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Travelling is already one of our favourite things to do, but we enjoy it even more when every member of the family comes along.
At Baleària, pets are considered part of the family, which is why they are treated as V.I.P. (Very Important Pet).
How should you prepare for a trip with your pet? How can you get your dog used to travelling by boat? Here are some tips to make your time on board unforgettable. Everything below also takes into account the safety measures introduced by the shipping company, so this summer you can say: '#MeVoySeguro with the whole family'.
Training your dog for a ferry journey
First of all, bear in mind that these tips are intended as general guidance. Every case and situation requires an approach suited to the passenger, their dog and the facilities available on the vessel. If your dog is not used to travelling by ferry or is very sensitive to new environments, it is important to familiarise them with everything they will have to face. The key is to make sure their first impression is a positive one.
In this first set of tips, we will look at the key points to consider during the weeks leading up to the trip.
Is this the first time your dog has travelled? There are three challenges to overcome:
- Adapting to a new environment with unfamiliar obstacles, sounds and smells.
- Tolerating the presence of other excited or frightened pets and their human companions.
- Accepting being left in an environment for several hours without their human companion present.
Two weeks before: preparing for the trip
To prevent discomfort during boarding or the crossing, it is advisable to expose your dog to all the situations they will need to face when the day of travel arrives.
1) Take your dog to local dog parks with agility obstacles and gradually teach them to overcome each one as though it were a game, rewarding every effort. Learning to negotiate obstacles and carry out new physical exercises is considered one of the most effective ways to build resilience and self-esteem. It will give your dog the confidence they need to leave their comfort zone and explore the world.
2) If your dog is emotionally or sensory sensitive, they may be afraid of anything new that moves or makes a noise and perceive the environment as hostile. They may also be wary of other dogs and people. Teach your dog how to manage stimuli and take on the role of a caring guardian who not only protects them from danger but also teaches them good canine and social manners. Do not allow your dog to assume the role of protector. Make it clear that you are the one who controls the environment and protects the family. Help your dog switch off so they can relax and enjoy the crossing.
3) If your dog is not used to spending several hours in a travel carrier or a calm kennel, it is very important to familiarise them with it in a positive way beforehand. Once your dog regards the carrier as a comfortable resting place, they will also accept the onboard kennels or pet houses as private 'dens' that provide security and, therefore, calm. For a small dog, the ideal option is to place their own carrier inside one of the calm kennels on the ferry or fast ferry.
4) Dogs belonging to breeds classed as 'Potentially Dangerous Dogs' (PPP), or displaying aggressive behaviour towards people or other dogs, must wear a muzzle at all times. It may only be removed when they are inside their calm kennel or a 'pet-friendly' cabin. If they are not used to wearing a muzzle, it is very important to familiarise them with it positively a couple of weeks before the trip.
