Getting around with a dog

Hey, we just got our Jack Russell here and luckily we have a car, but we don't know any parks that allow dogs off leash so if anyone knows any would love to hear about them :-)

Cheers

There is a park in Kurucesme that aloud dogs without leash.
Keep in mind that not many people in Turkey love animals.....
taxis??? you mıght go to your taxi stop close to your home and ask directly to them (but it is difficult)
Actually I walk everywhere with my dog......

Thanks Nigusi.  I will check out Kurucesme.  I walk every where with my dog as well.  We live in Etiler and I would like to walk down to Bebek and the water with the dog - I'm just worried I won't have the energy to walk back up!

I know what you mean!!

good luck

Hey, thanks so much! I'm def gonna check it out as well :-) Let me know if you're keen to catch up for a walk!

Susanne

I've just arrived in Istanbul with my 2 Yorkies.  Have read that as long as you have the correct documentation and the dog is muzzled or in a carrier they can travel by the ferries but honestly I can't imagine anyone checking as they didn't even check my paperwork at the airport!!!

Haven't tried it yet though as to be honest I feel a little nervous about getting challenged!  I'm already having enough trouble convincing the street dogs we're ok to walk around by my building - have you found any solutions to keep them from approaching/barking when you're walking your lab?

Claire

This is an interesting thread.  I am moving in August with a newfoundland mix.  Concerned about the air travel with him.  How did you find it?  How is it moving a big dog like the retriever for instance?  I just can't imagine navigating an airport with luggage and the dog in a crate... how does this work>?  THanks.

We flew the dog via Lufthansa - it was incredibly easy.  We had tried flying her once with American Airlines and it was a disaster.  She is about 60 lbs; at the airport in Dallas, they let us keep the dog out of the crate until they checked her in at the counter, so it was pretty easy, the two of us carried the crate in. At the airport in Istanbul, you pick the dog up at oversized luggage (depending upon how you flew them), and you can pay someone with a cart about 20 TL to wheel the dog and your luggage for you. Let me know if I can answer any other questions on this or the paperwork needed.

THanks.  THat allays my fears some.  He is about 90 lbs.  How much was it to fly him?  I assume you paid cargo fare?  I think I would be flying out of seattle. The process concerns me so much, I've thought of leaving him behind.

Her.  Sorry

Hey, it's quite interesting how everybody seems to have different experiences with transporting their dogs to Istanbul. We made use of an organisation that specialises in international pet transport so they helped us heaps with all the paperwork and vaccinations we needed to get done before our dog went on the plane. They strongly recommend to have a custom officer here in Istanbul to help you clear your dog as it could otherwise take days to get done. Even with his help it took us almost 24 hours. Feel free to send me a private message if you want more info, happy to help :-)

Susanne

We just flew her ourselves - we looked into pet transport services, but we had friends who said to do it ourselves.  It cost $400 on Lufthansa to fly her as excess baggage. If you fly on Lufthansa through Frankfurt, they have an indoor dog park and will let the dog out if your layover is more than 3 hrs.

The paperwork is not too bad for Turkey, I can let you know what you will need if you want to do it yourself.  In terms of customs, because she flew as excess luggage, we didn't have to do anything to clear her, just walked through. 

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to send me a message.

Hi, I bought my toy poodle in Istanbul and so have never had the experience of travelling with him.  Taksim is a challenging place to have a dog, especially a small one since Turks are not exactly animal savvy (the majority, that is) and I never have a hassle-free walk.  I would never let him off the lead anyway since either they keep dogs as guard dogs here and they are aggressive, (the street dogs are usually gentle as they've been neutered or spayed) and the people can be very ignorant.  If you're a cat lover here that's ok though.  Parks are few and far between here I'm afraid.

Been a while since I've checked this.  So last poster, Stefania... no places to let dogs off leash to run I take it?  I will be living near the MEF school in Ortokoy.  I think there is a park near the neighborhood... Ulus?  And it sounds like getting out of town with the dog may be very difficult.

I am so torn.  This is my "buddy", and I dont' want to leave him behind, but I dont' want him cooped up in a small apartment all day with no place to go after work.  More thoughts?

Wiseteach, I heard that it's much harder taking pets out of Turkey than it is taking them in. That said, I'm from the US so I wouldn't be able to advise you on that point.
On the off-leash question - I took my dog to a park quite a long way from me and let him off the leash to play and it was ok. I think the leash rule only applies on public thoroughfares - pavements and crossing roads.
I don't know about the area you are moving to but there are some areas of Istanbul, out of the city, that are fine for dogs, with parks and many dog owners. I live in the old centre, with narrow pavements, crowded with people and traffic and I wouldn't recommend where I live for exercising a large dog such as yours.
Shopping malls demand that you carry the dog in your arms.
Finally, I would recommend that however tough, you bring him with you. He's your buddy and companion and think how lousy you'd feel about leaving him behind. Then if things didn't work out here, or you had bad days, you'd miss him so much. Dogs are a tie and a complication but they are worth it aren't they?

You are so right on with your comments.  Those are all things I have considered.  I am moving from US.  Still need to figure out lots of things about getting him to Istanbul.  Much I think depends on the airline I end up on.  Thank you again for your thoughts and encouragement.

Hey, there's a great forest outside of the city that allows dogs off leash. It's very easy to get to by car or by bus and has a 6 km loop track and is gorgeous to walk in, great weekend trip! I used to walk my dog every day when we lived in New Zealand, but now she'll have to do with one big walk a week. She's fine with it though as long as she can get in the garden or you can walk your dog to a park for a cruise, just not off leash. I haven't had any problems with people not liking my dog or with street dogs. Good luck with it all!

Susanne

See the news is just getting better and better.  But I can't take a big dog like mine on the bus can I ?

You can try:))) He sounds a whopper! Maybe upload a pic of him for your profile pic?

Ha ha ha haaaaa

WiseTeach, do not leave your buddy behind!!! Istanbul and most Ortakoy is a wonderfull place to live and to have a dog. My house is next to MEF school and I have a Boxer 8 years old. Everyday I walk with het at least for an hour and she is safe and sound (me too). I will not tell you that you will never have problems! There are many abandoned dogs on the streets but must of them are lovely and just want to make new friends. Around my house we are a huge community of gog owners and all of us deal with the street dogs till they leave you alone hehehe. Maybe the first month will be getting used to but later you will manage and close by around 40 min by walk is the Kurucesme park that dogs can be out of leash... We have a dog group of maybe 10 dogs that are off leash and get together just fine.
Best of lucks for you and for your buddy

I think it also depends WHERE you live in Istanbul. I'm in the Taksim area and I can tell you that is is no place to walk a dog especially a small one! I get pestered ALL the time by ignorant people who want to pet him, feed him Big Macs, or be aggressive to him and scare him. Beyoglu is the Harlem of Istanbul unfortunately with very low class people and what I generally do (when weather permits) is take him to Nisantisi where the people are more normal. Of course, outside the centre and on the Asian side (more residential areas), there are more dog owners and therefore less ignorance.

I totally agree with you stefania_taksim!!
Taksim sure it is NOT a place for a dog (no small no big one)
In fact I do walk with my dog through the same path all the time I mean I never try to go anywhere else because in Turkey they do not love dogs in the same level they love cats!!!
Any time you would like t a nice evironment just get your buddy and go around Kurucesme, Arnavutkoy and Bebek... all this places are ready for dogs and people around "normally" accept them.
It is nice to see that I am not the only one thinking in that way.... I really do not like when people try to feed my dog with leftovers of their food....

By the way I never saw a dog in a bus in Turkey!!! Do you ever???
I just came back from Scotland where I was sitting in the bus next to a Golden R.!!! and I felt so great

I just meant that big dogs are easier to protect and they can stick up for themselves better:)
It is part of Turkish culture that they love cats and do not care that much for dogs.  In the areas where rich Turks live (Nisantisi, Leven and Bebek for example on the European side and Kadikoy on the Asian side) there are many more Turkish dog owners and places to walk them.
But in Beyoglu where there are many poor immigrants from the East who have lived here for years, their culture is not dog friendly.  Plus, keeping a dog costs money and that is also why cats are more popular here as they are cheaper to keep.
Like you, I've found, through trial and error, the 'safe' places to walk him - away from vicious guard dogs kept by mosques and garages etc - but even then I get ignorant people pestering him all the time.  I'm very quick if anyone tried to upset him or feed him and I have lightening reactions but two times a crazy guy jumped out at him near Taksim square and the dog was upset and barked and growled.  If God forbid he should bite one of these losers I'll be the one who gets in trouble:(
I still walk him of course but it makes the walks very stressful and not relaxing for either of us.
Obviously, for sanitary reasons, restaurants won't let me in with him but I've been in Starbucks twice no problems but I sometimes it varies depending on who is in charge.
To answer your question about buses - as far as I know, dogs are only allowed on public transport if they are wearing a muzzle.  Because my dog is small, I put him in a carrier and even then I get pestered when people see his little face peering through the mesh!
He's getting a bit heavy now but  if I didn't do that I wouldn't be able to get him to a walkable area.

Every poster on this thread lent me the encouragement to bring my "buddy" along.  I will post his pic later on.  He seems to know he's going on an adventure soon.  Just hope I can find a crate on wheels big enough for him!

Actually my greatest fear about my move was bringing my dog on such a long trip.  It turned out to be quite easy.  Last minute, I decided to upgrade to business class, and it turned out to be a blessing.  I paid around $500 for the upgrade, and it so happens that when it was time to pay for my dog's fare at the airport, the counter attendant said:  "No charge sir... you are flying business class"  I ended up saving a few hundred dollars, and they kept me posted on my dog's condition the whole trip.  Lufthansa staff at Frankfurt for connection were also extremely attentive.  They told me she was at the pet lounge and doing well, and asked me to wait at the gate until she was onboard.  A couple of minutes later, the said "Zarina is on board" over the speakers.  That is my dog's name.   Upon arrival at Istanbul, she was brought out at the oversized luggage door, and I got he out of the crate, and she was just fine.  Got a porter for my luggage and the crate, and walked her out.  The government official just got on his knees and hugged and kissed her, and called her "seker kopek" (sweet dog), and did not ask for any documents... waved us through!!!

Ricardozarina wrote:

Actually my greatest fear about my move was bringing my dog on such a long trip.  It turned out to be quite easy.  Last minute, I decided to upgrade to business class, and it turned out to be a blessing.  I paid around $500 for the upgrade, and it so happens that when it was time to pay for my dog's fare at the airport, the counter attendant said:  "No charge sir... you are flying business class"  I ended up saving a few hundred dollars, and they kept me posted on my dog's condition the whole trip.  Lufthansa staff at Frankfurt for connection were also extremely attentive.  They told me she was at the pet lounge and doing well, and asked me to wait at the gate until she was onboard.  A couple of minutes later, the said "Zarina is on board" over the speakers.  That is my dog's name.   Upon arrival at Istanbul, she was brought out at the oversized luggage door, and I got he out of the crate, and she was just fine.  Got a porter for my luggage and the crate, and walked her out.  The government official just got on his knees and hugged and kissed her, and called her "seker kopek" (sweet dog), and did not ask for any documents... waved us through!!!

Hi Ricardozarina! That's a very nice experience and good info. Apparently Lufthansa it is a very good company to fly your dog. I was think about getting Turkish Airlines to make a direct flight buy I am almost changing my mind. Just curious about the procedures on your arrival in Istanbul. Nobody asked any document? But I bet you were carrying them, right? What were these documents? Did you got any official info from Turkish gov about this?

Hello edragone and welcome to Expat.com

Kindly note that Ricardozarina is inactive for nearly 7 months now, hope you get some response back though!


Regards
Kenjee
Expat.com Team

I'm planning to move from Taipei to Istanbul in a few months and am bringing my 2 dogs with me. I'm concerned about the flight because one of my dogs is 11 years old but can't imagine leaving them behind. I flew a dog from Taipei to Toronto a few years ago (a 24 hour flight) and the dog was fine. It's unpleasant for them but I think our dogs would be much sadder if we left them behind. That's my logic anyway.

Hello! Glad I found this thread!
I brought 2 dogs with me - one lab retriever and one mix lab - and must say that we live here for a year now and still have some problems with the street dogs. Moreover, once our dog was attacked by a pet dog, which was off leash and injured my lab. My daughter is always terrified when we are followed by a pack of stray dogs.

Now I am looking for a beach where I can take dogs to swim and run around. Public beaches and super crowded, private beaches, like Babylone,  allowing dogs, but charge for a pass as much as for an adult, so taking a whole family can get quite expensive:-)
Can someone recommend a place where dogs can run and  swim without bothering others? Or it is too much to wish for in a city with 19 mln people:-)?

Thank you!

Hi kimintaiwan and Nigina_M,

Welcome on board to both of you

Maybe you should know that this thread here is a bit old and is dated 2012

I will suggesty to start a new topic on your own with all your questions on the Istanbul Forum for better visibility and more interactions please

Thank you

Maximilien

I haven't seen anyone swimming with their dogs in the beach. Well, I could actually say I haven't really seen anyone swim in Istanbul either, since the water is considered not clean enough due to heavy ship traffic through Bosphorus. For most part, I have visited islands such as Gokceada, or would advise some other places such as Fehtiye.. that is for swimming.. Though I am sure you may find some remote beaches where you could swim in Istanbul too.. And if they are remote enough, take your dog too! : )

Enjoy!

Nigina_M wrote:

Hello! Glad I found this thread!
I brought 2 dogs with me - one lab retriever and one mix lab - and must say that we live here for a year now and still have some problems with the street dogs. Moreover, once our dog was attacked by a pet dog, which was off leash and injured my lab. My daughter is always terrified when we are followed by a pack of stray dogs.

Now I am looking for a beach where I can take dogs to swim and run around. Public beaches and super crowded, private beaches, like Babylone,  allowing dogs, but charge for a pass as much as for an adult, so taking a whole family can get quite expensive:-)
Can someone recommend a place where dogs can run and  swim without bothering others? Or it is too much to wish for in a city with 19 mln people:-)?

Thank you!

Hi there,

I know this is very late after your original post, but I saw that you're bringing a dog and living near MEF - me too! I'm wondering if I can ask you a few questions about apartments and your experience.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

@ Jenn.g.m, do not hesitate to create your own thread on the Istanbul forum if you do not get any response here.

Just click on > Post new topic

All the very best 
Bhavna

Thank you, I will do that...just trying to get used to the forum process.

Can you tell me how you transported your dogs to your house/apartment after they arrived at the airport? Also, what are your experiences regarding finding a house/apartment which allows dogs?

Hello,i am traveling with my small dog to istanbul and i want to know is there any pet friendly shopping mall in istanbul?