Flying with a dog?
 

We added a dog to our family last summer (Boston Terrier) and I had just assumed we would kennel him when we traveled.

Well, now he seems like one of my children (he is my first dog and I didn't know I'd love him so much!) and I just can't imagine leaving him behind caged in a strange place. So far we've managed to take road trips and stay at dog friendly rentals. However we are considering a trip to Hawaii next summer.

Can you bring your dog on the plane? Is there an extra charge? Will he be miserable down below w/the baggage? I've heard horror stories but dh tells me it isn't like that anymore.

We would definitely be flying Delta using FF miles. Thanks!!

Hawaii still may have certain quarantine requirements for dogs from the maijnland.

You'll need to contact the airline because there are certain requirements for pets which travel in the passenger compartment ANd for those in approved containers in with the baggage.

Airlines will NOT fly an animal AT ALL during certain seasons/weather conditions/temperatures and of course, there are the real-life events (occasional thank goodness) of pets being lost by the airline, escaping onto the tarmac, etc.

As to "alone and caged" in a kennel..you obviously haven't looked into the kennel situation which i suggest you do.

They do not all employ crates/cages and out dogs love going to the kennel we use which has large areas for them to live in..and leaving some of your clothing, a favorite blanket, etc., with familiar smells helps.

if you change your mind for your pet's sake I suggest you pop in to a prospective kennel UNANNOUNCED and ask for a tour..if they won't give you one for ANY reason, mark that place off your list.

Since you already know you're flying Delta, you should read Delta's site for their specific regulations and procedures. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/fsq8b

I love my dog to pieces, but I personally wouldn't travel with her. She gets very anxious and would be terrified of being checked baggage. I also hate leaving her in a kennel, but I found one in my hometown that only crates the dogs for lunch and overnight...otherwise she's in "daycare" playing with the other pups all day.

Considering how poorly most customers are treated by the airlines these days, I would never try this with a dog. I'm only half-kidding. I actually tried to bring my beloved golden retriever on a cross country trip some time ago, and he nearly froze to death in cargo. Try to find a pet-sitter who can stay in the house with your dog while you're away. You and the dog will be much happier and safer!

Hi, Snowrooster! I am happy for you that you chose the perfect breed for you! I remember the thread. You got some great advice on Fodors.

If your dog is small enough you can (sometimes) take the dog in the cabin as long as the little carrier will fit under the seat in front of you.

I adore my little dog, but I would never put her on a plane. In the past, as a more ignorant young adult, I have sent a dog in baggage, and I sent my daughter's cats that way, but they were squished into one carrier together, at least.

Now that I know bad things can happen I would never do it again. At least not just for a vacation. You can find a sitter or a good pet hotel. Your dog will be better off and your vacation will be much easier.

Remember that you can't take your dog into any restaurants unless you are going to Mexico or some places in Europe.

Good luck.

A friend travels with Delta--$50 charge...
Often only one flight a day will accept--
Thia is the IMPORTANT part--She has a "travel" soft-sided carrier (designed for small animals and approved for airline travel)...It must fit under seat in front of you.
Obviously it must be a small dog..
She flys out of SFO to Arizona and Boise ID. numerous time without trouble..

Here's a website with the information about bringing a pet into Hawaii. http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

The important part of question asked really in this case isn't about traveling with a dog on a plane... it's about the *destination* of Hawaii. Which as others have mentioned has quarantine rules for animals. Read the website above.

For other places, yes on many airlines you can bring your dog on the plane, in a crate that fits under the seat, if he meets size and weight limits. Yes there is a charge, and a limited number are allowed per flight. And lastly, yes you could put him into a crate and checked thru like baggage. I would not be willing to do that myself.

If you love the dog, DON'T put him on a plane, particularly in the summer.

Imagine: it's dark, there are boxes packed tight all around his cage. He feels the plane moving, sometimes sharply with rapid changes in direction, momentum, G-forces. There may be "climate control" once at altitude, but it may or may not be in a comfortable range for him, and on the ground, it'll be HOT. Imagine there's a delay and you're 20th in line for take-off; or a diversion and the plane gets re-routed or starts circling.

If he pees or poops from the stress, he's stuck with it until you pick him up. If his water dish gets bumped and emptied, he's out of luck until you claim him at baggage claim.

Ever lost some luggage on a trip? What if it was the dog?

Had a dog I couldn't board easily and took her on a non-stop 2 hr. flight to Florida. She raised the roof greeting us at the other end, which I thought was cute, but then when we re-crated her and took her to the airport for the return flight, she started shaking and shivering worse than when we took her to the vet.

Later, during a special "airport hospitality" day, they had the baggage hold of a plane open for guests to look at. I swore never to take her on a plane ever again.

Find a house/dog sitter you trust or check out the various "pet resorts" around your area. Even if you have to go to another town or pay someone "big bucks," it'll be worth putting some time and money into it for sheer peace of mind - yours AND his.

I feel the same way about my dogs, but would never subject them to air travel. It is just too stressful for them. Since Boston Terriers have relatively short muzzles, you will also need to worry about the dog's ability to breathe during the flight.

I hate leaving my dogs and usually they stay with my parents, but sometimes they do go to the kennel. I visited a number of kennels to find one I felt comfortable with. They do fine there and I pay for extra play time with a staff member. Better yet, I know they are safe while I am gone, so I can relax. Some kennels even have webcams so you can check up on your pet while you are gone-for an extra fee, of course:)

Here's another voice urging you to find a good housesitter for your dog so he can at least stay home in familiar surroundings during your trip.

We're lucky that my husband always has several students (college age) lined up who are eager to house sit for us. The first time anybody sits for us, we have them come spend the night sometime before the trip so that they can be there for the nightly med and morning feeding routines. It also gives our dogs & cats a longer chance to spend in the company of the housesitter while we're still at home.

This method is only slightly less expensive than boarding for us (we have two mastiffs and many kennels in our area charge by the *size* of the dog) but it gives us peace of mind that our dogs (especially our geriatric one) and our cats are in their own home and have all of their usual comforts.

I love my two dogs too but I would not want to put them through the craziness of traveling on a plane. We have a great kennel here or have soemone stay at the house with them when we travel to Hawaii.

Hawaii is very strict so make sure you know the requirements before you take your dog.

I would never fly with a dog unless there were absolutely no other choice.

Most don;t like it, many get air sick, it can be very traumatizing for them - and - if the dog can't fly in the cabin with you - it can be risky. (Although the airlines don't announce it a significant percentage of dogs shipped in the hold die or become ill.) Also - you can;t ship pets in the hold if the weather is too hot or too cold - since if there's some sort of delay they could be stuck there for many hours.

Also, some breeds of dogs - esp those with flatter versus pointy faces - don;t do well flying - since they can have breathing problems.

I urge you to consult you vet about choices other than a traditional kennel. Many places now have doggy day care - which most dogs would prefer to the anxiety and discomfort of flying.

Pets cannot travel in the passenger cabin on flights to Hawaii due to their strict quarantine restrictions. Unless you're planning to move to Hawaii or stay there for an extended amount of time, I would not consider taking a pet. Another vote for a petsitter to stay at your house.

You've gotten a lot of good advice here. Another thing to think about if choosing to fly with a pet is the seemingly more common flight delays and cancellations.

Think how uncomfortable it is for us humans to sit around an airport for 2-10 hours waiting for the next plane. Or worse, sitting in the plane on the tarmac for 45 minutes to 3+ hours.

Now think about that delay as a pet in a carrier. If the delay or cancellation takes place at the last minute, the pet will already be on its way or in the cargo hold, or confined in its carrier in the plane with no place to get out and pee.

Look into your local kennels and/or a pet sitter. Check with your vet's office to see if one of the staff does pet/house sitting. If you have any friends or family with high school or college age kids, see if they would like to pet/house sit. The nicest part about having them pet/house sit is that you know someone is living in your house while you're gone and it won't be as easily burglarized. The dog will also be in a familiar place.

Another option is to take him to someone to stay. As a former foster home, I have an open invitation for any of my foster dogs to come and stay with me, for free, if the new home has to go out of town. I get the privilege of spending some time with dogs that I got attached to, the owners know the dog's in a familiar place with a familiar face, and the dog seems to have an easy time settling into a home that he used to live in than going someplace new.

snowrooster~~ Just read the website posted by Martym. You can't take your dog directly into Hawaii without a quarantine. IF you were moving there I might consider it, but certainly not for a vacation!

We left our 3 dogs in the paid care of a worker at our vet office. She came by every afternoon, played with them and feed them. THey were just fine when we got home. We too hated to leave them but it is one less thing to worry about...you can call and check on your dog. I asked my helper should anything go wrong just take to the vet...that was an added plus.