Dog on a train

This is the gentleman in question.

oldgoat that's a good idea about the blanket. If I take him I'll make sure his blanket comes too. My hope was that he'd sleep all the way there so that would help.

phoenix surely some kind person will lend you their dog to carry up an escalator haha.

Anya I don't have either of those available on the day I'm travelling or I would probably leave him.

Christinefrance hiya 'waving'

Mawbroon I'm still undecided. I've left a message with his long term owner (Guide Dogs put us in touch) and I'm waiting to hear from him. He'll know better than I do whether or not the the trip is feasible. He had the dog for 8 years up until December.

That's really nice of you to offer. Maybe we were neighbours once upon a time. I'm assuming by your name that you're Scottish. I am too. I think I saw a post where you mentioned square sausage and Mortons rolls. Such fond memories ?.

Trisher I didn't know you could change seats after booking and that bookings were normally allocated to one area. That's really good to know anyway.

I too wondered if it would bring back memories for him. I'm in a quandary now though. I'll decide once I've spoken with his long term friend. I'd feel awful if it was too much for him.
The pleasure of having him is all ours. He's such a gentleman.

Thanks for all the help.

If you lived near me (Midlands) I'd have him for the day. He's adorable ?

Form an orderly queue Anya
He looks beautiful doesn't he?

He's gorgeous. If you do take him on the train he will be so much the centre of attention.
When booking on-line the option to choose your seat comes up near the end. You can move a little man to the seat you want.

What a beautiful intelligent-looking dog juney

Awwww Anya and MawBroon. No fighting in the aisles please haha.
He is lovely and we feel privileged to be trusted to see him 'through'.

Thanks Trisher and oldgoat.

I'll definitely update after I've spoken with his long term friend.

Sincere thanks for all the advice. You've all helped enormously.

Let us know what happens Juney. This thread is a positive antidote to the other doggy thread runnng.

Indeed it is. I'm sure the queen takes her corgis and dorgis with her when she travels too.

Well, tomorrow's the big day and Greg (the dog) is coming too.

He was fine on the 'trial' train journey and his previous owner thinks he'll really enjoy it. I bought him a nice, comfortable harness. Up until now, we've only ever used a collar and lead. I've been reluctant to use a harness as he's retired now and I didn't want him to think he was 'working'. However, when I put the harness on him for the short train journey, he got quite excited. I was really surprised. He definitely walked differently with the harness on. I don't intend to make this a habit but seeing how comfortable he was wearing it, I think it's the best option for this journey. With his collar and lead only, he looks on that as 'playtime'. I must say, Guide Dogs do an amazing job. The way they train their dogs is remarkable. He even poops to order ha ha.

My son and his OH are going to meet us at Waterloo. They're going to 'dog sit' while my DH and I are at the appointment. We've booked a taxi with Addison Lee (thanks NanaandGrampy). His bag is packed with his blanket, 2 collapsible bowls, dry food, some treats, poop bags and I'll add 2 water bottles tomorrow morning.

My son has found a nearby 'eatery' that welcomes dogs so we're off for a meal after the appointment.

So, fingers crossed. Hopefully the day will go well. I'll update after the trip, just in case anyone's interested in how the day turns out.

Thanks again for all the help.

Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you.
With all the dog's "stuff" it's just as well you don't pay excess baggage on trains!

Thanks for the update. Have a lovely day and hope he isn't too spoiled by everyone who meets him.

Sounds like it's going to be lovely for all concerned !! Have a nice time x

MawBroon The hospital I've just been in, the Manchester Royal Hospital, they do allow dogs to be taken in, but permission has to be granted.

I took my little pooch First Class the last couple of times we travelled by train as it was quieter and not as busy as the other coaches. That was my excuse anyway! Not been now for over 18 months.

Juney, and chance you could lead the country once you have completed your hospital duties? Your planning skills are second to none, you take your duties and responsibilities seriously, compassionate, humorous and loving. Just what the country needs.
I do hope the day goes well for all of you. I enjoyed your description of the dogs response to the harness. Looking forward to hearing how things went x

Declared non-doggy person here! - ducks below parapet!

I did not think dogs were allowed on trains unless they were guide dogs. You lives and learns.

I am intrigued as to the role of a poop bag on a train - do you let them crap on the floor and then pick it up?; do you get of the train en route and hope dog will perform (on the platform!!??)before the train leaves; what do you do with the bag of poop once you have received said gift?

Oh lord - it all sounds utterly grim! Thank goodness we do not have a dog!!!

Luckygirl I don't think of myself as a 'doggy person" don't own one, have never owned one! I think dogs are fine if kept by the right people for the right reasons and this undoubtedly is one of those. What do you suggest happens to Guide Dogs when they reach the end of their working life-have them put down? How would that make its former owner feel? And how many visually impaired people would refuse a Guide dog because they couldn't face what would happen to it? This is someone who has given a home to a dog that has worked hard and brightened someone's life, both of them deserve respect and consideration.
And you do make me understand why some people say they prefer dogs to people

Dogs can go for several hours between weeks and poos you know Luckygirl!! In fact Grace could go through the night at the age of 14(98 in human years) which is more than her 69 year old human could do.
Any responsible owner would exercise a dog before a journey and dogs are generally good at "going" to order. So "accidents" on a train or on the platform are unlikely unless you were planning London to Glasgow.
Cutting back on food or extra water before a journey is also often a good idea - just like with a toddler.

"Wees and poos " not weeks ???

So right MawB. My younger dog (14) goes out at 10.00 pm for his last wee and won't go again for 12 hours......through oddly enough he'll lift his leg against every bush or treee on his walks. And he only poos on grass.

Well trained!

Our dog 'performs ' on command - trained that way from the start. So a pre journey wee /poo will mean there is no need for worry on a journey.

I've seen children be far more unpleasant on a train than any dog I've seen :-)

trisher - I have no axe to grind with doggy people (as long as they look after them so they do not annoy others) -each to his own, I say. I was just enquiring as someone who knows zilch about dogs how the poop bag thing works on a train. I was not criticising - simply a seeker after knowledge!

I have been duly enlightened and count myself privileged!

Asking a question didn't require the comment
I did not think dogs were allowed on trains
or
do you let them crap on the floor and then pick it up
or
Oh lord - it all sounds utterly grim! Thank goodness we do not have a dog!!!
The thread wasn't about "doggy people" simply about travelling with a dog.

I know! I know! You are being hyper-touchy here trisher - I did not think dogs were allowed on trains - that is a statement of fact, not a gripe!

The crap on the floor comment was, as others have realised, tongue in cheek; as for the grim comment - it does all sound grim to me because I have no interest in dogs.

Please, please stop growling at me, or I will have to bite you on the leg!

Or cock your leg on it!

Well, here's the promised update on Greg's day out for anyone who's interested. I've been reluctant to post given the terrible event in London on the evening of our visit. I did promise an update though.

Mawbroon - as you said, thank goodness we didn't have to pay for excess baggage. His 'luggage' did turn out to be quite heavy.

trisher - he did have a lovely day and he was as good as gold. You were absolutely right too about this bringing back memories for him. He was so well behaved in a way I've never seen in him before.

NannaandGrampy - thanks for Addison Lee recommendation. We used them twice on the day and they treated him really well. I see what you mean about their cars being bigger than black cabs. They were really quite luxurious - Greg says thanks... he liked travelling in style!

rubylady - fortunately, as it turns out our DIL took Greg for a walk along the Thames while we were at the appointment (my son came to the appointment too).

Iam64 - I'd be delighted to lead the country if I get TM's shoe allowance! Actually, strike that... I couldn't really care less about fancy shoes and bags. The trend whooshes right over my old head ha ha.

Luckygirl - I'm pleased to say that he didn't 'crap' anywhere inappropriate- a good walk before hand took care of that. He has more 'staying power' than me in that department.

He was great on the train. We managed to find a space between the first class carriage and the next one with only two seats and lots of legroom. We had the same seats on the way there and on the way back. As soon as we sat down, Greg lay down. He definitely went back into 'working' mode and it was fascinating to watch.

When we left the train, he took up his position on my left, walked slightly in front of me, turned his head around to check if I was ready and the second I started to walk - he did too! I got a wee bit teary as I'd never seen this side of him before. He continued like that all day... always walking slowly, always checking.

We did go for lunch - nothing fancy, just fish and chips and a round of drinks for all four of us. Greg lay on his blanket under the table after a feed and a good drink of water. Lunch was my treat as my son had taken a half day off work for this. I somehow managed to retain my composure when I got the bill - £72! I knew London was expensive - but! I wished I'd taken NanaandGrampy's advice and had packed a lunch.

All-in-all, the day went really well. We were all exhausted by the end of it and Greg flopped into bed at home but I was really glad that I'd taken him.

Greg's harness is now put away and it's back to collar, lead and playtime for him. Having seen first hand how hard he works, it's back to retirement for this elderly gentleman.

Thanks again everyone for coming on our day out with us.