Travel Advice Needed

[nome]

Hi, we're due to go on holiday towards the end of July. We're off to one of the Scottish islands and the trip involves quite a long drive followed by a 2.5 hour ferry crossing. We've driven with our dog, Diego for long distances before and he's not mad keen, but he copes fine especially if he can put his head on my son's knee in the back seat (it's ok, he is harnessed too).

We've been across to Arran before which is an hour on the ferry and we left the dog in the car while on the ferry. He seemed ok, a little bit anxious but not too bad. My concern is that we can't leave him in the car on the ferry for the 2.5 hours because I think he'll become distressed, however he's also pretty bouncy and friendly so taking him out of the car on the ferry (which is always really crowded) might make him a bit over excited and stressed too .

So my question is should we just bite the bullet and take him out of the car and sit out on deck for the crossing, or do you think it might be worth seeing the vet and getting a mild sedative for the journey (for the dog, not me) and leave him in the car? Or do you think I'm just being over-anxious?

Suggestions and advice welcome.

[Nettie]

I would suggest buying a DAP collar and trying it out on him on journeys before you go to Scotland. DAP collars release an artificial pheromone which mimics the pheromone a lactating bitch releases to keep her pups calm. You may find that this keeps him calm on the journey and he may settle in the car for the ferry trip or it might keep him calm amongst other passengers if you decide to take him up on deck with you. You could also try Rescue Remedy but I have had more success with the DAP. Just had a quick look on google and the cheapest I found is at VET UK, if you go to this link on the forum greyhoundgap.proboards35.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=34929 and then click on the VET UK link in the thread then GAP will also get a donation from VET UK.

good luck.

[slinkydogs]

Caledonian Macbrine ferries are pretty good for dogs, I've done Uig to Tarbert a number of times with mine. Most of them allow you anywhere apart from in the restaurant. although a couple expect you to stay outside, I've never been on one that has.

It's usually possible to find a few seats that they can relax between. There's often a lot of activity on the car deck with the crew, and it's noisy down there with lots of clanging during the crossings, the ones that I've been on you're not allowed back to the car, so I wouldn't leave him in the car. Finding a quiet spot, even when they're full it's always been possible - and using a dap collar and/ or the spray and lots of snuggles you'll probably have a snoozing hound for most of the journey.

The one thing my Harris had a problem with on one crossing was the metal stairs up to from the car deck, he was a bit spooked by them but the crew were happy to let us use the lift.

[vickyb]

Can be chilly outside on the water so remember to take his coat just in case, we went on a ferry one summer and River was shivering so we sacrificed our hoodies, as you do! Might be worth a word with your vet so you have a back up if he does get stressed. They work pretty quickly. We did once get a mild sedative for one of our dogs for a long journey and it was fine. Hope it goes ok

[nome]

Thanks for the advice. I really didn't want to leave him in the car, so I shall research dap collars. Good call about the jacket, that's just the sort of thing we'd do, forget his and then give him ours!

[chauchix]

We came over to France six weeks ago and Amber had to stay in the car for 6 hours as the kennels are only used for overnight crossings. We were allowed to visit her halfway across, which we did, but we found that it disturbed her and that she was probably better left to sleep. I used a DAP spray on her bedding and started giving her rescue remedy the day before.

Thankfully, she was fine - I was a nervous wreck - but she was fine. We now have to fact the return journey so I hope it goes well. Good luck!