I travel frequently with my two yorkies. First off, seat selection is based in large part on the airline you are flying- I fly jetblue for example and dogs are not allowed in the middle seat because that is where they store the equipment for the seat back tv's and they are afraid it will get too hot for them- other airlines do not allow dogs in window seats.
I usually lay an absorbent blanket in the bottom of the carrier, this way if they did have an accident it would quickly seep in (they never have had an accident and I routinely fly to Vegas and with the car trip, time at the airport, and flight they are in the carrier about 8- 10 hours.) I do usually give them one potty break- I take the carrier into the restroom, lay a pad on the floor and let them go.
I was very paranoid about them making noise before my first flight, but once the plane gets going it is so loud, you really don't hear anything and they quickly calm down. I did hear a dog barking on a flight once and no one said anything to the girl, so I wouldnt worry too much about that.
The rule is that you are not allowed to take the dog out of the carrier, some people have reported that they do and don't get in trouble, I have never tried.
One recommendation would be to carry nutrical with you- on my first flight one of the dogs started to dehydrate and I ended up having to give them pancake syrup because that was all we could scrounge up- now I fly with nutrical.
Make sure your dog is used to being in the carrier before you fly and comfortable in there.
Let me know if you have any other questions- I am happy to answer them if I can. Good Luck!
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 Armani & Chloe |