Possibly moving into the city with my dog. (to rent, taxi)

[whiskeyecho]

I don't seem to be having a hard time finding a place to rent with my dog where he'll be okay, but what are people's experiences with bringing dogs on public transportation (specifically subways and NJTransit for visits to friends/family here in Jersey)? He's medium sized (about knee-height at his shoulder) and 50 pounds so carrying kennels are out of the question.. but I've seen some people use enclosed doggie strollers?? the MTA website says they have to be kept on your lap.. I'm too small a person to accomodate that.

Research brought me to urbanhound.com which is very helpful, but it still seems like he could be an issue so I'd like to hear others' experiences. He'd only be traveling with me during off-peak hours, for obvious reasons. It'd be a shame to have to move with my car into the city just so I can bring him around!

[Viralmd]

In NJ Transit the dog MUST be in a carrier, and even then, it's at the conductor's discretion: he/she can boot you off the train at any time.

On Metro North it's different: your dog can sit next to you on the floor or in your lap. I still put my dog in a carrier, simply because it's easier.

[whiskeyecho]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

In NJ Transit the dog MUST be in a carrier, and even then, it's at the conductor's discretion: he/she can boot you off the train at any time.

On Metro North it's different: your dog can sit next to you on the floor or in your lap. I still put my dog in a carrier, simply because it's easier.

I will always keep him in some sort of enclosed kennel when traveling.. it'd have to be of the stroller variety.. carrying a little less than half my weight around is a bit tough for me! Does this sound like it would be generally acceptable? What about subways?

Thanks for your help.

[Viralmd]

I don't know about subways. I used to get yelled at regularly by some crazy bus drivers if I even reached into my bag to pet my dog .

[Carbro]

My dog (probable Shepherd-Airedale mix) was too large to carry on public transit. I had occasional custody of my mom's Shih-Tzu, Blossom, and kept her after my mom died. I never had need to take her on subway, but she had a carry tote and was never invited to leave a bus. Unless yours is a service dog, s/he has to be enclosed in a kennel or sherpa bag at all times on public transit.

I have, on occasion, seen bus riders with tiny (under 5 lbs.) dogs in standard tote bags.

Also, non-service dogs are not permitted on Amtrak. I know for a fact, though, that at least one has traveled their rails.

[whiskeyecho]

Basically what I'm asking is are only small dogs carried in totes allowed on public transportation, or can I bring my larger dog in an enclosed pet stroller without a big issue?

[Carbro]

Enclosed is okay, but as Viralmd suggests, not all drivers are amenable. The law says yes, but it's their bus.

There's the question of whether you'd be able to lift the carrier and the dog within up the steps of the bus (unless it's one of the very few newer "flat" ones) and in the front door. I doubt a driver would be willing to let you board on the wheelchair elevator, but I may be wrong about that. If s/he would, I'm sure it would enrage more than a few of the riders. I'm a dog lover, and I'd resent the hell out of someone who did that.

You can transport a dog without a carrier in a taxi (driver's discretion, again). I had to take my dog crosstown once in a driving rain. Hard enough to find a cab as a mere passenger, let alone a wet passenger with a wetter dog. One finally did because I was waving a $5 bill (today it would be a tenner) and motioning that it was for him, above the meter+tip.

If you find it's a problem, you can always rent a car.