Service Dog (in-training)?

[nadira36]

We're in the process of getting a service dog for our daughter to make life and, esp travel, safer for her (allergies and autism). If things go according to plan we'll have a dog in training in the next month. I'm kind of overwhelmed by the process to begin with and as much as we want the service dog to keep our daughter safe, I also think about the level of work we'll need to put into keeping a dog safe and healthy at Disney and part of me wants to just quite before we begin.

I'm looking for tips from anyone who's travelled with a service dog before and what made the trip easier? Was there anything that was a hard 'no/can't do this thing' at Disney with your service dog? What's the procedure for leaving a dog in your room while you're not there (i.e. if we're at the pool?) it'd be his first hotel stay so I do worry about how well prepared he'd be. I know we'll visit hotels prior to our trip, but that'll only prepare him for certain aspects, not he actual accommodation.

Our plan was to stay at Boardwalk, but there's no availability for our party size for the dates we need - so planning to stay at Beach Club instead. This cuts the number of crowded busses we'll be on down, but good news is part of his job is to keep a buffer between my daughter and others, and as a larger dog I think most people will do their best to give him space

I'm assuming we'll need to get him used to wearing boots before we go so his paws stay safe? Plan frequent cool-down breaks for him. Do dogs digestive systems get dis regulated by the heat like humans do? I'd be mortified and feel horrible if he was sick due to weather changes/heat.

Also, I know Disney allows service dogs who are still in training, but do you know if airlines allow service dogs in training? If we have to pay for his seat, that means he definitely doesn't come lol

I mean we want the dog to do his job, but this will be so different than our normal trip if we've got him with us, I want to be as prepared as possible - at least figuring out what potential problems we'll face (i.e back to rider swap just as our kids are all old enough to ride haha DH is unimpressed lol).

But I also know neither my husband nor I will really trust him as an allergen detection dog by August, so he'll also be in active training while we're there - and I like to have Disney as my limited responsibility time. Training means full responsibility. I may give up before we even get the dog. It feels like this is beyond my capability, or am I just whiny? Besides, I don't think I've met anyone I'd trust to watch him while we're gone. I've come home to injured dogs, or dogs with bad behaviour too many times to trust someone with a service dog, unless the agency has someone (questions I didn't think about when the vague plan of travel was a couple years in the future).

Also, who in their right mind would bring a dog if They don't have to? I love my dogs, but gah, I'm overwhelmed and we have months to plan and figure things out.

Isn't he handsome? And the sweetest pup you've ever met.

 

[elvispursley]

I think a lot of these questions you should definitely address with the agency you’re getting the dog from. Having a service dog is a huge commitment. We self-trained our standard poodle to help detect when my blood sugar drops in the night (even though I have a CGM that alerts if I’m dropping, I’m deaf in one ear and can’t hear it all the time. So it’s a huge worry if my DH is gone and I’m alone). She also helps with my balance when I walk. But it takes constant “work” to keep her skills up. That said, I’ve never taken her to WDW. We’ve traveled other places with her and definitely find that despite have a vest on her that says ”service dog, do not pet”, people think they can come up to us and just start petting her. That to me is the hardest part, and now now that we moved to Hawaii, traveling with her back to the mainland is just too hard.

Definitely see if the agency has a support group you an connect with. Like anything new, it’s a Lot of nerves and stress. Just remember to take it one day at a time and be patient. Your new pup will be learning too, just as you guys will be learning him.And he is adorable!!!!!

 

[DisneyOma]

I'm curious - how will the dog be trained to create a buffer around your daughter? The dog is not allowed to have contact with other people, so how will that work?

I'd consider getting the dog after your trip. Dogs require a lot of attention; service dogs (especially labs) need breaks, lots of exercise, and ones in training need a lot of input to avoid bad habits.

 

[gottalovepluto]

“If we have to pay for his seat, that means he definitely doesn't come lol”

Since he is not a necessity I would not bring him. It will wreck your trip if you arrive and he is not capable of doing what you hope he will be able to do.

 

[SteveMouse]

Expect airlines to follow the law Fully trained service dogs are treated as service dogs. Non-trained dogs may not be considered service dogs and treated accordingl.

On aircraft, the Air Carrier Access Act applies, not the ADA.

The service animal is expected to occupy the space at the passenger’s feet and not cross into the aisle or the foot space of other passengers.

The service animal should nit be left unaccompanied in the hotel room. They accompany you to the hotel pool. You are still responsible for their behavior and need to be there to respond to their needs or and disturance.

,I, personally, would benefit from a little extra space. I am not sure how you are goibg to achieve that with a service animal unless he is trained to only insert themselves between people snd do that in a both non aggressive manner and without touching another person.

That seems even more complex in crowded or congested areas like a theme park or a mall. I’m really interested in how you’re addressing it to potentially replicate the -aproach..

 

[SueM in MN]

Service dogs in training don’t have the same access rights as fully trained Service Dogs.
Airlines generally treat them as pets

My daughter’s Service Dog is now deceased; we never took him on a WDW trip, although we could have. We were able to meet her needs without him and decided having him with us would be more work than help.
Having a SD along is kind of like traveling with another child - a well behaved child, but you still need to be watching the dog for signs of fatigue or overheating, needing water, etc.

Some dogs are OK with boots and others aren’tMy DD’s dog never wore boots. We used Musher’s Wax applied liberally winter and summer.

 

[SueM in MN]

To answer the question about digestion- dogs can get stomach upset the same as humans due to heat exposure, changes to schedule and water being different

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

If the dog is not fully trained and used to big crowds, loud noises, and lots of distractions I would absolutely NOT bring them to Disney.

 

[Lilsia]

Disney is "expert level" for service dogs. Ideally they would have trained in a similar environment first with a local park, working up to being in one all day, for a number of days. It is a LOT for a dog to handle. The sound, smells, people, fireworks, etc. I would seriously consider keeping the dog with a trainer at home for this trip since they are not fully trained yet. One bad experience can undo all of the training it has had so far.

 

[nadira36]

I'm curious - how will the dog be trained to create a buffer around your daughter? The dog is not allowed to have contact with other people, so how will that work?

Basically he lays down or stands at an angle in front of her. Most people naturally move around the dog instead of getting too close.

Expect airlines to follow the law Fully trained service dogs are treated as service dogs. Non-trained dogs may not be considered service dogs and treated accordingl.

On aircraft, the Air Carrier Access Act applies, not the ADA.

-----

,I, personally, would benefit from a little extra space. I am not sure how you are goibg to achieve that with a service animal unless he is trained to only insert themselves between people snd do that in a both non aggressive manner and without touching another person.

That seems even more complex in crowded or congested areas like a theme park or a mall. I’m really interested in how you’re addressing it to potentially replicate the -aproach..

Yes, it is complex in a crowded space.

Service dogs in training don’t have the same access rights as fully trained Service Dogs.
Airlines generally treat them as pets

------

Some dogs are OK with boots and others aren’tMy DD’s dog never wore boots. We used Musher’s Wax applied liberally winter and summer.

Thank you. This is helpful.

To answer the question about digestion- dogs can get stomach upset the same as humans due to heat exposure, changes to schedule and water being different

Thank you. I figured as much, but hoped I was wrong lol

If the dog is not fully trained and used to big crowds, loud noises, and lots of distractions I would absolutely NOT bring them to Disney.

No he won't be fully trained when we go, but we've already attended large festivals and fairs with him and so far things like fire engines, horses, and hot air balloons (which are surprisingly loud) don't phase him. Once he starts training then we'll be able to bring him to our local amusement park as well.

Disney is "expert level" for service dogs. Ideally they would have trained in a similar environment first with a local park, working up to being in one all day, for a number of days. It is a LOT for a dog to handle. The sound, smells, people, fireworks, etc. I would seriously consider keeping the dog with a trainer at home for this trip since they are not fully trained yet. One bad experience can undo all of the training it has had so far.

Good point about it being expert level. As a puppy he already has a lot of exposure to festivals and fairs, and during the next several months of training we'd be bringing him to our local parks as well. The one bad experience is what worries me about leaving him with someone else - and also about Disney.
I appreciate all your feedback. It seems like the general consensus is the same as the feeling in the pit of my stomach - don't do it. lol

 

[nadira36]

I think a lot of these questions you should definitely address with the agency you’re getting the dog from. Having a service dog is a huge commitment. We self-trained our standard poodle to help detect when my blood sugar drops in the night (even though I have a CGM that alerts if I’m dropping, I’m deaf in one ear and can’t hear it all the time. So it’s a huge worry if my DH is gone and I’m alone). She also helps with my balance when I walk. But it takes constant “work” to keep her skills up. That said, I’ve never taken her to WDW. We’ve traveled other places with her and definitely find that despite have a vest on her that says ”service dog, do not pet”, people think they can come up to us and just start petting her. That to me is the hardest part, and now now that we moved to Hawaii, traveling with her back to the mainland is just too hard.

Definitely see if the agency has a support group you an connect with. Like anything new, it’s a Lot of nerves and stress. Just remember to take it one day at a time and be patient. Your new pup will be learning too, just as you guys will be learning him.And he is adorable!!!!!

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Yes, once we officially start training then we gain access to their support group and such. But before then it's proven difficult to get my questions answered. We still have a few assessments to finish before training is allowed to start.

I can imagine people at Disney are generally less respectful of service dog etiquette.

1 day at a time. I'll try to remember that when I feel the overwhelm hitting

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Yes, once we officially start training then we gain access to their support group and such. But before then it's proven difficult to get my questions answered. We still have a few assessments to finish before training is allowed to start.

I can imagine people at Disney are generally less respectful of service dog etiquette.

1 day at a time. I'll try to remember that when I feel the overwhelm hitting

Is he an owner trained dog and how old is he?

Nothing wrong with owner trained dogs - ours was owner trained. My daughter’s dog went thru puppy training obedience, a 6 week intensive obedience (away from home) and another series of obedience classes at home before we started working intensively with a Service Dog organization that did placements and owner-trained dogs when he was about 18 months old.

The biggest reason I’m asking is age. If he’s still in ‘puppy stage’, it will be harder for him to be out and concentrating on his ‘job’ with all the commotion and distractions at WDW, especially multiple days in a row (that’s a big part of why WDW is ‘expert level’.

 

[DL1WDW2]

…How many dogs do you own ?
Also this photo looks like an older than puppy dog?
I also wonder with trip planning if you can request first floor for ease of access to the outdoors for the needs of the service dog.
Also want to suggest you study the Guides and resort maps for the official Service Dog Rest Areas making certain a source for water is available .
And please to any person considering bringing their animals to any location… treat with love and respect because they rely on you as much as you rely on them .
I have had many people walking their dog on leash giving my grandson permission to pet their dog …not knowing my hyperactive grandchild should have been the one on a leash .
I also wonder if the Pet Care location on Disney property has a one day spa or something to refresh shampoo.
Im not a pet owner probably because I would be spending too much money to spoil them !
Also would want to know about closest location for emergency vet health and dental nearby whenever I travelled.
Good luck it does sound overwhelming. But your daughters needs have priority. Appreciate your honesty with this . I don’t have any real advice just adding more things to consider .

 

[elvispursley]

Is he an owner trained dog and how old is he?

Nothing wrong with owner trained dogs - ours was owner trained. My daughter’s dog went thru puppy training obedience, a 6 week intensive obedience (away from home) and another series of obedience classes at home before we started working intensively with a Service Dog organization that did placements and owner-trained dogs when he was about 18 months old.

The biggest reason I’m asking is age. If he’s still in ‘puppy stage’, it will be harder for him to be out and concentrating on his ‘job’ with all the commotion and distractions at WDW, especially multiple days in a row (that’s a big part of why WDW is ‘expert level’.

All of this!

As an OT, we had a lot of opportunity to work with a service dog organization that would bring their dogs in that were being trained as “therapy” dogs. We had one in our small office that we trained from an older pup (about 12-mo).

As for training my own dog, I didn’t start with the “service” training with her until she was around 18-mo to 2-yrs. As a poodle, she’s extremely intelligent but she also was definitely “puppy” and didn’t have the longer attention span to “work”. But she absolutely loves now; she becomes a completely different dog when you put her vest on her and ask If she’s ready to “work”—she’s all business!

Here we are the beach…

 

[nadira36]

Is he an owner trained dog and how old is he?

Nothing wrong with owner trained dogs - ours was owner trained. My daughter’s dog went thru puppy training obedience, a 6 week intensive obedience (away from home) and another series of obedience classes at home before we started working intensively with a Service Dog organization that did placements and owner-trained dogs when he was about 18 months old.

The biggest reason I’m asking is age. If he’s still in ‘puppy stage’, it will be harder for him to be out and concentrating on his ‘job’ with all the commotion and distractions at WDW, especially multiple days in a row (that’s a big part of why WDW is ‘expert level’.

Yes, we're doing owner trained. He's been through basic obedience classes, plus a few 1:1 training sessions already. He's currently 15 months old and just exiting the lovely teenage behaviour stage But yes, I can see how his age alone would increase the difficulty level of going on vacation with us!

 

[nadira36]

…How many dogs do you own ?
Also this photo looks like an older than puppy dog?
I also wonder with trip planning if you can request first floor for ease of access to the outdoors for the needs of the service dog.
Also want to suggest you study the Guides and resort maps for the official Service Dog Rest Areas making certain a source for water is available .
And please to any person considering bringing their animals to any location… treat with love and respect because they rely on you as much as you rely on them .
I have had many people walking their dog on leash giving my grandson permission to pet their dog …not knowing my hyperactive grandchild should have been the one on a leash .
I also wonder if the Pet Care location on Disney property has a one day spa or something to refresh shampoo.
Im not a pet owner probably because I would be spending too much money to spoil them !
Also would want to know about closest location for emergency vet health and dental nearby whenever I travelled.
Good luck it does sound overwhelming. But your daughters needs have priority. Appreciate your honesty with this . I don’t have any real advice just adding more things to consider .

We currently own 2 dogs, and permanently foster another - and likely getting a new foster in the next month. We're up to our eyeballs in dogs lol

Yes, he's an older pup - 15 months old now.
We're staying club level - so not ground floor - but I'm not overly concerned about bathroom time in the resort, as long as I know where to go with him.

The pet care centre is a good reminder for a resource we could use to give him & us down time - and a refresh as you mentioned.
I do rely on concierge quite a bit - so vet care and/or transportation to the vet is something I'd totally ask them for help with (my credit card also has a 24/7 concierge who helps arrange stuff like this. And I have no problem of loading that type of work and worry onto someone else lol

Picture of our 10 month old foster puppy

 

[lanejudy]

I just realized you may be flying international from Canada. Be sure to look into any regulations for traveling with a service animal or with a pet (which may be different). The ACAA does not recognize service animals "in training" and will likely be considered a pet rather than a service animal. I believe the flight into the US would fall under ACAA and US regulations; you may need to find out if Canada has any different rules for your return flight. I don't believe you can "buy a seat" for a pet and as a larger dog he won't fit in a carrier under the seat.

If you do bring him, WDW does allow service animals "in training" as a service animal. He will be expected to remain with a member of your party at all times, not left alone in the room.

I suggest planning your days to avoid crowded buses. I'm not sure how well he can do his job of creating a buffer for your daughter on a bus crowded for rope-drop or at park closing.

Good luck!

 

[SteveMouse]

As noted above, on US flights, fully trained service animals will be accommodate. Different Canadian provinces may have different rules that apply within their jurisdiction.

Airlines are not required to provide a service animal extra space, nor are hotels required to provide bedding or other supplies for a pet or service animal.

While service animals are permitted on some rides, there are safety considerations that may need to be addressed. For some rides, Disney provides temporary kennels. I am unsure of their size and whether your animal will fit.

Especially with a dog that large, I would note it everywhere on every reservation to give any entity ample time to plan. I would be especially concerned about restaurants and positioning the dog so as not to be at eye level with neighboring guests’ tables or interfere with their meal.

 

[SueM in MN]

As noted above, on US flights, fully trained service animals will be accommodate. Different Canadian provinces may have different rules that apply within their jurisdiction.

Airlines are not required to provide a service animal extra space, nor are hotels required to provide bedding or other supplies for a pet or service animal.

While service animals are permitted on some rides, there are safety considerations that may need to be addressed. For some rides, Disney provides temporary kennels. I am unsure of their size and whether your animal will fit.

Especially with a dog that large, I would note it everywhere on every reservation to give any entity ample time to plan. I would be especially concerned about restaurants and positioning the dog so as not to be at eye level with neighboring guests’ tables or interfere with their meal.

Service Dogs are trained to curl up under the table in restaurants, stay there and stay quiet.
One funny thing that happened with my DD’s Service Dog at a restaurant. He was all curled up under the table and when the waitress came to take our order, she stepped on something. She thought it was food that she missed when cleaning up the floor after a toddler had eaten there.
She looked where she stepped and realized she stepped on our dog’s foot. He didn’t move or make a sound.

 

[nadira36]

I just realized you may be flying international from Canada. Be sure to look into any regulations for traveling with a service animal or with a pet (which may be different). The ACAA does not recognize service animals "in training" and will likely be considered a pet rather than a service animal. I believe the flight into the US would fall under ACAA and US regulations; you may need to find out if Canada has any different rules for your return flight. I don't believe you can "buy a seat" for a pet and as a larger dog he won't fit in a carrier under the seat.

If you do bring him, WDW does allow service animals "in training" as a service animal. He will be expected to remain with a member of your party at all times, not left alone in the room.

I suggest planning your days to avoid crowded buses. I'm not sure how well he can do his job of creating a buffer for your daughter on a bus crowded for rope-drop or at park closing.

Good luck!

Thank you! The 'in-training' part is where I was really unsure. In the US, Canada, and many other countries a service dog is accommodated with a seat if they are too large to fit under the seat - at least the organization we're working with has told us this and says they provide both paperwork with this information as well as are available to help communicate with airlines that don't accommodate.

Yes, we tend to be pretty lucky with avoiding crowded busses at the bus to times - or at least getting on first so we can be at the back of the bus. My daughter likes to sit at the very back which tends to give her extra space from non-family people - and would give our dog space as well.

Especially with a dog that large, I would note it everywhere on every reservation to give any entity ample time to plan. I would be especially concerned about restaurants and positioning the dog so as not to be at eye level with neighboring guests’ tables or interfere with their meal.

Thank you! Yes, he is larger than a typical service dog - but he's not actually as big as his head makes him look. He weighs a lot but height wise is only slightly bigger than a small lab lol. His head is shorter than a table. He's already really good at laying under the table while we eat and not moving - and our party size means we're always at a big table with plenty of space beneath us.

Once we begin official training, then we'd begin practicing at local restaurants at quiet times so that by the time he ever gets to someplace like Disney, he has lots of practice with that type of environment.