[BobbyLight]

Just wanted to see what the general consensus is toward shipping a puppy... Driving is almost out of the question and the only flights I have found would be almost 2x the cost of flying the pup by himself... I know continental does a great job with transportation but I was wondering if the event could traumatize the pup and make him shy when he gets here... Any advice would be appreciated

 

[TroyFeeken]

Puppies are shipped all the time from breeders to purchasers. I had a pup shipped from Memphis to Fargo, ND and when I opened the crate the little guy was VERY happy to see me. Might even be a special bond that the dog has during that event.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Pups do fine on direct flights especially. They sleep most of the way and come bouncing out of the kennel.

 

[Greg Seddon]

Another option is for you to fly and bring the puppy back with you.

• Continental: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx
• Delta/North West Airlines: http://www.delta.com/planning_reser...avel_information/pet_travel_options/index.jsp
• Southwest: looks to be the cheapest at $75 for carry on with your pet. http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/pets_faq.html

 

[savage25xtreme]

Just wanted to see what the general consensus is toward shipping a puppy... Driving is almost out of the question and the only flights I have found would be almost 2x the cost of flying the pup by himself... I know continental does a great job with transportation but I was wondering if the event could traumatize the pup and make him shy when he gets here... Any advice would be appreciated

I recently had my pup shipped to me from Las Vegas via continental. I would do it again in a heart beat. Pup was in the crate about 4.5 hours, came bouncing out did his business in the parking lot and home we went.

The problem with going to pick up the pup is there is a size limit on the carry on crate. I could not get my boy til 9 weeks old because of scheduling and he would not fit in the carry on crate at 9 weeks, at 8 weeks which is the minimum it would have been pushing it!

 

[FOM]

I had a mishap in getting my Rascal to me - over 12 hours in transport, he racked up some frequent flier miles! I opened the kennel, at first he was unsure, but as soon as he took the first step out of the kennel he decided to explore the airport and it was off to the races!! In general, flying a pup should not traumatize them.

 

[The Snows]

Another option is for you to fly and bring the puppy back with you.

• Continental: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx
• Delta/North West Airlines: http://www.delta.com/planning_reser...avel_information/pet_travel_options/index.jsp
• Southwest: looks to be the cheapest at $75 for carry on with your pet. http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/pets_faq.html

Exactly what I was thinking!

 

[frontier]

Pups do fine on direct flights especially. They sleep most of the way and come bouncing out of the kennel.

Problem is there are fewer and fewer direct routes with airline mergers.
In my location, there normally has to be a connecting destination, but I look at the overall estimate time in transit. If the client has to drive a bit further to another destination airport, then that's the flight I book. Never more than one plane transfer.

I didn't know about Southwest accepting puppies as carry on though.. that's what I like about RTF. I can always learn something new.

 

[Codatango]

I flew AA in Jan to pick up my pup. When booking pup's flight on the return, I spoke with 2 airline agents. They both said that they don't check if the pups are 8 weeks or not. So it looks like you could get away with 7 weeks.

He was 11 lbs and on the 2nd leg of the flight, THAT plane had only 9" of height under the seat! My dog carrier did 'squish' down from 11", but the other 3 planes had PLENTY of room - 11.5".

There was no direct flight, but I thought that as an advantage, so he could get out and pee after one leg of the return.

AA website does say dog carriers should be 9" high - some planes seem to have some extra metal contraption under the seats!

Debbie

 

[blucollark9s]

I just shipped a 9 week old pup on Feb. 13th. This was the first time I had ever shipped a pup so I was a bit nervous about the whole ordeal. I went with Delta airlines and used their "Dash" program. Four hour, non-stop flight from NY to MN.
Puppy arrived in great shape, both myself and the client in MN were very happy with the service we received from Delta.

 

[Cleo Watson]

No problem, IF the shipper takes the time to 'crate condition' the pup. That means the pup has been exposed to all kinds of noises it will encounter at an airport, shop vacs are wonderful for the noise. Next, place the pup in the closed crate for a short period of time (ignore the sounds it will produce) and when it is let out it is 'play' time. The following sessions are to be extended in time. Try to extend the time until it is close to the time that the pup will be in route. This can be accomplished in 2 or 3 days.

DON"T take one thru the terminal when it is a day MANY children are on their way to Disney World. Every one of them will come by and stick a finger in the crate and the pup will tell its new owner 700 miles away that their pup is coming. It just wanted to get out and play but everyone knew there was a pup in the house.

 

[BobbyLight]

Thanks everyone for the quick reply and information... I spoke with Continental this morning and they do not ship pets out of any airport they service in South Carolina (where the puppy is)... any other suggestions on airlines? I know that American Airlines (american eagle) ships out of SC, but didn't know if you had had any good or negative experiences with them... I just want to do what is best for the puppy while remaining somewhat financially reasonable.

Also, has anyone had difficulty flying a 7 week old puppy? All the regulations state that they must be 8 weeks, but do they really check that?

 

[ErinsEdge]

Also, has anyone had difficulty flying a 7 week old puppy? All the regulations state that they must be 8 weeks, but do they really check that?

Yes, that's across the board for all airlines and you do have to supply a health certificate.

 

[frontier]

Don't get too hung up on getting your pup exactly at 7 weeks. Isn't the breeder willing to keep the pup one more week to comply with shipping age requirements for the airlines and the state health certificate?

What is the closest major airport where the pup is located? Is your breeder willing to drive to another major airport? I purchased a pup from North Carolina back in October, and the breeder drove to the major airport Charlotte (2 hours - 100 miles away) for an additional round trip fee so the pup was able to be on the flight that required the least transit time.

 

[BobbyLight]

Terrie,

Yes the breeder is more than happy to keep the puppy till he is old enough to fly, I'm just impatient!! (I'll try to remember this feeling when he's chewed the legs off my table)

The only reason I asked is because several people on other threads had mentioned that the airlines didn't check the age of the puppy, so I was just curious... the breeder took the pups to the vet and he said all the puppies were healthy enough to fly so we'll get the health certificate when he turns 8 weeks and should be good to go.

There are 3 major airports in SC... Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston... Columbia is the closest to the breeder at about 1 hour away... the breeder has been great to work with and very helpful so I just need to find the best airport around them to ship the puppy out of. The only problem is that because these are smaller airports it is really expensive for me to find a flight in and out for myself to go pick the puppy up.

I'll work on my patience, and he'll be here in no time! I just want to make sure I am going the safest and most effective possible route for him.

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Charlotte,NC is a BIG airport and not so far from SC....offer to pay mileage

 

[Danny Castro]

I had a pup shipped on Americian airlines and had no problems,and it was not a direct flight, total trip was about 7 hours. Pup did just fine.

 

[rboudet]

Delta as cargo not Dash is 247.00 to most anywhere in the continental US. Very easy and good service.

 

[RJW]

Also, has anyone had difficulty flying a 7 week old puppy? All the regulations state that they must be 8 weeks, but do they really check that?

There wasnt' a problem with it 13yrs. ago but it wouldn't surprise me if things have changed. I picked one up at the airport that was 7wks. old but the way things change so often with the airlines, I have no idea what the guidelines are nowadays.

 

[BobbyLight]

I've also had several people suggests using a ground transportation service, or volunteer their services... Anyone ever gone that route? What are your thoughts?