Getting around the city with a dog can be a bit challenging at times. Knowing the public transportation rules can save you a lot of hassle. Below is a quote provided by www.nycgo.com/articles/nyc-transportation-getting-around

"Only small-size pets in carriers are allowed on MTA buses, subways and trains, as well as in taxis. Properly harnessed service animals are also permitted on mass transit. Taxi drivers may, at their discretion, pick up dogs without carry cases. The City is also home to several pet-taxi companies that can help transport pets that are not allowed on ordinary public transit."

Pet Chauffeur:  (212) 696-9744
K9 Cars:  (718) 683-2152

AE Pets Go:  (347) 457-6091 (aepetsgo.com/taxi-request/)

For most Americans, walking a dog means strolling down your neighborhood sidewalk or greenbelt pathways undisturbed. For a New Yorker, this could not be further from the truth. Although there are places in the city (mainly parks) you may have the whole pathway to yourself, a usual walk in the city means (depending on your neighborhood) a run in with tourist, construction, unfriendly dog hazards, other New Yorkers and dogs, bikes, skate boards, and loud cars/sirens just to list a few.

The same walk you may take daily with your dog will usually never be the same from day-to-day. Due to the numerous hazards you may run into on your walk, we recommend not using a retractable leash.  Although they may be great for places that your pooch can run ahead (or behind) safely, this is not the case in Manhattan. Unfortunately, if your dog runs ahead here they could find any one of the multiple hazards which are left on New York's sidewalks daily. We've compiled a list of the most common hazards you'll find on a NYC sidewalk, as well as a few do's and don'ts to help make sure you and your pooch always have a safe walk.

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Common Sidewalk Hazards

• Shattered glass

• Cigarettes (tabaco is toxic to dogs)

• Mercury, lead, excessive amounts of zinc, iron, cobalt, copper, lead-based paint, ingestion of pennies coined after 1982, and vitamins

• Left behind foods (Paw here for a full list of dog toxic human food) 

• Trash

• De-icing salts

• Rat poising or other insect repellant chemicals

• Paw here for a complete list of common household dangers.

24/7 Animal Poison Control Center

(855) 764-7661

$39 per incident fee applies

Pet Poison Helpline Website

Safe Walking Habits 

• Walk with a high quality leash and harness

• At night, visibility is safety, you can buy a reflectorized harness or use reflective tape

• Do not allow dogs to urinate on lamp post or metal scaffolding (both can carry stray currents)

• Be cautious of ConEdison metal plates during the winter season (these have been known to carry stray electrical currents after coming in contact with ice slush and salt de-icers).

• Have your dog sit at cross-walks when waiting to cross. (Often times, especially when you're taking your dog to a highly reinforcing place, such as the dog run, they tend to get excited and without proper guidance can quickly try and dart out into the street).

• During the warm months, be sure to test the pavement you and your dog will be walking on for scorching temperatures. An easy way to test if the pavement is a safe enough temperature is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for about 12 seconds. If the back of your hand is comfortable with staying there after 12 seconds, the area should be safe for your dog.

• Always be sure to keep your pet hydrated on walks and at the dog run. There are many dog water bottles on the market.