New puppy comin' - need advice!

[Aggie_Ama]

I agree rescuing is wonderful. In my case I have two purebreds. I needed to know how big my dog would be because I lived in an apartment with a strict weight limit. I couldn't find a shelter pup that was grown and under the limit, the puppies it was hard to tell what they might end up being. The only small dogs I could find at the shelter were Chihuahuas and no offense but I don't care for them! If you want a dog for a purpose (agility), purebred is sometimes best. My next dogs (way in the future) will probably be pound puppies because I will have a house!

About traveling, I know my Director at work just got back from Chicago and flew the entire flight back sitting next to a full grown Westie. The owner bought the dog a seat. She also said her dad flies with his dog tucked under the seat. I think he has a Jack Russell.

[DDH]

My long haired GS dog is a rescue dog. He is a great dog, but if you want to show, you cannot do it without registration papers. I don't know aobut agility, but a show dog can't show without papers and they cannot be fixed where a pound puppy must be spayed or neutered.

I adopted a dog from the pound once that we had to take back. She was nipping at the kids and going for their faces. She wouldn't do it to the adults, but with the kids, and bad thing was she wouldn't quit until she actually got them. I had already gotten her shots, gotten her spayed, and had her about 8 weeks or so and it just got worse so we had to take her back. I don't know what happened to her, but I told them that she would be a good dog for an adult couple or older couple but no one with kids. Sad thing is, she was for my son and he had picked her out. I didn't want her put down and told them so, but I am afraid that is probably what was going to happen.

So I have had mixed results with rescue dogs. The GS is great, was a year and 1/2 old when we got him and the mixed breed we got was a little aggressive towards kids and was a medium sized dog. They said she was a beagle mix, but who really knows.

[Trek420]

When I was looking for a dog we surfed the animal rescue sites.

My ex wanted a Papillon (small breed, very smart dogs). The Papillon rescue association would not agree to let us have a dog. They wanted retirees, not people who work and would be gone during the day, and I guess they can find enough of them so that was out.

Off we went to the pound.

In a perfect world I'd be retired or win the Lotto and devote my time to Mae and my bikes. I have a neighbor who walks her, Mae loves the dog walker and vice versa and that has made a noticable difference in her behavior.

I wanted a mutt, felt some breeds tend to have specific conditions, dalmations often are blind, hip conditions in Shepards etc and a mutt could be healthier. Actually I did not want a dog at all, guess who the dog bonded with?

[roguedog]

Hey DogMama

I'm there with ya. I never wanted to fly my dog. Heard all the horror stories and besides I like driving anyway.

So..hmm.. if it's too much time to drive.. ya know what I might do?? I have a couple friends who are pilots (private) and they always seem to love to fly...

If you can find a couple flying clubs in the area I'd see if there might be a volunteer willing to log some hours while you pay for the fuel

These pilots always have to have hours logged for their various certifications so it might be a win-win..

I dunno.. seems like a better idea for everyone all round.

Also.. if that doesn't turn anything up, I'd also google pet transportation services.

[Pascale]

I flew my 12 week old borzoi pup up from Tampa - when the big cargo door opened there she was, sitting up in the crate saying "HERE I AM!!!!!!". I swear nothing fazes this dog.

At the zoo, we'd fly animals all the time cargo - animals with much higher stress levels than domestic dogs, and in my 14 years I don't ever recall a negative incident.

If you fly them, be sure to follow the directions about proper crating, crate identification, and securing the crate. It wouldn't hurt to have the pup microchipped ahead of the flight as well, but honestly, an 8 week pup isn't running too fast too far if it gets loose (which, yes, happens, it makes the news, but it's pretty rare).

That being said, I'm personally driving down to Missouri to pick up my new Borzoi pup in person on Friday (it's cheaper than flying him, actually)

[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.

[Lenusik]

Congratulations on the new puppy! If you can drive back, it is much easier on the dog, especially this young. Here is a wonderful website that will help you plan your trip and find pet friendly hotels: http://www.petswelcome.com/
I love this site and use it a lot!
Do not send your puppy in a baggage. This is very stressful and not safe especially for a puppy that can catch anything. If you could take him in cabin, it is better. But try to figure out the way to drive back.

[LBTC]

DogMama I am sooo happy that you'll be adding a new love into your family! Congratulations! I know that she/he will bring that special love and healing that you and your DH need.

I agree with Lisa that a pound puppy may be a more karmic and essentially less expensive option, however, my DH and I have our favourite breed (Border Collie) and once even drove three hours, 2 days before Christmas, to pick our Diva up from a breeder. I don't favour dogs from breeders, it was just the scenario that worked at the time. And she's a wonderful addition to the family. You know best what works for you.

The trip sounds complicated, but, like everything else, if it's worth doing (and I know you think it is) you won't mind the details at all. I love some of the ideas that have been posted here.

I flew our special Yogi the cancer dog once in December on WestJet and they were absolutely wonderful, although it was torturous being in the cabin and worrying about him in his crate in cargo. It was avery short flight, and we made it to our destination fine and nearly stress-free. I can't imagine flying any of our babies without one of us being on the plane, too!

I love the charter idea best because it will take so much less time than driving, and should let your baby be with you in the cabin. Not that I've been on one in decades, but does anyone take the train anymore? I wonder if there are options there, since it is more comfortable than a car in that you can walk around, and have your own cabin....but I have no idea if there is passenger/overnight train service in your area, or if they allow dogs.....just maybe something to consider. It would allow you to fly out without having to rent a car to come back (if you didn't want to fly baby home)....and it would let you give baby all the attention you want during the trip. Just a thought.

Keep us posted on what you decide and on how the trip goes.

Namaste,
~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!

[Bad JuJu]

I've also heard that Delta is one of the most pet-friendly airlines there is. I think there are even times/places when they simply won't fly pets because of high temps.

Anyway, good luck with your trip, and try to find time to post some pix of the little one when you get him home!

[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

[KnottedYet]

I love the idea of Dillbird flying in a plane. I don't know why, but it just tickles me!

[hiker chick]

I'm going to plead, whine, cry and generally beg to bring Junior on the flight inside of the cabin.

Get him one of these to wear -- extra extra small -- and he'll look convincingly like an assistance dog in training.

http://www.sitstay.com/store/clothing/service1.shtml

My Samoyed's a certified therapy dog. For liability reasons she wears her organization cape only on official visits. Sometimes when we're going to a dog-friendly retail store I've put her non-official cape on because it puts at ease people who may be afraid of dogs. It is not my intent, but it also keeps a lot of people from approaching her because they assume she's an assistance dog. I actually like adults and children to approach Gidget because it's good practice for her therapy work.

In a perversion of the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a psychiatrist will affirm that you need your pet with you at all times for your mental health, then airlines have felt obliged to oblige by letting the animal ride in the cabin.

I personally couldn't in good conscience play the ADA card, but many have.

The Atlanta-to-Phoenix direct flight sounds like a very good plan. With a crate for the pup to ride in, I don't think a long car ride would be a problem for the pup. In fact, the quality time on your lap and stops at public places like rest areas, restaurants and hotels would be excellent socialization opportunities. Socializing with people, that is. Not having had all its shots, the pup would be dangerously young to mix with other dogs.

High-quality breeders fly beloved and valuable dogs every day. 99% of the time there is no problem. On that note, it's probably safer than driving.