Pet Travel Q & A

I recently got a new puppy and plan to travel with him to see family this summer. I hate flying and want to take the train whenever I can. What are the various rules for pets on Amtrak, MetroNorth and other Eastern-Seaboard-based trains?

Unfortunately, traveling on trains with a pet in the United States is not always as simple as it is in, say, Europe, where Rail Europe welcomes pets. Amtrak only allows service animals that are trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of the person with a disability. For pet owners who think they can skirt this ban by providing a note from a doctor stating that it is necessary for the person to have a comfort or therapy animal with them, think again. Amtrak bans comfort animals as well as regular pets, search-and-rescue dogs and police dogs. Therefore, you’ll have better luck with Metro-North Railroad, which gladly welcomes small domestic pets that are in a kennel or carrier, or on a leash and don’t annoy other customers. Just make sure your little pal doesn’t occupy a seat and keep in mind that the conductor has final approval.

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I plan on adopting a dog soon, but I travel a lot for work. I want to take my new dog with me as much as possible, so I'm wondering which breeds you recommend for someone with my kind of lifestyle?

Since you plan on taking your little friend with you as you travel for work, you definitely want to adopt a small dog so it can fly in the cabin with you. Even if you typically travel by car, a small dog is more practical because some pet-friendly hotels allow pets who weigh only 25 pounds or less. My personal favorite breed for traveling is the longhair Chihuahua, because that’s what I have. Lucy has traveled with me for business and pleasure for 11 years, and has never had a problem adapting to a new setting. She doesn’t bark or whine, and she is extremely calm. I’ve been around other longhair Chihuahuas and have found them to have the same relaxed demeanor. Other breeds you should consider: Yorkie, Maltese and Pomeranian. If you’re adopting from a shelter, the staff should be able to tell you about the individual dogs’ personalities and habits. Stay away from spirited breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier, which needs lots of exercise. I also suggest that you take a couple of trial runs with your dog before you go on a business trip. We never know how our pets will adapt to travel until it's time. Therefore, spend a night at a local hotel or motel to see how your pet does. Remember, if he's coming from a shelter, he may need longer to adapt to a new environment.

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I just moved to the beach in Florida and I'm looking to buy a small boat. I have a 5-year-old mixed-breed dog who's a little skittish about the water. I'd love to train him to get used to the boat. Is it cruel to want to bring my scaredy canine along with me? Do you have any tips or tricks to get him to want to be my first mate?

At his age, it could be difficult for your dog to get over his fear of water, but it’s not impossible. It will take patience on your part. You want a dog onboard that is relaxed and comfortable because the last thing you want to have to do is give him your undivided attention, especially if you’re operating the boat. If you insist on making a first mate out of him, first try making the boat a fun place for him before you go out on the water. If it’s practical, keep the boat on dry land and do one or two dry runs where you play games with him on the boat, maybe have a picnic on board and bring his favorite toys and treats. Put a personal floatation device (PFD) on him and have him get accustomed to wearing it on dry land so he won’t immediately associate it with water. If things go well, tie your boat to the dock and continue the same routine of hanging out on the boat as a fun outing. Start the boat and gradually get him used to the noise and vibration. Before you take him out, make sure he knows how to swim. We assume all dogs know how, but they don’t. Don’t throw him or force him in the water. Work with him slowly and make sure you use his PFD. Find a toy that he loves that floats, and let him have a good time with it. If he’s feeling comfortable, then you’re ready for the real thing. Start out with a small trip around the marina and build up slowly. Good luck!

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I'm planning a two-week vacation in Palm Springs. I'll be driving out from Los Angeles and renting a house, so I'm thinking about bringing my cat. But I'm a little worried about having a cat in the desert during the summer. What hazards should I be beware of?

You don’t indicate how much time your cat spends outdoors versus indoors in LA, but regardless, you’re wise to be concerned about the dog days of summer in the desert. The first thing you want to make sure is that the house you’re renting has air conditioning that's working properly and that comes on intermittently to keep the temperature consistent. Try to keep your cat indoors as much as possible, but if it likes to wander outside, make sure the house you rent has plenty of shade, and put multiple bowls of fresh water around the outside of the house so your cat won’t have trouble finding them. If the house has a pool, don’t let the cat drink from it, because the chlorine can harm its eyes and make it sick. Also, if your cat is white or has short hair on their ears and nose, be particularly careful about letting it in the sun. Our furry friends get sunburned just like we do so apply sun block to those exposed areas. Lastly, be sure you recognize the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion in cats. They can be more sensitive to heat than humans or even other pets. Cats with short snouts are more susceptible. Be on the lookout for heavy panting and unusual breathing, particularly if it’s loud and quick. Other signs include salivating and difficulty walking. Notice any change in the color of your cat’s tongue or lips. It’s better to be overly prepared, so make sure you have the name, address, telephone number and directions to a recommended local veterinarian on hand, and bring your cat’s medical history with you.

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