Service Animal

[Gilesmt]

Hi everyone,

Question to anyone who uses a service animal. We have been many times to DL and once to WDW, and we are looking to go again, not sure yet which park but who cares it's Disney. My question is this is the first time with a service dog. I feel we are doing okay as a new team, and we still have a few months to go so I do not think we will have any problems and I know what to expect I think for most things. My question is more what others would do and feel comfortable with?

My party will be two older children 18 and 20, they act like 2 and 4 though and then a granddaughter of 3. Mom the 20 yr old and granddaughter will be doing a lot of things on there own and when I am with the 18 year old she it is our time to go on big and fast rides. I want my service dog with me most of the day. Since I can not count on my kids to stay with me and be my sighted guide.

So would any of you bring your dog to the kennel for 3 or 4 hours a day so you can go on the rides that the dog can not go on. I figured we could get fast passes in the morning, and then wait until later afternoon, give the dog a break in the kennel for a few hours, ride all the fast rides at once and then get him back. I think I am the one with more anxiety over leaving him in a kennel. Of course he has not left my side since I got him, even sleeping within inches of my hand. I know my daughter would not want to ride alone on the fast rides, because of the baby the last three trips were this way, she rode and then I rode, now with her mother also coming this leaves us to ride together but we have the dog.

Any suggestions that I may not have thought about. Would or have any of you used the kennels for a SD and not a pet?

[Drince88]

I am SOOO not the expert on this, but if the dog hasn't left your side since you got her, I would not put her in the kennel. She's a WORKING dog and deserves to be able to do her job. And since you have 3 adults, you can do kid swap with the dog and baby, and nobody has to ride fast stuff by themselves.

There may be nuances because of the dog - but basically the person waiting with the dog and 3 year old gets a pass while the first two ride. Then when they come back, one stays with the dog and 3 year old and the other rides with the first person who stayed back. Nobody has to ride alone, and someone gets to ride twice! You can also work it with fastpasses to really minimize wait times (and since the 3 year old has a ticket, she can get a fastpass even for stuff she can't ride)

It sounds like the relationship with you and your dog is going well, congratulations!

[Gilesmt]

Kid swap may work on a few occassions or maybe for a ride or two but a lot of the time the two girls will be seperated. The 18 will be with me and the 20 year old will be with the baby. We will not be together to often, the reason also being that there is one other adult that I did not mention because he will not be near me or with me at all. There father will be going and as I said my two girls act like 2 and 4, they have to spend time with dad alone. So I will spend minimal time with the 20 year old, a lot of time with the 18 year old, about 1/2 the time with the 3 year old. So the kennel will be when I have the 18 yo without the 3 yo or the 20 yo. Maybe 5 to 6 hours a day, so I was thinking we could make some rides with the dog but then put him in the kennel for just a few hours to use fast passes on the fast rides that he can not go on.

I know I have not left the dog but I do not think he would mind leaving me. I do take him to a dog park 2 or 3 times a week and he does run off with other dogs and plays great. As I said I am probably more nervous than he is, I am the one with anxiety, not because I would not be able to see, I am use to that but to me it is like leaving my newborn baby with a stranger, it always works out but how many mothers cry when they first leave there baby.

[MickeyDogMom]

Well, when I take my dogs I often leave them at the hotel if they just need a break (too hot, too cold, etc.). If it is just you and 18 year old, you would have to separate to ride faster rides to do a dog swap.

I left my puppies there several times about 4 and 5 years ago. I didn't really care to do it again. It's not a bad place but now I would rather they stay at the hotel. I bring pop-up kennels for them to sleep in though so they can't freely roam the room.

I generally have large parties with me, so there's generally at least one person I trust to hold my dog.

I'm sure my mom will pop up soon. She's generally the one who answers the questions and then I correct her.

[MickeyDogMom]

As I said I am probably more nervous than he is, I am the one with anxiety, not because I would not be able to see, I am use to that but to me it is like leaving my newborn baby with a stranger, it always works out but how many mothers cry when they first leave there baby.

I left one of my young puppies at the DLR kennels (my 3rd puppy) and for some reason the second I got out the door I burst in to tears. Needless to say I was back in about an hour to get him. I know he was fine, he had a bed, his toys. But I just couldn't do it.

This is not to scare you out of leaving your dog at the kennels. It really is a nice place. Bring his shot records with you.

[Drince88]

There father will be going and as I said my two girls act like 2 and 4, they have to spend time with dad alone.

Ahh, the fun of family dynamics!

I think at DL it's easier to do this than at WDW (you said you were still up in the air a little bit about which) - but do the 'collect the fastpass' thing for all the big rides you'd want to do without the dog and then use them later in a short time period. I'm usually not a fan of this approach, but I think this is a case where it's really going to serve you well.

[Gilesmt]

Oh by the way, I should mention so others who answer know, when I say my girls act like 2 and 4, I really mean it. I would not let either of my girls watch the dog without me there. The years of training that went into this dog would be gone in a second. The would feed him food, let others pet or walk him. They would, especially the 18 year old would walk around holding the harness. DO NOT ask me how my 20 yo has custody of her child, but her 3 yo actually acts older and more responsible than either of my girls. As you said, family dynamics. I should not complain because I get a free trip on there father, but he refuses to spend any time with either one of them for two long, so his solution was to invite me along to run interference and control them the best I can. This is the first vacation he has gone on with them since they were 11 and 13, before that they were 4 and 6. I think they acted better when they were 4 and 6. I have never seen two other kids act the way mine do. Even I have not taken them on a vacation together for 3 years, I go seperate one year taken one they next year taken the other one. But the point being neither of my girls would be allowed to be left with the dog while I am on the ride, and I will never to see my ex husband while we are there so he is out as a watcher also. That leaves the 3 yo who is actually probably the most responsible one that will be there and I think she is just a little to little to watch the dog for me.

Also, I thought it was illegal to leave a dog in a hotel room, even a service dog? If not , could anyone give me their opinion, I could leave him there, at least in DL because we will stay on property, and he is very well behaved and does not chew up anything. I just never thought you could do that.

[Malcon10t]

You can leave him in the hotel. He/she cannot be left uncontained though. (We always have a crate/kennel. You never know when the hotel personnel may need to enter the room for an emergency.) However, if he is crying/barking/whining, the hotel can call animal control. How does he act when you aren't around? If he is ok in a crate/left alone, you could leave him in the room. (Hotels have rules about pets, most say the pets cannot be left alone in the room. This does not apply to service animals.)

As for the kennel, it is clean, they will do exactly what you ask (feed, don't feed, etc...) They will not take the dog our to toilet, so you will need to remember to return in time to do this. Make sure you have all his shot records.

[Gilesmt]

Yes Malcon10t question. Would it work if your dog was on tie down. I do not crate him to often, actually never but he was crated before he came to me. That was just a few months ago. I do use tie downs though. I put one tie down around the bed and the other hooked to that and then hook his collar to it. It allows him to get up and turn around and maybe take 2 or 3 steps just like in a crate but he could not really walk around. I have him sleep on the floor next to me like this. Would this work. I only plan to tie him down on tie down maybe around 5 or 6 pm and go on the fast rides each night. I figure I can put a do not disturb sign on the door since housekeeping should be down at this time of night. We will stay at Disneyland hotel so I could get right back. He stays quiet in my apt most of the time but he will bark if there is a lot of noise in the hall, but he will quiet down in as the noise moves down the hall. No one in my apt building has ever complained about the barking and it is only when it is real noisy, if I come or have company he will not bark, unless the company has a dog with them. Would this work because with flying and airlines not allowing to much baggage I am not sure if I could get a crate.

[Malcon10t]

I personally don't see a problem. The only thing that could happen would be an emergency where housekeeping would need to enter, and they see a loose dog and get scared. Chances of it happening? Only if I left my dog loose, otherwise, 0%.

[MickeyDogMom]

They also have pop up crates that are relatively small and easy to transport (only about a foot across and 4" deep when folded). You can find them at Target. They would be easy to destroy if he is destructive though. I plan to get one soon, I have three regular pop up crates but they aren't as convenient.

I also bring toys and blankets to put in their crates. My dogs love their crates though. I prefer crates over tie downs only because I leave them with toys and would feel horrible if one rolled out of their reach on a tie down.

[Gilesmt]

Thanks for all the info. I will bring tie down, worse that can happen is I end up up the street at Target to buy a crate. He will probably just lay down and sleep after all the walking during the day, he is a lazy dog and loves to sleep. I do have a few more questions? If you don't mind. First, I heard of some kind of wax that you buy to protect there paws. Ever use it, or what is your experience with paws and walking for days around disney. We will be there a week, we are staying at DLH, he does have boots for the ice and snow that are for hot summers also. We are going in March, will I need to protect his paws and if so what do you use? Second we are staying at DHL any suggestions about room or towers, we never stayed there. I was just going to ask to be close to an elevator, at GC we got a room down a hall and around 2 corridors and it was confusing but then I did not have the dog, now I do? I am not in a w/c or really need a disability room but easily accessibility would be great? Thanks again for all your help. And if either of you have suggestions since this is my first trip with a Guide Dog please just let me know. I have done the parks a lot with a cane but never a guide dog, this will be the first time that my kids will take off a lot without me also, I finally have my tink wings with Herbie my dog and we are going to try several hours a day trying out our wings.

[Malcon10t]

There is grass around the old Sierra tower (can't remember the new name now!) I would ask for it and ask near the elevator. Call ahead and explain your situation and they should be able to block a room that meets your needs.

Paws, during the summer we use Mutt Luks (booties) on the pups, but during the under 85 temps, it is rarely needed. Last trip we were there 13 days, never needed anything for their paws.

After several hours in the park, all our pups want to do is SLEEP! Your pup should be fine on a tie down, if he is used to it. Side story, on New Years Eve, we took the pups into the park. After 8 hours, it was cold and the younger pup was really tired. We were planning to stay til 1am, and it was about 5pm. So, I went to City Hall, spoke with a manager for the gate and explained the situation. I explained I was worried about the fact that if the kids took the dog back, and there was a turnstile close, they would be stuck outside the park. I explained they were just going straight back the hotel, then come back. He gave me his card and added his cell number, and said if there was any problem to contact him. The kids get the dogs back to the room, and the puppy darts for her crate. Wouldn't come out to take off her cape. Had to be dragged out. Poor baby was tired. When we came back at midnight, they were still asleep!

[MickeyDogMom]

Other suggestions...

1. Get used to the phrase "It's a dog!" You think you hear it a lot now? Wait until Disneyland. Every minute. I've timed it.

2. Check the paws and tush often for gum and candy. People spit it on the ground occasionally. I carry a first aid kit that has a tiny pair of scissors and peanut butter to pull the gum out with.

3. Your dog may be frightened on the rides. I once went with two fully certified service dogs on Pirates of the Caribbean and they were terrified. Also the test dog on Toy Story Midway Mania was said to have freaked out, so be cautious on that ride. My dog didn't wake up on the ride.

4. If you dress your dog up, expect pictures to be taken. They will stop right in front of you and take a picture. Sometimes they don't even have to be dressed up for people to stop and take pictures. I still haven't figured this mystery out.

5. March shouldn't be TOO bad, people wise, otherwise I would say you should get a light up collar or rings to put on his harness. So people don't step on him, because they will. I often put a little light thing on their collars so people see them during dark rides. But I have had mostly black dogs so they are more difficult to be seen.

6. Check the ground if you worry it's getting to hot.

7. You will also run into other dogs more than likely. I have seen some excellently behaved dogs and I have seen some horribly behaved dogs. Some have lunged, barked, pulled their owner into a light pole, sniffed people very aggressively. Some I don't even notice. So proceed with caution. Unless I know the dog (and sadly I know several of the "regular" dog visitors to Disneyland) I tend to avoid them.

I should write a book.

[Malcon10t]

Oh, my favorite..

People will stop and watch while your dog toilets. I would swear people have never seen a dog potty before. There have been times I thought we had a bigger audience than the Dapper Dans on Main St.

[Gilesmt]

Thanks for all the advice. I will buy a first aid kit just incase. I expect the people, I get if everywhere we go, A DOG, or then I DONT THINK DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN HERE. My dog I hope is well behaved, he is a dog but I have never had any real problem with him except maybe occassionally trying to slide across the floor because some toddler drop there hamburger, what dog wouldn't at least try, but when I correct him he stays and does not move again. He is okay with the dogs in the apt, they all bark and bark and bark but he does not so hopefully he wont. I do have one question, you mention others watching him go potty. I thought I had to contact a cast member and have him potty out back, is that true or not. He will only go on que 5 times a day and it is the same times every day. 630am, 1030, 130. 430 and 730. But then again I only feed him at 630 and 430 and he gets water then and at 11am. If I give him more water I don't know what is going to happen and I will be giving him more water. But the question was about pottying, do I have to contact a cast member to take him behind scenes.

[Malcon10t]

I do have one question, you mention others watching him go potty. I thought I had to contact a cast member and have him potty out back, is that true or not. He will only go on que 5 times a day and it is the same times every day. 630am, 1030, 130. 430 and 730. But then again I only feed him at 630 and 430 and he gets water then and at 11am. If I give him more water I don't know what is going to happen and I will be giving him more water. But the question was about pottying, do I have to contact a cast member to take him behind scenes.

Cast members at DIsneyland will not handle your dog. It isn't allowed. The dogs don't go backstage at Disneyland (only WDW). There are many places to potty your pup. I don't mean to be blunt, but one issue will be you are blind. There are gates on most of the fences around the grass in the Hub area. The gate latches are on the back side of the gate. You may need someone to find the latch as it usually seems hidden. Or, as we do, we simply lift the dog over. We had one dog that could easily jump the fence. In NOS, by the train area, most also have latches to the gate. Again, even hard for us sighted to see.

[MickeyDogMom]

I don't know what you would do in WDW. But in DL it would be easy enough to get to either the open grass in front of the hotel or the many grassy spots in DL.

It would be easy enough to go to the information booth in the Hub in front of Adventureland and have them direct you to the nearest grassy spot. There is also a nice spot in front of the New Orleans Square train station. You may just need to go to the local food stand and ask them to direct a maintenance cast member over to the area to have them find a gate for you. On the right side of the castle there are some quieter grassy spots. And another good one is between the Reindeer Roundup area and the exit to Big Thunder Mountain on the Rivers of America side of the walkway. There's even a convenient garbage can! But your dog has to be able to navigate between bars an over a little stone fence. It could be hard for both of you.

Guest Services on main street may be able to give you more insight into what other guides and their people do. I've never had to ask so I don't know how truly helpful the CMs are, I know most are great but I don't know how they are about pottying. I know what the wheelchair bound generally do.

One day I'm going to make a map of all the best potty spots in DL.

[Gilesmt]

Sorry, I quess I understood things differently, guess I was not realizing that different dogs are trained differently. My dog does not go on grass. Guide dogs are trained to go on driveways, cerment, and such. So I will need to ask at city hall because they must have run into guide dogs who are trained to use the walkways or cerment. I guess I was thinking of WDW were I got the info. I know that no one will take my dog, I would never allow anyone to take him. Also, in the last response it talked about a light on his collar, would the reflective tape and reflective handle be good enough, his harness is the new kind and it has both reflective tape and a handle that is reflective.

[Gilesmt]

Oh, just realized maybe guide dogs are trained on cerment or driveways becaue we are blind and it is easier for me when I do not have to find sticks or rocks in grass. Also maybe way he is trained to go only on que, I say do your business and he goes, and also why I guess he can only eat at very specific times, so I know exactly when he is likely to go number two, every morning and every 1030 releaving. This way I know I have to bend down and pick up and also these are the times I really make him stay close to me when he is about to go, so I know he is. I just figured it all out, it is because I am blind, that is way he potties the way he does and not in the grass like other dogs.

[Malcon10t]

Oh, just realized maybe guide dogs are trained on cerment or driveways becaue we are blind and it is easier for me when I do not have to find sticks or rocks in grass. Also maybe way he is trained to go only on que, I say do your business and he goes, and also why I guess he can only eat at very specific times, so I know exactly when he is likely to go number two, every morning and every 1030 releaving. This way I know I have to bend down and pick up and also these are the times I really make him stay close to me when he is about to go, so I know he is. I just figured it all out, it is because I am blind, that is way he potties the way he does and not in the grass like other dogs.

We were initially told we could relieve the dog anywhere and to just notify a CM to aid in clean up. But for us, we clean our own messes. We also train to go on command (we use Hurry.) We teach to go on cement/rock/bark/grass... Basically anywhere. You can probably ask a CM where you can use a secluded area. Since Disneyland has a garbage can every 10 feet, it is easy for disposal. Worse case, there is an area at the kennels you can go to.

For us, we do train for all the other areas, but grass is fastest and easiest.

Question, at a hotel, where would you want to toilet your dog? Would a drive area work? Or would you use a walkway?

[Gilesmt]

I would use a secluded area at the hotel. I will ask the front desk. I think for me to use cement or pavement it is easier to clean up, being blind it would be harder to know where in the grass he went. We were told in school that if you allow him to use grass he will always want to use grass and stop going on pavement. That is why I have never tried grass.

[Malcon10t]

OK, suggestions for areas inside Disneyland would be the walkway to the restrooms between Plaza Inn and Tomorrowland, the area by the train in Fantasyland, just past the HA entrance, its pretty secluded, back by Pooh Corner candy shop, there is a small area where traffic is light, the restroom walkway by the Autopia, and back along the walkway by Big Thunder Ranch. There are usually CMs in these areas that can help you out. Like I said, we were initially told "Where ever you need your pup to go, just use that area. Let us know so we can clean up."

For the hotel, the building that is perpendicular to the old Sierra building has a parking lot just outside the door. That might be easier and a little more secluded.

[MickeyDogMom]

Sorry, I quess I understood things differently, guess I was not realizing that different dogs are trained differently. My dog does not go on grass. Guide dogs are trained to go on driveways, cerment, and such. So I will need to ask at city hall because they must have run into guide dogs who are trained to use the walkways or cerment. I guess I was thinking of WDW were I got the info. I know that no one will take my dog, I would never allow anyone to take him. Also, in the last response it talked about a light on his collar, would the reflective tape and reflective handle be good enough, his harness is the new kind and it has both reflective tape and a handle that is reflective.

Yeah. Not all the places I named are grass. Areas in Frontierland are dirt or sand. I prefer dirt or sand because it's easier to pick up. I'm just naming spots that nobody steps in because I don't like to clean up wee. LOL. If I can I will find a grate for them to go over because then I don't have to clean it! Woohoo. I do train my dogs to go everywhere because it's obvious that wheelchair bound people aren't going to always be able to get their dogs into 'grassy' areas nor are they able to clean up after their dogs (can't reach it, etc.) At home my dogs mostly go on dirt/rocks/sand so they're pretty used to it. The grass is just gross to clean up.

Reflective tape should be okay.

We were told in school that if you allow him to use grass he will always want to use grass and stop going on pavement. That is why I have never tried grass.

Your school's right, dogs prefer grass.