Flying with dogs as checked baggage?

[Sarah_Rose]

We're flying with the dogs (two German Shepherds) as checked baggage in one week and I'm freaking out. I never wanted to do this, but we're moving (job transfer) on a very short timeline and there's no other way for us to do it. We couldn't get a direct flight, so we're flying Seattle to Detroit and renting a car and driving the rest of the way (about 4 hours), in order to avoid a stopover.

Does anyone have any experience with airlines and kennel size restrictions - specifically Delta? The largest kennel size that any airline will take as checked baggage (as opposed to cargo, which is not really an option because the dogs need to leave and arrive at the same time as us) is an Extra-Large (500 series) kennel - this is the size that's recommended for German Shepherds. But Delta's rules also state that the dog should be able to stand up, sit, and turn around without touching the top (with even their ears - and GSD's have big pointy ears!) of the kennel or hunching.

One of our dogs is particularly tall (and with big ears!), but he is also a "slouchy sitter". If he can rest against something when he's sitting, he will. When he's sitting in the kennel, he hunches over and leans up against the side of the kennel, even though he has easily 4+ inches of room above his ears when he sits like that. I'm worried that they will say that he is too large for the kennel because it looks like he's hunched over, even though that's just how he sits!

Anyone have any experience with flying with dogs? How picky are they with the dog being the right size for the kennel? He can stand and lie down in the kennel just fine, but it's just when he sits that he looks kind of weird and uncomfortable. I'm worried that they're not going to let him fly.... we don't really have a contingency plan for this because our house and cars will be packed up and gone by the time we leave so we'll just be stuck at the airport with a toddler, a canary, and 2 dogs! We also can't ship the dogs ahead of us because we don't have anyone to pick them up at the other end.

Anyone have any other tips for flying with pets as checked baggage? We have water bottles (big "large dog" sized ones) and clip-on food bowls for the front of the kennel, and old bath towels to put in the bottom of the kennel.

Ugh, I'm just freaking out so much about the dogs, and I also need to get the house ready to be packed by Friday. Did I mention I'm also 7.5 months pregnant? I don't need this stress!

 

[abdmom]

When we moved, I tried to ship my 3 dogs via Delta. They don't accept animals after May 15 though. So, I booked them on United. It was a one stop flight, because Delta was the only one that flew direct. One dog was disqualified because of the breed. The other two were fine. However, over the course of 2 weeks, I tried to ship them 2 or 3 times. Each time, the airline couldn't take them because of the temperature or the weather. It was predicted to be over 80 degrees at their stop one time and there were thunderstorms predicted at their stop on another try. I ended up driving 1200 miles with 3 dogs (and 3 kids) by myself.

I wish you better luck.

 

[calypso726]

I used to show Golden Retrievers and have flown with them both as checked baggage and shipped them cargo many times. It depends on the agent checking on how picky they would be. Mine were all trained spin in a circle in case there was questions aboutt he dog being able to stand and turn around. It only happened once. An agent said they didn't think my dog would be able to stand and turn. So from outside the crate I gave the hand signal I'd taught for spin and he did.

A 500 should be fine for a GSD. I would first check to see if they will allow two 500 crates at the same time. I had to change a flight once because there was already another 400 crate booked. Sometimes they will ask to see the veterinary health certificate which is only supposed to be required when shipping cargo but it happened to me once as checked baggage. Luckily when this happened I had shipped my dog over via cargo a few days before and my friend picked him up. Upon return I had him as checked baggage and they asked me for the health certificate which I still had and we were within the 10 day limit.

Make sure the temperatures are within the allowable ranges on the date you plan to travel too. If the temperature will be above or below the range on any part of the flight they won't let the dog travel.

They prefer the clip on bowls so if there is an unexpected delay they can give the dog water or food without opening the crate. The crate has to be an airline crate nothing else will do. Tips: Make sure the dogs go 1 & 2 shortly before you enter the airport. If they aren't used to flying do not feed them until you arrive at your destination. If you feed them before travel and they get nervous becasue they aren't used to it you could wind up with vomit and diarrhea covered dogs at your destination.

Hope this helps.

 

[shortbun]

When we moved, I tried to ship my 3 dogs via Delta. They don't accept animals after May 15 though. So, I booked them on United. It was a one stop flight, because Delta was the only one that flew direct. One dog was disqualified because of the breed. The other two were fine. However, over the course of 2 weeks, I tried to ship them 2 or 3 times. Each time, the airline couldn't take them because of the temperature or the weather. It was predicted to be over 80 degrees at their stop one time and there were thunderstorms predicted at their stop on another try. I ended up driving 1200 miles with 3 dogs (and 3 kids) by myself.

I wish you better luck.

And, the reason the airlines have these rules is so they don't end up with deceased animals or very ill animals at the other end. Better to drive than losse your pets.

 

[Hillbeans]

My 55 lb Labrador Retriever flew from Newark to Shanghai, China last May. She went as Cargo and flew from Newark to Frankfurt, then to Siberia, then to Shanghai, and had to be quarantined for a week. I was a wreck but she made it fine. I hated having to do it, but didn't have a choice.

I did the clip on water bowls with ice, and got her used to being in the kennel and I put a t-shirt of mine in there so she would have my smell.

I second all of the advice about getting up to date Health Certificates and temperatures though, most airlines will not take pets after June 15-September 15th due to heat restrictions.

Honestly, I think everyone took great care of my dog, I tipped the gate agent $25 and he said he would make sure she was fine and she was.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Thanks for the tips!

We're flying on March 27th, so weather shouldn't be an issue.... I know Michigan is pretty hot this week, but it's supposed to be closer to seasonal (mid-50's) early next week. It's darn cold in Seattle right now, so no problems there.

We do have both dogs already booked - is there still a chance we might have problems with capacity? They told me they were reserved when I called, so I'll be pretty upset if we get to the airport and they tell me that they have too many pets. I think Delta has a maximum of 2 per flight and so those should both be my two. We also have a carry-on animal (the canary) and they were able to tell me that he was (as of time of booking a week ago) the only other pet in the cabin.

We did go to the vet this morning to get health certificates for both dogs, just to be safe. I know we shouldn't need them, but I'd rather have them!

I'm feeling a bit better that it sounds like they won't really look at the size of my dog in the crate. It's big enough that he curls up in the back of the crate (with his back against the back - as opposed to stretching out in the length of it) and he only takes up half of the floor space.... it's really just that he has long legs and big ears that make him look a lot bigger than he really is! He can sit up and with his head up, and his ears just brush the top of the kennel. Our other Shepherd shouldn't be a problem at all - she's the same weight as our male, but she's quite a bit shorter and much smaller ears. Heh, if I have a dog in front of me in the dark and I'm not sure which one it is, I always feel for the ears - our male GSD's ears are like a jackrabbit's!

Also, any advice on giving the dogs an "interactive" treat for in the kennel, or is that just a no? We have several toys that you fill with kibble and the dog has to manipulate it to get the food out - is that a good idea for the kennel, or is it just too much of a risk in that kind of situation? I'm talking about things like a Twist and Treat or an Everlasting Treat Ball - sturdy toys that can't really be chewed to pieces or destroyed, and that the dog would just lie there and manipulate with their paws and mouth for awhile.

 

[marie1203]

All the tips here are good. I was wondering if you told the airline the breed of your dogs because some have restrictions it has been a while since we flew with our GSD internationally and those restrictions are constantly changing. I always been asked for the health certificate. The last time we flew in a dog in cargo was 2001 since then I have only taken our pets that fit in the cabin on certain vacations. I have never have them checked the crate and see if it was the right size but I guess that depends on the agent. I know we are were a reck having to put her in cargo but it all worked out. Good luck!

 

[calypso726]

Personally, I would not put anything in the kennel as far as treats with dogs that aren't used to flying. It's the same as feeding them and you could wind up with vomit and diarrhea covered dogs on arrival. Depending on how the dog reacts to flying they may be too stressed to even bother with it.

If Delta already told you the dogs and the canary were booked then you should be fine. Delta does have a winter embargo until March 31st on flights out of certain airports in certain cities and states.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Personally, I would not put anything in the kennel as far as treats with dogs that aren't used to flying. It's the same as feeding them and you could wind up with vomit and diarrhea covered dogs on arrival. Depending on how the dog reacts to flying they may be too stressed to even bother with it.

If Delta already told you the dogs and the canary were booked then you should be fine. Delta does have a winter embargo until March 31st on flights out of certain airports in certain cities and states.

Thank you! You've been very helpful! Our male GSD does have a particularly sensitive stomach, so I think I'm going to avoid giving him anything. We'll feed him a light meal before going to the airport, and hope for the best!