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Flying a dog

Deeko

Deeko

Lifer
I'm moving in a couple of weeks, and I have the option of flying or driving. I'd rather not drive because its a good 3,000 miles. So obviously, flying is the preferred way to get there.

I have a 1.5 year old lab who is coming with me. Has anyone flown with a dog before? What's the procedure? I assume I'll need to get a different crate, the one I have a collapsable wire frame crate. He is current on his shots, but will the airline require anything from the vet? Any other tips/things I should know?

Thanks
 
Originally posted by: paulxcook
I think it's common to give them a sedative so they sleep the whole time.
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:thumbup;

He's young so it shouldn't be a problem. Talk to your vet about it.
 
Do some googling. I know some airlines are much better than others in caring for your pet.

Yes, you'll need an airline's approved crate (one of those plastic ones).

Make sure the pilot knows that you have a dog in the hold (he will be cognizant of delays/etc).

Provide some ice cubes/chips in a clipped dish as the flight will dehydrate him.
 
They do have blackout dates where they won't allow you to "ship" your pets. This is usually in the winter and summer (theres a range in temperature they check against)
 
The exact rules differ from airline to airline. If you know which airline you'll be travelling on, call them (specifically their air cargo/air freight office at the airport you'll be leaving from) and ask them what their rules are.

Don't forget to ask them about their drop off procedures are (most make you leave your dog+crate specifically at the air cargo office, which is usually located in an obscure part of the airport and nowhere near the main terminals).

As stated by others, talking to your vet is probably a good idea too.

Dave
 
Thanks for the info.

I have an appointment next week to go over anything I need done from him. Unfortunately I don't know which airline yet, so I can't get the exact requirements, but I should know by the end of the week. Are the crate requirements generally the same from airline to airline? I'd like to get the new one ASAP so he can get acclimated to it before the trip.
 
Originally posted by: Deeko
Thanks for the info.

I have an appointment next week to go over anything I need done from him. Unfortunately I don't know which airline yet, so I can't get the exact requirements, but I should know by the end of the week. Are the crate requirements generally the same from airline to airline? I'd like to get the new one ASAP so he can get acclimated to it before the trip.
Click to expand...

Crate requirements should be the same for all airlines. Here is one example - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/...+38+16017&pcatid=16017

Note, how airlines handle pets can vary greatly. Here's one article I found - http://www.dogfriendly.com/ser...ne/m0802/f0802_1.shtml
 
Flying a dog
anyone here done this?
Click to expand...


Nope, sadly, I've only had dogs that walked and ran. I'm sure being able to fly a dog would be fun though...but would you still be responsible for "poop-scooping?"
 
I sent one to my wife's uncle on Alaska Airlines from Seattle to San Jose. Put him in a small dog crate with water and food for the day, and he did OK. Be careful with the doggie downers. We tried those with my Jack Russell, and he had a siezure the next day. We called the vet and she admitted that it was a potential side effect of the drug. Thanks for warning us!:disgust:
 
It's pretty easy... I've flown my dog back and forth between Alaska and Hawaii a few times now.

1. Health certificate from your vet. Just tell them you're flying. Most airlines require that the cert be issued within 10-14 days of travel. Make sure you set an appt early so you don't get shut out at your vet.

2. Your crate has to be big enough for the dog to stand and lie down naturally. There must be two dishes for water (the kind that attach to the wire mesh on the gate of the kennel) and one for food. They likely won't feed him and they won't let him out to pee if you're on multiple stops. You might want to pack some of those pet wipes so you can clean him up if he can't hold it all the way. You'll have to buy a crate pad for the bottom of the crate. You might want to let him have a ball or a toy. Don't give him a rawhide or anything like that. He'll get very thirsty and there is a small possibility of him choking on it in flight.

3. Someone mentioned sedatives... if your dog is properly crate trained you shouldn't need to do that. My dog just chills in his box. He's so used to it he doesn't care.

4. Check your airline to see what the temperature restrictions are. Some airlines have temp restrictions where they won't fly your dog if the forcasted temps are too hot or too cold (you won't know until your day of flight if your dog can fly with you or not), some have black out seasons where they won't fly a dog and some have no restrictions at all. (Alaska Airlines)

5. Once you're on the plane the flight attendant will hand you a small ticket that tells you your dog is on board. If you don't get that ticket, ring for an attendant and tell them you're supposed to have a dog on board and that you have not received your ticket.

6. When he gets off the plane he will need to PEE. Before you pull your other luggage grab your dog and take him outside. Let him pee on an ash tray or something. Then go back in and get your luggage. Those little luggage carts you get for $2 are very useful when traveling with a dog.

 
You just buy them a ticket and they get flown cargo. i flew my dog out to Florida from Texas a couple of months ago. You will most likely need a proof of vaccinations, and a kennel big enough for them to turn around in. And you most likely will have to pick him up at the freight terminal.
 
I would NEVER fly a pet. There are so many horror stories about how pets are treated on planes and how they are not the same animals mentally when you get to where you're going.

Just for the sake of my dog, I would drive wherever I had to go.
 
I thought this thread was going to be about something you read in Urban Dictionary. My mind was in overdrive, flying a dog, what could that mean? I know what they probably mean by dog, but what would flying it mean?

Now I find out we're talking about taking a dog on an airplane. What a let down.

 
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