January 22nd 2012

Different dogs have different ways of coping in a new environment. Your Service Dog is there with you at all times to assist and protect you - even in the ship's Dining Room. But, you want to make sure they are not inconveniencing other passengers, and you also want your dog to be comfortable in the enviroment.

If you have a larger dog, she is probably accustomed to plunking down on the floor next to you in a restaurant or other public venue where you are sitting. For smaller dogs, it can be a bit more challenging, as they tend to get over-looked by other patrons, and kicked or hit when they are not seen.

Asta is a small (12 lbs) shih tzu, and has her own "pillow" whenever she goes to a public venue. This has 2 huge benefits: (1) she knows her "spot" and is comfortable and safe there, and (2) it creates a designated area on the floor that is less likely to be stepped on by an unwitting fellow passenger.

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Asta's pillow is a self-contained tote bag by Jennifer Brooks. It is light, just rightly-sized, and zips up in half with handles, so as to be easily and less obtrusively carried. I can walk into the Dining room in an evening gown with this and not feel totally out-of-place. Unzip it and slip it under the table on the floor, Asta hops on, and we are ready for our dining experience without worry!

While you and your dog can go anywhere and do anything together on board, always be sensitive to your fellow shipmates and their concerns. Some dog owners put their dog in their lap or in their chair. We chose not to do this, as it would be uncomfortable for us, and, in my view, not appropriate in a formal dining room with other passengers that may not understand. In my view, your service dog should be unobtrusive, especially in dining areas.

Under no circumstances should you feed your dog outside the room (usually this is expressly prohibited by the cruise line), and certainly not in the dining room. One message board poster related the following: A couple of years ago on the Statendam there was a small service dog in the main dining room, the guests even ordered a meal for the dog!!! The dog never got out of its pet carrier, but the carrier was placed on a seat and the owners fed it right at the table and "that did cause some raised eyebrows." While you and your service dog may be welcome, don’t abuse the privilege.

This post first appeared on Travelin' Dog, please read the originial post: here