our partners just about everywhere.

 

Sometimes we all make judgement calls about taking them somewhere that's not in the dog's best interests. For example, I went to the wonderful World War II Museum in New Orleans on Thursday. Raylene was with me all day, but I did not take her into the 4-D movie - It has sudden explosions and bursts of blinding light, sounds, actual smoke, even shaking theater seats. It's not appropriate for all humans, either. I wouldn't take her on an amusement park ride or loud movie, either. I know in the 4-D movie, she would have been agitated trying to alert me for 45 minutes, and decided we didn't need the stress. So we all decide what's best for the dog and the partnership as we go along.

[DUTRAVEL]

I take Henri everywhere with me - the only exception so far has been concerts. The music is sometimes too loud even for me and I know she would not like it. I have taken her to a show in Las Vegas, but I was prepared to take her out if it looked like the music was bothering her.

 

Dianne

[DisneyKidsDad]

OK everybody, meet Gretel. She is my daughters new service dog. She is a full black lab. It was a long two weeks in team training. It just so happens that Gretel was raised by very good friends of ours. We have known since she was 8 weeks old. We just got home Saturday morning and she is adjusting to our house very well.

[Algebralovr]

Congratulations! Welcome Gretel!

 

That is so cool that you've known her so long.

 

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[Insuregal]

OK everybody, meet Gretel. She is my daughters new service dog. She is a full black lab. It was a long two weeks in team training. It just so happens that Gretel was raised by very good friends of ours. We have known since she was 8 weeks old. We just got home Saturday morning and she is adjusting to our house very well.

 

What a beautiful girl is Gretel! Tears of joy in Kansas City, over Kim's new partner! I was watching this thread all weekend, just hoping for an update. She is even more special because you already know her. Please tell Kim we are overjoyed.

 

Thank you so much for posting her picture!

Beckie

[DUTRAVEL]

OK everybody, meet Gretel. She is my daughters new service dog. She is a full black lab. It was a long two weeks in team training. It just so happens that Gretel was raised by very good friends of ours. We have known since she was 8 weeks old. We just got home Saturday morning and she is adjusting to our house very well.

 

Congrats!! She is beautiful (although I am partial to the black labs)!

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

So excited to meet Gretel! We're all going to look forward to lots of stories in the months to come. (From that photo, it looks like Gretel is a prime candidate for a Disney cruise.)

[alexspepa]

Congrats to Gretal and Kim and all of you!...she is beautiful.

[sabrinaswack]

OK everybody, meet Gretel. She is my daughters new service dog. She is a full black lab. It was a long two weeks in team training. It just so happens that Gretel was raised by very good friends of ours. We have known since she was 8 weeks old. We just got home Saturday morning and she is adjusting to our house very well.

She's beautiful!

 

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[DisneyKidsDad]

So excited to meet Gretel! We're all going to look forward to lots of stories in the months to come. (From that photo, it looks like Gretel is a prime candidate for a Disney cruise.)

 

No cruise scheduled yet. She will be going to Disney World in December.

[DisneyKidsDad]

Is Roz on a cruise?

[S.S. Cruisers]

Great to meet Gretel. What a special girl! :kiss-mark:

[S.S. Cruisers]

So, our next door neighbor came over yesterday. He is back from "Team Training" and he has a new friend SD! We haven't meet him yet. His name is Rider and is a Yellow Lab. Can't wait to meet him. Dad says he is about 2 years old and a goofy boy, but so happy to have him join the family. He has a kitty, Mr. Peeps, but Mr. Peeps is an introvert and may take some time to hang out with his new brother.:hearteyes:

[sabrinaswack]

No cruise scheduled yet. She will be going to Disney World in December.

Any tips on goingvto disney with a service dog? My sister in law works for disney and has offered a few times to get us in the parks.

 

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[DisneyKidsDad]

Any tips on goingvto disney with a service dog? My sister in law works for disney and has offered a few times to get us in the parks.

 

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Depending on when you go, you might want to get boots for the dog and maybe even a cooling vest. Disney is very good about Service Dogs. You can do a rider swap on some rides or put the dog in a kennel by the ride so everyone can ride together. There will always be a cast member standing by the kennel so the dog is left alone. Disney has even put "potty spots" "on stage" for service dogs. If you do go in the summer, try to avoid the hottest part of the day in the parks. Go out early in the morning and then again later in the evening. Be prepared for alot of people taking pictures of the dog. If someone asks you what the dogs name is, make something up. This way if they try calling the dog, he/she will not respond. Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[DUTRAVEL]

Any tips on goingvto disney with a service dog? My sister in law works for disney and has offered a few times to get us in the parks.

 

Sent from my SM-J700P using Forums mobile app

 

Disney is very good about the service dogs. Something that I never noticed until I took my service dog to Disneyland is that there are designated relief areas in the grassy areas in the park - look for the dog symbol and there will be a gate to let you in behind the fence. Also, I never noticed how much popcorn there is on the ground (even though they are constantly sweeping) that I had to keep my dog from eating. Taking the dog is similar to taking a young child, you will need rest breaks since there is too much going on for them to get a good nap.

 

Dianne

[fairbourne]

OK everybody, meet Gretel. She is my daughters new service dog. She is a full black lab. It was a long two weeks in team training. It just so happens that Gretel was raised by very good friends of ours. We have known since she was 8 weeks old. We just got home Saturday morning and she is adjusting to our house very well.

Oh my goodness what a gorgeous girl you are Gretel. Just adore the Disney ears! Congratulations to you and Kim - and it's lovely she can still meet with her puppy raisers (I imagine they'll be delighted too!).

We are all well this side of the pond! Having four dogs around keeps me very busy - but it's great fun too! I'm glad the weather is now getting a bit warmer and at least "they" can burn their energy off outside, well the two young uns can! Bonnie has so much energy she never stops - she sailed through her girl op, never even looked at her tummy scar but did lick her leg where they shaved it to put the IV in. So back to the doggy doctor and a bright red bandage was applied (it was like Velcro and clearly had an awful taste as that was the end of the licking!) I had tried a smudge of aloe Vera on the shaved bit before we went back to the vets and I swear that naughty pup just looked at me, diligently and slowly licked all the gel off and then gave me a look as if to say, "ok what you gonna put on it next, eh???" She did have to go back to the doggy doctor again as her tummy scar started to swell a wee bit. Apparently she had a reaction to the stitches which were just under the skin. So 10 days on antibiotics and she's right as rain.

Anyway DKD, that photo of Gretel just made my day!

Hi to everyone else and I think I've caught up on all the news!

Where is Aunty Roz - it's really not like her to miss a welcome to a new partner, especially a gorgeous black girl dog!