Flying with your dogs

I am going to put together a flying with your dogs page. Please send me any

important thoughts and tips from your own experiences also to nd1muir@yahoo.com

1.  I totally understand your fear of flying with your dogs I have went thru these same fears myself. You hear of some horror stories but those are very rare occasions.

2.  My first flight a few years ago was when I flew three dogs to Denver Colorado. We flew with Frontier Air and the experience went great.

3. First you need to find out where you might fly your dog and I would say I think you need to fly with your dog on the same plane.

4. Do a search on your airline and start to see their pet travel requirements

5. Usually there is a limit on the amount of dogs you can fly per flight, not only as a individual but on the plane itself.

6. I think it is best to make sure when reserving your flight make sure you tell them you want your dog listed a Checked baggage that means you will not have to go to a seperate Cargo area once you arrive at your destination usually your dog will greet you somewhere near where you pick up your own baggage.

7.Most of the time unless your dog is a service dog yes they will fly in the belly of the plane but they will stay in a controlled environment area where the temperature you feel in the cabin is the same exact temperature they are feeling.

8.Make sure you go get the right travel crate. Usually the company PetMates has the best pet friendly air travel crates.

9. You will have to check on flight restrictions for Temperatures that your pet can fly in also.

10. You will have to get either way what is called a temperature acclimation letter from your vet.

11. Usually depending where else you go you will have to have other paperwork from your vets to be able to have on hand when you arrive at your destination plus to be able to enter the country you might be traveling to.

12. Your crates are going to have to be labeled correctly plus I put my cell phone number on them plus another emergency contact number.

13. On longer flights I get a letter from my vet telling the airlines not to feed my dogs due to I dont want them to potty in their crate.

14. Remember you need to be at the airport appx two hours prior to your flight.

15. I will not feed my dogs five hours prior to flight. They get their last drink of water and a small one a few hours prior. But I hydrate them extra well 24 hours before flight.

16. When you arrive at the airport I first go check in my own bags and check in the dogs thru the airlines. It is at this point they will direct you to security to check your dogs and crates and also other things that might need to be done. But I first find out where this location is and go find it then go take my dogs to potty. I go back to this location one hour prior to my flight and check my dogs in thru them.

17. Then they are gone and off to the plane out of your view.  Then I go thru security etc and go to where my plane is taking off at.

18. As soon as I get on the plane I tell them I have a dog or dogs traveling with me and I would like to know as soon as they are loaded on the plane.

19. I always take extra custom discs in my carry on bags to give to people I come into contact with who will be handling my dogs. Just hoping for a little special care for my dogs.

20. Some people try to find ways to relax their dogs and this is just me personally but I give my dogs some rescue remedy and also maybe a benadryl to help relax them for the flight.

21. As soon as I arrive at my location I could care less about my bags all I care about is my dogs and making contact with them.  Water and Food and letting them potty and just comforting them.

22. Remember when you think you have all the appropriate paperwork check it again and again you never want to be seperated from your dog for lack of proper paperwork.

23.Another thing you can do about water on flight is to freeze some water and attach it inside crate before it is locked up for flight.

24. A friend reminded me of something I do yesterday. With my plastic travel crates I drill extra holes on the sides and around the front door so I can attach extra tie downs or zip ties. Just another measure of safety in case the crate is drop. I will also pack in my suitcase a pair toe nail clippers to cut these when I meet them after arrival at my destinations.

PET FRIENDLY TRAVEL LOCATIONS/Accomadations

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AKC TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR CANINES

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Love to Know about Canine Air Travel Article information

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Airplane Regulations in USA and Canada with Canines

Airline Pet Policies