Flying new puppy home

[BeverlyC]

I am getting a new puppy and he will be ready to come home in November, and the breeder I have chosen is a really long drive from our home. The breeder has suggested we fly in, pick up our puppy, then fly home with him. He said we could put him in a soft dog carrier that will fit under the seat on the aircraft. My question is has anyone here ever done this and if so what can I expect on the flight home from the puppy? I called the airlines and they stated I could not move him from under the seat at any point during the flight and could not even pick up the carrier and put it in my lap. I would have at least liked to be able to know that I could comfort him if her gets really upset. Also, if anyone has done this, is there anything that you would suggest I take with me that the puppy can play with while on the plane and should I line the carrier with puppy pads in case he has an accident? I believe the flight will be about a 2 hour one. Thank you for your help…

[mmgy]

Have you thought about flying in, then renting a car and driving back? You would still save some time.

[BeverlyC]

Yes, that is actually what I had wanted to do, but the breeder told me that most of the people that don't live in his state fly their dogs home with them. My husband then kind of liked the idea of us being able to do that instead of being in a car with the puppy for so many hours. He thought the quicker we got home with the puppy the better. Also, my husband flat out refuses to let the breeder ship the puppy to us and I agree 100%. Even though they do it all of the time, we kind of feel it might traumatize him. We thought it would be better if we could carry him on the plane.

[LavenderRott]

Two hours on the plane should not be too bad. I can't imagine the flight attendant allowing your pup to cry for the whole two hours. I would imagine that your pup was unhappy, they would allow it out from under the seat at least.

[Teddyi]

It’s so funny that you should post this question because I did it in July. I flew from Los Angeles to Washington state to pick up my puppy, and I did it all in one day (!). I flew out in the early am, got a rental car at the airport and drove to the breeders place. I spent the day with him, saw all of his dogs, met and played with my puppy then drove back to the airport with him (the puppy not the breeder), got on my flight and came home with my new pup. It was so much fun and so easy, BUT I have to tell you that my flight was only 2-1/2 hours long and I was EXTREMELY LUCKY.

Here’s what I would suggest. First do your homework and check with the airlines to find out what their rules are for your puppy. I believe that they are all about the same with regard to what they do and do not allow. Then try to find a flight that has a good chance of being partially empty. Try to book a flight at a time and day that is less popular. For instance Tuesdays through Thursdays are a good bet and evening flights are also a good bet. Ask your booking agent, they’ll know for sure. You will need to call ahead to make a reservation with the airline for your puppy. The airlines only allow so many animals in the cabin on any given flight so make sure you tell them when you book your flights that you will be bringing a small dog in a carrier (don’t say puppy). Your chances are very good that you will have the only animal in the cabin on your flight so don’t worry too much. You’ll also need a health certificate from a vet that you’ll have to show when you check in at the airport. Because your pup will go as “Carry-On” baggage, it’s a good idea to put a collar on him and bring a light leash with you because you will need to take him out of his carrier to go through security and to potty him.

You’ll need a soft-sided carrier. Get a large “Deluxe Sherpa Bag”. I think they run about $65. Shop around and you might be able to get one for less. This carrier is approved by most airlines, but check with the airline that you plan to fly with to confirm. Even the large Deluxe Sherpa Bag was pushing the envelope for my puppy who was 9 weeks when I got him and was a large pup to boot. It was more the height of the carrier that was a problem, than the length. When he laid down it was more than adequate, but when he stood up, it was a little cramped.

It will cost you between $50 and $100 to take your dog on the plane, depending upon the airline. Your dog will not be allowed out of his carrier, but I was lucky enough to have three seats across with no one in the seat next to me (my boyfriend was in the other seat). So after take off, I unzipped the front of the Sherpa Bag and Janosch just kinda spilled out the end. I was the luckiest person in the world that day because he slept for most of the flight and didn’t make a **** or potty until after we landed. I had a collar and leash on him (of course) and watched him like a hawk. I hid my crime by putting my tray down and throwing a blanket over my lap. The stewardesses never even knew he was there. Just know that if you get caught, they won’t be amused. And I must stress that you will need to watch him like a hawk. Also know that if you puppy makes too much noise or causes too much of a disturbance, they can force you to put your dog in the cargo compartment of the plane. Not good.

For inside the carrier, I bought one of those pads you can get at the pet store that has absorbent material on one side and a plastic coating on the other. I lined the bottom of the carrier with this in case of any accidents. In my bag of tricks I took a couple of spare towels, some unscented baby wipes, a Nylabone, a rope chew, a squeeky toy, some puppy biscuits and a small bottle of water. Janosch did potty once in the carrier when we were at the terminal, but it was easy to handle. I just wisked him into the bathroom, threw away the liner and put in a new one. (Again I was lucky that he did his business and managed not to step in it.) When we landed, I carried him to the parking structure and he immediately went potty. It was to our benefit that every leg of our journey was approximately 2 – 2-1/2 hours in length - just the amount of time that an 8 – 9 week old puppy can hold it.

I must tell you that I had nightmares about this for weeks ahead of time and the breeder thought I was nuts. He said that his wife tried it with a puppy a long time ago and it was quite horrible. But then again, I get the feeling that her flight was much longer than mine was.

The upside was that it was one of the most fun and memorable experiences of my life. Some great memories are of my boyfriend carrying little Janosch through the terminal in his carrier with his little head sticking out of the top of the carrier. He was so brave and so interested in everything going on around him. I have only one photo of this (stupid camera broke) and I will try to scan it and post it so you can see him. Other memories are of his sweet face looking up at me from between my feet on the plane and of him snoozing at my feet at the little café in the Washington Airport terminal.

Does this have the potential for disaster? Definitely. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Maybe (don’t like to push my luck…). Let me know how it goes and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Good luck! And congratulation on your new puppy!

_____________________________________________

Redwood Krest Janosch (4-1/2 Month Rottweiler Puppy Missile)
Tasha (4-1/2 Year Rottweiler Rescue – Thinks She’s A Rabbit)
Elton’s Contessa Diva (Rottweiler Angel - Waiting At The Bridge)
Gunther Vom Lowdenhaus (Small Bear Masquerading As A Rottweiler - Waiting At The Bridge)
Blitzen (Doberman Rescue Angel – Waiting At The Bridge)
Elsa Duchess Kazan (GSD - The Best Friend A Kid Ever Had – Waiting At The Bridge)
Half Moon Drift (19 Year Old Quarter Horse Gelding – Retired Ranch Horse Now Residing At Horsey Club Med)
Arcoiris (4 Year Old Andalusian Stallion – Money Pit Muppet Horse)

[BeverlyC]

Teddyi -- Thanks very much for all of the suggestions. I am having nightmares already about it too. I have done some research on the airplane and know that it will be $75.00 for him to fly with us & we need to bring his health certificate. But I wasn't sure about all of the rest. Thanks again, I will definitely bring him a goody bag of toys & such to keep him occupied. Our flight is going to be about 1 hour 45 mins to 2 hours. I definitely want to make sure that he doesn't have to go into the cargo compartment that is the whole reason we are flying down there to get him, kinda defeats the whole purpose.

Thanks again...

[fbkeays]

I have done this 3 times, with the last time July of 2001. I flew cross country and changed planes all three times. The puppy never made a sound. You do need to keep the carrier under the seat during take off and landing. I then took the carrier and put it on my lap and stuck my hand in to pet him. One flight attendant was a PITA and threw a fit whenever she saw it was unzipped. They don't want the dog loose in the plane. I never took them out. I would feed ice to the puppy as it does get a little warm in the carrier and the plane air is dry. A two hour plane flight is nothing for the puppy. Definately try to not get on a full flight. The breeder should provide the health cert for you.

[Karyn]

I flew for TWA - puppy under seat for take off and landing - thereafter - we would come by for a pet whenever we could. It depends on the crew and the passengers around you.

[Teddyi]

BeverlyC - One thing I was amazed at was that very few people even noticed that we had a dog on the plane. Even walking through the terminal with little Janosch's head poking out of the carrier went for the most part completely unnoticed. Also, the overwhelming reaction I got when someone did notice was completely positive. It really does depend upon the flight crew and how well your pup can stay incognito. Try not to stress too much. It will more than likely go great and you'll have so many wonderful memories to start with. Don't forget to take a camera AND a back up camera. The photos will be priceless! Good luck and have fun.

_______________________________________________

Redwood Krest Janosch (4-1/2 Month Rottweiler Puppy Missile)
Tasha (4-1/2 Year Rottweiler Rescue – Thinks She’s A Rabbit)
Elton’s Contessa Diva (Rottweiler Angel - Waiting At The Bridge)
Gunther Vom Lowdenhaus (Small Bear Masquerading As A Rottweiler - Waiting At The Bridge)
Blitzen (Doberman Rescue Angel – Waiting At The Bridge)
Elsa Duchess Kazan (GSD - The Best Friend A Kid Ever Had – Waiting At The Bridge)
Half Moon Drift (19 Year Old Quarter Horse Gelding – Retired Ranch Horse Now Residing At Horsey Club Med)
Arcoiris (4 Year Old Andalusian Stallion – Money Pit Muppet Horse)