Puppy Friendly Public Transport?

[belovedfool]

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We're considering getting a puppy in late july, it will be the first dog we've ever owned.

I just wondered about dogs and public transport. I have looked on websites, but i just thought i'd ask if anyone knew the regulations - are dogs allowed on buses, trains, and the london underground? Do you have to pay for an extra seat for them? We want a whippet, so at a push (at least whilst its a puppy) it could probably sit on a lap. But...?

And also, since we'll get a pedigree dog, most shops don't allow dogs in now. Is it sensible to leave the dog tied up outside, or is it better to leave someone outside with it or just not take it into town when we want to shop?

Thanks!

 

[~Helen~]

Great questions! I would love to know about public transport too :thumbsup: so am looking forward to the replies on that one.

One question I can answer, though. I would never, never leave a dog tied up outside a shop, or anywhere else for that matter. I certainly wouldn't expect him/her to still be there when I came out!

 

[belovedfool]

Great questions! I would love to know about public transport too :thumbsup: so am looking forward to the replies on that one.
One question I can answer, though. I would never, never leave a dog tied up outside a shop, or anywhere else for that matter. I certainly wouldn't expect him/her to still be there when I came out!

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No thats what i thought really, but then i'm not sure what to do with him if i take him into town and want to pop in a shop. Guess ill have to take someone with me and force them to stay outside - keep him company! Hehe. Ahhh well, shame its not possible really.. *mutters darkly* Thanks!

 

[TC]

Great questions! I would love to know about public transport too :thumbsup: so am looking forward to the replies on that one.
One question I can answer, though. I would never, never leave a dog tied up outside a shop, or anywhere else for that matter. I certainly wouldn't expect him/her to still be there when I came out!

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Absolutely agree Helen :thumbsup:

We have taken both of ours on all forms of public transport except tubes when they were puppies to get them used to all the different environments, motions etc. They were a bit sceptical about a horse and cart ride, but thoroughly enjoyed it (w00t)

A steam railway journey is definitely best for conquering all fears though :wacko: and the walk found Corfe Castle grounds at the end was lovely

Also, they are still very much lap dogs even though fully grown so I wouldn't worry about them needing a seat :- "

 

[graciepup]

Great questions! I would love to know about public transport too :thumbsup: so am looking forward to the replies on that one.
One question I can answer, though. I would never, never leave a dog tied up outside a shop, or anywhere else for that matter. I certainly wouldn't expect him/her to still be there when I came out!

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Absolutely agree Helen :thumbsup:

We have taken both of ours on all forms of public transport except tubes when they were puppies to get them used to all the different environments, motions etc. They were a bit sceptical about a horse and cart ride, but thoroughly enjoyed it (w00t)

A steam railway journey is definitely best for conquering all fears though :wacko: and the walk found Corfe Castle grounds at the end was lovely

Also, they are still very much lap dogs even though fully grown so I wouldn't worry about them needing a seat :- "

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hi all, we did the same with grace and took her on as much transport as possible .Now tracy, we did the train ride and corfe castle too and a horse and cart with grace(spooky) (w00t) grace loved it!!

claire :wub:

 

[belovedfool]

So buses and train people are fine with you having a dog on board? Brilliant I was worried we'd have to be walking everywhere! How about long journeys on trains... i suppose you cant go on that long a journey and still be in england, but do dogs last out on the toilet front? (or can you train them to go in the loo!)

 

[jok]

So buses and train people are fine with you having a dog on board? Brilliant  I was worried we'd have to be walking everywhere! How about long journeys on trains... i suppose you cant go on that long a journey and still be in england, but do dogs last out on the toilet front? (or can you train them to go in the loo!)

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If you think about it, a dog lasts for hours over night without doing a wee, therefore a bit of time on a train will be no problem :thumbsup: Training them to go to the loo? (w00t)

 

[belovedfool]

Yeah thats true Jok, you just wait I'll have mine trained to use the loo AND flush! :- "

On the same note, what does everyone do if they want to take their dog out and happen to want to go in a shop? Are whippets small enough to pick up and take inside, or do you just not venture in shops when your out alone with your dog?

Thanks

 

[whippets]

great threas i never knew dogs were alowed on buses!(or any form of public transport) :thumbsup:

 

[jok]

Yeah thats true Jok, you just wait I'll have mine trained to use the loo AND flush!  :- "
On the same note, what does everyone do if they want to take their dog out and happen to want to go in a shop? Are whippets small enough to pick up and take inside, or do you just not venture in shops when your out alone with your dog?

Thanks

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If it's the corner shop, i open the door and shout to them what i want. :lol: Shops won't let you take dogs in even if you're holding them if they state 'no dogs'. Obviously they can go in some shops, like pets shops. I would never leave them tied up outside in case they got stolen. Whippets are small enough to pick up but are heavy enough not to want to carry for long :lol:

 

[dana]

dana loves her train rides! off to formby beach on nice days to have a swim in the sea with her mum! as long as u get them used to it in small journeys ( to avoid motion sickness ) then they will be fine. i know that trains are free for dogs, im not sure about busses though you used to have to pay for them but ive not been charged for years. either they have removed the charge or the drivers just dont care?

 

[gilliwigs]

I don't think we've ever taken either of our dogs on public transport but Josh used to love our steam train rides. He grew up in a village on the Severn Valley Railway so he was used to being taken on the steam train every time we had visitors. He also came with us every Christmas on a 'Santa Special' as well as steam train rides when we had a holiday. We have pictures of him on quite a large number of steam railways from around the country! He was a real railway buff. :lol: Muffin just hasn't had the same opportunities - sad, deprived dog that he is! :teehee:

(Just remembered we did take him on public transport once on the Settle-Carlise route which he wasn't so fond of as it was packed out )

Here he is enjoying the view :wub:

 

[simon]

I live in London and my dogs go on all public transport- i think that dogs have to be on a lead, but sometimes it can be up to the drivers discretion, also on double decker buses the dog (officially) has to go on the top deck :unsure: not sure why.

Dogs can go in shops and restaurants as long as they're not where the food is being prepared i.e. in the kitchen, but again the decision lies with the shop/restaurant owner. We can sneak the chihuahua in most places, but they always see the deerhound legs under a long mack

It's the best thing taking the dogs everywhere from as young as possible, especially if you live in a busy place our dogs are really confident around traffic and noise.

 

[simon]

I live in London and my dogs go on all public transport- i think that dogs have to be on a lead, but sometimes it can be up to the drivers discretion, also on double decker buses the dog (officially) has to go on the top deck :unsure: not sure why.
Dogs can go in shops and restaurants as long as they're not where the food is being prepared i.e. in the kitchen, but again the decision lies with the shop/restaurant owner.  We can sneak the chihuahua in most places, but they always see the deerhound legs under a long mack

It's the best thing taking the dogs everywhere from as young as possible, especially if you live in a busy place our dogs are really confident around traffic and noise.

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Infact we've got some pictures of Angus managing to fit on a London Underground carriage seat, which by the way, is against the rules.

 

[belovedfool]

I live in London and my dogs go on all public transport- i think that dogs have to be on a lead, but sometimes it can be up to the drivers discretion, also on double decker buses the dog (officially) has to go on the top deck :unsure: not sure why.
Dogs can go in shops and restaurants as long as they're not where the food is being prepared i.e. in the kitchen, but again the decision lies with the shop/restaurant owner.  We can sneak the chihuahua in most places, but they always see the deerhound legs under a long mack

It's the best thing taking the dogs everywhere from as young as possible, especially if you live in a busy place our dogs are really confident around traffic and noise.

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Infact we've got some pictures of Angus managing to fit on a London Underground carriage seat, which by the way, is against the rules.

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Against the rules? How mean! They are allowed on the underground in general though? I'd love to see that picture, he wasnt still in the mack was he? :blink: Top deck? But i would have thought that would be a bit difficult, trying to drag a dog upstairs and downstairs <_<

Yeah we've heard about getting them used to things as soon as possible, I'm still all confused about how were supposed to do this before theyve been vaccinated - do we just keep them confined up until then? Hmm :wacko:

Restaurants? That does surprise me. It seems loads of shops round here are 'guide dogs only' and restaurants go without saying! I don't know what people with dogs are supposed to do really if you want to pop in a shop for a quick look :rant:

Ahh well, i'll have to try the mack trick... maybe i can train him to sit upright, add a pipe sticking out and I can attempt to convince people he's an especially hairy tramp friend of mine :- "

 

[wilfred]

When you're taking them out and about to get used to things as young puppies (8 wks onwards), before their vaccinations are complete, you just carry them about with you, don't put them on the ground and don't let dogs come up and sniff them etc.

sit them on your knee on public seats, have a collar and lead on the pup so you have something else to hold while you're cuddling your pup (we take a bit of blanket or vet bed as well, if the weather isn't as warm as it could be). Then the pup can see the sights etc, but not go into contact with the ground or dogs, whilst you're out. Little and often is a good way to do it.

have titbits with you, small pieces of cheese or something the pup likes that's tempting, give them a titbit from time to time. Nice too if gentle people approach and say hello to your pup, or give them a gentle stroke.

Well, that's what we do anyway

 

[boothros]

Stagecoach run the buses down here in the South of England & dogs travel for free.

 

[Macha]

I don't think we've ever taken either of our dogs on public transport but Josh used to love our steam train rides.    He grew up in a village on the Severn Valley Railway so he was used to being taken on the steam train every time we had visitors.  He also came with us every Christmas on a 'Santa Special' as well as steam train rides when we had a holiday.  We have pictures of him on quite a large number of steam railways from around the country!  He was a real railway buff.  :lol: Muffin just hasn't had the same opportunities - sad, deprived dog that he is!  :teehee:
(Just remembered we did take him on public transport once on the Settle-Carlise route which he wasn't so fond of as it was packed out  ) 

Here he is enjoying the view  :wub:

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that's a great picture, but really it is not appreciated if you let your dog on the seat! Take a rug or blanket and make him stay on the floor. Trains allow you to bring a dog. In Ireland, however, you may be required to crate your dog ... this is absolute in Northern Ireland. A lot of bus companies do not allow dogs - check beforehand. Sometimes it is at drivers discretion. I think in Scotland that Stagecoach will allow two dogs on a bus at any one time, first come first served.

I wish I could bring my dogs to the shops more often. I have on occasion tied them outside and asked the security guard or other employee to keep an eye on them. I then do my errand as quickly as possible.

It can also be difficult to find dog-friendly taxi-drivers; you need to confirm when booking that the dog will be allowed. I spread a blanket on the seat and do allow the dog on the seat in cars.

 

[simon]

I live in London and my dogs go on all public transport- i think that dogs have to be on a lead, but sometimes it can be up to the drivers discretion, also on double decker buses the dog (officially) has to go on the top deck :unsure: not sure why.
Dogs can go in shops and restaurants as long as they're not where the food is being prepared i.e. in the kitchen, but again the decision lies with the shop/restaurant owner.  We can sneak the chihuahua in most places, but they always see the deerhound legs under a long mack

It's the best thing taking the dogs everywhere from as young as possible, especially if you live in a busy place our dogs are really confident around traffic and noise.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Infact we've got some pictures of Angus managing to fit on a London Underground carriage seat, which by the way, is against the rules.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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Against the rules? How mean! They are allowed on the underground in general though? I'd love to see that picture, he wasnt still in the mack was he? :blink: Top deck? But i would have thought that would be a bit difficult, trying to drag a dog upstairs and downstairs <_<

Yeah we've heard about getting them used to things as soon as possible, I'm still all confused about how were supposed to do this before theyve been vaccinated - do we just keep them confined up until then? Hmm :wacko:

Restaurants? That does surprise me. It seems loads of shops round here are 'guide dogs only' and restaurants go without saying! I don't know what people with dogs are supposed to do really if you want to pop in a shop for a quick look :rant:

Ahh well, i'll have to try the mack trick... maybe i can train him to sit upright, add a pipe sticking out and I can attempt to convince people he's an especially hairy tramp friend of mine :- "

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Yes they are allowed on the underground, do you live in London aswell? Dog owners are few and far between in this city. Oh, they are not permitted to travel on the escalators, you have to pick them up. This is quite alright with our chihuahua but with a deerhound?? I'll try and attach that picture at some point.

 

[belovedfool]

Oh so carrying them is alright? That makes sense. What a relief! I was getting a bit worried because everyone's saying how important it is to socialise your pup, and at the same time saying you can't even let them past the door until their vaccinated. Brilliant, thanks. Why didnt I think of that!! :b

No I don't live in London, I live in York, but we visit London every now and then so I was just wondering. No, I'd noticed you didnt see many people with dogs around there. Mmm well 'first' and 'coastliner' operate the buses round here, I shall have to mail them and find out their policy on dogs.

Yeah asking the security guard... thats a possibility. Passed a clothes store the other day with the cashier stood outside holding someone's cavalier king charles for them :blink: Have to try it.