What is Flying with a Puppy Really Like?

I was recently travelling to a wedding in Wisconsin. Low and behold, a family in Denver reached out wanting one of our golden F1 Labradoodle puppies. Since I had a connecting flight in Denver, Colorado, I was able to arrange meeting them at the airport during my layover. The trip went smoothly, but travelling with my 15 year old daughter, my 2 year old twins and a puppy was certainly quite a feat! I have a lot more gratitude that my husband is willing to personally fly puppies to their new homes. In fact, a few weeks ago, he flew a chocolate F1 Labradoodle puppy to Newark, New Jersey on a red eye flight. I still am not up to spending the night on a plane and going across the country and back in under 24 hours.

Together, we have come up with a few tips to help you have a better experience when flying with your puppy.

1. My vet always encouraged us to avoid giving puppies food for 4 hours prior to travel. When they are puppies, he says there are not medications to help them avoid motion sickness.

2. Make sure that your carrier is the right size for your airline and your puppy. We have 2 carriers since airlines like Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and Allegiant require a smaller carrier than airlines like American and Frontier. Our pet carrying experiences have been best on Alaska Airlines and Frontier.

   With the smaller size, we recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Petskd-Top-Expandable-17x11x9-5-Approved-Anti-Scratch/dp/B0BKJT9NM9

   For the larger carrier, we love: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/C21AD7A0-6C94-4680-9E99-D55ED94B2D52?ingress=2&lp_context_asin=B0BKJT9NM9&visitId=d39033ef-f617-4c9e-b396-993381b1a2ba&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln The push up top and fold out size makes it an easier ride for your puppy.

3. We love our waggle bottle and wouldn't travel without it! It is perfect for safely giving your puppy a drink and a meal (if a long trip requires it).

   

   
   

4. When you are travelling with a puppy that is isn't fully vaccinated, you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT allow the puppy out in pet restroom areas. You need to plan accordingly. On short trips, your puppy can "hold it ". On long trips, in case they can't "hold it" we wrap a washable pad around the bottom insert and then add 2-3 disposable pads above. That way, if the puppy does have an accident, we just have to remove 1 layer and discard it.

5. You will have to carry your puppy through security. Put something into the tub with the carrier since sometimes they will mark the carrier as needing extra screening because it is "too light."

6. The policy of many airlines is that you need to keep your carrier under the seat in front of you. Plan treats and toys for your puppy accordingly. We love pig ears and nylabones.