Traveling with Your Puppy

Traveling with Your Puppy

You want to get from here to there as safely and comfortably as you can with your pet, however, it's not such an easy proposition. So that's why we have included this information -- to help make your journey as rewarding as it can be. If it were up to us, we'd have a little helper with the sweeper-upper, scooping poop, tidying up, answering any questions you might have, making your trip as pleasant as possible. Unfortunately, we are still searching for that little helper, but we're doing our best to get you all the important pet travel information you need.

Of course everybody likes to take a vacation, and should take one, but if you haven't arranged a holiday that includes your best friend the most depressing part is parting with your beloved pal. That soulful stare can haunt you for hours if not days, and would quite honestly ruin a holiday from day one for me if I didn't have my kids along for the ride. So why not take YOUR puppy along? Having your pet with you can be great fun, however there are some risks. To help you make a decision lets take a look at some hard and fast traveling rules.

TIPS:

Obtain the location and hours of the emergency animal hospital and local vet for the town you are visiting.

If your pet is unrestrained, stay alert to the possibility of escape.

Take extra containers of fresh water with ice cubes for the road.

Consider buying no-spill travel bowls and shade blinds for car windows.

Avoid leaving your animal alone in your car - Pets can overheat and die in warm weather,

freeze in cold weather and are in danger of being stolen.

Taking your puppy on a plane

I have no doubt that traveling by plane is stressful for your pet, but there is a lot you can do to make it easier on the animal by following the advice below. I myself are not fond of planes, so you can imagine how fretful I become when I start to think about a dog in the belly of one of those steel flying machines. Personally, I would always avoid taking my kids on a plane if I didn't HAVE to. Even if the statistics show that only 1 dog in 90 dies (one too many in my opinion), I DO NOT want to be the one holding the empty leash. I appreciate sometimes air travel is unavoidable, so, here are some tips that can help make that trip go more smoothly.

Take preflight measures:

The cargo areas where pets are held before and after flights are neither heated or cooled. So you want to minimize the amount of time your puppy spends in hold. Stay with him until just before the flight, and allow them to let you watch him loaded, and pick him up directly after you land. Kick and scream if you're not satisfied, trust me, that works!! Never accept them telling you you'll have to wait, they CAN organize a quick pick up if you demand it. Your puppy should be first off as they were probably last on, so don't accept any excuses.

Make your puppy's reservation when you make yours. Planes will only accept so many four-legged passengers.
Inquire about weight, size and age restrictions. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before air travel. Ask about the temperature regulations and the amount of time your pet will spend outside.
Book a DIRECT flight on a large plane. And if you can't fly direct, book a flight with a long enough layover to be able to reunite with your puppy. (Note the airlines policy regarding pets traveling by cargo)
Take him out for a stretch, drink, bathroom break, and lots of hugs.
If you're headed for a warmer climate, ALWAYS book a night flight, or a very early morning flight to minimize the temperature. Heat is often the culprit in airline tragedies. Book an early flight if traveling in cold temperatures.
If you're planning to take your puppy with you overseas, I would hope to god that it will be a one way trip!!!! And NOT for a vacation, that in my opinion is completely unacceptable.
Health Certificates and proof of vaccination are required by all airlines. Get them from your veterinarian and forward a copy to the airline immediately, and always carry the originals with you on the day of the flight.

Getting your puppy ready to go:

Following this advise to ensure your puppy will be as comfortable as possible:

Purchase a sturdy USDA-approved travel kennel custom-fit to your puppy's size. Make sure it is only large enough for your puppy to stand, sit, turn around, and lie down in and strong enough to withstand the stress of shipping. You can purchase one from a pet store or sometimes from the airline.
Get your puppy comfortable with his crate. Place the animal in the crate for a few minutes each day at least two weeks before departure. Gradually increase the time until the pet feels at ease in the carrier.
Mark the crate "LIVE ANIMAL" with a 1 inch sticker on the top and all sides of the crate. Tape on huge arrows to indicate the upright position.
Watch your pet being loaded onto the plane, and if this is not possible (but should be if you make a fuss) have the flight attendant call cargo to confirm that your pet is on safely.
On top of the crate write the flight's destination, including the name, address, and phone number of the person or place you are going.
A break-way collar is highly recommended for your pet's safety.
Prepare the crate for take-off with light bedding and absorbent paper (taped down) in one end to absorb any accidents. Affix two bowls inside the crate that can be accessed without opening the kennel door. You could freeze water (ice cubes) in one so your puppy can have a beverage whilst in flight. The floor of the crate should have a solid leak-proof surface.
Arrive at the airport at least 60-90 minutes before departure time to insure your pet gets safely on board.
God forbid if the flight is longer than 12 hours, tape a bag of food to the outside of crate along with feeding, watering and medication instructions for a 24 hour period in case of emergency.
Do not feed your puppy within 6 hours of the flight. Offer water two hours before take-off. The ASPCA does not recommend tranquilization except in cases where the animal may harm itself when extremely stressed.
Always let your puppy have a bathroom break JUST before loading!!! And take time to give your pet exercise before putting it in it's carrier.
NEVER padlock your crate. You don't want your puppy trapped in case of emergency. But ensure it is securely fastened.
Take charge of how your pet is handled. Do not allow it to be left outside for long periods of time and insist that you are updated on your pet's treatment and condition.
Insist your pet be removed from the plane until travel time during long delays and that a flight attendant keep you updated on what is happening with your pet. The airline will treat your animal as property. Only you can ensure your pets safety.
Upon arrival, go IMMEDIATELY to baggage claim and INSIST on seeing your puppy. Kick and fuss if you have to. This is another tricky time for your pet, especially if he turns out to be an escape artist. Imagine watching your puppy tearing down a runway trying to herd a jet.
Now you have arrived at your destination, allow your pet time to adjust to it's new environment.

By train.......... Maybe not!!

I can not find any train service who is dog friendly. Only service dogs are allowed on board. Sometimes small well-mannered dogs may be permitted to ride during off-peak hours, but it's pretty limiting.

By Car

Puppies always love a road trip. Some may find it a less than enjoyable experience, but that is fairly rare. But even those can be transformed with some patient car conditioning. However, you must take certain precautions as cars can be a dangerous place for dogs.

NEVER leave your puppy in the car on a warm day. In fact, make it a rule to never leave your dog in the car. Even with the windows down, your car will bake like an oven, leaving your puppy VERY uncomfortable or DEAD. (See "Your New Puppy" - Health Care Tips - 10 minutes to disaster) Absolutely nothing is worth that.

Have a spare set of keys in the glove compartment in case of an emergency, or remove your key fob from the key ring, so if you have to leave your puppy you can keep the engine running with the A/C on full blast, and still lock the door. (Always be careful NOT to lock yourself out of the car)

Got a pick-up truck? Always let your puppy ride up in the cab. On a leash, or off, the flat bed is NO PLACE FOR A DOG unless you have a topper.

Keep the windows cracked BUT NEVER wide open. Some people think letting a dog hang it's head out of the window is cool. Actually, it is DANGEROUS. Dogs can get hurled from the car in an accident or have debris fly into their eyes, causing permanent damage.

Another crazy habit? The dog who rides in the driver's seat. Please, give me a break!!! Not only are the dog and the driver at risk, but so is everyone passing them on the street. You can not drive and bond simultaneously.

Rules for the Road

Your puppy must have organization in the car and if he doesn't he'll think he owns it, which can lead to a whole host of problems, the least of which is him barking at everything that moves. These are some options:

Put your puppy in a crate during road trips.

Crates are awkward and can be large, but they do keep your puppy still whilst driving. Buy a strong wire mesh type as they have great air circulation, the right size for your puppy's weight and breed. Line the bottom with something your puppy can get a good grip on.

Put up a barrier.

Barriers enclose your puppy. They are not too appealing, and beware of the cheaper models which collapse easily, but a good one can effectively keep your puppy safe.

Use a harness.

Harnesses secure around your puppy's body and keep him buckled in. The drawbacks are, they are tough to put on and your puppy will NOT be thrilled. I would not recommend this type of gadget for a Wolfhound, it is my experience that they do not like to be confined to that degree, but I am sure work well with other smaller breeds.

For a Wolfhound using the Seat Belt Safety Lead (SBSL) may be a good alternative to keep your puppy safe while you take care of the driving. It hooks into a seat belt permanently and attaches to your puppy's buckle collar while you drive. However, again I might be more tempted to use a harness and short leash, rather than a collar whilst driving. I just don't like the idea of what could happen during an emergency stop with it being attached to my puppies neck!!!

Long Trips

If you are planning a long journey, remember Puppies make excellent companions. The following are some guidelines to ensure you both get there safe and sound:

Check your puppies buckle collar to ensure all identification tags are attached and have been updated. If you will be moving around, make temporary tags with your temporary stats.

Keep your feeding times and diet consistent, so make sure you have more than enough food as a sudden change will probably cause an upset to the system, something you can both well do without, and something you can easily avoid with careful planning.

Avoid traveling in extreme heat unless you have a good air-conditioning system. Always a good idea to travel at night or early morning.

Never leave your pup unattended in an unlocked car. If the weather is extreme, remember that spare set of keys to enable you to leave climate control on and still lock the car while you take care of business.

Remember to keep your pup on a leash at EVERY pit stop.

Provide your puppy with water and exercise at every rest area. Feed him at least 30 minutes before you walk him.

If you are planning a hotel stay along the way you can find dog friendly hotels by going on line to search beforehand. There are also many books dedicated to just that subject. Guidebooks offered through AAA also list accommodations that welcome pets.

Use a leash to accustom your puppy to their new surroundings and station him at night on a familiar blanket or bed with a trusty old bone or toy.

Boating

If your puppy likes/loves water perhaps you could take him boating. No regulations exist, but PLEASE use common-sense:

Get your dog accustomed to the boat, take him on board several times in short increments when you're docked. Make his own spot with comfortable bedding and toys.

No one, four legged or two can last 15 minutes in frigid waters. DO NOT take your dog in unstable crafts.

Are you wearing a life vest? Well so should your puppy. You can buy them in any pet specialty store, just make sure it fits properly.

Don't forget about dehydration. If it's hot and sunny make sure you provide your pup with a bucket of clean cool water. Now have fun and think safe!!

Always keep in mind certain breeds that do not swim well, e.g. the breeds with pushed in faces such as bulldogs, pug and so on.

TIPS FOR WHEN YOU REACH YOUR DESTINATION:

Allow your pet some quiet time to adjust to its new surroundings.

Prepare familiar bedding, toys, a food station.

Rohan Irish Wolfhounds hopes you and your pet have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Finding a Pet Sitter

For those of you who do not have a network of close friends and family whom you would trust to take good care of your pet, finding the right pet sitter is an individual decision. Only you can choose what is most important for your pet's health and well-being. Here are some things to consider when trying to make a selection.

Personal conduct and references

Make sure the pet sitter visits your home beforehand to meet you and your pet. During this interview, observe if they are calm, respectful and sensitive while interacting with your pet. Observe your pet's responses as well.

What information does the sitter want to know about your pet? This will be a good way to determine job knowledge and awareness of a pet's needs.

How much experience do they have? How long have they been in the business?

Do they provide references? Do they have an established business relationship with vets and pet stores? Always check their references.

Services Rendered

Do they appear comfortable and confident about their service? Many people freelance as pet sitters; it is their degree of professionalism you must measure.

Do they provide literature about their service, such as a pet questionnaire, general policy sheet, fees, and emergency procedures? Both parties should be clear about their responsibilities and the type of service rendered.

Are they bonded and insured?

What is the best way to reach your sitter while you are away? Pager, cell phone, or answer machine? Did they inquire about your reach numbers and other important contact numbers?

Find out the back up plan your sitter offers should he/she become ill? What if your pet becomes ill or has an emergency? These possibilities should be addressed.

How do they verify that you have returned home on schedule?

It is a good idea to have all agreements made in writing before you leave.

Preparation for your Pet Sitter

Have all your pet supplies in view. This should include, food, treats, utensils, bowls, medication, can opener, leash, toys and scoop, dustpan and broom, plastic bags. Leave a large bowl to provide enough water in between visits. Most people prefer live-in pet-sitters, this is definitely my preference.

Provide labeled house keys. Do you have an extra set for backup?

Leave enough extra food in case your trip is prolonged for any reason.

Leave a letter stating that your sitter is authorized to make emergency medical decisions about your pet. Make sure you alert your sitter to all health issues and behavioral traits.

Have an emergency procedure laid out. Phone number and address, with map, for your vet, and your emergency clinics. Consider providing a method of payment for both.

Leave all your numbers where you can be reached with you sitter, and by the phone. Also any other numbers which may be useful.

Care Requirements

Do not expect your sitter to automatically know how to care for your beloved pet. Describe what your animal likes and the procedures regarding his/her care.

List all favorite hiding places. They might panic if they can't find your pet.

Prepare your sitter for any unusual habits.

Post "off limits" signs where you do not allow your pet to go.

Last Minute Details

Alert your sitter to any guests who may drop by. Inform those visitors about your sitter to avoid any problems or misunderstandings.

If you have additional tasks for your sitter, i.e. water plants, discuss them before you leave. This may require extra fees.

And finally do not forget to take your pet sitters phone numbers with you on your trip.

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