Flying with a puppy

[Done-it-again]

Has anyone done this? Looking for some insight. Will be heading to Florida to pick up our new rotti in 5 weeks. Thanks.

 

[DLow]

I’ve picked up our two Vizslas. Both were short flights though. 1 Sacramento to PHX, the other was actually last Sunday from Ontario CA to PHX. American Airlines makes things pretty easy. You have to pay the dog fees at airport after dog is weighed. Puppies have to ride in carrier under seat by your feet. They are very clear that if the dog’s barking through boarding, they won’t let you on. Once you take off though, you are good. Not going to lie, that part is a bit stressful. Melatonin for the dog works. If you aren’t PSA pre check, it’s worth it when you have a dog. Makes that part much easier. What airport you going to? Orlando is huge and you have to take a tram to get to terminals, so that’s a bit more work after security. It’s a super cool experience though. Google dog carriers for airplanes and a bunch will come up. All soft sided and sized for under seat use.

 

[HNL2LHC]

This is RDP where we charter our flights.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Fly down take a rental car back your not going to be sleeping much anyway might as well enjoy the time and not have to stress the dog out dealing with the airplane deal. Dogs love car rides. Plane rides not so much.

 

[dirtslinger2]

I picked up my Lab in North Carolina and flew with him to LAX. It was during Covid so things were a little different, particularly having the middle seat open.
I bought a soft sided carrier that he barely fit in, and squeezed him in there. He was 22lbs, so he was a little over weight, as Delta had a 20lb max. When I checked into the flight they did not weigh him, and they asked me if I could take him out, but that was so they could play with him, LOL.
Charlotte NC airport had plenty of dog areas so I could work on making sure he wasn't going to crap or pee in his carrier.
Once on the plane, since there wasn't anyone in the middle seat, I took him out of his carried and he rode next to me in the seat the entire flight.

One pro-tip I got was from a friend who is a flight attendant. Bring the flight attendants a gift, Starbucks gift cards a huge a hit. They never really get tipped or anything and they are crazy appreciative of a small gesture. I did that, and it was a whole different flight experience. The dog was out of his crate, I got extra snacks and drinks, and the soldier next to me did as well.

All in all, it was actually kind of fun picking up a puppy across the country and flying with him.

In fact we just told his breeder we want another one, so his next litter I'll be flying back to get a 2nd lab from him.

FWIW, I now bring Starbucks cards on every flight I fly, its been a game changer.

 

[dirtslinger2]

 

[Music to my Ears]

It’s probably a bit pricey, but JSX has some flights to Florida, and your pup can fly right with you.

 

[dave29]

We bought our last pup out of Indy. We live in Colorado. The breeder uses a service called" Travel Nanny". They are retired or current airline folks who have travel privilages. They pick up the dog, board the plane and travel with the dog to the destination. They get off the plane, hand over your dog, get back on a plane and head home. It was less money than my wife flying, renting a car, spending the night in a hotel and then doing the reverse the next day. The nanny called us at every stop on the way. There were delays in flight schedules so we were glad she was with the dog instead of having the dog in a cargo hold.

 

[Done-it-again]

It’s probably a bit pricey, but JSX has some flights to Florida, and your pup can fly right with you.
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I would do that and just fly myself, but nothing coming from CA to Orlando. (Jacksonville is where the pup is located).

 

[Cdog]

Oh boy! I did this with Duchess our female Weimaraner. Flew to St. Louis & met the lady in Illinois.

She held it together till we were in the air & didn’t want to be in the carrier anymore. The Karen cunt flight attendant was up my ass to shove her in her carrier and she starts howling & crying. 5 minutes in Karen gave in. lol! Duch is a wild child.
At the airport bar people were asking how long I’ve had her because she latched on to me pretty quickly. I had just picked her up.

 

[Done-it-again]

We bought our last pup out of Indy. We live in Colorado. The breeder uses a service called" Travel Nanny". They are retired or current airline folks who have travel privilages. They pick up the dog, board the plane and travel with the dog to the destination. They get off the plane, hand over your dog, get back on a plane and head home. It was less money than my wife flying, renting a car, spending the night in a hotel and then doing the reverse the next day. The nanny called us at every stop on the way. There were delays in flight schedules so we were glad she was with the dog instead of having the dog in a cargo hold.

Thanks for the info, never thought to search for this type of service.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

This picture cracks me up....

 

[Done-it-again]

Oh boy! I did this with Duchess our female Weimaraner. Flew to St. Louis & met the lady in Illinois.

She held it together till we were in the air & didn’t want to be in the carrier anymore. The Karen cunt flight attendant was up my ass to shove her in her carrier and she starts howling & crying. 5 minutes in Karen gave in. lol! Duch is a wild child.
At the airport bar people were asking how long I’ve had her because she latched on to me pretty quickly. I had just picked her up.

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Great looking pup.

I’m just hoping a 8 week old female rotti will fit in the carrier. Our last was a male but we got him local and that was 17yrs ago when we did and I can’t remember that far back.

I would book a first class ticket but from what I read that they are not allowed in 1st. Guess I’m more anxious that if she start to get feisty in the carrier and I can’t shut her up.

 

[Done-it-again]

Fly down take a rental car back your not going to be sleeping much anyway might as well enjoy the time and not have to stress the dog out dealing with the airplane deal. Dogs love car rides. Plane rides not so much.

We thought about this and taking the whole family. I’v done the drive in 3 days (one way) before but the wife is worried about parvo and the kids in the care that long would drive me nuts. Also looked into a one way cruise America but to make this happen, we have to pick up the pup 2 weeks later as the kids have spring break then.

 

[Cdog]

Great looking pup.

I’m just hoping a 8 week old female rotti will fit in the carrier. Our last was a male but we got him local and that was 17yrs ago when we did and I can’t remember that far back.

I would book a first class ticket but from what I read that they are not allowed in 1st. Guess I’m more anxious that if she start to get feisty in the carrier and I can’t shut her up.

8 weeks is early too. It’s gonna be close if she’s a big girl.

Duch tore up Dukes truck this morning. Typical crazy bitch!

 

[Done-it-again]

This picture cracks me up....

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This picture cracks me up....

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He’s a good looking pup and look Las like he did very well.

All these responses have given me hope of an easy flight.

 

[hallett21]

We thought about this and taking the whole family. I’v done the drive in 3 days (one way) before but the wife is worried about parvo and the kids in the care that long would drive me nuts. Also looked into a one way cruise America but to make this happen, we have to pick up the pup 2 weeks later as the kids have spring break then.

Just fly private

 

[Done-it-again]

Just fly private

I’m thinking you buy the 100k suv and then you can drive us there and back. Lol.


I’d have RDP money for private.

 

[Hypnautic]

Just some FYI's to watch out for.
The airlines carriage rules state the dog must be able to stand and turn around inside the carrier. For these larger pups--that will be impossible. So while you may get past the ticket agent, TSA doesnt care--you may get stopped by the gate agent or even a FA if they know the rules and care about them.

Not all airlines are approved to carry animals crates in stowage--so check with the carrier before booking.

If you select your own seat--know you cannot sit at a bulkhead or emergency exit row.

Most people or crew wont care if you let the dog stick there head out. Most crews will say something if you let the dog all the way out. Just remember not everyone likes dogs or loves the puppy like you do.

Flying out of MCO is one of the worst airports. TSA, trains and kids everywhere. They do allow appointments for regular TSA if your flight is between 6am-6pm. (I think those are the times). Pre-check lines are not that bad.

 

[dirtslinger2]

He’s a good looking pup and look Las like he did very well.

All these responses have given me hope of an easy flight.

He did perfectly fine, I'd do it again in a heart beat.

 

[Done-it-again]

Just some FYI's to watch out for.
The airlines carriage rules state the dog must be able to stand and turn around inside the carrier. For these larger pups--that will be impossible. So while you may get past the ticket agent, TSA doesnt care--you may get stopped by the gate agent or even a FA if they know the rules and care about them.

Not all airlines are approved to carry animals crates in stowage--so check with the carrier before booking.

If you select your own seat--know you cannot sit at a bulkhead or emergency exit row.

Most people or crew wont care if you let the dog stick there head out. Most crews will say something if you let the dog all the way out. Just remember not everyone likes dogs or loves the puppy like you do.

Flying out of MCO is one of the worst airports. TSA, trains and kids everywhere. They do allow appointments for regular TSA if your flight is between 6am-6pm. (I think those are the times). Pre-check lines are not that bad.

I fly regularly and have pre check (global entry) and will be singing up for clear. I’m trying to eliminate a layover and everything into Jacksonville has one from CA and Orlando doesn’t. Hopefully Disney world is not busy. Ha ha ha.

All the points you mentioned is what has me worried that I would be turned around at the airport. Delta allows dogs in carriers but only a select number for $99.

 

[Done-it-again]

Flight is booked and have a reserved spot on the flight back for a carryon dog...

Got the last row on the plane home, and will be bringing M&M's for the stewards and Starbucks cards..

 

[Done-it-again]

Still have 3 weeks to go...Here are the pups... We are 4th inline to pick, so it would be the 2nd female as there are 2 males that are spoken for.
https://www.instagram.com/spendingnichols/reel/C3DkGL3uB5P/

 

[DarkJuJu]

We got our last French Bully from Alabama, the breeder actually flew him out to Phoenix, we just paid airfare, I recall something about the dog having to be under 20lbs to be a carry on. best of luck to you!

 

[ChumpChange]

Congrats. Just picked up this little girl a couple weeks ago. Already getting so big.

 

[stoker]

Don’t the dogs have to have all their vaccination records

 

[Done-it-again]

Don’t the dogs have to have all their vaccination records

Yes they do.

 

[Desert Whaler]

Couldn't even imagine trying to fly with my lab.
She'd kick open the doors on a Boeing 737 Max no matter how many bolts were in them !!!
Great looking pups in this post !
Best of luck to @Done-it-again . . .I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[Done-it-again]

Leaving for Orlando on the red eye Friday night to pick up the pup. Was asked if we wanted to take 1 more as there are 2 left.
Not sure why we are thinking about it.

Would be a done deal if the 2nd one was free. Ha ha ha.

 

[Done-it-again]

Well, 1 became 2. Someone had backed out of a male so we have a brother and sister.

Just landed in LAX.

 

[Hypnautic]

Awesome pics.
Definitely worthy for cover of their baby albums. And please don’t tell me we’re the only ones who have a doggie album…
How did you ever manage to stuff them in together?!??

 

[Done-it-again]

Awesome pics.
Definitely worthy for cover of their baby albums. And please don’t tell me we’re the only ones who have a doggie album…
How did you ever manage to stuff them in together?!??

We had 2 carriers but put them in 1 so they wouldn’t whine, we ended up just having them lay in the seat and all was pretty good.

 

[dirtslinger2]

We had 2 carriers but put them in 1 so they wouldn’t whine, we ended up just having them lay in the seat and all was pretty good.

Sounds like it all went well. Aweseome.

 

[Ziggy]

My wife came home from So.Korea with 3 rescued pups that had adoptive "parents" waiting for them in Vegas. All three in one medium/large cage. Took a bit of time to get them out of cargo claim area in which time one decided to take a big ol' shit....lol
Luckily, all 3 families were there waiting anxiously for their new additions.

 

[stephenkatsea]

We once had numerous flights between Lake Charles LA, West Palm FL and LAX. Our Bassett Hound, Homer, always flew with us, sort of. He had his own crate. There were times he was put on an earlier flight. Upon arriving at our destinations they would direct us to where he was waiting for us. Always, he'd have numerous bowls of food and plenty of water placed in his crate by the attendants at the destination. He became a somewhat of a known 'rock star' at the Lk Chas & West Palm airports. He liked all people. We were told Homer was their favorite dog to take on walks.

 

[BabyRay]

Last time we were in Mexico, there was a brochure in the rental house for a dog rescue place that was looking for people to fly dogs to the U.S. I tried like hell to say NO to my wife, but she was set on it. We ended up taking a dog with us, of course. As much as I resisted the idea, by the time we got to SeaTac I was hoping the new owners wouldn’t show up. It was hard to hand her over.

 

[Done-it-again]

Sounds like it all went well. Aweseome.

Don’t get me wrong. It was a cluster fuck getting them on as orlando was completely pack. Took 90 min to get through sky priority checking in, then to say the plane already had a max set of animals and it looks like we cannot board. Part of the issue was we had 2 dogs now and not one and that they don’t allow 2 animals to fly in the same row, understandable if they were strangers but these are litter mates.

We had bought the extra seat in our row weeks ago as it was $200 for the one way and that turned out to the game changer. But to help us board they separated us and moved me to comfort +.

Then was told to get to the gate and it was up to the flight crew to allow and extra animal one. We rushed to the gate when they called for final boarding. The flight crew was aware of the situation and had no problem and allowed us all to set together in the last row of the plane (we booked those seat intentionally). Once on, all was pretty good, besides the 40 min delay sitting on the plane due to weather on the flight path, then had a 25mile spacing between plane take off.

I ended up tipping the lead flight attendee who allowed us to board $100 when exiting. I would have to say it was the best crew on a plane I’ve had in a long time. Already wrote a wrote a thank to Delta for the crew on our flight.

Glad to be home, but super tired.

 

[Long Way Home]

You my know about this but I did not, Littermate syndrome., ( when two puppies adopted from the same litter grow up together in the same home). Never knew about this until a few weeks ago, our vet told us and now our dog trainer told us. We have two girls from the same litter, they are 10 mo old, and have extreme separation anxiety we are dealing with. best of luck..

Littermate Syndrome Treatment | Specialized Dog Behavioral Therapy

Address Littermate Syndrome effectively with our specialized treatment plan. Tailored for sibling dogs, our program focuses on behavioral balance and harmony.

k9behavioralservices.com

 

[NicPaus]

2 male or female sibling pups is worse than male female. But I would separate them often as they are raised and train them separately and together.

I had 2 female shepherd sisters eventually had to separate them.

 

[Done-it-again]

You my know about this but I did not, Littermate syndrome., ( when two puppies adopted from the same litter grow up together in the same home). Never knew about this until a few weeks ago, our vet told us and now our dog trainer told us. We have two girls from the same litter, they are 10 mo old, and have extreme separation anxiety we are dealing with. best of luck..

Littermate Syndrome Treatment | Specialized Dog Behavioral Therapy

Address Littermate Syndrome effectively with our specialized treatment plan. Tailored for sibling dogs, our program focuses on behavioral balance and harmony.

k9behavioralservices.com

I did not and wasn’t planning on 2 the whole time. I’ll dig into a bit more. The people who we got them from have 5 year old litter mates and they were great, hopefully we are as lucky.

What trainer are you going too?

 

[Done-it-again]

Here is Gunner (right) and Remi (left)

 

[NicPaus]

Good looking Pups.

The trainer I recommend is probably to far from you. Adrian Centeno. SCABR.

 

[Long Way Home]

I did not and wasn’t planning on 2 the whole time. I’ll dig into a bit more. The people who we got them from have 5 year old litter mates and they were great, hopefully we are as lucky.

What trainer are you going too?

I'm sure it's out of your way but we are up north now and using Margaret as our trainer, my cousin told me about her, we have used her in the past with our other dogs with great results.
Twin Cedar K9
Jackson, Ca.
(209) 223-3194

Twin Cedar K9 Dog Training

Quality dog training and problem solving. Adoptions.

www.twincedark9.com

 

[socal0487]

We did with our Lab. Did well for being 10 weeks old.

 

[Done-it-again]

I'm sure it's out of your way but we are up north now and using Margaret as our trainer, my cousin told me about her, we have used her in the past with our other dogs with great results.
Twin Cedar K9
Jackson, Ca.
(209) 223-3194

Twin Cedar K9 Dog Training

Quality dog training and problem solving. Adoptions.

www.twincedark9.com

Yea a tad far, I checked your profile and saw SoCal and assumed, so I checked again and it says “from” SoCal. lol.

 

[Done-it-again]

Good looking Pups.

The trainer I recommend is probably to far from you. Adrian Centeno. SCABR.

Thx. I’ll check them out.

 

[Long Way Home]

Yea a tad far, I checked your profile and saw SoCal and assumed, so I checked again and it says “from” SoCal. lol.

We have a place in HB and up in northern Cal by Tahoe. We travel back-and-forth depending on the weather, but the more we are up north more we like it , away from the LA traffic.

 

[Done-it-again]

We did with our Lab. Did well for being 10 weeks old.

That’s a nice looking pup. We were little worried to do it at 10 weeks due to size. Would have been better timing if we could have picked them up during Easter.

 

[Jay Dub]

I picked up my Lab in North Carolina and flew with him to LAX. It was during Covid so things were a little different, particularly having the middle seat open.
I bought a soft sided carrier that he barely fit in, and squeezed him in there. He was 22lbs, so he was a little over weight, as Delta had a 20lb max. When I checked into the flight they did not weigh him, and they asked me if I could take him out, but that was so they could play with him, LOL.
Charlotte NC airport had plenty of dog areas so I could work on making sure he wasn't going to crap or pee in his carrier.
Once on the plane, since there wasn't anyone in the middle seat, I took him out of his carried and he rode next to me in the seat the entire flight.

One pro-tip I got was from a friend who is a flight attendant. Bring the flight attendants a gift, Starbucks gift cards a huge a hit. They never really get tipped or anything and they are crazy appreciative of a small gesture. I did that, and it was a whole different flight experience. The dog was out of his crate, I got extra snacks and drinks, and the soldier next to me did as well.

All in all, it was actually kind of fun picking up a puppy across the country and flying with him.

In fact we just told his breeder we want another one, so his next litter I'll be flying back to get a 2nd lab from him.

FWIW, I now bring Starbucks cards on every flight I fly, its been a game changer.

I like the gift cards for the cabin crew idea. How exactly do you give it to them? when you initially board?

 

[dirtslinger2]

I like the gift cards for the cabin crew idea. How exactly do you give it to them? when you initially board?

After I sat down, and wave one of them over and hand them to her/him and say I got these for the crew. I'll also ask how many of them are there so I don't short them. It's typically only 4 or 5.