Traveling with Dog for Holidays

adpiucf · #1 12-08-2005, 02:03 PM

I'll be flying to Florida with my cocker spaniel in a few weeks.

Any advice for preparing an animal for her first plane ride? She sleeps in her crate, which is an airline approved carrier, and she will be flying in cargo.

Also, she's about 7 months old, and for the most part, house trained. I'm worried about taking her to a new house. Any advice on minimizing accidents?

Of course, I plan to watch her like a hawk. There will be other dogs her size in the house. All (including my pup) are well socialized with other dogs, so I know there will be lots of racing around the house, chewing toys and playing together.

Thanks for any advice! We're booked on Continental, who require us to have current health certificate no older than 10 days and for her to be dropped off at least one hour before takeoff.

I'm mostly nervous about the flight and her not going potty in the crate if she gets scared... and about the possibility of house accidents in my friends' home.

ladypi · #2 12-08-2005, 03:11 PM

I fly with my little Chihuahua ALL the time. I take her everywhere that I go. How many pounds is your puppy??? Because if she is under 20 lbs she can go on the actual plane with you. She would fit under the seat in front of you. I HIGHLY advise against putting a little puppy in cargo. It isn't temperature or pressure regulated down there and can be very tramatic for animals. It would be better to put her in a kennel instead. I go to the vet and get my dog little doggie Valiums to take before the flight to take the edge off. She flies really well and has never had an accident in her kennel. She threw up twice though so I wouldn't feed your dog for several hours before the flight.

rho4life · #3 12-08-2005, 03:23 PM

If you DO decide to bring it on board, you can't sit in the exit rows [with extra leg room] under FAA regs. I was on a flight that got delayed b/c no one realized that the guy in the exit row had a dog until we pushed back from the gate. Someone had to switch with him before we could take off. No one close by volunteered, and we ended up missing our take off slot, and having to wait an extra 30 mins or so.

AXO Alum · #4 12-08-2005, 03:44 PM

For the flight, you may want your vet to prescribe a mild sedative for your pooch. It may keep her a little more relaxed -- and we all know "relax" isn't in the definition of cocker spaniel!

For the place you will be staying - keep an eye out for ANY and all plants - pointsettia's are poisonous to animals, as are several other "holiay" related plants. And keep an eye out for chocolate - if there are going to be smaller children around, they often think that sharing chocolate with a dog is the best gift ever. They don't realize the danger involved.

I am glad you are getting to take your dog with you - I always hate having to leave my puppies at home when we travel & can't take them.

KSig RC · #5 12-08-2005, 04:33 PM

Make sure your dog has taken its medication, so it won't flip out and get shot.

-RC
--The more you know

adpiucf · #6 12-08-2005, 04:48 PM

I called the vet and scheduled an app't for late next week.

She has to ride in cargo... I'm mostly nervous about that... her being cold or scared...

As far as going to our friends' home--- there will be three other cocker spaniels running around and one baby -- so the place is pretty well puppy and child proofed. I just don't want her going potty on the expensive Oriental rugs because she is confused!

Has anyone else dealt with this in puppy potty training at a new house? We have puppy school on Sat; I plan to ask the instructor.

kstar · #7 12-08-2005, 05:15 PM

Do you have clothing for the dog? Or a blanket that you can wrap him up in? That usually helps with traveling/the cold.

Also, do you have any layovers? If you do, make sure the airline will let you walk him between flights. It's always a good idea to withhold water for a few hours before the flight, to ensure no accidents.

I completely second the sedative for the dog.

And I was told that the cargo bays where animals are located ARE pressurized.

Tom Earp · #8 12-08-2005, 05:52 PM

7 month old. If not around people, may sleep the whole way.

Make sure have blankets or something soft along with a play toy to keep occupied.

Guess a lot depends on how long the flight is. Airlines I think today are more carefull in the cargo hold so it is preasurized and warmer for just such occasions.

People dont seem to realize that Animals to many can be like family and are relazing for them!

A little Vet Pill might be a good idea though!

adpiucf · #9 12-08-2005, 06:03 PM

Thanks! They told me no toys in the crate-- barbarians! But knowing she will be in a pressurized cabin makes me feel a bit better.

I'm starting to think I'll need some of that puppy valium! Thankfully, we're flying straight through from Houston to Florida.

Should I buy her a doggie garment like a blanket that a horse would wear in cold weather? I don't want her to be cold, but a cocker spaniel wearing a Christmas sweater just isn't cool!

WCUgirl · #10 12-08-2005, 06:10 PM

Remember to make sure you remove her collar before putting her in the crate. I wouldn't recommend putting a sweater or any other sort of outfit on her as that could also get her tangled up and stuck as a collar would.

rho4life · #11 12-08-2005, 06:21 PM

Is she chipped? That way if she somehow gets mis-routed she'll be able to be re-united with you. When my parents' dog ran off someone read his chip, and he was home within 24 hours.

Tom Earp · #12 12-08-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adpiucf
Thanks! They told me no toys in the crate-- barbarians! But knowing she will be in a pressurized cabin makes me feel a bit better.

I'm starting to think I'll need some of that puppy valium! Thankfully, we're flying straight through from Houston to Florida.

Should I buy her a doggie garment like a blanket that a horse would wear in cold weather? I don't want her to be cold, but a cocker spaniel wearing a Christmas sweater just isn't cool!

You will prob. Need drugs more than the Puppy.

No, jsut something to lay on and help keep warm. Nothing tight as some said!

No toys!

You are right, Friggen Barbarians!

Not even a chew bone? Hell, it aint going to blow up!

kstar · #13 12-08-2005, 07:32 PM

We have specially made dog sweaters that hook behind their legs, so there isn't a chance of them getting all tangled in it. They do look like horse blankets in a way. Here. We have the Traditional Sweater, and the Cable Sweater, and they've flown in them. Our dogs also like the Hoodie. The more simple sweaters and coats tend to last longer.

However, my parents dogs used to just fly with a blanket that they could burrow into.

On the other hand, if your dog has longer hair (some cockers seem to get different cuts than others), doesn't get cold very easily, or hates clothing, don't do it, the last thing you need is a very stressed out pooch. In that case, just a pillow or blanket to sleep in is best.

The dog won't need a toy if she's sedated. She'll sleep through the whole trip.

Tom Earp · #14 12-08-2005, 07:37 PM

Cute Bowser Story and hopefully it makes all feel better! Starts Sad but is what an Animal means!

Have a very nice elder Lady who comes in the Store. Her Husband just Passed Away after a long illness.

She had this cute little Puppy that Her Daughter gave Her for Companionship. She was as worried about This Puppy as a New Kid. I played with it for a bit and then a customer was leaving and got stuck in the front door. Scared Her to death. But Like Kids, they are like rubber balls and bounce back!

Damn, I wanted to snatch the Puppy and bring Him/Her/It home with Me.

If she doesnt want it, which I doubt, I would take it ASAP!

She now has something to take care of and Love!

honeychile · #15 12-08-2005, 10:41 PM

There are OTC pills called "Chill Pills" by Sock Puppet (I know, the irony!) that work well. If you go with them, try them out prior to the trip, so you know how much to give him. Two of them has Buffy in la-la-land within about a half hour - but you're going to have the additional stress of having Riley's entire routine disturbed, so more may be needed. Ask your vet about them.

There are also "binders" which are like diapers for male dogs (since they simply must mark their terrority). Imagine a long Huggie that goes all around his belly - that's what they're like (Buffy wears one when he goes visiting). If you decide to use one for the flight, be sure to try that on prior to the flight, too. You don't want to do anything to Riley that would make him equate the plane trip to punishment - which is why I can't understand the toy thing! Ask if you can tie one to the crate, on a short string that Riley can't choke on. I'm sure you know to reward him at the end of the flight for being such a good boy!

While being guests, remember that Riley is looking at this other house as "not his terrority" and the other dogs might treat him as an intruder. Be sensitive to that issue, and understand that he will probably act much differently than usual. If he really acts out, you may have to look into doggie daycare, but as long as he knows that "Mom" is there for him and ready to shower him with love, he should do okay! Have fun!!

PS: "Mom" might need a tranquilizer or two, too!