 Flying is a breeze if you are prepared for anything
My Hepburn is a long haul flyer, since I live in Germany and my parents live in the US. He has been to the US and back to Germany once in the summer, and he just flew yesterday from Germany to the US with me for Christmas break. I have a Celltei bag, I can't remember the name, but it is the one that straps on the front of your body, and I love it. As long as the dog can't get out of the bag, most airlines are ok with their head popping out (depends also a lot on the flight crew on your flight). Hepburn doesn't love flying, but he gets adjusted on the long flight (7-8 hours) and eventually goes to sleep. Make sure the dog thinks of their bag as a safe place. Use the bag not just for flying but for going wherever, in the car, to the store, etc. I have never used any drugs to calm him and he has been fine. If you feel like the dog is getting dehydrated (happens often when flying, the airplane cabin is quite dry) ask for a cup with ice cubes, it limits how much the dog drinks and it can not spill in the bag. Take the dog in the bag to the bathroom, and if he/she is pad trained, release the baby changing table, put the pad down and let the dog out. No one cares what the dogs does in the bathroom and then they can stretch their legs and get a chance to relieve themselves. Hope this helps and safe flying. Just remember, if you are stressed about your dog flying, it will make them even more stressed. Try to stay calm and confident and your dog will do great. |