Bus-Riding Class For Dogs: That Might Happen

A trainer is considering starting a class for dogs and owners alike on how to ride the bus with a dog without disturbing other passengers, or becoming too stressed.

MBL reports that dog trainer Heiðrún Klara Johansen believes dogs must learn how to ride the bus without being disturbed by other passengers, or without disturbing passengers themselves. To this end, she may start classes on the subject later this month.

“Owners need to know what their dogs are capable of, and not put them in situations they can’t handle,” she told reporters. “Owners also need to be able to control people around them, and to know how to respond to someone reacting to their dog. I expect that [all dogs] will sit still. I expect everyone will ignore the dog. That’s how it should be. Others on the bus should not attempt to talk to the dog or pet it. It’s just a passenger like anyone else, and needs its personal space.”

She adds that dogs may be stressed by riding the bus for the first time, and is why she would have the class emphasise sitting still and not try to get attention from other passengers. Heiðrún would like to see dog owners only be allowed to take their dogs on the bus with a special bus pass for the dog, which would only be given to owners who have registered their pet with their municipality. She also recommends that drivers have the authority to make owners and dogs who cause problems to leave the bus, and to deny a dog entry on the bus if the vehicle is too full.

As reported, capital area bus company Strætó bs is considering allowing pets on buses. A petition on the matter, “Let Pets Ride The Bus!”, has over 4,000 signatures at the time of this writing.