Dog on overland trains

sclancy1

Quick question for all pet people.. Do you need to put your dog in a transport carrier to bring on overland trains? I have previously which was very awkward to carry with luggage.. so this time I'm hoping to just bring her on her lead.. she's only 6 months and CKCS so small type. It's a short trip of under an hour?

Any help would be appreciated as don't want to get there and not be allowed to board!

mrcol1000

sclancy1 wrote: »

Quick question for all pet people.. Do you need to put your dog in a transport carrier to bring on overland trains? I have previously which was very awkward to carry with luggage.. so this time I'm hoping to just bring her on her lead.. she's only 6 months and CKCS so small type. It's a short trip of under an hour?

Any help would be appreciated as don't want to get there and not be allowed to board!

According to the National Rail terms of carriage you can carry a dog on the train for free as long as it doesn't take up a seat.
We take our dog on local trains, long distance trains and London Underground trains and apart from one person who was a bit funny we have never had a problem. But thats out of maybe 100/150 journeys?

In the rare chance someone complains (As long as your dog doesn't bark constantly or go to toilet everywhere) then the worst the train guard can do is get you to move to another part of the train or move to the guards van on longer trains.

We have a 15kg staff crossbreed who we wear out before the journey and as soon as the train starts moving she falls asleep. We sometimes see other dogs on the trains too. We keep her on a short lead and there are no problems.

To be honest they'd rather you had it on a lead then have something huge and bulky like a dog carrier.

sclancy1

Thank you, was wondering how someone with a bigger dog and no car would transport if it wasn't but just wanted reassurance. I'm going during the day so shouldn't be busy. She'll prob fall asleep anyway as she tends to when in the same position for more than 5 mins!

mrcol1000

sclancy1 wrote: »

Thank you, was wondering how someone with a bigger dog and no car would transport if it wasn't but just wanted reassurance. I'm going during the day so shouldn't be busy. She'll prob fall asleep anyway as she tends to when in the same position for more than 5 mins!

I was worried too the first time we took Trixie on the train but she was no trouble and quite enjoys it as people give her attention. We are carless at the moment so she also goes on the bus which isn't as straight forward as the train. There are no set rules so some buses you have to pay, some you have to sit upstairs, some you have to sit at the back etc... You just have to check in advance.

sclancy1

Found buses ok but then i've never given them the chance to say anything.. Luckily she's still quite small so I can just carry her so she doesn't get under anyone's feet. Will bear that in mind though as should be prepared for a walk at the other end!

allIcouldwishfor

We sometimes take our Springer on the train, he's always treated as a bit of a novelty by other passengers and we've never had any problems boarding.

hdeusi

Never had any probs with my Dobermann on trains as as above he is a novelty to the other passengers!

sclancy1

Sounds like she's in for a good journey then as I must get stopped at least 6 times everytime I take her out.. which she adores, especially men... they bend to stroke her and she jumps on her back, legs akimbo waiting to have tummy tickles! She's is just too da*n cute - if a little embarrasing.

suki1964

I always took all mine on trians, buses and tubes as part of socialisation and then for the odd journey when need be. All were fine and no complaints from anyone.

The one thing I did do was when getting on at a bust station like clapham jct was to walk up the far end of the platform away from the "crowd". Two reasons, too many legs jostling could be just too much for stress levels (mine as well as dog) and if he wanted to !!!! his leg - less chance of him going for a breifcase

hethmar

Ive been on inter city trains with dogs running up and down between the seats!

suki1964

hethmar wrote: »

Ive been on inter city trains with dogs running up and down between the seats!

I used to go to work on the bus and every morning there was an owner who had his dalmatian. That dog sat slap bang in the centre of the aisle - you had to squeeze past as he wasnt moving for no one