Taking dog onto a ferry

Mistral001

I have made a few enquiries about taking my dog from Norn Iron to mainland UK. All the ferry companies seem to insist on keeping dogs, unaccompanied, in the car on the car deck for the whole of the journey.

My dog just goes bonkers when I leave him in the car alone for one second. He is too old to train to stay alone and I do not want to risk getting him sedated.

It would be fine if I could stay in the car during the whole journey, but all ferry companies seem not to allow that.

My dog is a Labrador and is too big to take on to the upper decks in a dog carrier if dog carriers were allowed.

I remember going on ferries from Larne to Stranraer years ago and seeing farmers, who were going over to Scotland for sheepdog trials, taking their dogs on to the upper decks during the crossing. Has this all been banned by the ferry companies?

Has anyone found a ferry company who would be prepared to allow dogs on the upper decks or people to sit in their cars during the crossing?

D.A.

If I remember correctly from looking at their sites recently, both Stena and P&O have kennels available for dogs on their sailings to Scotland.

Stena: http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/faqs/travelling-with-pets/id-rather-not-leave-my-car-in-the-dog/

P&O: http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/onboard_taking_your_pet_1Taking_your_pet.htm
(that page doesn't mention kennels, but another page on the site says there is a secure deck area for them).

Stena Line Irish Sea (Belfast - Liverpool): http://www.norfolkline.com/EN/Irish_Sea_Ferries/Onboard_our_ferries/Dog_lodges/

dazb75

I experienced this last year.

You're not allowed to stay on the car deck because of health and safety issues.

Some of the ferries did have dog cages on the car deck, which would stop your dog get stressed in your car. I don't think they have these any more.

Bottom line, your dog has to stay in the car. Mine had a fit too!

I would avoid a sedative as your dog could have breathing issues. This isn't something you wouldn't want to give to your dog and then leave her.

I am told that you can give them an anti-histamin such as piriton which will make them drowsy. My friend asked the vet about this, and although the vet is not allowed to suggest it, if you ask he will tell you it's OK.

Of course, I do know of some people who smuggle their little dog up-top inside a holdall, etc.

Good luck.

Contemplates

I have two big dogs, and Have travelled three or four times back and forth to scotland with steno, and all the boats I've been on have had kennels on car deck. If I remember right it's the fast ferry that has the kennels at the rear as you drive on, and this is where the engineers hang out so the dogs have some company.

I even got to make a trip down below once to check on them during the sailing, but not sure if they still do this?

kidshorsesdogs

No dogs are not allowed up on deck.. I remember about 16 years ago showing our dogs in England and travelling with them on deck, dogs were better behaved than some kids and older passengers I might add. Now they must stay in the car or in a kennel if one is available and I think these need to be booked in advance. We recently brought a new pup home from England she slept in her crate in the car. I really don't envy you as one of our old dogs behaved like this in the car and would have been a nightmare, such a worry! We did go Larne as journey was shorter than Belfast route and shorter than Liverpool. There is no alternative.. dog not allowed on deck sorry.

Mistral001

Thanks for all the replies. I did not know about the kennels at the back of the car deck as many posters have mentioned.

D.A's links were very helpful and as well as the dog kennels they led me to the a site for the Belfast to Liverpool ferry. Apparently they have on that ferry what they call a "Dog Lodge" on one of the decks where they say you can visit the dogs during the crossing. I suppose because the crossing takes eight hours they cannot expect owners to leave their dogs in their cars.

When I enquired a few years ago to a few ferry companies, I just got a standard "no dogs allowed on deck and nobody can return to car during crossing etc" from the staff who answered my call and resigned myself to not taking my dog at all. Looks like there is some hope.

absoluteutopia

Have you considered tying its lead to the back of the boat?

smokiewater

We used to see Dog Kennels on the Belfast Birkenhead/Liverpool Ferry, but haven't noticed them on recent crossings. I also went down to the car deck once while the ferry was moving (one of our party left her insulin in the car) and it was not a good experience - you have to be accompanied by a member of staff, who stood at the door to the car deck while I wobbled my way between the lorries - much rockier down there than on the passenger decks. They were very strict about not letting anyone down while the ferry is in motion, and door alarms etc had to be turned off to let us go down, don't know if they let you down to check a dog - ours is a fantastic traveller and loves the van, so she is very happy to sleep there, she has only travelled that route once or twice as I always worry that the motion could make her sick or need the loo, and as I said she is a fantastic traveller, I would be very reluctant to take a dog on that particular route, especially if they don't like being left in the car.

Have you considered Larne - Carinryan, it is the shortest ferry route, you can also get the cars quite close to the passenger deck door, though these spaces go to Blue Badge holders first, but you could be lucky to get a close spot and the staff might let you check the dog just before the ferry left port, then you would only have an hour to leave the dog unattended.

I personally would book the Larne Cairnryan route, though it may mean a long drive at the other side, and hope that the staff on the day would be understanding about the dog!

suki1964

You can also use rescue remedy in his water for a few days before traveling. It does work