Anyone Have Experience Flying With Their Newf?

[Subverto]

My girlfriend and I are origionally from Pittsburgh, PA, and plan on flying back for the holidays this year. We will be in Pittsburgh for 10 days, and want to bring Nala with us, but don't know much about flying with a dog. As such, I have a couple questions for anyone who has experience in this area.

1. Is it safe? Do airlines typically take good care of dogs in a crate or she likely going to have a negative expirience? Would she be better off in a kennel for 10 days?

2. What are my options as far as flying her? We will be flying Southwest (who does not allow dogs as cargo) so we do not have an option to have her on the same plane as us. As such we will have to fly her on a different airline. What are the best options as far as airline goes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jager's Mom]

I haven't had to fly a dog...but I would say a kennel or trusted friend/family member would be much better. I just don't like the idea of the dogs riding as cargo.

 

[newflizzie]

Hi, first off, depending on the time of year, airlines won't ship a dog (not even as cargo) if either the sending or receiving place is above or predicted to be above a certain temperature. Typically, going as cargo unless absolutely needed I don't do, they are safer in a kennel. I've never flown a Newf, but did my basenji and rescue basenjis for a long time. We normally used PetsFly.com, they were great and took great care of the dogs, but I still don't do it unless nothing else can be arranged (like our moving out of the country). I'd avoid it if possible.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Personally, unless absolutely needed, I would leave her in a kennel or with someone trustworthy also.

I have had some experience with flying a dog. Unfortunately, like everything else, you have some dog lovers and some non dog lovers.

Some will take very good care of dogs, others not so much.

I had to make 2 r/ts to Columbus, Ohio from Boston. It was during the winter months.
It should have been a non-stop, but we had weather problems and ultimately, I had to make a connection. No one could find Annie for a while. I was frantic until they finally located her. How do you lose a 110 lb dog in a crate?

The second time I had to get Annie to Columbus, our flight was delayed. So they left her next to an aircraft, in her crate. However, Boston is a sizable airport with relatively tight gate spacing. So jets were arriving or departing around her. The noise is high decibels as far as I am concerned.

The only reason I flew her was because at that time, Ohio State University was the best option for her total hip replacement.

My vote is to leave her at home with trusted people.

Good luck!

 

[shellyk]

3 years ago, I researched trying to fly my Lab back east to visit my daughter. The cost was horrendous and the hoops to jump through were high! They won't load a dog if it's too hot or too cold. They won't determine that until the day you fly or even right before the flight leaves. It is very hard to plan out. We ended up finding a kennel that we loved. I use the word kennel loosely - they dogs sleep in a heated barn type building on dog beds and old couches. Then during the day they are let out into the play areas that are acres and acres of fun. I wouldn't fly our dogs unless we were moving and it was the only way to get them there.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Years ago when I got Hannah I flew her from San Antonio to Nashville via Delta. . I will never put a dog on a plane again. Unless it's a pet specific transport service. Then...maybe.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

I think there are a few cautions here. The first is the time of year; flying to the East Coast around holidays time you get lots of variables with the weather. If it's too cold, they won't let her on. And what about flight delays/cancellations? What if she arrives before you do? Flying a dog isn't normally all that cheap, but I'd do lots of research because I imagine the cost would skyrocket around that time.

If it were my dog, I think I'd be considering 3 options: 1) Leaving her home in a kennel (be very selective about this, they range from dog paradise to filthy prisons) 2) Transporting her using a pet-specific travel company (the same caveat applies, except I'd be even more nervous about their reputation, how they handle "bumps in the road" and contingency plans) and 3) Driving all three of us from point A to point B. You'd definitely need a reliable car for that, hopefully one with 4WD.

Good luck! It sounds so nice to introduce her to your families and share Christmas with her. I hope it works out so you don't have to leave her behind.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Sounds like a lot of hassle and risk for 10 days. If you really want to take her, you could drive. Otherwise, let her stay with a friend or in a good kennel.

We visit our families in TX & FL every other year. We try to stay for about 10 days, so we drive. We drove with our 2 cats before we got Maggie, and now she gets to go. It's a fun experience, but we like driving.

Personally, I would not fly Maggie alone unless I had no other alternative.

 

[Lori]

Any newf people in your area who might be willing to watch her or who might have suggestions? How about your local newf club?

 

[blaue_augen]

I had a friend who was supposed to fly with her dog a few years ago. When the day to leave came it was too hot and the airline wouldn't allow the dog to fly. The bad part was that my friend lost the money from the dog's ticket … they wouldn't refund the money or allow her to change her ticket without fees. While, you're n to likely to run into it being too hot in December, there may be a cold temp limit that airlines will allow the dogs to fly. So if you decide to fly your pup, you should ask about this ahead of time and make a back up plan if she can't come with you.

 

[Subverto]

It seems the general concensus is flying a dog as cargo is not a good idea. That's kind of what I was thinking. Unfortunately none of my close friends out here are actually from Denver, and they all travel home for the hollidays as well. So I guess my only option is to do some research and find a reputable kennel here to keep her while we are gone.

 

[Angela]

Send a PM to Bojie, she lives somewhere in your area and might know kennels etc.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

We sometimes board Elvis at our vet. In addition to vet care they operate a kennel service down one side of their building. They're a 24 hour emergency vet which is nice because I like knowing that someone is there around the clock. He gets spoiled rotten and we get to enjoy our trip knowing he's well taken care of.

You could always see if your vet does that or has other recommendations.

 

[shellyk]

It seems the general concensus is flying a dog as cargo is not a good idea. That's kind of what I was thinking. Unfortunately none of my close friends out here are actually from Denver, and they all travel home for the hollidays as well. So I guess my only option is to do some research and find a reputable kennel here to keep her while we are gone.

It's a good idea to find a good kennel for those just in case situations. It's better to research a good place before you need it. The good places will have applications and even waiting lists. It's peace of mind if you get called out of town on emergency.

 

[lacey9875]

It's a good idea to find a good kennel for those just in case situations. It's better to research a good place before you need it. The good places will have applications and even waiting lists. It's peace of mind if you get called out of town on emergency.

It's also not a bad idea to kennel her while she's younger, maybe over night a few times, to get her used to being there. I didn't do that with my Maggie, and she refuses to eat unless they hand feed her and sit with her. It's a horrible feeling to call and check on your dog, and have them tell you they can tell she's sad.

 

[blaue_augen]

It seems like you are already on the ball about this, but I suggest researching your kennels now. A lot of people travel for the holidays and the earlier you make your recommendation the better. One year we decided to travel in December at the last minute, and I could only find one kennel that still had space for our dog. He came back so dirty and stinky (and I paid for a bath), and he had sores on his elbows. I think he spent the whole time in a cement kennel. I didn't know how bad some kennels could be. And I promised myself I wouldn't do that again!

Oh, I just remembered a friend would have a pet sitter come to her house in Denver when she went on vacation. You were able to request how many times a day and for how long they visited with your dog. I don't know if this is something you be comfortable with, but it may be an option.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

As others said, its a great idea to find a kennel you both like. It's important to have in case you need it. We made sure to let Maggie stay somewhere overnight a few times (while we went away for a weekend) before we had to leave her for multiple days. We now board her at the place she goes for doggie daycare, so she knows the staff, etc. She also can go to daycare during the day so she's nice and tired at night.

As a backup, and for longer trips, we also have a dog sitter that will come stay at the house and watch Maggie & the cats.

If you don't know someone who can do that, you can try care.com and interview people. They have it for kid babysitters AND pet sitters! I know people who have had lots of success with both.

Good luck!

 

[Bojie]

Im a bad person to ask. I don't go anywhere with out my boys, and Id never fly them anywhere. Way too stressful on them and me. We drive x-country all the time. In fact, the drive out to PA is not bad at all (done it numerous times on my way to and from NJ-CO. If I did leave them, I would have a pet sitter come stay at the house who came highly recommended. I have also heard very good things about this: http://thehealthybone.com/
they do adventure hikes etc. You can also ask your vet techs at your vet hospital. Many of them do pet sitting on the side and will stay in your home.

 

[Jeff in Ottawa]

Do any of your close friends in Denver have dogs? If so, I'd check with them and see what they do.

I like vet tech idea. We also have a teenager across the street who LOVES White. We recently did a day trip (left at 9 a.m., home at 1 a.m.) to visit my dad. I paid her 10 bucks to come and let him out and give him dinner. I really only expected her to come by aroudn 5 or 6 to let him out once and feed him. Turns out she came and checked on him 4 or 5 times just because she loves him. After that I'd be totally cool with having her do that for a much longer trip or she could just stay here. I don't know if something like that could be an option for you too.

 

[ShelbysMomma]

Good luck! I hope you find someone you like to watch your baby or decide to drive to PA with her