Are you planning a vacation and want to take your dog with you?
While many airlines will transport your dog from one country to another, it is your dog’s well-being that you need to be predominantly concerned about.
Travelling by airplane is stressful enough for humans, with crowded and noisy airports and confined spaces, so imagine what it would be like for your dog?
That being said, don’t let this put you off traveling by air with your four-legged friend.
You just need to make sure that they are prepared and make the experience as relaxed as possible.
Find out below how to get your dog ready for air travel in no time.
Find an airline that allows cabin travel
You need to carry out a lot of research before you book a plane ticket for you and your dog. Although there are many airlinesthat accept dogs, not all of them offer the same experience.
For example, some airlines only allow dogs to travel in cargo which can be a lot more stressful for your pet. On the other hand, you can find airlines that allow smaller breeds to travel in the cabin with you, enabling you to soothe your dog throughout the flight.
It is worth noting that some airlines also have restrictions on breeds, mainly those that have shortened airways and make struggle to breathe at high altitudes.
Practice crate training
You need to make sure that your dog is properly crate trained before they take a flight, even a short-haul one.
They need to be able to stand up and turn around in their crate and be able to comfortably go to sleep in it.
Ideally, you want to start this training process at least a couple of weeks before you fly but you may be able to manage this in one week if your dog responds well to training.
If you are looking for puppies for sale in Florida at the moment and plan to fly with your new puppy later in the year, then you should start crate training as soon as possible.
Deal with separation anxiety
If your dog has any issues with being separated from you for short or long periods of time, you need to deal with this before you fly.
Many techniques are proven to help combat separation anxiety in dogs, such as changing your going away signals, downplaying greetings and goodbyes, and gradually leaving your dog alone for longer.
Many issues can arise following a separation, such as urinary incontinence, digestive disorders, spaying incontinence, as well as non-stop barking. Having a period check and knowing what to do if your dog is in heat both while traveling and while not, will allow you to enjoy your travels without hassle.
By the time you are going to fly, your dog needs to be happy with being alone in its kennel or crate.
Desensitize them to loud noises
Airplanes can be very noisy, so you need to make sure your dog is comfortable with loud noises before flying.
There are several ways that you can desensitize your dog to loud noises, including slowly exposing them to low-level noises and then gradually increasing the noise. This technique can take several months, depending on how affected your dog is by loud sounds. It can also be good to get them used to airport sounds by playing recordings of crowds and planes taking off.
For dogs that have a noise phobia, you may need to ask your vet for advice. They may suggest medication, therapy, or a combination of both. They may also suggest that your dog is sedated for traveling.
Get vet clearance
Some airlines and countries will require a travel health certificate from your vet to show that your dog is safe to travel.
Different locations have different requirements, so you should speak to your chosen airline before you travel to find out what they are.
If your dog needs a check-up or any vaccinations or boosters, make sure you leave enough time to get these done.
It can also be a good idea to take two copies of your dog’s paperwork with you to the airport. Tape one to your dog’s carrier and keep the other one with their boarding pass.
Make sure they are microchipped
Can you imagine how you would feel if your dog got lost in another country? It doesn’t bear thinking about which is why you must ensure your pooch is microchipped before you travel.
Your vet can carry this out for you a few weeks before you travel, and then, if you do get separated from your dog, the local authorities will be able to scan the microchip and reunite you with your dog in no time at all.
