Flying with your dog

• 08-15-2007 1:53 PM

  cesar Joined on 08-15-2007 Posts 2 Points 0

  Flying with your dog Reply Contact I am addressing this question to those who have some experience flying with their dogs. I am going to bring my dog to the US from another country. This is a long flight with one stop, and my dog is not very used to people and new situations. I am very concerned about how she will behave at the airport and during the flight. I am just curious to know the whole travel procedure from the time I enter the airport with my dog to the time we reach our destination point. Do I keep my dog in the containter all the time when we are in the airport or I will have to let him out to be inspected by a vet or when I go through the security check? Thank you for your information.

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• 08-15-2007 3:06 PM

  In reply to cesar

  VanMorrison Joined on 07-02-2007 Probably North of you... Posts 1,171 Points 770

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact I have not been on a long flight with my dog - just a 3 hour one.  How big is your dog?  How is he in a kennel or travelling in the car?   Most airports have posted signs stating that any animals must be kept in their kennels.  As we checked in he had to come out of his kennel so that it could be inspected then he went back in.  A certain handler came out and took his kennel on a flat bed (90 lb dog) into the back which is when I panicked!  After we had boarded the plane the same handler came on board, found me and assured me that Monroe (called him by name) was on board.  Even though Monroe had a mild sedative we could hear him barking during take off and landing.  It took almost 45 minutes for them to bring him to us at the luggage area at our destination.  When we landed I didn't give a hoot about the rule of staying in the kennel and Monroe came out on his leash so I could look him over.  He was happy to see us, unharmed and slept hard that night after all the excitement.   Also, keep in mind that we designed our whole relocation based on the time of year that Monroe could fly.  There are a lot of temperature restrictions and each airline is different.   I flew with a cat once when it was a stopover flight.  I was hoping to be able to see him during the stopover but that was not allowed so I was really worried.  Do you have any stopovers?  If so, I would call the airport to ask what the procedure is.   Let me know if this helps and if you need any other advice.

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• 08-15-2007 3:22 PM

  In reply to cesar

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,803 Points 850

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact I would also check on quarantine regulations.  I've never flown with an animal, but I thought that if you are going to a different country, the animal has to be quarantined for a certain amount of time.  I would call the airline you're flying with.  I know different airlines have different restrictions.  My SIL cannot transport her dog on certain airlines b/c it looks like a pit bull mix.  An ex-coworker had to Boston Terriers and always took them in small crates as carry-ons, tucked under their seats in the cabin and never had any problems. My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 08-15-2007 6:08 PM

  In reply to cesar

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact cesar, welcome to i-dog!    [sm=welcome2.gif]   I have a Word document about traveling within the U.S. with a dog as checked baggage.  It doesn't include any international stuff, but I would be happy to send you a copy.  If you click on my name (to the left), you will find a link for emailing me.    Links: CDC - Importation of Pets into the United States APHIS - USDA - Pet Travel Page NCIE - APHIS - USDA -  Importation of Pets into the United States

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• 08-15-2007 6:11 PM

  In reply to cesar

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330	RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact cesar: I am very concerned about how she will behave at the airport and during the flight. Is your dog well crate trained?   Crate training: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/spt/SPT_Crate_Training_Info.htm http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/crate.htm
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• 08-15-2007 8:28 PM

  In reply to cesar

  Cita Joined on 12-13-2006 CT Posts 4,414 Points 735	RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact What size is your dog? Would he be with you in the cabin or would he have to go in the pet storage section?
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• 08-15-2007 9:49 PM

  In reply to cesar

  Ihearthuskybutts Joined on 12-14-2006 Ontario Posts 354 Points 30

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact Other than this, your dog will most likely be in its crate. We had to wheel her around on a cart in her XL VariKennel. Very awkward! When we arrived, I took her out right in the airport and walked her through. I said screw it! LOL! I missed my poochie and was worried. And I didn't care if I got kicked out at that point. This was during the winter. We were forewarned that temperatures would be low in the compartment, but Tiku is a husky, so that was no problem. They were concerned about small or sensitive dogs. I forget which airline this was, but they said they keep the animals not with the baggage or anything, but somewhere in between there and the cabin. They told us it's near where the staff go to relax. We didn't sedate her, and we were asked to put her name on the outside of her crate so the staff could talk to her on the plane. I thought that was nice. Depending on which type of crate you have, you can use bolts to secure the top and bottom together instead of the plastic wing-nut thingies. This was recommended in the instructions that came with our plastic crate. That way, you don't have to worry about the crate coming apart when someone tries to lift it. Oh, and I could hear her when they loaded her on the plane. I could see her on the conveyor out my window too. The man that was loading her was obviously talking to her, which made me feel good. But when she got on the plane I could hear her screaming and howling. I started to cry and almost became frantic. I stood up and nearly started hyper ventilating! LOL! My husband had to calm me down. She was no worse for the wear though. She had a great time on vacation with us, and she showed no resentment towards her crate or the airport on the way home. The whole experience didn't seem to phase her at all. I'm most likely flying all three out with me this winter! Yikes!

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• 08-16-2007 2:45 PM

  In reply to cesar

  cesar Joined on 08-15-2007 Posts 2 Points 0

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact Thank you all for your input. Our dog is a big one, so he will have to fly either as a checked baggage or as cargo. He is not crate trained, so that's another problem. Also, I am not sure whether to give him a sedative or not. I would rather prefer him to sleep during the entire trip and not worry about anything. Normally, do you get a sedative from a vet? Is it usually pills? Thank you.

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• 08-16-2007 6:32 PM

  In reply to cesar

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,618 Points 330

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact cesar: Also, I am not sure whether to give him a sedative or not.  Do as much crate training as you can ASAP.  Giving sedation is not advisable.  The effects of sedation at high altitudes can be unpredictable.    http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1674&articleid=783 Tranquilizers and sedatives can affect the temperature regulation of the body and cause other adverse effects.  http://www.reloburo.com/features/pets_scheme_dec03.shtml  Deaths from over sedation are more common than any other cause during long haul transportation. The effects of sedation during increased altitude and aircraft pressure are variable and cannot be predicted for each breed or individual. Sedation also prevents the animal from bracing itself during any movement of the container, and thereby may lead to injury.

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• 08-16-2007 8:55 PM

  In reply to cesar

  TorontoJenn Joined on 07-21-2007 Toronto, Canada Posts 82 Points 0

  RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact Quote from an Air Canada website:   Shipping of live animals must comply with [linkIATA#%92s>http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/9105.htm]IATA#%92s Live Animal Regulations[/link], as well as government regulations in the country of origin, transit(s) and destination. All documentation must satisfy all ports of entry. Pet owners shall be requested to have all documents prepared prior to acceptance. All animals are inspected by government veterinary officials upon first and last point of landing. As example, if your pet is traveling to Paris via Frankfurt, the pet must clear animal inspection by German officials prior to be allowed to continue its journey to Paris. Once the pet is allowed to travel to France, it will be inspected a second time in Paris. Please note that veterinary inspection fees may be charged. Pet owners should be aware that local veterinary health certificates obtained from their animal clinic are not sufficient to clear government veterinary inspections. In order to obtain these additional documents, such as government approved health certificates, please contact Consulates and Embassies for each country.   [linkhttp://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/services/itf.html]http://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/services/itf.html[/link]

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• 12-25-2007 9:57 PM

  In reply to TorontoJenn

  pjcampbell Joined on 09-25-2007 Posts 27 Points 5

  Re: RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact We are tryng to figure out whether or not to fly with our dog... She is about 10 months old and will be about 1 year by the time we want to fly from NJ to Florida in February. We have only had her, a few months but we have had quite a bit of progress in that time.  She is "crate trained" that is, she likes the crate just fine, but we do not need to, and stopped using the crate after a couple of months.  We took the drive for Thanksgiving, which was pretty uneventful and boring, but really is tough on my wife and I.  The drive is LONG, 19-20 hours, and we have decided that stopping for the night in a hotel generally only makes the trip more miserable... we don't get any sleep in hotel beds with the dog growling at every person walking through the hotel halls, and plus my wife and I are "homebodys" so we don't really love hotels to begin with. So this basically leaves us with either driving non-stop or flying. ... we haven't figured out any other way.  I have considered something like an RV or travel trailer where at least you might be comfortable in your own surroundings for the night, but this makes the trip slower, is expensive, etc.   It is not out of the question but we haven't really figured out something that we think would work out really well... Any thoughts?

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• 12-26-2007 1:49 PM

  In reply to pjcampbell

  Pwca Joined on 09-09-2006 Dallas, Texas Posts 1,312 Points 305

  Re: RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact I'd just start with the crate training ASAP- and if you're planning to travel with the dog, continuing to use the crate as a bed- you don't have to shut her in it- makes a lot of sense- it makes it a familiar space.   PJcampbell, I would consult with a trainer and/or vet who specializes in anxiety issues, to be honest. Growling at every sound isn't a normal behavior and it sounds like she might be very nervous.

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• 12-26-2007 2:23 PM

  In reply to Pwca

  pjcampbell Joined on 09-25-2007 Posts 27 Points 5	Re: RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact Considering the situation... a very unfamiliar place with loud people walking through the hallways ...the growling behavior does not really concern me.  This is a non issue at home or in Florida where we are going (parent's house).
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• 12-26-2007 3:04 PM

  In reply to pjcampbell

  Pwca Joined on 09-09-2006 Dallas, Texas Posts 1,312 Points 305

  Re: RE: Flying with your dog Reply Contact pjcampbell: Considering the situation... a very unfamiliar place with loud people walking through the hallways ...the growling behavior does not really concern me.  This is a non issue at home or in Florida where we are going (parent's house).   Well... it's not so much the growling itself that worries me is that why is she doing it? NONE of my three- nor any of the fosters I've had- woudl have found this anxiety-provoking enough to growl. Address the underlying (presumably anxiety, could be something else) and you'll address the problem. Additionally, if she growls the whole time her crate is being handled at the airport, for example, they may decline to fly her.

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