I have to disagree with the other posters. Drugs sound like a good idea. If I was going to be trapped in a cargo hold in a small crate I would want sedatives.
After watching how the cargo people handled my suitcase, I'd be a bit cautious about sending a dog through the process. i don't think they hire those people based on their capacity for giving a crap about peoples stuff.
Please don't drug your dog.
Seriously, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but if you've got a dog that's 2.5 years old and is still acting like a puppy (which I presume means jumps around like a ######, and doesn't listen very well), you could probably do a lot better to put more effort into properly training the dog.
I know it's a lab, who tend to stay in the puppy phase a little longer than most dogs, but that's usually because people don't put the effort into training them, because with the right consisency and effort, they are one of the most trainable breeds out there. That's why I love labs so much, they've got all sorts of personality, and you can teach them to do just about anything.
Labs are great seeing eye dogs, and that takes a LOT of training.
Thanks for the replies (at least most of them). The only reason we're considering it is because I'm cheap and dont want to waste a few days traveling to the island from my vacation days. I'd rather pay the extra $$ and get there quicker.
I think our pooch would be fine anyways, she's not the nervous type and knows that her kennel is her "safe spot". Not sure we want to ruin that for her either.
Looks like we've got a food long days of driving in July!!
Redvan, Westjet still allows small dogs in the cabin--ours has travelled alot, and is very good because of that. But in the cabin is very different from travelling underneath.
I tend to be in the camp of a light sedative being a good idea. When I worked on the ramp many years ago I felt the worst about the really upset and distressed dogs. A slightly sleepy dog certainly doesn't seem too bothered, just kind of groggily watching things. I don't know what a vet says, but I would tend to want to keep our dog from getting all stressed and would look into a light sedative.
The other issue is getting a dog used to it---going to a kennel can be pretty stressful the first couple of times too, until dog gets comfortable with it. The same with the airplane, in the cabin or underneath. So if you think you might be doing it regularly, might want to get him/her used to it.
Please do NOT administer sedatives to any animal travelling in the hold of an aircraft.
From an expert. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), air transport of SEDATED pets may be fatal. Over-sedation is the most frequent cause of animal fatalities during airline transport and accounts for more than half of all fatalities in animals when flying. Except in unusual circumstances, veterinarians should not dispense sedatives for animals that are to be transported.
The effects of sedatives are unpredictable when given to an animal inside an aircraft being exposed to air pressure. At altitude, the physiologic changes from sedatives and/or tranquilizers may be enhanced. There have been a number of instances where sedated pets traveling by air needed veterinary care to recover from the sedation. Some pets could not be revived.
Although sedatives and/or tranquilizers should never be repeated for animals traveling by air, sedated pets may have adverse reactions in pressurized aircraft even when single doses are administered. Animals can respond very differently to sedatives and/or tranquilizers under normal circumstances. Cats for instance become more excited following the administration of "sedating" drugs.
Rather than tranquilizing, pre-condition your pet to its travel crate! Let your dogs get comfortable being in their crate as far in advance as possible. If they like to eat, start feeding them their meals and putting treats inside their crate. Or place their favorite toys or bed inside and encourage them to sleep and play in their crates. This will help your dogs be more relaxed in their "home away from home" while they are flying. Since the crate is required by the airlines to be big enough to stand up and turn around in, they will be quite comfortable when traveling. I often think they're probably more comfortable than the person sitting in the cabin above in the middle seat with a seatbelt on!
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