Im going on a train soon with my dog....

[LuvinNina25]

Im going on a train with my family soon and my dog...i dont know how my dog will sit for such a long period with out being fussy! **PLEASE HELP ME**

[damp]

Your question is very "diffuse" to me; but training classes and a good instructor should help you with any kind of problems!

[carolynnl4]

And what do you mean by fussy? Are the train officials going to allow your dog to just sit there next to you? Have you considered bringing a crate?

[Meka]

I don't really know too too much about traveling on trains with a dog, or traveling with a pet long distances... but my only suggestion to you is to speak to your vet to see if they could offer any advice (and maybe let you have some meds or something in case uour pup doesn't do so well).


Good Luck on the trip!

[damp]

LOL… I think I GOT it: “a train” and not “to train”.

If your dog is not sociable and relaxed among people in new situations, I would neither endanger the dog nor the other passengers… that said I don’t think a nice mannered and mental sound dog should be in a sit or down for hours on a train.. then better as said in a crate in an wagon.

[LuvinNina25]

my dog is very polite, loves new people and is extremly socialble..the train ppl let us..its 1 of those trains you sleep in with the beds in them... and im just worried she might be fussy like moving around alot sniffing..i already know that not to feed her on the train anyways thanx for all the help and tips!

[carolynnl4]

Okay, if you're in your own private compartment, then why not let her move around and sniff? I don't see why this will be a problem. Eventually she will settle down. When she does, have a toy ready for her. A kong or nylabone -- something to keep her occupied. Sounds like she will most likely fall asleep, not unlike a car trip.

[MonteRiehl]

Originally Posted by LuvinNina25

my dog is very polite, loves new people and is extremly socialble..the train ppl let us..its 1 of those trains you sleep in with the beds in them... and im just worried she might be fussy like moving around alot sniffing..i already know that not to feed her on the train anyways thanx for all the help and tips!

Hmm, I have a few questions,
How old is your dog?
If it's a pup, ( 18 months of less) it may have a motion sick episode. It's pretty common for a pup to get motion sick in cars, boats, planes and trains.

How long is the train ride? Where is the dog going to go potty?
The potty thing is why most airlines want pets in a good vari-kennel, the "soil" stays contained in the kennel. Yes, this goes against all the good reasons to crate train, but the train people are going to be very upset if your coach smells like urine afterwards.

How do you know your dog is going to be nice and sociable (as normal?) on the train if it has never been on one?
You need a plan to control and deal with your dog if it freaks out for some reason. You need a "worst case" scenario plan that will keep your dog safe, and more importantly others safe from your dog.

I would suggest that you get a "right sized" vari-kennel, and have it in your compartment. Make sure your dog knows it's a good safe place before your trip. (introduce it as soon as possible, and make it positive). Then you can let your dog out in your compartment if all is well. If things are not well, you have a good solid safe "Plan B"

Hope your trip goes well.

[JaniceH]

Hi,

I take my rott Teazle on the train to London every two or three months. We go on our own. The journey is about 4 - 41/2 hours and afterwards we then get another train to my final destination which is a further 25 minutes. On the return journey we even have to go on the Underground (Tube).

I knew I would be doing this when I got her a a puppy, so as soon as she had had all her jabs, I took her once a month on a short train journey before the LONG one. At 6 months old (she is now nerarly 2) she took her first major trip to London. I ride in the public carriage, take water, treats and something to chew like a hide stick. I try to choose a seat which will allow her to stretch as far as possible. After the initial "is there any grub around" search, she usually settles down and just chills out and I can end up taking her chews home with me. I do not encourage people to stroke her because I want her to be kept quiet. Even when I have to go to the toilet she just sits there and waits quietly with her eye on my direction (obvioulsy someone is keeping an eye on her). People can pass her, accidently kick her or stand on her paws, but she just accepts it. She has never been sick or phased out. Maybe twice out of all the journeys she has done, and only for a few moments, has she thrown a tantrum wanting my attention, and embarrasing as it was, I soon put a stop to it. People have been very impressed at how good she has been over such a length of journey.

So, I would take your dog on a short journey before your main one to see how it copes. Be prepared and you never know, you may be worrying for nothing. Teazle is a high drive girl, very active, has a bit of attitude and is car sick. But even from that first train journey she has always settled down very quickly and never been sick. I admit she has surprised me totally.

Oh..I forgot and it is just an idea. Why not give your rott a long walk before the journey or even the days before, so that it is tired.

Good luck.

[thezookeeper]

I would do some pre-boarding warm-ups.
Take her to the station have her walk around the station ie - hear the noise of the loudspeakers, see the rush of people, hear the trains as they start up.
Take her on a few short train rides (1 hour or so) just to help her get into gear for the longer trip.
You did not say how long your train ride will be.
I would be prepared for accident cleanup (from both ends).

I would also bring a crate as the back up if there is a problem.

- Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Think of all the worst problems you can have - Then plan for those. This way there will be no suprises. Then you get to be happy you did not need everything you brought!!

Enjoy your trip.
-K

[LuvinNina25]

thnx..the trip is about 12 hours long...its over night

[thezookeeper]

UMMM... are you setting up your dog to have an accident? Where is she going to go potty during this 12 hours????

-k

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by LuvinNina25

my dog is very polite, loves new people and is extremly socialble..!

You just posted that your dog snaps at you and visitors here:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...869#post518869

Which is it........is your dog social and polite????....... If so the trip should be fine.

If your dog snaps at you and other people then it is not fair to put others and your dog in danger. Maybe you could kennel her while you take your trip.

[Sharon Marples]

Are you absolutly sure that they will let her stay with you and they won't put her into a baggage area? I'm worried about where you expect her to go pottie, etc.

And I don't think it is fair for her to have to sit still for 12 hours. If you have a crate, that would be the best. Then she is confined, but can still get up, turn around and move just a bit.

I would suggest you invest in a crate if you don't have one and then train her to it so she is comfortable in it and will sleep in it before you ever attempt this trip.

Do not put her into the position of all the stress of having to sit still for so long, not to be able to walk around or go to the bathroom.

And if she is snapping at you and visitors, you are setting her up for a stressful situation and more possible aggression. Not a scenario I would attempt with her at this point.

Is it absolutly necessary that you take her on the train? Can't you drive and meet your other family members at your destination if you want to take her so bad?

[SonnyRott]

How old is your dog?

We didn't go by train but we took a 17+ hour road trip (in a mobile home) with 5 adults and my then 6 month old pup, and he did just fine. He wasn't crated and he mostly layed down in the aisleway.