vhughes

I travelled with my dog from Canada to the UK in 2002 by air (Air France - they were great!) However my dog would not be happy AT ALL doing it again so does anyone know of how I can sail to Canada (or even the States). Cost is not a problem as long as my dog is safe and happy! I will be travelling with him.

I am willing to look at every option even via different countries!

Thank you!!

Iginla

I hear that there's a Canadian sub leaving Britain in the near future. Don't know about its reliability though

Sorry, no idea!

hot wasabi peas

Awe! What a lucky dog to have a human like you.

What about a transatlantic cruise? (You've probably thought of that!)

Or maybe catch a ride on a container ship. I've looked into this briefly as an option for crossing the Atlantic one of these days.

Two links I have:
http://www.canmar.com/
http://members.aol.com/CruiseAZ/transat.htm

mrs. liftman

That's in very bad taste. My friend in Canada's husband worked with the guy that died on that sub. It was only sheer chance that her husband was not on the vessel for that trip.

Iginla

note the emoticons in the post!

h_henry

Hi - I sympathise with your worries about dogs and air travel and have spent a lot of time trawling the net for alternatives to crating a dog in the hold of an aircraft. How to get our dog safely to Canada with the least amount of stress for him has been perhaps our biggest concern about emigrating. I found an airline called Companion travel (I think?) who allow you to travel with your dog in the main part of the aircraft but as yet they only fly within the states. Sea-wise - if no expense is to be spared the QE2 take dogs. The only problem from what I remember is that I think there is a size restriction and your dog has to remain in a kennel for a lot of the day. I think I came to the conclusion that 8-9 hours separation in an aircraft may be the lesser evil compared with 2 weeks separation in a kennel on the Atlantic. By the way, can I ask - did your dog react badly to air travel on their previous trip?

vhughes

Just a quick one about the QE2 - I called Cunard and they said the QE2 doesn't accept dogs!! (I know they used too though so what has happened I don't know!!) Apparently the Queen Mary may do next year but with size restrictions.

My dog travelled with Air France in 2002 who were brilliant I have to say as other airlines had said that he would have to be muzzled on the flight!!! This is in his kennel, in a hold I might add - grossly unfair (BA). Anyway he hasn't been affected long term by the flight although I've heard that some dogs are but it is a very stressful journey for a dog - is is noisy and hectic with loads of strange people but if your dog is pretty easy going then I'm sure it'll be fine unfortuanatly mine is big scaredy dog! Air France were particularly good as the employees put my mind at rest and were reassuringly blase about it all which put my mind at rest a lot but I just don't think I can go through it all again!

My dog is medium sized if this helps with any info please!

h_henry

I'm surprised about the QE2 - perhaps the web site I looked at was out of date. However, I've just checked http://www.nobhilltravel.com/options.htm (for no particular reason other than it was the first one on the google search for QE2 and dogs) and they say dogs up to German Shep size can travel for $500.

I'm going to look into this muzzle business! There's no way my dog's having a muzzle - he's never had one on in his life and there's no way I'm prepared to make a hellish experience for him even worse. My dogs not a nervous wreck but laid back is most definately not a phrase I'd use for him - it's not in his nature or breed. He doesn't even like having his halti on particularly. I know this adversion can be trained out (of both dog and owner) but I don't see the need for a muzzle when the dog is crated.

If you manage to find a nice way of travelling with your dog, please post it as I'd love to know about it!

mrs. liftman

Emoticons do not cover for a vulgar and tasteless post.

vhughes

Well I've just managed to find out some more from Cunard directly!! They will take dogs as of next April on the Queen Mary 2! They will cost from £315 for the 6 night crossing from Southapton to NY and will do kennels up to 60inches approx length and I think 72 inches height. You get visiting hours with them etc!

I'm so relieved as I was beginning to really worry!

Thanks for all of your help though!

gingermartin

Hi All,

Can I suggest that you take a visit to your vet and ask his advice. he's probably the best person and will probably suggest a few tranquilisers which will allow your dog to sleep through the whole journey.

To be honest keeping them confined on a moving ship sounds more stressful for the animal.

Mart

h_henry

Hi - We've had advice already from vets and breeders both sides of the Atlantic. The general consensus is that getting the dog used to being in a crate is perhaps the greatest thing you can do to reduce stress. Tranquilisers are not allowed on BA/Air Canada (and I suspect other airlines) as the effect of tranqs at altitude is unknown, plus the dogs will not be able to regulate their own temperature whilst tranquilised. Finally, tranquilisers may sedate the animal but is anyone actually sure that they can't still feel fear whilst sedated? The stress on a "sedated" animal that is scared but cannot react physically to that emotion may in some ways be worse. My plan is to perhaps try the Bach flower remedies and definately to crate train my dog so he's happy to be in the crate in multiple locations/situations.

Perhaps if the dog is used to being kennelled and the sea isn't too rough..not having been on the QM2 I'm not sure, but I guess it is so huge that maybe you don't feel like your bobbing around so much?

Posidrive

I have spoken to a couple of companies specialising in transporting dogs recently and all have said that if you want you dog to arrive alive "DO NOT SEDATE THEM"

wensamjam

I have been told the same do not sedate them, as it caused there heart to slow down and will stress them out even more, and especailly if they are a nervous dog, (like mine).

Tiaribbon

Same here! I have many vet friends and EVERY one of them has said "do not sedate your dogs".

Hopefully mine will be flying with us in 2 weeks time and I wouldn't consider sedating them. One is old and the last thing I want is turning up in Toronto to a dead dog. I am sure they will be scared but that is far preferable to death.