Chloe is flying with me on Friday, Im sooooooo nerovus!

[Shanatink]

I get really bad anxiety and I am just sick to my stomach thinking about flying this Friday with Chloe for the very first time. First off this is the first time Ive flown in more than 5 years and the first time ever by myself so that alone makes me nervous. Plus Im sure chloe is going to get anxious and hyper like she usually does in new situations and I have a tendancy to get really embarrassed super easy and it makes me nervous and panicy. Chloe will be flying with me on the plane so that is good, but if she whines like I fear she will, I will seriously probobly have a panic attack and be sick. Any ideas how to keep her calm on the plane?

[LuvMySissy]

First, you will need to calm yourself because Chloe will pick up on your anxiety as well. Taking a Bendryl can help as it usually will make you slightly drowsy and the antihistamine will also help keep the head clear helping alleviate motion sickness.

Happytails makes a calming Aromatherapy Spritzer that is also a detangling leave-in conditioner that might help Chloe. If you have Lavendar Oil (pure essential oil) you can put a few drops in your palms, rub together and inhale and that will also help calm you during the flight. I would think you could also cup your hands around Chloe's face for a moment or two and it might help her.....

[Winston's Mom]

Rescue Remedy will help calm her down and maybe she'll take a nap. You have to take deep breaths and relax. It will be okay. Don't set yourself up. I will be thinking about you.

[Patti]

Definately get something to relax you both, Benydryl will work for both of you. I bet she will be fine. Good luck

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Winston's Mom

Rescue Remedy will help calm her down and maybe she'll take a nap. You have to take deep breaths and relax. It will be okay. Don't set yourself up. I will be thinking about you.

RE: Rescue Remedy
I know alot of people to use it with success. I bought it and tried it myself with no problems and then I gave it to Roxy a few times and no problems.
BUT...
I recommended it to my Mom for her 5 year old Yorkie girl who has EXTREME stress in crate/carriers. My Mom was flying from PHX to NYC and she gave a tiny bit to her Yorkie, just before boarding. What a horrible expereince for them!!! Harlee (Moms Yorkie) was still going into EXTREME anxiety. Her heart was racing, my Mom thought she was going to have a heart attack. Harlee tongue turned purple, the Flight Staff allowed my Mom to hold Harlee and they made an annoucement asking if there were any Vets on board. The whole ordeal was very scarey. My Mom thought Harlee was going to die

Then a woman came out of the restroom and said she heard the annoucement. She said her husband is a Doctor and maybe she could help out. She told my Mom that she usually gives her dogs Rescue Remedy to calm them down. My Mom said, That's Exactly what I gave her. The woman was shocked that it had this effect on Harlee. Anyway, she told the Flight Staff to get my Mom a mini bottle of Jack Daniels and told my Mom to put a drop on her finger and put this on Harlees tongue (and to do it a couple of times). Finally, this was able to bring her out of what ever the RR was doing to her. Again, this was extremely scarey. My Mom thought Harlee was going to die. So please becareful. I threw out my bottle of RR

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

First, you will need to calm yourself because Chloe will pick up on your anxiety as well. Taking a Bendryl can help as it usually will make you slightly drowsy and the antihistamine will also help keep the head clear helping alleviate motion sickness.

Happytails makes a calming Aromatherapy Spritzer that is also a detangling leave-in conditioner that might help Chloe. If you have Lavendar Oil (pure essential oil) you can put a few drops in your palms, rub together and inhale and that will also help calm you during the flight. I would think you could also cup your hands around Chloe's face for a moment or two and it might help her.....

I have the hapytails caling aromatherapy spray, Ididnt even think of that! Thats a great idea. I was also thinking maybe I can encourage Chloe to run around and play alot so she will get all that spunky energy out of her system for a while so we can make it through a several hour flight, do you think that may help?

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by TLC

RE: Rescue Remedy
I know alot of people to use it with success. I bought it and tried it myself with no problems and then I gave it to Roxy a few times and no problems.
BUT...
I recommended it to my Mom for her 5 year old Yorkie girl who has EXTREME stress in crate/carriers. My Mom was flying from PHX to NYC and she gave a tiny bit to her Yorkie, just before boarding. What a horrible expereince for them!!! Harlee (Moms Yorkie) was still going into EXTREME anxiety. Her heart was racing, my Mom thought she was going to have a heart attack. Harlee tongue turned purple, the Flight Staff allowed my Mom to hold Harlee and they made an annoucement asking if there were any Vets on board. The whole ordeal was very scarey. My Mom thought Harlee was going to die

Then a woman came out of the restroom and said she heard the annoucement. She said her husband is a Doctor and maybe she could help out. She told my Mom that she usually gives her dogs Rescue Remedy to calm them down. My Mom said, That's Exactly what I gave her. The woman was shocked that it had this effect on Harlee. Anyway, she told the Flight Staff to get my Mom a mini bottle of Jack Daniels and told my Mom to put a drop on her finger and put this on Harlees tongue (and to do it a couple of times). Finally, this was able to bring her out of what ever the RR was doing to her. Again, this was extremely scarey. My Mom thought Harlee was going to die. So please becareful. I threw out my bottle of RR

Wow That would really freak me out, Im glad she is okay!

[pea496]

I took Conner to Florida in November (from CT). You have to take her out of the carrier to go through security. The carrier has to go through x-ray, but you carry the dog through with you. We had a layover in Atlanta, so he was in his carrier for 7 hours total. When we were in the plane, he slept the whole time!! He is so hyper that I was surprised that he slept. I did his favorite bone (nothing to make him thirsty because I didn't want him to have too much water). The only time he whined and barked was when we were in Atlanta. He wanted to get out and see the people. I did take him out of the carrier while we were seated waiting for the next plane.

Put some fleece blankets with your scent in the carrier because she will smell you and the floor of the plane gets a little chilly. I also put his favorite toy in the carrier. I put one leg on each side of the carrier in the plane so that he knew I was there.

Before we left on the trip, we took Conner to places he liked in the carrier - the park, Petco, to get ice cream. That way, he associated the carrier with going someplace great!!

I was sure I was going to have a problem, and I didn't. I am sure things will go equally well for you.

[biewerlover]

I work for the airlines, and I recently flew from Philly to Milwaukee with my biewer boy. I have never flown w/ my dog under the seat IN the cabin (we just started allowing this about 1yr ago) so this was new to me and I was so afraid he might be whining being in a new situation and I didn't know his personality or how he would do in the crate. I gave him the recommended dose of benedryl about 1/2hr b4 the flight he never made a peep and in the airport, even b4 the medication he just sat on my lap. Just be prepared, have your nutrical, her fav toy etc. It will be fine. As for you, drink the little bottle of Jack Daniels yourself and relax!!!

Kathy

[alaskayorkie]

Some flight attendants are more lenient than others, but if there's any way you can casually sneak the carrier onto your lap beneath a blanket, Chloe will be much more comfortable, especially if you can put your hand in the carrier.

I'd cut back on the food and water beforehand. Maybe carry some nutrical if she tends to get anxious.

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by Shanatink

I have the hapytails caling aromatherapy spray, Ididnt even think of that! Thats a great idea. I was also thinking maybe I can encourage Chloe to run around and play alot so she will get all that spunky energy out of her system for a while so we can make it through a several hour flight, do you think that may help?

That sounds like a good idea. Maybe leave the medicine just for you, so you don't have to worry about the effect it will have on her. Or maybe your vet can recommend something. If you do give her benadryl, or something from the vet, maybe try giving it to her a few days before you actually fly, so you know how she'll react to it.

[Lisa C]

I recently flew with JoJo and was struggling with how this would all work out. I tend to worry and was unsure about how JoJo would react since he has no problem making himself known when he wants to.

Instead of expecting the worst, I decided to keep myself strong and positive. I was getting there and back and somehow it would all work out. I did what I could that was in my control to help things go smoothly.

I put him in his travel bag and we practiced in the car. He was under the front seat and my feet were by him (hubby was driving) and I would simulate the position we would have in the plane. He got better at this from practice. We went for one long drive to get him somewhat used to distance.

I tired him out the day of the trip by playing a lot of toss and going for walks. I also did not give him food or water for several hours before the trip. He wore a belly band in the bag in case of an accident (it was dry when we arrived).

I had some new toys for him and put a few small ones in the bag. I also had treats in case I needed those. I brought a small stainless steel bowl to give him a little water before or after the flight if I needed to.

Don't expect to be able to take him out of the bag. I was clearly told he was not to be taken out. I think it would have been worse to have taken him out and then told to put him back in. That surely would have caused him to whine.

To my surprise, JoJo didn't make a peep at the airport on the way there or home. I think he was a little "frozen" from being out of his environment, in the bag, and hearing so many new sounds. The only time he cried a little was when he couldn't see me (through the bag), I went to use the restroom and my mother watched him before I boarded the plane.

Act confident! If you hear whining, answer with reassurance, not anxiety. You will be fine and keep telling yourself "I can do this." It will all work out.

I also brought something inspirational for me to read in case I got anxious!

Best of luck and before you know it you will be telling us how great it went!

[Jaxon's mom]

We flew with Jaxon from Boston to Seattle so you can imagine that's a long flight. He was actually really good and we managed to sneak him under a blanket on my lap which kept him quiet.

Good luck on Friday!!!!

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

That sounds like a good idea. Maybe leave the medicine just for you, so you don't have to worry about the effect it will have on her. Or maybe your vet can recommend something. If you do give her benadryl, or something from the vet, maybe try giving it to her a few days before you actually fly, so you know how she'll react to it.

She actually has been on benedryl before for her allergies so I do know it is okay on her which is a relief. I just hope it will actually calm her down for the plane ride. When I have given her benedryl before she still woudl be pretty hyper/anixious in new situations or around people. She is JUST like her momma!

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by Jaxon's mom

We flew with Jaxon from Boston to Seattle so you can imagine that's a long flight. He was actually really good and we managed to sneak him under a blanket on my lap which kept him quiet.

Good luck on Friday!!!!

I hope I can sneek Chloe under a blanket, that would definetly help!