Sure-Fire Tips to Make Airline Travel With Your Dog a Positive Experience

At a very frightening and alarming rate many pets are becoming lost, injured, or even dead on airplanes. Statistically speaking, the number of successful animals that are transported to one location to another by way of an airplane are very low, compared to the numbers of pets that have been lost, injured, or found dead.

To keep your pet from being one of those alarming statistics, start by first taking your dog to the vet for a complete check-up. You want to rule out any kind of sickness or pre-existing conditions. The next thing you want to do is check with your airline to find the quickest route. The less time your beloved pet is aboard the better!

When at all possible, even if it means being on stand-by or taking a later or earlier flight try and choose a flight that is a direct flight instead of one that connects one or more times during your travel to your destination. Pets have been known in these cases to become lost or placed on other flights. Another good rule of thumb is to either travel in the early morning or evening time. It is less crowded in the airport and these are not usually peak times. These are also the best times for your dog because the temperatures are usually milder during these times.

If you are traveling with your puppy, make sure that your puppy rides with you in the cabin section of the plane and not the cargo area. Puppies do not travel well in the cargo areas, but in the cabin you can soothe and keep your puppy comfortable with treats and since puppies remember experiences through association, you will make travel a positive experience instead of a stressful and fearful one. You do not want your puppy traumatized because that can be a problem that can last throughout it's whole life, so again I cannot stress how important it is to keep your puppy safe with you in cabin.

Doing these few important and simple things can help keep your dog or puppy intact, unafraid, and happy during their flight!