Need some quick flight advice - Page 1

Hi all,

Need some fast advice. I have to fly to my parents on short notice (5 hour flight and it leaves in about 7 hours). I'm taking my little guy (5 months). I've never flown a GSD before. I have his crate, but any advice of things I can do to make it a smooth flight (e.g. eating, drinking, toys, whatever)  for him would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Karen

I would not five him much water at all now before you leave, he will be fine for 5 hours!  Make sure your crate is very secure I drilled the sides of my crate around the lip and put screws with nuts and washers to be sure it stays together, and then I also drill holes in the edge of the front of the crate and zig zag some rope so the front door stays closed.

Throw a kong in there for him, he'll probably sleep the whole time anyway.

The airline will require you put a water bowl in the crate but you do not have to put water in it.  Potty him at the airport and you'll be fine!  If you had time to give him some excercise before you go that is cool, but not necessary, he will be just fine.

Hopefully you are not flying somewhere where there are moritoriums right now on flying with dogs, I will assume you already called the airline though.

Good luck and have a safe trip ~Kari

Fly red-eye or at dawn to beat the heat.  freeze water overnight in the water dish, take it out & attach to crate just before you go (pup can lick ice if thirsty but won't spill)  remember to zip tie the whole crate all the way around).  wait to zip tie the  door until after dog is checked in (sometimes TSA wants you to remove dog so they can inspect crate for contraband!).  do be sure to zip tie crate door at that point so no one can open the door.  if your dog eats kibble, put a small amount in a ziplock bag and ductape that bag to the top of the crate.  write the number of the cell phone you will be carrying  on the crate.

When you get on the plane, ask the stewardess to please verify your dog is on the plane before they shut the door.  if you are flying united, they will bring the dogs half of the boarding ticket once the dog is actually loaded on the plane.

Dont leave a chain collar on pup. My partner has a special soft stretch collar he made for flying, It would break if got caught , but gives a hand hold if pup should need a quick hands on. Made of gauze and velpro. Thin but would bust if got caught and dog pulled enough on it..

Zip Ties.....Zip tie the crate together at the doors.  That way, heaven forbid, something should happen and a door open up.

Definately Zip tie or engine ties as I call them.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I did go and buy additional ties for his crate.

There's still two hours before we leave for the airport, so feel free to keep them coming!

what airline are you flying with and is this a direct, non-stop flight?  what size crate?

Don't put any newspaper on the bottom of the crate.  if it were to get wet somehow (peeing, or whatever)  the newsprint will get all over your dog and consequently anything he rubs on later!  i don't put anything on the floor of the crate.  i guess you could put those wee wee pads on the bottom, but i wouldn't in case he started to chew and eat them. 

don't tranquilize him.

Westjet (Canada) Toronto to Vancouver, direct flight. We're leaving for the airport now.  Thanks again. I'm sure the dog will be fine. I'll be the basketcase :-)  Karen

We all sound like a bunch of anxious Moms and Dads sending the kids off to camp for a week.   lol