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

[S.S. Cruisers]

Roz,

I have had to sign in for some time now. Can't find anywhere where it says it will save the sign in info.

[rpclmc]

I started the box last night. After 9:00 pm, he does not get to go outside until he pees and poops in the box. It is 2:00 pm and he still hasn't. Not surprising for the first day; he is so confused. Although it bothers me, because I know he has to be uncomfortable, I am glad we are working through it at home.

 

 

I love to hang out by the pool. Any suggestions on where to put Halo and what to bring, those decks can be really hot. I do have booties for him.

 

 

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to spend the first day on the ship camped out at guest relations until the box situation is resolved.

 

Dianne

 

 

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Amen, sister, Amen! By the time I'm too old to take care of a Service Dog or just too dang tired to travel it will all be worked out for the next generation......That's the way life goes, isn't it?

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz,

I have had to sign in for some time now. Can't find anywhere where it says it will save the sign in info.

 

I had to sign in because I have a new email address, otherwise I just click on our thread and it opens up and is ready to read and respond.

 

Send a message to our wonderful moderators and let them know your problem.

[wizard-of-roz]

I started the box last night. After 9:00 pm, he does not get to go outside until he pees and poops in the box. It is 2:00 pm and he still hasn't. Not surprising for the first day; he is so confused. Although it bothers me, because I know he has to be uncomfortable, I am glad we are working through it at home.

 

 

I love to hang out by the pool. Any suggestions on where to put Halo and what to bring, those decks can be really hot. I do have booties for him.

 

 

 

Linda and Halo

 

The relief box training takes time and patience. As long as your dog finds it a positive and rewarding experience it will happen.....I promise!

 

Remember, when your dog finally goes in the box on his own.....throw a party for him! Lots of positive praise and a yummy reward!

[wizard-of-roz]

I started the box last night. After 9:00 pm, he does not get to go outside until he pees and poops in the box. It is 2:00 pm and he still hasn't. Not surprising for the first day; he is so confused. Although it bothers me, because I know he has to be uncomfortable, I am glad we are working through it at home.

 

 

I love to hang out by the pool. Any suggestions on where to put Halo and what to bring, those decks can be really hot. I do have booties for him.

 

 

 

Linda and Halo

 

I look for a shady spot where the tables and chairs are placed against the windows; I attach his leash to a table; and put him in a down/stay. I bring his water dish and fill it with fresh cold water and place it beside him. I make sure that he can see me from where he's placed and I proceed to the pool.

The pools are usually on the top deck and are exposed to the hottest sun making the decking burning hot on our dogs pads. Be sure that he's laying in a nice shady spot.

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy weekend everyone. It's still very hot here in L.A. Enough, already!!!!

 

I've had computer issues, after running to the Geek Squad, I have a new email address and am now online and connecting to the world again. I bought a printer and will start writing as I promised myself I would do, once I retired.

 

My retirement is in its 4th month...still very new to me. I find that I can still afford all living expenses and it appears food is not lacking. I can even afford to buy new stuff! Wow! All that planning and saving wasn't for nothing.

 

I always thought that if I didn't work I wouldn't be able to have a good life, it appears not too much has changed, at least not yet! Now, if those relatives who borrowed huge sums of money with the promise that I'd have the money back before I retired, would just step-up and do as they promised, I truly would not have to worry!! :(

 

Stay cool and well everyone!

[rpclmc]

The relief box training takes time and patience. As long as your dog finds it a positive and rewarding experience it will happen.....I promise!

 

Remember, when your dog finally goes in the box on his own.....throw a party for him! Lots of positive praise and a yummy reward!

 

Halo finally peed, alot, around 7:00 pm. He got a lot of smoked swordfish, not his usual Zukes. My daughter and I did throw him a party. I was so proud of him.

 

Since the box is so big and in my kitchen I put a plastic bag under the dog litter. I only got and put a 25 lb bag in it; it is not enough. Halo was sliding all over and it was so hard for him to pee. Live and learn, it was a bad set up for him. He won't even go near the box now and I am sure it is the sliding. So, I have ordered 75 lbs of the litter and turf. Until that comes in he has the freedom to go in and out of his dog door to the outside. We will start the training again when the set up is better for him. I am thinking, more than anything, the turf will make the difference. Usually, I wouldn't stop the training, but I think it is a bad set up right now, not the ship will be perfect, but I think I need to be more realistic of what is expected. And, since I did treat him and throw him a party, I think with a better set up it will pick up pretty quickly..

 

Linda and Halo

[rpclmc]

I look for a shady spot where the tables and chairs are placed against the windows; I attach his leash to a table; and put him in a down/stay. I bring his water dish and fill it with fresh cold water and place it beside him. I make sure that he can see me from where he's placed and I proceed to the pool.

The pools are usually on the top deck and are exposed to the hottest sun making the decking burning hot on our dogs pads. Be sure that he's laying in a nice shady spot.

 

You don't have problems with people approaching him when you do this?

 

I do have booties for him. My trainer taught me, if it is too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your dog. I love this and I won't walk on those sun decks barefoot.

 

When I take him to the beach or other outside pools, I have a small chair umbrella I hook to the lower part of a lounge chair, place his towel - yes he has his own beach towel, under the shade, I have a mini portable fan that I set up in front of him, put his water bowl in the shade and place a couple frozen water bottles out for him to lick on or lean against.

 

Yes, I take care of him more than I did more daughter when she was a toddler:)

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

Halo finally peed, alot, around 7:00 pm. He got a lot of smoked swordfish, not his usual Zukes. My daughter and I did throw him a party. I was so proud of him.

 

Since the box is so big and in my kitchen I put a plastic bag under the dog litter. I only got and put a 25 lb bag in it; it is not enough. Halo was sliding all over and it was so hard for him to pee. Live and learn, it was a bad set up for him. He won't even go near the box now and I am sure it is the sliding. So, I have ordered 75 lbs of the litter and turf. Until that comes in he has the freedom to go in and out of his dog door to the outside. We will start the training again when the set up is better for him. I am thinking, more than anything, the turf will make the difference. Usually, I wouldn't stop the training, but I think it is a bad set up right now, not the ship will be perfect, but I think I need to be more realistic of what is expected. And, since I did treat him and throw him a party, I think with a better set up it will pick up pretty quickly..

 

Linda and Halo

 

The ships are very skimpy with their filler. Make sure they leave the bag with you so that you can refill whatever they put in box as you need to. If they're using the pellets, make sure to fill the box to almost half full; it makes it easier for our dogs to walk on and they won't slip & slide and hurt their pads as much [i hate this stuff!] Again, I recommend that you buy a 4x4 square of fake grass to cover whatever the ships may use as filler.

[wizard-of-roz]

You don't have problems with people approaching him when you do this?

 

I do have booties for him. My trainer taught me, if it is too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your dog. I love this and I won't walk on those sun decks barefoot.

 

When I take him to the beach or other outside pools, I have a small chair umbrella I hook to the lower part of a lounge chair, place his towel - yes he has his own beach towel, under the shade, I have a mini portable fan that I set up in front of him, put his water bowl in the shade and place a couple frozen water bottles out for him to lick on or lean against.

 

Yes, I take care of him more than I did more daughter when she was a toddler:)

 

Linda and Halo

 

When Horton is waiting for me as I enjoy the pool, he's NOT working. And, if someone happens to walk by and stop to pat or talk to him Horton can soak up all this positive attention. One thing about our dogs, they love all those belly rubs. I allow for it and Horton loves it. Once we are together again, the other passengers know it's best to ask before they touch or talk to him. The public loves the opportunity to lay on deck with this amazing dog.

[rpclmc]

The ships are very skimpy with their filler. Make sure they leave the bag with you so that you can refill whatever they put in box as you need to. If they're using the pellets, make sure to fill the box to almost half full; it makes it easier for our dogs to walk on and they won't slip & slide and hurt their pads as much [i hate this stuff!] Again, I recommend that you buy a 4x4 square of fake grass to cover whatever the ships may use as filler.

 

I am getting some turf to train on and will bring some with. Such a great idea.

 

Kinda Halo

[alexspepa]

 

Yes, I take care of him more than I did more daughter when she was a toddler:)

 

Linda and Halo

 

I had to lol at this...my daughter says when she was a kid she had to have a fever of 104' before we would take her to the doctor but if Lucy sneezes twice we are in the car going to the vet.

[Onagh]

Hello!

I am cruising on Carnival Breeze September 16-30 through the South East Caribbean with my Service Dog. This is his first cruise. So glad I found this thread, as I have all the items and tips mentioned covered!

It looks like we are staying on the ship in Cayman Islands, I only vaccinate for rabies every 3 years. I have all the rest of the paperwork finished for the other countries on the itinerary just waiting on dates to get Health Certificate.

Also cruising with Star Princess to Hawaii for Thanksgiving. That will be easy since we aren’t leaving the country and Hawaii follows ADA laws.

The next big one is Princess 22 day cruise to South America, will be starting the process on that in the next week or so.

Thanks for all the good info!

[alexspepa]

Hello!

I am cruising on Carnival Breeze September 16-30 through the South East Caribbean with my Service Dog. This is his first cruise. So glad I found this thread, as I have all the items and tips mentioned covered!

It looks like we are staying on the ship in Cayman Islands, I only vaccinate for rabies every 3 years. I have all the rest of the paperwork finished for the other countries on the itinerary just waiting on dates to get Health Certificate.

Also cruising with Star Princess to Hawaii for Thanksgiving. That will be easy since we aren’t leaving the country and Hawaii follows ADA laws.

The next big one is Princess 22 day cruise to South America, will be starting the process on that in the next week or so.

Thanks for all the good info!

Hi - welcome to the best thread on Cruise Critic.

The experts will be glad to help you - actually from what I have read Hawaii is pretty demanding when it comes to Service Dogs - more so than the Caribbean islands. There are quite a few posts about cruising there.

I'm sure Roz and the others will be along soon to help clarify that for you.

[wizard-of-roz]

Hello!

I am cruising on Carnival Breeze September 16-30 through the South East Caribbean with my Service Dog. This is his first cruise. So glad I found this thread, as I have all the items and tips mentioned covered!

It looks like we are staying on the ship in Cayman Islands, I only vaccinate for rabies every 3 years. I have all the rest of the paperwork finished for the other countries on the itinerary just waiting on dates to get Health Certificate.

Also cruising with Star Princess to Hawaii for Thanksgiving. That will be easy since we aren’t leaving the country and Hawaii follows ADA laws.

The next big one is Princess 22 day cruise to South America, will be starting the process on that in the next week or so.

Thanks for all the good info!

 

Welcome! You would think that because Hawaii is part of the USA that it would be the easiest state to enter........WRONG!!!!! Hawaii has NEVER had a known case of Rabies and makes all their immunization policies against Rabies to be very strict.

 

You must obtain a Direct Release from a Direct Release Specialist on the Island of Maui 808.281.5780 - $245.00 plus tax, total $255.21. You pay the officer over the phone with a credit card. You will need to obtain a Rabies Titer Blood Test from your Vet [$200+] and a completed Aphis 7001 Form [this will cost you a Vet visit fee.] Your Vet will send the test to a special lab and once the test is done your Vet will supply you with the results [this test is good for 3 years], you MUST fax the results along with the Aphis Form to the Animal Quarantine Station in Maui - 808.483.7161. ALL of the aforementioned must be done at least 2 weeks before you cruise. Make sure that the Vet does NOT use any abbreviations on the Aphis form. All information needs to be spelled out in entirety.

 

Because you are arriving via cruise ship there is not enough time to assure their Animal Quarantine folks of your dogs freedom from Rabies so the demand to do all of the above before you enter via cruise ship is very important. Some dogs face actual quarantine when they arrive via airplane [service Dogs are NEVER quarantined, unless they appear to be sick upon arrival.]

 

Keep all original dog records with you. Make 3 copies; one to give to the ship when your registering on the day of departure; one to have with you when visiting ports to show various officials who may ask; one to show any examiners who come onboard to see your dog. Keep the original paperwork in the safe with your Drivers License, cash and other important documents.

 

Once you enter one of their ports, your ship will notify the Direct Release Specialist that they have a dog onboard and you will be asked to meet with one of their officers in the early morning so they can examine your dog - Hands-on. You only need to do this early meeting once [some ships may require that you meet with an Agricultural Inspector on another early morning visit, this is not unusual] you DON'T have to pay any more money.

 

As you can see, it's expensive and thorough. It's easier to go to the Panama Canal and Mexico. Hawaii is time consuming and expensive.

 

I'm doing a 15 day again this December and I have to go through the Direct Release Fee again, but not the Titer Test because my last Hawaii cruise was less than three years ago.

 

I found Europe was also expensive and time consuming, in terms of traveling onboard a cruise ship with my dog.

 

My suggestion is to make sure all of your needed paperwork be done in a timely fashion......DON'T wait until the last minute.

 

Also, your dog MUST be micro-chipped and on a regular dosage of HeartGuard and anti flea/tick medication. Your Vet will attest to this on the Aphis form.

 

Good luck and most of all - Happy Cruising!

[wizard-of-roz]

Also, for cruising to Hawaii you need to have a letter with your itinerary on it to go along with the Aphis and Titer Test to be faxed to the Animal Quarantine Station. It doesn't hurt to have all the information about your dog i.e. Chip number; who trained your dog; all contact information and description of your dog.

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy, safe and cool weekend everyone :hearteyes:

[Onagh]

Holy Moly I absolutely LOVE your information!! Thank you so much!! I didn’t consider the 3 copies and using the safe. Brilliant!! So appreciate you right now! Xoxoxo

 

 

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[Onagh]

Question: have you used, do you recommend PetTravel.com?

 

https://www.pettravelstore.com/pages/Contact-Us.html

 

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[Caribbean Chris]

Holy Moly I absolutely LOVE your information!! Thank you so much!! I didn’t consider the 3 copies and using the safe. Brilliant!! So appreciate you right now! Xoxoxo

 

 

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You are in good company - Finding Roz and these posts when I received my service dog four years ago made a big difference in my life. I never would have considered taking her on a cruise otherwise. I think all the “regulars” here share your appreciation.

[DUTRAVEL]

You are in good company - Finding Roz and these posts when I received my service dog four years ago made a big difference in my life. I never would have considered taking her on a cruise otherwise. I think all the “regulars” here share your appreciation.

 

 

Agreed Chris - would not have considered cruising with my service dog if I had not found this thread. I think Roz has given us all the confidence we need!

 

Dianne

 

 

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[DUTRAVEL]

Question: have you used, do you recommend PetTravel.com?

 

https://www.pettravelstore.com/pages/Contact-Us.html

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

That site is a good reference, but you can get all of the forms for free from the USDA or your vet.

 

Dianne

 

 

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[rpclmc]

This thread and all the people on it have been a godsend for me and traveling with my service dog. I would be a nervous wreck and now I have confidence to go alot of places. Although, he is so highly trained, I was a mess.

 

 

Another great thing to do is start litter box training your dog for the cruise. The cruises use a 4x4 box filled with a variety of fillers. Roz takes a roll of turf to place on the filler. My husband made the box and I put filler in it. Halo waited 11 hours to pee in it. I finally got the turf and he waited an hour. Amazing difference and will be well worth hauling it. He has not pooped but we will get there. And it can be rinsed off easily.

 

 

Linda and Halo

[Onagh]

I just found this Hawaii Resource for Guide-Service Dogs! Easy Peasy! http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/guide-service-dogs/

 

Litter: Not an issue for us. Loki is potty pad trained so a 4x4 piece of turf will be perfect. Thanks for that tip!!