New dog what to do about Ferry

[The Wino]

We used a crate for our pup.....first night at home she slept in the crate in our bedroom then slowly over the next few nights moved it out onto the landing then downstairs. She's happy as can be in the crate, it's her bed/cave.
We now use it in the van and she travels for hours secure in the crate.

I'm not saying there a cruel thing to use. Ours never really took to one but I know some dogs do. But if you asked a member of the public they'd describe it as a cage

 

[Northernraider]

I'm not saying there a cruel thing to use. Ours never really took to one but I know some dogs do. But if you asked a member of the public they'd describe it as a cage

That's because it is a cage.

A crate has solid sides , a cage has bars or mesh.

Zoos have cages not crates.

 

[Spriddler]

...........it would be much easier for the operator if we were confined to our vehicles for the duration of the crossing.

Indeed so.
On an hour's flight back in the day when flight attendants were called stewardesses I commented that it seemed wholly unnecessary to give people food and drink on such short flights. She (for it was a female) confided that it was provided for the crew's benefit as it kept passengers in their seats and stopped them from wandering around and blocking the aisle.

 

[MichaelT]

Just an update on the process. We crossed on Tuesday morning, up early to feed him then 50 minutes walk to the nearby park and back. Check in (did not need muzzle they insist you buy) then walk round the waiting area. Seems pets board last so we left a fan on in van for him but it was not a hot day luckily.

We did not visit during the crossing as we thought it would just up set him so I got down to the deck as soon as the door opened and he was quiet when I opened the door then got excited, put a lead on to let him out but he does not like slippery surfaces so would not wee (must of been desperate). We were off first so through passport control in 5 minutes then stopped for fuel in town (€1.77) and while I filled up Julie walked him to a grass verge and he was relieved .

So all in all he was not traumatised and seems his normal self, much ado about nothing. Probably we were more stressed than him.

 

[busby]

I'm not saying there a cruel thing to use. Ours never really took to one but I know some dogs do. But if you asked a member of the public they'd describe it as a cage

That's because they are a cage,,Never understood them..Can see the reason of a hutch for rabbits etc and a cage for birds but not a cage for dogs..BUSBY.

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[MichaelT]

That's because they are a cage,,Never understood them..Can see the reason of a hutch for rabbits etc and a cage for birds but not a cage for dogs..BUSBY.

Ours loves his it's his own space and great fir training. Once he is thru the chewing stage we will probably leave it unlocked but for now he just goes in at night when we tell him it's time for bed and same when travelling.

 

[emjaiuk]

What are the risks?

If the boat was to sink i couldn't live with myself thinking my dogs had drowned alone so id rather be with them.

Although lets be honest how likely is that?

Also there are ferries that allow you to stay in your vehicle when crossing. Ive been on a few of them

Haven’t travelled on them for years, but the Danish Great Belt ferries used to allow unrestricted access to car deck, I’ve even seen somebody with his car jacked up servicing it. I think the ‘safety’ rules are covering their ars*s type rather than real concerns. When I dealt with P&O, it was mandatory to wear a hard hat when visiting the car deck during a crossing, what the difference was from embarking and disembarking I don’t know.

 

[The Wino]

Haven’t travelled on them for years, but the Danish Great Belt ferries used to allow unrestricted access to car deck, I’ve even seen somebody with his car jacked up servicing it. I think the ‘safety’ rules are covering their ars*s type rather than real concerns. When I dealt with P&O, it was mandatory to wear a hard hat when visiting the car deck during a crossing, what the difference was from embarking and disembarking I don’t know.

Maybe more likely things could move ?

 

[emjaiuk]

Maybe more likely things could move ?

From above head hight? Knowing the company, if the weather was remotely approaching that which may cause vehicles to move. car deck access would be closed anyway.

 

[The Wino]

From above head hight? Knowing the company, if the weather was remotely approaching that which may cause vehicles to move. car deck access would be closed anyway.

There are probably health and safety rules in most places of work that people think are bonkers but nowhere near as bonkers as returning to the days before health and safety.

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[Ian789]

Hi, looking for some thoghts on our new dilemma. We have just bought a new puppy (miniature Schnauzer) and picking up at end of month so good news. Bad news is we had booked to cross over to France using Poole - Cherberg BF route mid August so pup would only be 4 1/2 months old. We are thinking this may be a bit young and maybe a trauma for him, I know we can visit the deck to check on him but still... We live in Essex so were planning to meet our son in Cornwall then travel back to poole for crossing and have booked tunnel home already.

So what are seasoned dog owners thoughts, as I see it we have 3 choices

1. Carry on with booking, excercise him well before to tire him out, visit him on car deck after say 1 hour then every hour until allowed back on the car deck when coming into port.
2. We have a Flexi ticket so push it out till next year when he is older then as above.
3. Lose deposit and use Chunnel

Thanks in advance.

Others might have already said this but the Portsmouth Caen daytime crossing often has dog cabins available. We crossed last Wednesday, £58 for a small cabin with window. Dog wasnt stressed at all ( didnt like the muzzle between car deck and cabin mind). We had a bit of a snooze, shower, and left him for 90 minutes while we had lunch. Docks at 3 pm so you can do a couple of hours drive before stopping if you want. We stopped at Falaise (40 mins) a lovely little town.

 

[mitzimad]

surely it all depends on the dog we always left gertie in the van on dover ferries as we know as soon as she alone she huddles down and sleeps think she was under 6 months first time we took her