Flying - should we bring our dog?

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We are planning a trip across the country to visit family for a week or a little longer. We have a small dog that fits the requirement to bring on board. It would cost us $100 each way. Are their benefits to bringing him? Less stress as he would stay with us? However, we will be out and about a bit - most likely at some places that he would not be able to come with us.

We may or may not be able to leave him with friends and even if they are available (they have kept him overnight before), it seems a big imposition. I am leery of leaving him at a kennel and how much is a stay at a good quality kennel?

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@Linkat,

Are his shots and everything up to date? Is he naturally relaxed? Flying can be pretty stressful for high-strung dogs.

Cycloptichorn

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@Cycloptichorn,

He is used to being brought about with us in our travels (so far just by car). He is definately up to date and we even have an electronic card with his picture and medical information on it from the vets.

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@Cycloptichorn,

Oh and I wouldn't say he is relaxed - he is a hyper dog, but not as being scared - more as active. He is less than a year and very social with people and other animals.

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@Linkat,

Does he have a flat face? they're about the only group of dogs who I wouldn't recommend taking along on a trip. The potential breathing problems for that group of dogs over-ride the potential benefits.

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@ehBeth,

Nope - not at all - he has a "fox-like" face.

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@Linkat,

That's good. I say go for it. The cost of him travelling with you is less than the cost of a good kennel - plus less over-all stress for him.

(love those fox-y dogs, love 'em)

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@Linkat,

For gosh sake, make him keep his head inside the window.

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@roger,

I dunno, I don't think I would ever take my foxy on any plane unless she sat on my lap...she would freak if she had to go in the cargo area..not sure on this one.

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@KiwiChic,

No this is not the cargo area - he is small enough to bring in the cabin - I would never have him in cargo. He would also cost us one carryone besides the $200 round trip. He wouldn't be able to sit on my lap, but would be in a travel crate.

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@Linkat,

so if he is carry on ...where does he go? by your feet or up in the over head compartment?

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@KiwiChic,

I believe it is by your feet - unless they have a spot some where else within the cabin. I would ask they airline first. I know my friend brought her cats on when she was moving and they were by her feet. I have also read where they have a spot on one airline where they have a spot within the cabin, they can put them.

It would be too dangerous to have them in above compartent with luggage. My dog is easy going in that way, in that if he were elsewhere in the cabin, he'd just either sleep or chew his bone.

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@Linkat,

Dogs can't be placed on overhead bins - there's no ventilation in there! Did you make sure it's a non-stop flight, Linkat, not just a direct flight? Too many takeoffs and landings in one day might be stressful unless the dog is used to them. Have a good trip Smile

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@Linkat,

Then Im sure the little chap will be fine then.

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@High Seas,

Unfortunately because where we are flying it is highly unlikely to be a non-stop flight. I did look into how to take out the dog to relieve himself and you can go outside, but will have to go through security again. He has been crate trained so he shouldn't have a problem with that and rarely barks so hopefully he will be quiet little trooper.

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Our dog likes going to the kennel. We looked long and hard to find one we like and trust. Some are awful but there are nice once out there.

We pay $25.00 a day for boarding/daycare.

I know this won't be the kennel you use but here's a link to ours to give you an idea: http://www.greenacresk9resort.com/Our%20Program.html

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@boomerang,

boomerang wrote:

Our dog likes going to the kennel. We looked long and hard to find one we like and trust. Some are awful but there are nice once out there.

We pay $25.00 a day for boarding/daycare.

I know this won't be the kennel you use but here's a link to ours to give you an idea: http://www.greenacresk9resort.com/Our%20Program.html

Between the constant love and attention all day, access to the pool, meals, snacks, nap times, 24 hour music and entire day of free play I might check in there myself.

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@boomerang,

Jeepers I wouldn't want to send my doggie there - he wouldn't want to come back with us. He'd have more luxuries than if we took him to a full service spa and resort.

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@boomerang,

Just to mention - there was a little doggie just killed the other day locally in a dog day care - he was pretty much bitten up by the other dogs.

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@Linkat,

My pooch used to come back with laryngitis. Apparently, as we were told, the dog barked his damn fool head off until we took him home.

As a result, for the 12 years that we had him, we found that we were going away less and less.

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Flying - should we bring our dog?

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