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Original poster

Long haul by train with dog ?

50 replies

GoGrim · 15/10/2021 00:31

I'm fantasising about travelling to Scotland by train - with the dog (he's family) - and then picking up a rental car when we arrive, purely to cut out the long drive.

Is this really doable with a doggo though?

Exercising coukd be covered by walking up and down carriages - not ideal but a small dog so doable, no?

What about the toileting situation though? How does one deal with this on a long train journey (south east to Scotland)- will this be a total nightmare?

OP posts:
CallMeNutribullet · 15/10/2021 00:35

I wouldn't. You can't allow your dog to piss and shit on the train floor. Plus dogs aren't allowed on the seats so doubt it'd be a comfortable trip

ErrolTheDragon · 15/10/2021 00:44

There's some info here

www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/luggage-and-animals.aspx

You'd have to be sure your dog didn't 'cause a nuisance or inconvenience to other customers' - which might depend on the disposition of the customers as much as your dog.

I suppose it might help to ensure that if you change trains there's a decent length of time between connections (maybe even not taking the first available) so you can walk him then, or if it's a long direct route break the journey somewhere (that might need some planning with seat reservations)

1990s · 15/10/2021 00:45

Depends on the dog. I’ve seen dogs on the London to Edinburgh several times.

If the dog is well trained they’ll know they’re “inside” and hold it in and be fine.

You could break the journey somewhere like Newcastle, have half an hour off, walk dog and get back on next train.

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IndecentCakes · 15/10/2021 06:01

It seems rather cruel to the dog, he can't toilet when he needs and would not be comfy.

Simonjt · 15/10/2021 06:08

Our dog is puppy pad trained, so when we have been on a long journey we put a puppy pad on the toilet floor and he goes on that.

Kezzie200 · 15/10/2021 07:26

Night sleeper train?

GoodnightGrandma · 15/10/2021 07:27

I wouldn’t. I’d drive so you can stop whenever.

bloodybloodypilotlight · 15/10/2021 07:41

I did York to Inverness once (I think it was 6 hours and 11 minutes so not as long as your journey) and there was a woman on the train with a chihuahua. I assumed that it was trained to go on a puppy pad which she was then binning, but it might just have had exceptional bladder control!

I think for a journey that long you would need to change trains at least once to let him have a wee.

tabulahrasa · 15/10/2021 07:56

Depends on the dog and how long your longest single train journey would be - London to Edinburgh is about 4 1/2 hours, adult dogs should be fine not going to the toilet really.

I wouldn’t walk it up and down the carriage though....

tabulahrasa · 15/10/2021 07:57

5 1/2 Confused dunno why there’s a rogue 4...

Ostryga · 15/10/2021 08:06

@Simonjt

Our dog is puppy pad trained, so when we have been on a long journey we put a puppy pad on the toilet floor and he goes on that.
If I had paid the extortionate train fares to sit near someone who let their puppy shit on a train I’d be absolutely fucking furious. That is truly insane.

Op do not do this.

AgentProvocateur · 15/10/2021 08:13

I’d also go apeshit if there was a dog shitting on a puppy pad on my train. Can’t believe people think this is remotely acceptable.

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 15/10/2021 08:19

"Our dog is puppy pad trained, so when we have been on a long journey we put a puppy pad on the toilet floor and he goes on that"

You do WHAT?! That's disgusting.

dorothygaleandtoto · 15/10/2021 08:30

I've never come across a car rental company that allows dogs to be transported. Grateful if you'd share your find!

IndecentCakes · 15/10/2021 08:32

I'm autistic and would be able to smell it, I'd be very upset at a dog shitting in a train toilet or wherever.

plinkplinkfizzer · 15/10/2021 08:38

We did this many years ago , travelling to Edinburgh . Vet gave us tablets to sedate her , slept all through , she was a bit wonky on her feet when we got off though . I suspect most passengers didn't know she was sleeping on floor beside my feet .

plinkplinkfizzer · 15/10/2021 08:40

Just to add there was no toileting on the train .

NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 15/10/2021 08:41

"I'm autistic and would be able to smell it"

I'm not autistic and I'd be able to smell it. Letting a dog foul on public transport is just vile and completely unacceptable.

Disfordarkchocolate · 15/10/2021 08:46

I'd be planning a break for a dog walk if possible.

I'm baffled by people being annoyed about a dog using a puppy pad in the train toilet. There would be no more smell than for any other passenger using the facility. Anything solid could be flushed and the pad disposed of like a nappy.

drayday · 15/10/2021 10:51

I've travelled with an adult dog on a long train journey. But she was a very good girl and no trouble. Here is what I did.

Up at dawn for long walk pre departure. No breakfast but small treats throughout. Portable bowl of water.

Schedule in your toilet breaks at train changes and get a decent walk half way.

It is doable but you have to pretty much double your journey time.

621CustardCream438 · 15/10/2021 10:52

I’m no fan of pets on public transport (obviously assistance dogs are different), but what is the difference between a dog using a puppy pad in a closed toilet cubicle and for example changing my three year olds pooey nappy?

ImNotDancing · 15/10/2021 10:57

@IndecentCakes

I'm autistic and would be able to smell it, I'd be very upset at a dog shitting in a train toilet or wherever.
Does autism come with a way of knowing if it’s human or dog shit?
Katshouldnotswim · 15/10/2021 11:00

I’ve done a 3 hour trip with my dog and it was fine.

You know your dog best.

Figgygal · 15/10/2021 11:01

@Simonjt

Our dog is puppy pad trained, so when we have been on a long journey we put a puppy pad on the toilet floor and he goes on that.
What the hell? Utter madness
IndecentCakes · 15/10/2021 11:01

I'm afraid in my personal case it does, yes.

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