Getting the Crate (or Bungalow) Ready for Flight

The only thing standing between Fido and disaster on a flight is her crate. So, take care you get this part right.


Fido's hideout has to be big enough for your friend to stand up, turn around, strech out, and generally be comfortable. Does she like to cuddle in a donut bed? She might prefer longer and narrower versus shorter and wider for those dogs who like to stretch out. Hard-sided plastic, non-folding crates are required, and why would you want anything else? Choose one with metal windows and door. Make sure there is a rim extending out where the top and bottom pieces of the crate screw together. In case the crate gets shoved up against Aunt Lulu's oversized luggage, a wall, or perhaps Aunt Lulu, oxygen can still make it through the windows and door. We used VeriCrate because they have been around forever and breeders seem fond of them, but any brand with good construction should be fine.

There are no hard and fast rules for labeling the crate...but, it probably goes without saying that at minimum you need: dog's name, your name, your cell phone number (or someone's cell number), dog's flight number and destination, and indicate you are flying on the same flight. And don't be shy with the "live animal" labels and arrows "suggesting" this way up. It only helps!

Because this is a compulsive parent's guide, I'll share that we also attached a photo of our dear terrier to the top of the crate with a caption reading "Aloha...My name is Sparkles and I'm very sweet." The idea is baggage handlers will calm her by saying "hi Sparkles" as they are transporting her here and there. "How the hell do they know my name?"

I'm a huge advocate of over labeling. I know breeders and show dog people who fly dogs all the time would consider my labeling excessive, but they do it all the time...and you probably will only do it just this once. So, my theory is the more labeling you have, the more the airline knows you care, the less they want to deal with a compulsive, erratic dog owner, and the better the dog will be treated. Plus, it feeds your compulsive need to do everything you can, right?

Make the inside nice and comfy with a fleece blanket or pillow or rectangle doggie bed or whatever Fido finds comfortable. We used a doggie bed from EarthDog. Its rectangular and fits perfectly in her crate. Topped with a fleece blanket for warmth, it made quite the doggie pad!

Water, water, everywhere. That pretty much sums up my feeling on including water in a crate for air transport. Some people have managed to train their dogs how to drink out of water drop bottles and other strange contraptions you might find on a circus road show. Others try freezing water the night before, but by the time your pup is loaded onto the flight, the ice will be water and water will be everywhere.

Best advice? Hydrate before Fido goes into the crate making sure she has ample opportunity to pee too. Next, if you really want to put water in the crate, get a regcangle, deep container that will neatly fit into the front of the crate next to the door. Fit it snuggly next the floor of the crate, not on top of the bed or blanket you have made, but right against the floor. That way, if the water spills, it won't get all over the dog's bed. If you are planning to do this, its a good idea to practice with Fido so she figures out before d-day that "hey, there's water in here!"

Know your dog's habits. My terrier rarely drinks water when we aren't around. She'll hold out for at least 8 hours or so. So, dogs can survive without it...or at least mine can. After a 5 hour flight, plus 3 hours or so of waiting to board/deboard, she was very thirsty and ready to pee, but alive and kickin'.