Are Dogs Allowed On Public Transport?

Here we have one of the simplest and the most important questions you will ever ask. Are dogs allowed on public transport in the United States? Some will say yes, while others will say no. The truth is somewhere in the middle and there are countless variations. We will give you the best answer we possibly can right here. Also, we will cover the most important variations. 

Can You Bring Your Dog On A Train With You?

Most people travel by train and if you are one of them and you want to bring your pet with you, here is the answer. Are dogs allowed on public transport like trains in the United States? Usually, they are. But, you will have to bring one pet only in a crate and you will have to pay around $25.

Keep in mind that a dog and his carrier must not exceed 20 pounds! Also, there can be only 4 pets in a single train. A good thing is that your dog will enjoy the comfort and he won’t fear riding a train again. 

We must add that smaller or local trains have all sorts of different policies. Generally, you can travel with your pet but you will have to keep him in a carrier and only small dogs can ride. No, you cannot bring a large dog on a leash inside a train.

Can You Bring Your Dog On A Subway With You?

Here we can see that there are some variations but generally speaking, the same rules as in trains apply. You can bring a small dog inside a carrier and you can travel with him. 

In New York, for instance, you can carry him like this but you will hold your pet on your lap. He cannot be on a separate seat or occupy foot space. In San Francisco for instance, the same rules apply. But there you can carry a dog on a cable car as well. In this case scenario, you can use a leash but he must be muzzled as well. 

There is no need to add that this all refers to small dogs. Large dogs are not allowed in the subway and you cannot bring one to the station either. You cannot bring a large dog on the platform. 

Can You Bring Your Dog On A Bus With You?

This can be the best and the worst option for some of you. Yes, you can travel most of the time by bus with your dog. There is no need to use a carrier. You can keep him on a leash. A dog must not sit on the seat and he must be close to you on the floor. 

If you carry a dog and he can fit your lap, the fee will be free. But, you will pay if you bring a large dog and he occupies floor space. 

We can also see that drivers have a lot of power here. They can limit how many pets can be on the bus or even determine if a dog is allowed. For example, if a dog is not a threat or he is calm, he can ride. If his behavior is problematic, he may not be allowed to ride on the bus.

A fun fact is a dog from Seattle who rides a bus every day. He knows the route and he uses the bus to get around the city. Dogs are smart as you can see. 

Service Dogs Don’t Have To Obey These Rules

As you can see, most of the time you can carry a small dog in a carrier and travel with him. This is actually the most generic answer we can give to you. But, this also means that large dogs who are commonly used as service dogs are not allowed in public transportation.

Thanks to the American Disabilities Act you can bring your large dog who is a service dog with you on any public transportation option you want to use. Your dog will obviously be on a leash and he will be close to you. 

The only rule here is that your dog must be certified and you are good to go. In this case, we can add that even if a company prohibits pets on a bus or a train you are allowed to bring him. 

Prepare Your Dog For Public Transport First

Just because you can bring a dog with you doesn’t mean you should do it immediately. You need to do a few things first. Below we have a small list of the things you should do and help your dog enjoy traveling with you.

• Socialize Your Dog First

The first thing you will have to do is to make sure your pet behaves well in public transport. Socialize the dog in dog parks with other people and other dogs. 

• Proof of Health

You will have to contact your vet and make sure the dog is healthy and has proof of that. He also must get all the vaccines and you should have documentation about his treatments if he had some. 

• Check Local Requirements

These refer to a carrier and a leash. Some companies will allow you a soft carrier. Others will allow you hard ones only. In some buses or trains, you can keep him on a leash while this is prohibited in other ones.

• Don’t Forget About Treats

Your pet will like and need treats while traveling. Make sure you bring plenty of these on your trip. You can use these to calm him down and make him feel more comfortable.

The Final Word 

We hope you now know the answer. Are dogs allowed on public transport in the United States? Most of the time they are in a carrier or on a leash. They will have to sit next to you or be on your lap and you are good to go. But, always contact the local company and make sure you know all about the rules, requirements and all the rest.