My Account
 |
|||
 |
Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 3: Daily Interaction With Your Dog › Canine Travel ›Flying With Dogs
If possible, avoid traveling with your dog by airplane. The only exception to this rule is if the dog is very small and permitted to fly in the cabin, secured inside a travel carrier that can fit under your seat (an industry-wide airline regulation). Larger dogs must travel in the aircraft’s hold—a rough, frightening, and potentially dangerous practice. The environment is extremely uncomfortable, and the dog could die of overheating in the event of a long flight delay. There is also the ever-present danger of its carrier being misrouted to the wrong destination. If you have no choice but to travel by air, familiarize yourself with the airline’s pet transportation protocols well in advance of the flight. Procure an airline-approved shipping kennel and make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. Try to select a nonstop flight and, if possible, do not fly during the hottest (or coldest) part of the day. Travel on the same flight as your dog, if possible, and inform at least one flight attendant and the pilot that your canine is in the hold.
Chapter 3: Daily Interaction With Your Dog
Comments for This Page (3) | Post a CommentThis information is not completely accurate. I work for a major airline and have flown with my dog (a Lab) a few times. First and foremost: DO NOT TRANQUILIZE YOUR DOG!!! That is the first thing that any (reputable) airline will tell you. Tranquilizing them lowers the heart rate and in combination with the altitude can kill them. Secondly...the cargo hold is pressurized and heated/cooled for comfort. The flight attendants can't do anything about an animal in the hold and the pilots already know due to the manifest. Most airlines do not load the animal crates until as close to departure time as possible...they're not just sitting in the hold suffocating! Yes, misconnects/mishandling is possible, but major airports have kennel services (though they may not be advertised) that will care for the animal. The bottom line: air travel isn't a cake-walk for animals (it's noisy and stressful...much the same as with humans), but it's not the horrible experience that this article is making it out to be! I am lucky , I can take Max on the plane with me. He is a 5 pound toy poodle. It was scary to him because he flew in the cargo from Arkansan to Boston Mass. I took him with us to Fl in Jan 09 and he did not move the whole trip. I was able to have him out of the carrier. He had to be part on me and part on my husband. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can make it a bit more enjoyable for him? I do wish the airlines wouldn't charge so much, especially when they have to stay under the seat. Are all the airlines cargo areas heated and cooled? Post a Comment for This Page
Please log in or register to post a comment.
|
 |
|
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
CAUTION: Veterinarians can prescribe tranquilizers during travel, but this will place your dog under the influence of an unfamiliar drug while stowed in the hold, far from help should something go wrong. Discuss the risks and benefits with your veterinarian before proceeding.
The Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
this was all very helpful - especially with the house training. Max is almost 2 and is just beginning house training and I wasn't sure how to go about it and I got just the information I neede.