dogs, motorhomes and public transport

[LORNA]

Hi, am looking for advice on how easy/difficult it is to take dogs on public transport both in this country and in France/Spain. Read the MMM magasine every month and lots of articles rave about how easy it is to camp and take the bus/train into the local towns etc. What is this like with a small dog in tow? We mainly like the walking kind of holiday but sometimes it would be nice to do other things! Not into dragging the dog around a city though, obviously! Any advice gratefully received from those motorhomers who regularly travel with dogs. PS ours is quite asmall dog! Thanks!

[mondo]

I remember when we were in Vilanova Park in Jan/Feb this year NO DOGS on public transport one woman got round it by putting her small doggy (toy poodle i think) in a shopping bag must have been used to it as it never made a noise!!

[handyman]

We haven't came across anywhere yet that doesn't let dogs on public transport (all over UK, parts of France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany with 2 large greyhounds)

 

Only thing we find is most buses/trains/cable cars/mountain trains etc allow dogs, but they must have a muzzle on. This rule appears to only be enforced with large dogs. Sometimes you have to pay half fare for a dog.

 

 

As for dogs in towns etc, in mainland europe, its seen as quite normal to have a dog with you. Get a beer, and they come with a bowl of water for the dog as well! We find in citys, you get talking to a lot of people due to the dogs (although they are very unusual in mainland europe, and most have never seen a greyhound)

[david lloyd]

We have certainly not had any difficulty with the dogs whilst touring France or most of the UK - I say most as there seem to be more places in the (supposedly dog friendly) UK that refuse access if you have a dog with you. Cafes and restaurants are a case in point - no problem with a dog in France but there are very, very few places in the UK that will give you a place indoors in winter - and not that many that provide outside tables etc.

 

For more information on taking the dog away in the UK have a lok at this website:

 

http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk/

 

Regards, David

[Mr. Grumpy]

We have never had a problem in France, our Springer is often mistaken for a Brittany and that starts many conversations. We also find most restaurants will admit dogs and the waiter usually brings a bowl of water with the menu.

I may be mistaken but I thought dogs were not allowed on buses in Spain but we have only been there once some time ago and may be wrong.

If you have not been abroad with your dog already make sure you have all the documentation in place well before you go, for information DEFRA have a very good web site.

p.s. You don't have to get old to get Grumpy, I've been Grumpy for years.

[LORNA]

Thanks for all this useful advice - I hope I can get some updates on the situation in Spain at some point on this thread. It is good to know that the Uk does allow dogs on buses etc - only ever seen it once in Edinburgh! Agree about the restrictions on eating - we have had huge variations on this when camping, from a place in Derbyshire which quoted chapter and verse of 'Health and Safety' then to say no, to a great pub in Devon on edge of Exmoor called The Black Venus who had no probs with the dog under the table indoors as we ate their excellent home-made fish pie. Hope I get more reasurance and thanks so far, Lorna

[maggyd]

Hi Lorna :-D we have a chihuahua and where we go he goes! we have never had any problem taking him on buses in this country and trams in germany, I cant see you having a problem in France either, we havent tried getting a bus there. The only problem is it gets very hot on the buses abroad I always make sure we have a bottle of water with us and have been known to bathe his head in it to cool him down. I find its better to take them with you as you only worry and rush back if you leave them.

[W3526602]

Hi,

 

Restuarant in Evran (22) called the Vieux Chien Noir, but English speaking manager (Jersey). The said black dog would come under your table and check for treats. They also do B&B, though the dog died a couple of years ago.

 

On several occasions, I have seen dogs in supermarket trolleys, helping with the shopping. That was France too.

 

Pick up your dog's zorst, and you will get a round of applause from the local matriachs.

 

602

[LORNA]

Thanks - it's good to find so many others who have 'dog-along' holidays as a pre-requisite. I think this must be a main reason why the motorhome is so popular with dog-owners! Hope to get more comment, experience and advice and good wishes to all out there who love their dogs and campers! Lorna

[smifee]

Hi Lorna

 

I haven't used public transport in Spain. I think Spain is just there to make the journey to Portugal longer :-D

 

Portugal is NOT dog friendly and I have been refused entry on buses because I had a dog with me.

 

I believe attitudes to most things are broadly similar between the Spanish & the Portuguese so I would expect public transport in Spain to be no go as well.

 

 

[LORNA]

Thanks for that - could mean a review of travel plans for the future. Actually we like Northern Spain best and this does seem a very diffferent kind of mind-set to Southern Spain but... if dogs not welcome... possibly not where we want to go! Many thanks, Lorna

[wild rover]

Isn't it incredable that here in the so-called dog loving UK, we are not allowed to take dogs anywhere. Big Brother really does control us, and nobody does anything about it. When friends who live in Europe come to visit, they always say that the first thing you notice on arrival here is notices everywhere telling you what you CANNOT do! So much for freedom.

[LORNA]

You are so right about the restrictions but I am pleasantly surprised to hear that we can take dogs on buses - am tempted for a trial run locally. Maybe dogs in motorhomes is one of the ways we get round those restrictions by creating our own home on our own rules! do you take your dog regularly motorhoming?

[wild rover]

I actually don't have a dog, but my sister does, and we have started taking them with us in the motorhome. I really love dogs and I get very indignant when I see how the anti-dog, ban everything, brigade is trying hard to spoil everyone's fun!

[LORNA]

Hope you get your way with a dog for yourself! Do you leave the dog in the motorhome - and how do you get round the 'wetdog' aroma after walkies? Have you taken the dog on buses or even... abroad!? Good to know we still have some choices left!

[Madmaggott]

I live in Pembrokeshire and belong to 2 walking groups.  We regularly use the buses to get to a start point further afield and/or to return home after a linear walk.  There are usually between 7 and 10 humans and at least 5 dogs in the party.  No-one turns a hair when we get onto the bus (often quite muddy or wet) and there is no charge made for the dogs.

Our dog is one of the family and therefore comes along with us when we go away in our motorhome.  She's just had her positive result after the rabies vac. so will be coming with us to France next year.

We have an extra shower head fitted in a locker to the rear of the m/h so if we return in a particularly mucky state she has a quick shower before we go inside.

 

[LORNA]

Thanks a lot for more reassurance and particularly good to know that dogs are welcome even when muddy. We like walking too but usually settle for circular ones. However, your linear ones with public transport will encourage me and my husband to look further afield for our routes! Think the idea of having a shower head for the dog is inspired. How did you get this done - was it a garage job or DIY? Here's to Autmn walks and planning for the next tour in the motorhome!

[smifee]

Fortunately Lulu, a working cocker spaniel, dries much quicker than her predecessor Smudge, a blue roan cocker spaniel. Her fur is not so dense.

 

She goes straight into a 'dry dog bag' when we get back to the MH. It's a zip up towelling bag and dogs dry quicker in it because is keeps the heat in & absorbs the moisture.

 

Towelling throws are on all seats I just take one off whichever seat I want to use.

 

Wet dog aroma was only a problem with previous dog in extended wet spells but Lulu has decided that she prefers the garage to the inside of the van, except at night, so her crate is in the garage and she often dries off in there. So no longer even an occasional problem.

 

If at home and I have the van's garage door and the habitation door open Lulu will always be found in the van's garage.

 

I either walk or cycle into villages when abroad. When cycling Lulu will either trot alongside on an elastic lead fitted to a metal bar with a snap on/off fitment on the bike or in a cycle trailer.

[LORNA]

yet more great ideas! Like the idea of the towelling doggy bag but never seen towelling throws unless you mean the bath sheets that you can buy? My dog is a Jack Russell/Patterdale and is spoilt to bits so know he wouldn't go in a crate - too late to start now but think your other ideas are well worth a try. The elasticated lead sounds good too but think becausehe is quite young I might have to try him in a basket on the front of the bike (firmly tethered of course) as he would have me off the bike if he saw other dogs! When you do leave the site temporarliy (if you do) how do you mark your pitch when you are abroad - never done this abroad yet with a motorhome - is it etiquette not to go on a pitch unless directed by the site owners? Thanks for any further advice you might be able to give!

[maggyd]

The basket idea is the best solution when you have a small dog, my Chi has a harness that I clip his lead, its best to make a rope one that ties easily on the handlebars, and don't give him much or he will probably as you say think he can jump out!! I know I made this mistake and had him swinging on his harness! its a good job it wasn't a collar I would have hung him :-S I pulled hard on the brakes and landed over the handlebars. which could have been nasty if we hadn't been on a tow path!

As for marking the pitch abroad ! well we never move the van off pitch we never stay for more than it takes us to see the immediate surrounding area and then move on, you tend to need to stock up food anyway so we do that when moving on.

 

We always stop at the gates or office and ask if there is a vacancy before pitching, you are nearly always told to just go where you want, only once on our last trip to France we were told to go on a pitch but as they was lots of room and we didn't like it we took another and were just left alone, if we had been asked to move we would have just moved on! I think the (not being able to speak the language helps) you can always play NON Comprendi !!lol

 

(lol) (lol) (lol)

[smifee]

The throws are just the biggest towels I could find. I usually drape them over the van's mirrors to air and or dry.

 

I hardly ever use campsites so can't help there

 

The walky dog has a rope lead but I changed it to an elastic one. I was stopped by a policeman in Eastleigh, Hants who told me that it was illegal to attach a dog to a cycle. I asked him what act & section that was. He was unable to tell me so I said in that case I would continue to use it until he could tell me. He hasn't been in touch. www.walky.co.uk

 

The trailer will be single wheel folder to replace the 2 wheel trailer I use now. I plan to collect it from central Portugal on the way to the eastern Algarve in January. Haven't looked at the website for a while but there were several photos & comments from people who carry their dogs on one.

www.oxtailbicycletrailers.com

 

As for the crate we just put a couple of towels & toys inside & left the door to it open all the time. Before long it becomes a place of safety to a dog and they will go in & out all day. When the dog is used to it you can close the door for short spells until they accept that as well. Never use it as a place of punishment. We use the collapsible wire crates but I have seen some made of material on a frame.

 

 

 

 

 

[LORNA]

The ideas keep coming and they are just what I need - you have convinced me about trying a crate at least and the harness for the dog basket is obviously so much safer. Nipper does have one for the car so this will be no problem. Am now going to look at the websites you suggest - it's just not a holiday without our 'best pal' along! He's off on Monday to begin his injections to take him abroad hopefully in the motorhome next summer. Am hoping that he doesn't get any reactions! Have heard that organisations like the Camping and Caravanning Club will organise vetting stuff for him on our return to Calais - is this how you do it? Thanks again, Lorna

[smifee]

I usually go to Docteur Christiane Petry, 1148 Boulevard de General De Gaulle, 62100 Calais Tel 0033 321347739. Parking is easy as it's a wide street.

 

She likes you to make an appointment and speaks good english. I tend to just turn up & when the receptionist says they are busy I ask for details of another vet. They then decide they can see me after all.

 

If you make a mistook like what I did and need to have the treatment done on a Sunday the vets in Calais have a duty vet scheme. Just ring Dr Petry or call in surgery time & she will give you details.

[Mel B]

Previous threads about the Pet Passport scheme and Vets in France which may be useful to you.

 

The second one has links to other forum pages too.

 

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=14646&posts=10

 

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=15269&posts=26

[LORNA]

Thanks for the ongoing advice - all is really welcome and hopefully will save me making too many mistakes! Am adding all details to my Favourites page. Best wishes, Lorna