flying with your pets?

[pumpkinpony]

A friend of mine took a Westie I picked up on the side of the road and flew back across the country with her. As you say it is a tight fit for a Westie in an approved under-the-seat sized kennel.. Spend some time working with your dog prior to the flight, slowly increasing the length of time he spends in the kennel. Make it a good experience! Lots of little treats. I gave my friend one of those rolls of pet food you see at the checkout area at Petco and she broke pieces off of it and gave it to the dog periodically.

The only problem she ran into was security making her take the dog out of the kennel during screening. She was concerned about getting her back in, but we had spent enough time with the dog and treats that she practically flew back into the kennel when it was opened up.

I used to work for the airlines, and I agree with your husband. I would never send a pet of mine (or recommend it to anyone else) via the cargo option.

Every airlines website has posted rules and regulations for pet travel. Some have limits on the number/type in the cabin, some require paperwork from your vet, etc. You definitely want to check the appropriate airlines website before going to the airport!

[dinabean]

I've flown with my Yorkie (4 lbs) many, many times, both pre- and post- 9/11. He's small enough that if he gets whiney, I can sneak him on my lap under a blanket and no one really notices, but for shorter flights, he's done fine. A lot of it depends on the temperament of your dog -- I have friends who give their dogs a vet-approved mild sedative when getting on the plane to ease their dog's anxiety. Be sure, too, to walk your dog as last-minute as possible before going through security, and ASAP when you get off the plane. You will have to take the dog out of the carrier while going through security (it doesn't go through the XRay machine!) so the dog has to be comfortable being in your arms through that portion of things as well.

Good luck! It's gotten harder to travel with the dog since we've had the kids, but we do love having him with us when we can.

And if you can't bring the dog, consider a dog walker in lieu of boarding for an older dog. THey will come to your house 3x a day or so, exercise your dog, etc., but the dog gets to sleep in its normal spot, etc. We do that when possible if we can't bring Tucker with us.

Hope this helps!

[gfbikernyc]

Thanks everyone.
I managed to trick him into the Sherpa bag today - he wasn't very happy but did stay inside for 20 minutes. He did bark though when I went to check up on him and let him out. Oh well.......looks like I will have to go to the pet store tomorrow and get more treats!

[emily_in_nc]

Glad this was posted as we are going to have to deal with when we move and transport our Boston Terrier, Paisley, to Belize . The fact that it is an international flight just makes it all the more iffy as to whether it will all work out and be allowed. I do NOT want her flying in cargo (w/her smushed face, she's even more likely to have problems with temperature and breathing than most dogs), but she's definitely on the edge of not being able to fit into an airline approved under-seat carrier. It's only a 3-hour flight, so I am sure she'd be totally fine even if she couldn't stand in the carrier, but the regulations say she needs to be able to. She's a shorter but long Boston Terrier, 16 lbs, and we'll just have to buy a carrier and see if it would ever work. If not, I have no idea what we'll do. I envy dinabean w/her 4-lb. Yorkie!