I am going to be flying from Toronto, Ontario to San Francisco this summer with a new member of the family - an 8 week old Golden Retreiver puppy…
I’ve flown lots of times, and even did the trip from Canada to the US once with my mother-in-law’s cat in a bag… (Which ended up being a 18 hour trip due to flight delays…), but I’m not sure how well a puppy will do for eight hours with me in coach… Luckily it’s American Airlines, so at least coach has more room for Fido and I, but I can’t imagine a puppy sleeping for 8 hours straight like the cat did…
Everything is set up with the airline, the dog has a space on my flight, and if the dog is under 9 weeks old, US Customs is fine with it coming with me, but I haven’t got a clue otherwise…
Does anyone have any suggestions on things to bring with me to make this a less traumatic event for both of us? Cookies for the dog? Toys? Food? Alcohol for me? Doggy pads to bring to the lavatory? Lots of rags to clean myself up with when the dog has accidents?
Has anyone ever flown with a puppy before? Any suggestions on how to do it?
I guess the most important part is to have all the documentation on your person: a vet’s letter stating that the puppy is indeed less than x weeks old, veterinary care records, immunizations, etc.
I worked for airlines for 17 years before getting into the computer science hellhole. I never had a pet die on my watch and know that airline employees are generally comitted to the welfare of the pet. Over and over I watched employees take pets out of their carriers to give them water and space when flights were delayed or to give them breathing space (remove them from airplane bellies) when long layovers were in hot places. Station personnel are well aware of animal transport and there are rules about their placement (not within a cargo area that contains anything harmful; dry ice, for example). Animals are listed on flight papers and are taken seriously. I know that someone will have a horror story to tell, but these tales are extreme exceptions.
Many people have their pets tranquilized for the trip. You should discuss this with your vet. Maybe it’s appropriate for the puppy, maybe not.
It’s my opinion that the pup will experience trauma, but (particularly since this one is a Golden) will forgive you and forget about it once you’re reunited.
Actually, the dog will be with me in the cabin… I’ve flown a couple of my previous (adult) dogs in cargo, and you’re right, the airline employees were fabulous… But because she’s small, she’s allowed in the cabin…
Bring a pet carrier box of some sort. If pup really doesn’t like the experience, you won’t want to be holding it in your lap for 3 or 4 hours while it tries to claw its way to safety.
When I fly with service dog pups in crates (in the cabin) I bring:
Kong Toys that are stuffed and FROZEN - chicken and cheese, liver and onions… frozen means it will take the puppy more time to work on it!
Line their crate/carrier with “leak proof” absorbant materials.
a collar and leash, in case puppy is making a racket and needs to come out of the carrier briefly.
a soft toy to cuddle with.
a box of Baby Wipes. If there’s an accident of any sort, baby wipes can take out anything out of fur. And leave a fresh baby scent. Trust me on this. Never leave home with puppy without 'em.
Things to do before you go:
Potty puppy right before you go into the terminal.
Do not give puppy water or food 4 hours before you leave and on.
If puppy needs water on the flight, ask the flight attendant for icecubes. They will satisfy puppy’s thirst without making his bladder explode.
Poop out the pup - give puppy a good play session before you leave!
GET A VET’S HEALTHCHECK CERTIFICATE!!! Go to your vet no more than 48 hours before you leave and get a certificate which states that the puppy is “healthy to fly”. SOME airlines require that (and booking agents don’t necessarily know!!!) and sometimes the US border requires that, too.
When you get to US customs in Toronto they will have you take the puppy out of its carrier to scan the carrier through X-ray. They will take you to secondary inspection and inspect the puppy. THIS is where your helthcheck certificate will be SUPER handy - it will contain all the info about vaccines and such, and a statement that the pup is healthy, etc. Be sure you can contain the puppy while they are handling his or her carrier!
Be prepared for some whining. It’s a LONG trip. If you have a layover, ask if you can leave the terminal and come back (remember to leave time for security) so you can potty the puppy. Some airlines will actually send you with someone to help you out, OR some know where there are stretches of grass near the tarmak and help you out.
My God, you guys have given me SO much info I would never have thought of… Thanks!
I just got an email from the breeder that the puppies were born last night, so the puppy will be about 10 weeks old when I get her… Instead of the planned eight…
That means I have to make sure she has her shots and certificates and all that stuff to bring her in…
I didn’t know that puppies would be interested in Kongs, but I’m gonna go check em out later today…
We’re gonna have a layover in Dallas, so I will definitely find out if there’s a way I can take her outside to play…
This whole thing makes a rather routine flight very unusual… At least I won’t be bored.
With regards to age, it shouldn’t really be a problem - the vet needs to do an “ok to fly” check anyway, and will note what vaccinations are appropriate for a 10 week old pup. You’ll be good to fly.
One thing you may want to be careful about is the size of the puppy and the carrier it will go in. Airlines have restrictions about the size of the dog/carrier you can take on board with you. Be SURE the pup will fit in that carrier and that the carrier won’t be too small for him/her.
I once had a training partner who picked up a Labrador puppy and flew back with him - he was 11 weeks and when put in the airline “cabin size” crate, the airline declared him TOO BIG for the crate and he had to come as baggage (cargo, but different handling, you get him at baggage claim instead of at the cargo counter).
They have to be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably in the carrier for the airline to say it’s a-ok. Just be prepared in case
