Training > Puppy Raising (publicly viewable board)
Puppy on Airplane
klc:
I have a dilemma: I am getting a puppy from a very reputable breeder in a few weeks (when she's 10 or 11 weeks old), but I have to travel for the holidays when she's 14 weeks old. I have three options: bring her with me on the plane (the flight is only 1.5 hours long), have my boyfriend take care of her for a week or two then bring her with him in the car (8-9 hours), or keep her boarded somewhere. I REALLY want to avoid boarding because she'll be so impressionable at that age, plus her immune system won't be strong enough to resist all the various illnesses floating around a kennel.
What do you think I should do? My current idea is to get her used to traveling with me in a carrier elsewhere -- in a car, in a bus, and on the subway. Then take her on the plane. I don't expect her to be housebroken in only 3-4 weeks, so I'm probably either going to bring a supply of doggy diapers and/or line her crate with puppy pee pads. My problem is that I'm not sure she's old enough to take all that in stride. I wish there were a way to make it fun and enjoyable for her. I imagine I'm going to give her high-value treats and toys on the plane that she'd normally get only rarely at home.
My problem with the boyfriend route is that a) he works so he'd have to bring an unhousebroken puppy to work, meaning she'll probably end up pottying inside at some point and learning bad habits; b) that's an awfully long drive for a puppy, and even with potty breaks, she probably would end up pottying in her crate; c) I'd be losing out on valuable bonding time with her, since he won't be driving out for a week or two after I take my flight.
What do you recommend?
Kirsten recommended looking at http://hpwtdogmom.org/club/info/socialization_guide.html in another topic, and it says she's way too young for any airline travel. I just don't know what would be a better option.
Also, she's going to be an ESA. There's nothing I can find that says that a puppy won't qualify as an ESA. Am I wrong? I'll be keeping her enclosed in a carrier at my feet as I would do with a cat. I won't be traveling with her on my lap until she's reliably trained, so maybe next year.
I know some people might say I'm being irresponsible getting a puppy shortly before having to travel. Unfortunately, I have to travel multiple times a year, and I also have to work around the breeding schedules of high-quality breeders. I decided that I'd rather have an extremely well-socialized puppy from a great, experienced breeder than buy a lower-quality puppy at a time more convenient for me. Did I make a terrible choice?
Rovingrebel:
It sounds like flying with the puppy may be your best option to stay in control of what happens to the pup. my suggestion are:
-Yes, train the dog to whatever carrier you are using to fly. Take her on car rides, bus rides and around town in it and reward any and all calm, quiet behavior.
-2. Try to schedule your flights and layovers around the pup's current schedule.Especially so that the flight (in air time) coincides with log nap times.
Kirsten:
Guide dog programs don't allow their pups on planes for a reason. It is a situation that can permanently damage the pup's socialization and view of the world. There are many things with flying that can stress dogs, some that we cannot perceive ourselves, and others we take in stride.
Sound: The sound of the engine, including a high pitched whine that humans cannot hear. This is what Luna didn't like during her first flight.
Vibration and motion: There is a vibration that is different from any other kind of travel. The plane can bump with turbulence. And think about take off with the incredible acceleration and the way the plane tilts during take off. It also tilts strangely when turning, as when circling to land.
Scent: The air is recirculated in a way that makes the plane smell different from any other place the pup has been.
In addition, the pup faces a different kind of confinement, being not only in a crate but stuffed under the seat in front. He faces crowds that are more compacted than any other type of crowd. Think about people boarding and deplaning. All the pushing and cramming. It's nothing like people boarding a bus or getting in a car.
If he is traveling with a person with an anxiety disorder such that they need an ESA, then his role model is not going to be giving him positive impressions about the process either. The anxious handler will be giving off all kinds of stress pheromones and behaviors that the pup will recognize. A pup doesn't yet have the experience to understand that his handler has misperceptions about threats in the environment and that he needs to use his own perceptions rather than relying upon theirs. So in that respect an this pup would be at a greater disadvantage than guide dog pups with puppy raisers who would presumably think flying was cool and would be giving off "cool" vibes for the pup to emulate.
In contrast, look at the car. It would be a longer trip, yes, but if the pup becomes stressed, at least you can pull over. There is no escape once the doors close on the plane. You're in it for the duration and so is the pup.
There is a fourth option you may not have considered: leaving the pup with his breeder while you are on holiday. He couldn't be any place safer and the breeder should be well qualified to continue his house training (manners and toileting) as well as his socialization.
hrvstmn:
I agree Kirsten's suggestion of leaving him with the breeder if they are willing might be the best option :smile: However, that said people in my breed (CCR) frequently ship puppies all over the world since it is a rare breed. They travel in the cargo hold which seems like it would be WAY more stressful than the cabin...and they arrive just fine and seem to have no residual negative effects. Personally I would not want to put my dog/puppy in the cargo hold period, but people do routinely. Pearl was just over a year and well-trained and socialized when she first flew...she was apprehensive during take-off the first time, but settled quickly once we were in the air and was fine for subsequent take-offs/landings, and she IS pretty sensitive and reactive so its hard to say how a young pup will react.
Magesteff:
If the breeder won't look after the puppy, can you get a soft sided carrier? Given the age, you should be able to bring the puppy in the cabin with you in a soft carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you.
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