Long haul by train with dog ?

[GoGrim]

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?

@621CustardCream438

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?

No difference whatsoever, people are being very odd about it

I've travelled between London and Newcastle a lot and have occasionally seen dogs on the train. It is awkward as the dog is where people would have their feet ie. under seat or table. The dogs have been calm but I remember one stank!

Even my DH’s worst, post-vindaloo shits don’t smell as bad as fresh dog shit. Comparing changing a baby’s nappy to allowing a dog to shit in an enclosed, indoor space is stupid.

Often seen dogs on the Caledonian sleeper. Never seems to be a problem because the dogs are in your own cabin. Bit expensive perhaps but definitely an option.

I took our dog from London to Cornwall by train earlier this year. I was worried about the same issues as you, but surprisingly it went like a dream.

She did a poo and wee on the way to the station. I was worried she'd want to go on the train. The loos were big cubicles ie big enough for wheelchairs or buggies, with wipe clean floors, I took her in there at regular intervals ie when I needed to go, and had some anti back wipes, hoping if she went she'd go there....so not ideal but the best possible option. But fortunately she during go.

Best not to feed them during the trip and keep water to a minimum i.e. enough to keep them comfortable but not too much. They go all night and for long car journies without weeing and pooing aafter all.

I'd definitely do it again, it was reassuring. She was well behaved and sat nicely. At the time the country was reopening post covid and because of this there was strict social distancing with no-one allowed in the aisle seats. This made it easier as there was a bit more room.

During =didn't

@IndecentCakes

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

I’m very much with you on this!

I've done a roughly 6 hour train journey a few times with my dog. But he's a chihuahua and mostly sleeps in his carrier. Make sure they toilet beforehand and he was fine. He was busting by the time he could go though.

@TinaYouFatLard your user name

I have done this a lot - at least 5 times.
We have a very placid dog and not a high energy breed.
It is totally unacceptable to allow your dog to pee or poo on the train. So my advice:
Get your dog used to being on the train so it’s not nervous. Just a couple of short trips/days out.
The first couple of times I stopped half way (Newcastle) and then took the next train to the final destination. It’s a PITA because I have a whole load of dog related luggage (including his bed vacuum packed - he is a medium sized dog) BUT the dog gets the chance to walk pee etc.
Chances are the dog will be v tired because while travelling on the train isn’t physically tiring it’s mentally demanding for a dog (and quite stressful). Now I know he’ll easily make it from kings cross to Edinburgh.
I’ve found that in general people are really nice stopping to fuss over the dog and say how good he is etc. But there are always people who don’t like dogs and don’t think they should be allowed on the train. Once I had someone like that so I just moved seats (in fact they caused such a stink about it as I was moving the guard came and upgraded me to first)
Sometimes if the train is quiet I let him sit up on the seat beside me on a bit of vet bed and he dozed for most of the way.

I have spent so many long journeys hopping off at each station and trying to get my dog to wee at the end of the platform! He never does, nor does he wee on the train, but once we get there he has a great big one. Think you will totally fine. We’ve done 8 hour journeys, no trouble.

You wouldn't change a 3 year olds nappy in the middle of a train carriage. If you would, you're disgusting. And nothing much bigger than a chihuahua will get in a train toilet cubicle, they're tiny. So not really comparable.

@NigelSlatersXmasTaters

"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.

Is changing a nappy in a train toilet also disgusting?

@Disfordarkchocolate

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.

Probably the same people who don’t let their own family poo in the toilet!

I'm amazed all these dogs need to wee/poo so often?! I have an 11 year old pug who basically only does either on his morning walk at 7.30am and evening walk at 7.30pm (weekdays, weekend mornings are nearer 9am). If we're in the garden he might come out and cock his leg on something but he very rarely asks to be let out - we're at home all day and he just sleeps! If you're planning to do it I'd say test how long they can go without needing a wee as that'll be the biggest problem. I'm assuming they're a calm small breed so won't be hyper / barking otherwise you wouldn't be considering it

My dog ‘goes’ in the morning when I let him out then no2 on his walk. Then doesn’t need again till after tea. And goes no2 again on his walk in the evening although sometimes he won’t. However my previous dog was a guide dog pup so was taken on trains etc & managed to hold on. He was trained to ‘go’ on command as guide dogs are and they manage long journeys etc

Least if you go by car you can stop on the way, we drive from forth Valley area to Norwich with our dog and that can be a good drive but we have some good stops with the dog breaks things up

How big is the dog? My mini daschund slept inside my coat from London to Newcastle. No one even knew he was there.

I've done 5 hours with the dog. He didn't need to go to the toilet in that space of time. Had him on my lap some of the time and on the floor the rest. The hardest bit was getting him on and off along with my suitcase.

"Is changing a nappy in a train toilet also disgusting?"

No. But baby poo is not dog poo. It's a public toilet, for humans. Would you take a dog into a public toilet in a cafe/shopping centre/pub for a shit? No. Why would you do it on a train?!

If the dog can't wait then you get off the train or leave it at home! Gross. I don't want to smell dog shit and I don't want to share my toileting space with it either

Just updating this thread as when I read it we had already booked the sleeper and I wondered if I was mad. We are just back from having done the Caledonian sleeper both ways, London to Fort William. We took our large breed dog and booked cabins. It was so easy. Took a travel bed and she just slept the whole way. She had never been on a train before but has done lots of long distance travelling by car. She was much easier than our children! You’re not allowed to take the dog out of the cabin during the trip. There were several dogs travelling both ways. I would definitely do it again. She loved the holiday, walking in the highlands and swimming in rivers and sea.

Thankyou for the update @Peanutgurgle

This is very encouraging

I've done it a few times before. I scheduled in rest breaks every 3-4 hours. You just jump off the train and onto the next one after a wee walk/toilet break.

Passengers didn't even know my terrier was was there when I travelled with him. The motion of the train lulled him to sleep and he just slept under my seat. Most people expressed surprise when he emerged from under my seat to get off for a toilet break.

The chihuaua was different when we took her as she was a puppy and spoiled rotten by my DC so she was held and cuddled most of the way. No-one complained. People either ignored her or loved her. The biggest issue we had was a toddler having a tantrum because mum wouldn't let her hold the puppy.

I really hope you were planning to let it shit on something like a puppy pad at least, not just wipe it off the floor. I've got to take my wheelchair indoors after that!

As I said, I was armed with antibac wipes, so if it had happened, the floor would have been cleaner than it was before. Seeing as many train toilets appear to be awash with wee on the floor, it's a huge improvement!!!

it's a moot point anyway, she didn't wee at all on the train.

ps she'd already had a poo before getting on the rain, so it was highly unlikely to happen again.