Travelling with Dog to States - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Nage Waza · 07-28-2010, 07:39 PM

Anyone been through this before? My dog weighs about 40 pounds and is only 2 and half years old, in great health. We have papers for everything.

I will be going to California for a couple of weeks and life would be easier if the dog went with me.

Is the flight pretty traumatizing for the dog? My dog is super relaxed, I think he may sleep the entire time. He is also crate trained, so he has no problem being locked up.

4X4 · 07-28-2010, 07:45 PM

I'd have such a hard time trusting an airline with my dog. I'd probably buy about the best crate on the market. Padded and locked like the room at the end of the Green Mile.

cmyden · 07-28-2010, 07:58 PM

Whatever you do, don't read this article...

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/traveli...1198807&page=1

socalwingfan · 07-28-2010, 07:58 PM

We flew back to Calgary once with our dog - she was a little out of sorts for a couple of days after we landed but none the worse for wear. We also got a sleeping pill from the vet so she would sleep the entire trip. She is 15 years old now, so we have been driving back each time we go home so that we can bring her with us
Also last time I checked it was pretty damn expensive to fly our dog with us

valo403 · 07-28-2010, 07:59 PM

Yeah I don't trust airlines enough to ever let my dog be placed in the cargo hold. Odds are that it isn't an issue, but there are enough horror stories out there to keep me from going through with it.

SeeBass · 07-28-2010, 08:09 PM

Dont forget you cant keep a dog in a car and go in anywhere (too hot). It can be a real hassle if you dont have a place to leave it for the day

drewboy12 · 07-28-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Dont forget you cant keep a kid in a car and go in anywhere (too hot). It can be a real hassle if you dont have a place to leave it for the day

Fixed

Raekwon · 07-28-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewboy12

Fixed

trew · 07-28-2010, 10:22 PM

To bring a dog into the states you should have documentation of rabies vaccination that needs to be still effective for a certain amount of time (I think a year).

If you have a really small dog, you can often bring them into the cabin, provided that you have a soft kennel that can fit underneath the seat.

If your dog is larger, then the airline and plane you will be flying will be important. Not all airlines accept pets, and even those that do may not use a plane with heated cargo space. WestJet is safer bet for flying a pet as all of their planes have heated cargo space.

Also, even if the plane has heated cargo and the airline accepts pets, only a limited number of pets can be booked on a flight. This pretty much means that you will need to book your flight over the phone to make sure you get a pet spot reserved. Naturally there is an extra fee. (Last for us time it was $50/pet/flight).

With all that said. We've only taken three flights with a dog, and only for long term moves. Our dogs found flying very stressful, and I wouldn't take a pet for a short trip.

Ryan Coke · 07-28-2010, 10:24 PM

Have proof of rabies shot for customs, we didn't have any issues with customs going both ways for ours.

As for putting fido in the hold--the good thing is at this time of year you don't have to worry too much about the weather, it isn't like he may get left outside in the cold or anything. Most ramp guys are honestly very good with dogs, but of course it only takes one idiot.

A good quality crate is important--we've had some issues where the crate breaks and the animal ends up running off because of it.

Are you on WestJet? If so we often get asked to confirm a dog is on board and safe, and we try to do a double check during the walkaround. Feel free to let the FA know as you get on and she'll relay it to the pilots. We do try to look into and get back to you, having said that sometimes we get busy and aren't able to. But don't hesitate to ask, and again most of us are happy to help out. We can relate.

Having said all that, occasionally stuff happens. It is rare, but I admit I myself would be a little uneasy. Just that inability to be right with my dog. It is like sending your kid on their own versus being with them.

If you have any other Q's, let me know.

JustAnotherGuy · 07-28-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

Anyone been through this before? My dog weighs about 40 pounds and is only 2 and half years old, in great health. We have papers for everything.

I will be going to California for a couple of weeks and life would be easier if the dog went with me.

Is the flight pretty traumatizing for the dog? My dog is super relaxed, I think he may sleep the entire time. He is also crate trained, so he has no problem being locked up.

Life would be easier for who?

Nage Waza · 07-28-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Dont forget you cant keep a dog in a car and go in anywhere (too hot). It can be a real hassle if you dont have a place to leave it for the day

Uhhh, what? Not sure what you are talking about. Go in what? Go in the car with the dog, but it is too hot? Leave what for the day, the car? What is a hassle?

Nage Waza · 07-28-2010, 10:43 PM

I think it is worth the few hours of grief, he will be fine. Thanks for the tips everyone!