Flying Your Dog: A Compulsive Parent's Guide

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Sparkle's Top 10 (uhhh...12) Tips for Flying with Your Pooch





#1 Go to http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/index.htm and get the scoop on the safest airline for dogs

#2 Buy a good quality crate that's big enough for your dog to stand, turn, lay down and line with blankets or other comfortable material

#3 Help your dog adjust to the crate NOW!(very important, deserves mentioning x100)

#4 Label your crate like mad (use permanent marker to write directly on the crate and use clear packing tape to adhese paper labels), reflective tape is also helpful

#5 Put extra crate screws, leash, and treats in a ziploc and tape (use clear packing tape) to the top of the crate

#6 Buy a bungee cord to secure the crate door while in flight

#7 Be smart: Take a direct flight if possible, don't fly when too hot or too cold

#8 Create a note for the pilot and tell ALL airport personnel that you are traveling with your dog and do NOT get on the plane without seeing with your own eyes that your dog has been loaded

#9 Do NOT sedate your dog

#10 Call the airline multiple times to confirm the dog's reservation, excactly what you need to bring on flight day, where you should check-in, will the crate go thru a security search, and where your pooch will go once checked-in

#11 On flight day make sure she has had something to eat (although not too recently) and has relieved herself and is well hydrated before you get to the airport

#12 AND...Act Normal: your dog is okay, you are okay, everything is okay!

posted by seattlegal at 6:47 PM

3 Comments:

  • Hi! Thank you for visiting my blog! I love that dog picture!! :) My dogs are too afraid to fly, so I have to drive everywhere!! Lol!

    You asked about the new holistic vet I am trying out and here is the Website:

    http://animalhealingcenter.com/

    It's right in Redmond and I *hope* they will work out to meet our needs!! :) :)

    By Blogger Candi, at 7:49 PM  

  • Thanks Candi! I have an appt. set up and hope it will work out. Sparkles didn't want to fly, but we moved from Hawaii to Seattle last October and there was no other choice, although I gave serious consideration to sneaking her on board :)I would never fly her again, but sometimes you don't have a choice.

    By Blogger seattlegal, at 7:51 PM  

  • Restrictions usually mean:

    1. Size of the dog that can go in the cabin (varies by airline and is usually judged by the crate size - it has to fit under your seat)
    2. Won't fly any animal if its too hot or too cold (varies by airline and travel origin/destination)
    3. Won't fly pugs or other short nose dogs because they have breathing problems at high alt. (common among airlines)
    4. Crate specifications (just follow what I have listed on the blog and you will be fine)

    Here is United page on restrictions, et cetera:

    http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1048,00.html

    Unfortunately, each airline has different requirements, so you can't really generalize. Usually they have info. on their website, but you really have to search for it! And then you have to call and confirm that what's on the website is current. I would call until you get an answer you are satisfied and then I would call back a few times to confirm. This way you are getting a straight answer. It is VERY frustrating to call the airlines about this...usually you speak with 3 or so people before you get one that knows what they are talking about.

    Good luck to you! And let me know if you have any other questions.

    By Blogger seattlegal, at 12:06 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home