Keeping dog calm on a ferry

[Expelled]

I'm taking my dog abroad for the first time. The ferry rules say he must stay in the car (60 minutes) for the journey. I think he will be distressed by the clanging and noise of the ferry until we sail. Any tips on making the experience less upsetting for both of us.

I'm planning him to journey in his cage (material with comfy bed) and have given him a huge walk before hand. I'm concerned that he may break out the cage and rip the car to bits! He scratches my carpet at the front door when he's left home alone some days but copes on other days.

[overthemill]

we take our dog on the little ferry to isle of wight often and never have any trouble with him. he stays in the car (unlocked so alarm doesn't o off) with water and nylabone and windows ajar. he seems pleased to see us but ime he simply falls asleep and is fine. this is a journey of around 35 minutes so not so long. You could stay in car as long as you can (ie not leap off once turned off) and come back as soon as you are allowed, I have never heard of a dog escaping from a crate before!

[Expelled]

The cage is not really a cage. It's material and mesh and far more friendly for a travelling crate but I suspect he could rip it to shreds if distressed. I don't wish to buy a metal cage because he likes this material one and it's familiar but nor do I fancy contacting insureres about a shredded car.

I'm possibly worrying over nothing

[overthemill]

aha, that explains it. if he normally shreds stuff when bored i guess he may still do so. could you borrow a metal crate and put familiar one inside it?
or, have you bought ferry ticket yet? If not, we use eurotunnel for france, any good?

[Expelled]

Ferry ticket bought and travelling with friend (so it will be their car he shreds!)

I might investigate a metal cage :)

[ellangirl]

Our dog has to stay in a car on ferry journeys a couple of times a year, and it's a 3.5 hour journey. She has always been fine, but she isn't a destructive dog. My tip would be to make sure he can't see the guys in hi vis jackets etc as they walk around close to your car, in my experience this is the worst bit for frightening my dog. So, face his cage away from the window etc. If you have a battery operated radio you could leave this on in the car, and some chew toys/a bone from the butchers in his cage. I should think he will cope fine with it- it's not too long a time.

[Lizcat]

Mobile mop goes th IOW on a regular basis and it is a really noisy open deck ferry. We cross on the 40minute crossing. We walk him round at the port and then he hops in the car and nods off to sleep.