New puppy comin' - need advice!

[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!

[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...

[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.

[mtbdarby]

DM, here's another option. I have a friend who is a pilot. He's working on his commercial license and while logging more miles, has started being a "taxi" for people at reduced rates (he can't turn a profit without a commercial license). For example, he charged $400 for 2 people roundtrip from Madison to Indianapolis. I know your trip is longer, but maybe you could contact your local airport and get in touch with someone that deals with the private fliers and see if anyone is interested. Then you get a birds eye view in the cockpit, travel faster, no going through the airport (they have their own private hangers) and new addition is right next to you. Just a thought...

[Trek420]

Veronica "Then there is the whole hassle of finding places to sleep that are pup friendly."

That's not hard to do at all.

Mae the wonder dog and my ex (back in the day when she wasn't and ex) I did a trip in the Southwest, I took 3 books and it was very serendiptious.

We'd pick a town to head for I would call right from the road and check their "dog policy".

I have the books at home and I can even send them to you though they might not be up to date. One I got for free simply by calling AAA, ordered the other two.

There was even one hotel that we called, they said it was ok, we arrived and they said "oh, you talked to so and so, he's new, we don't take dogs" I was headed back to the car when the manager followed me out, saw Mae-the-wonder dog and changed her mind when she saw the cute shelter-mutt. And this was before she'd been obedience trained.

So if you want a road trip with the pup, very do-able.

[Bikingmomof3]

Yeah, Trek, why is that? Are you running OS X Tiger? I am, and my "quotes" look like the PC'ers'. Are you using Safari or something else?

(mmmm, Mac talk. I feel so technical... )

Edit: what spell check button?

Still hijacking the thread-only because I am relieved to not be the only one without a spell checkl button. That should hopefully explain many of my typos to others.

Now back to puppy adoption!

[colby]

I'm so excited for you, dogmama (and jealous!).

Like Salsa, I was thinking there might be some rescue/transport groups you could explore that would safely and happily transport your new family member without using airplanes. You're trusting strangers, but it's not nearly as scary as flying would be for the poor thing.

On my most recent flight from Seattle to San Diego, there was a woman with a service dog in training. It looked like he was pretty young, and not well-trained yet (wandered a little), but he did get to fly in the cabin. Might be another option, as some have mentioned. Anything to get your baby home safe!!

[CyclChyk]

How big is the puppy? Should be small enough to fit in a carrier? Some airlines will allow a carrier that can fit under the seat to be under the seat. Alot of people with small dogs, chi's; yorkshire's, etc, utilize this option. That way your baby never touches cargo/baggage and never leaves your sight.

I think all you need to do to utilize this option is buy a ticket for the pet. Not sure of the going rate tho.

[maryellen]

definitely ck out the option of a private/charter flight. years ago i was arranging a meeting w attendees from all around north america; i was surprised at how relatively inexpensive charter flights were for certain participants. definitely worth checking out.

[tygab]

no advice to offer, but please post pics when the new baby comes home!

[Trek420]

While I agree with Lisa that rescue is best, Mae the wonder dog is a shelter pet, I've had near countless rescue cats over the years I can also understand if your purpose is show/agility wanting to know certain traits will be there.

I know Mae would enjoy agility, she does jumps with ease, enjoys going down the slide in the playground which is fun to watch.

I may try to build some "playground equipment" in my patio, she'd love that.

But though she's made tremendous progress vs. when I got her she's reactive to other dogs so we work mostly on our own.

She's now sitting in on her 3rd obedience class which is good. I now know I should never have stopped going to classes, should be constant for her.

There are Agility leagues for rescue dogs, if she passed Cannine Good Citizen she could go on to therapy dog work but that's probably not going to happen.

If I'd known that I might enjoy agility and or obedience training with a dog would I have "temperment tested" her? If I had done that she was part pit (how'd I miss that?) I'd have got another dog and I'd have missed her.

I've read that the good thing about a rescue (besides the karma points) is that you get the dog you're gonna get. The bad thing is you get the dog you're gonna get Whatever occured in her puppy'hood is there and we may never be able to completely erase that.

I know she tries to be the best dog she can be.

I'm sure that Dogmamas pup will be a great dog, and perhaps can use her (his?) skills to help other dogs like Mae to excell at being the best dog they can be and that will be wonderful.