Traveling with your dog

A well-trained dog can accompany the owner anywhere to the delight of both.

Of course, must take into account the Standards and Laws of both hygiene and safety.

By Car

Article 169 of the New Highway Code states that it can be transported in the passenger compartment of the car as long as one dog is not a danger or obstruction to the driver. Therefore, if you are traveling alone, the dog should be in a suitable container for transport or placed on the back seat and equipped with appropriate leash suitable for fixing to security attachments.

Is permitted the transport of a larger number of pets only if kept in cages or containers positioned in the rear compartment specially divided by net.

Of course, the law prohibits closing our friend in the trunk.

Beyond the provisions of the law is still essential in order to tackle a trip with your dog in peace, observe certain rules of prudence and common sense:

– Ensure that the dog is accustomed, and by repeated short trips, to travel by car

– Organize meals so that the dog face the journey on an empty stomach or at least to complete digestion of the last meal (about 8 hours)

– Bring hereinafter bowl and abundant supply of water

– Provide frequent stops, at least every two hours, during which able to stretch his legs and quench

– Ensure that the interior of the passenger is well ventilated without the dog is reached by air flows from the air conditioning system or from outside through windows down. Never allow the dog to the head extended from the window in order to avoid the occurrence of annoying otitis ( ear infection ).

– Never leave the dog alone in the cockpit of the car even for short periods and with the windows down. Just a short time because the temperature reaches a threshold so high as to cause heat stroke.

 

By Train

In Italy, in principle, is allowed for each single traveler carrying a dog, both first and second class, provided with a muzzle, leash, certificate of registration to the canine and health card (for foreign nationals the ‘special “dog passport “).

The small dogs, kept in a kennel size max 70x30x50, travel for free throughout the fleet Trenitalia is 1st in 2nd class.

The dogs of larger size, wear a muzzle and leash are welcome with the purchase of a ticket at the price for the train used discounted by 50% and according to the rules for the type of train:

– Expressed in trains, Intercity and Intercity Night in both first and second class, but without taking a place reserved for travelers.

– Regional and local trains, must travel on the platform or the vestibule of the last car with exclusion time from 7 to 9 on weekdays from Monday to Friday.

– In the sleeping car, couchette cars and ordinary comfort and vehicular Excelsior and Excelsior 4, need to book and buy your ticket for the entire sector.

– It has recently been extended the opportunity to travel to the dogs also aboard Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Eurostar both in 1st and 2nd class in which levels Business and Standard excluding levels Executive, Premium, Area of ​​silence and sitting.

Guide dogs for the blind can travel on all trains for free and with no obligation.

 

By Plane

Nearly all airlines allow the transport of dogs, but there are no written rules only, you need to check with the company chosen to travel to what the rules are the same applied.

Generally for each flight are allowed in the cabin a limited number of small pets (under 10 Kg.of weight) that can travel with the owner if kept properly crated with waterproofed bottom.

The dogs of medium or large size traveling in the backhold in special reinforced cages made available by the airlines. Some companies provide the assistance of staff and service centers and rest for the animals during stopovers.

However, since travel in such conditions is a factor of great stress for the dog, it’s good to take a trip by plane, especially if long journeys, only if necessary. The dog does not have to be sedated as high altitude decreases the heart rate, the temperature drops and the blood circulates less for collapsing phenomena which may arise. You may instead want to consider the possibility of using lightweight natural tranquilizers based on extracts of valerian, chamomile and passionflower.

 

By Ship

In general on cruise ships is not allowed to take the dog out below and only in exceptional cases it is permitted as long as the dog is very small size.

Instead, for the short trip on ships and ferries you can travel with your dog in compliance with the regulation applied that varies depending on the shipping company. Therefore you should inquire in advance about travel arrangements applied by the company chosen.

In principle on ferries dogs are allowed:

– If small in the cage, in the cabin with the owner prior consent of the other people on board

– If the size medium or large must stay in the special “kennels on board” or on the deck with the owner if you wear a muzzle and leash.

Some companies require a veterinary certificate attesting to the good health of the dog and for transfers in Sardinia is required the rabies vaccination.