New puppy comin' - need advice!

[Pedal Wench]

AAA has a book of pet-friendly hotels all across the country. I called them and they shipped it to me for free

[SalsaMTB]

Do you know a lot of people around the country? I've read about transports (typically for a rescue) across the country. It takes some organization, but if you some people along the way, maybe it could work. You just need a few people who are willing to watch the puppy for a night and make a long drive.

Just another option.

[kaybee]

DM, congrats on the prospective new baby! I've flown with my dog as cargo, and having done that once, don't think I would ever do it again, but that's just my opinion. It was pretty stressful for my little guy. I second the fly out-drive back suggestion, since it's pretty easy to find a pet friendly hotel these days. I've even sneaked one of mine into a hotel that was not pet friendly, but would never suggest that you do that!

KB

[Tuckervill]

Do you know a lot of people around the country? I've read about transports (typically for a rescue) across the country. It takes some organization, but if you some people along the way, maybe it could work. You just need a few people who are willing to watch the puppy for a night and make a long drive.

That's what I was going to say.

Since most of your trip would be along I-40, I'd be happy to take the leg across Oklahoma for a tank of diesel. (My car gets 40 mpg). There are organizations that will do this, I know.

Karen

[hiker chick]

My then 9-week old (11 pound) Samoyed flew in the airplane cabin with me in '02 from Denver to DC (American Airlines, I believe, but not sure about that). So long as they can stand up and turn around in a "sherpa" bag designed for going under an airplane seat, it's allowed and a great way to go. A German Shepherd puppy probably is bigger, though. Perhaps you should go for the runt of the litter.

Gidget slept the entire way, endured a connection and never made a peep (as an adult, she's quite vocal). Her breeder had said that for puppies, the air pressure change is like a narcotic. Sure enough it was in that instance.

Airlines typically allow only a dog or two in the cabin. I recall that it cost $50. And if I had been unable to secure a place for her on the plane, I was prepared to rent a car and drive from Colorado to DC. Dog-friendly hotels are common. I've since driven across country twice with Gidget and never had a problem with hotels. Comfort Inn was my favorite cheaper chain but I believe the pet policy varies by location.

If you have to send the pup as luggage/cargo, at least November is about the best time of year, weather-wise. Sure would do a lot of research on precisely which container to transport them in. Some are better than others.

Definately get a non-stop flight to minimize time and opportunities for cargo handlers to screw up. On that note, below is a U.S. Department of Transportation link to the monthly reports of airline data, including stats and incidence reports on animals who have died while in possession of the airlines. The dead animal reports are a recent requirement.

Dogs should not be tranquilized when flying. If I had to fly my dog as cargo, I would need to tranquilize myself, whether or not I was on the plane.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/atcr06.htm

And some tips on making air transport of pets safer:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer..._airtraveltips

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/ca..._policies.html

Good luck and congrats on the new pup!

[Ninabike]

If you must fly, a friend of mine who was a breeder and showed dogs all over the world told me that Delta is the best airline for animal transport. The cargo area is pressurized and heated and they make accomodations for animals. You might want to call them and inquire. (This was several years ago and I don't know if things have changed.)

Nina

[chickwhorips]

congrats on the new addition. i say go out on pick him/her up. great bonding time for you.

alaska airlines is great with flying animals! wheni had to fly my two up here from phoenix the were so nice about it. we were delayed and they even put my two in the boss's office with air con and walked them for me. you get a little ticket that says Don't worry I'm on board. when they put them on the aircraft. bad news, don't think AK Airlines flies out that way from you.

i know its never racking traveling with pets. if you could get the puppy on as a dog in training that would be great, otherwise just stay on top of where the puppy is at all times. that's what i did when i flew with mine. the airline was really nice about it. i heard the same thing about delta or northwest flying dogs around.

good luck.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I love animals- and over the years have had and loved my share of expensive purebred beauties, both dogs and cats.
Four years ago I adopted 2 cats from the local shelter, and in the process I visited many times and saw so many sad homeless unwanted animals there- it just broke my heart. I also saw all the volunteers there working on a bare shoestring budget.
That was when I decided that from then on I would adopt shelter animals whenever I was ready for another "child".
Since then, I give a small donation to 2 different animal shelters here every year. Our stringband also volunteers our music services for the fund raising event of the Humane Society as well, which is a huge success.
I DO empathize with your wanting a new and very special dog in your life. But all those hundreds of dollars spent just to GET the puppy to you?- please do consider how many homeless and sick abandoned animals could be saved or helped with that kind of money. Or perhaps there is room in your heart and home for a "rescue shepherd" waiting near you somewhere and hoping beyond hope for a home it may never have?
I don't mean to be judgemental- just wanted to raise another viewpoint to consider as well...

[Squeaky]

I love animals- and over the years have had and loved my share of expensive purebred beauties, both dogs and cats.
Four years ago I adopted 2 cats from the local shelter, and in the process I visited many times and saw so many sad homeless unwanted animals there- it just broke my heart. I also saw all the volunteers there working on a bare shoestring budget.
That was when I decided that from then on I would adopt shelter animals whenever I was ready for another "child".
Since then, I give a small donation to 2 different animal shelters here every year. Our stringband also volunteers our music services for the fund raising event of the Humane Society as well, which is a huge success.
I DO empathize with your wanting a new and very special dog in your life. But all those hundreds of dollars spent just to GET the puppy to you?- please do consider how many homeless and sick abandoned animals could be saved or helped with that kind of money. Or perhaps there is room in your heart and home for a "rescue shepherd" waiting near you somewhere and hoping beyond hope for a home it may never have?
I don't mean to be judgemental- just wanted to raise another viewpoint to consider as well...

Well said. I cry whenever I walk into an animal shelter, I just can't help it. The homeless dogs and cats always get overlooked for the new shinny models. I want to save them all...

[chickwhorips]

another thought: is the breeder that your getting the puppy from crate training the puppies at all? if she is then it will make traveling much easier for the both of you. i know some breeders do crate train while others don't.

[Dogmama]

ISince then, I give a small donation to 2 different animal shelters here every year. Our stringband also volunteers our music services for the fund raising event of the Humane Society as well, which is a huge success.
I DO empathize with your wanting a new and very special dog in your life. But all those hundreds of dollars spent just to GET the puppy to you?- please do consider how many homeless and sick abandoned animals could be saved or helped with that kind of money.

Lisa, my cat is a rescue - just a day away from the needle at the Humane Society because he is black & nobody wants a black cat (according to them.) I will always have rescue cats.

I give hundreds of dollars annually to our local Humane Society and ASPCA. When Katrina hit, I sent money via a credit card to the ASPCA to help the animals - figured the people would have shelters! I have volunteered (and will do again when I retire) with local dog training clubs to help people with their dogs. My hope is that if Fido can sit/stay and generally be a good member of the family, he won't end up in the pound.

I also want a dog that I can show in AKC obedience and that means a registered dog. Because my love is German Shepherds, I insist on buying from a careful breeder (not a puppy mill) as the breed is riddled with health problems. I neuter/spay immediately - always have.

I appreciate your opinion and agree wholeheartedly. I've been in dog training for 35 years and hopefully have convinced many people to neuter or spay. My favorite retort to "Oh, I want little Bubba Jr. to witness the beauty of birth!" is "Well, then have Bubba Jr. go to the pound on euthansia day to witness the result of your folly."

[Dogmama]

The drive is a minimum 3 day (10 hours/day) drive. We decided that this might be more stressful for Junior than a short plane ride. If it were any shorter, I'd do it. I had already mapped out flying over, renting a car & driving back.

So, we fly to Charlotte NC, rent a car to go to the thriving metropolis of Lenoir. Spend a day, pick up Junior & drive to Atlanta. Take a 4 hour direct flight on Delta (supposedly pet friendly airline) to Phoenix. S/he is booked as baggage, but I'm going to plead, whine, cry and generally beg to bring Junior on the flight inside of the cabin. Then we drive 1.5 hours from Phoenix to Tucson.

Thank goodness for good travel agents!

[Nanci]

Another good thing about going out there and flying back with the pup is you get to see and meet mom. That's pretty informative, I think.

I've flown dogs as cargo and not had any problems. I've also flown with them as baggage and not had any problems. I don't believe there is a price difference for a pet ticket between cabin/baggage, and the last time I flew with Dillbird, his ticket was $75 each way. The size of the under-seat carrier is small- the pup diefinitely couldn't sit or stand.

Nanci