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Hi everyone- I am looking for some advice. I am moving out west with my 25 pound Sheltie by myself- my husband had to go out already to start his new job. We're still debating if I should fly with him in cargo or drive 3 days alone with him- staying in hotels. My move would be taking place in a couple of weeks. I know I need to book a direct flight, but I'm nervous about the horror stories I read. My vet said not to worry and she'd take 4 hour plane flight over 3 days in a car any day. Any one have any experience with dog travel?Thanks!
I have driven all over the US with dogs. I would drive over risking flying with a dog any day of the week.
Dogs are great company when traveling. And you get a real brake when you stop at a rest area to walk your dog, not just run in to the bathroom & off you go.
I also like having a dog in a motel. Not sure what type of hotel/motel person you are, but Super 8 takes dogs.
thanks- I am leaning more towards driving. I don't mind the driving part- it's just the winter weather that's unpredictable and what about leaving your dog in the car while you run in to use the bathroom? I'm scared someone might want to steal him. Am I crazy? My husband says to take him with me while I go to use the bathroom and wait to see if anyone tells me to leave.
I vote for driving. I have driven from Chicago to Denver and Denver to Seattle with my dog many times. We will soon be moving from Seattle to Chicago and driving again. I am a 35 year old female and it is just me and my dog on the open road.
When we stopped, I would crack the window, lock the vehicle and run to the bathroom. I had the same fear as you about someone stealing my dog - no one has and we have been doing this about 3x a year for the last four years.
Has your dog ever done a long road trip?
The best advice I can give you is to take your time. I stop every two hours, play with my dog and give her a small amount of water. The other thing is to have fresh air blowing into the vehicle, not recirculated air.
There are some very scary truths about airline travel and animals. It isn't worth the risk. Consider it an adventure for you and your baby!
I would take driving over flying as well. Now, haveing said that is your Sheltie a "car dog", likes to go on rides? If not start small hops about town now to get him/her used to the idea.
Consdering you could risk being in an accident (any time you drive) I'd either crate the dog or harness it into a seatbelt. Don't forget to microchip with current information
thanks for the tips! My Sheltie is getting better in the car and not throwing up like he used to. I'm in my 30's as well and was a bit scared about the trip. I'll just leave early and get into the hotels before dark.
I'm leaning more towards driving.
I vote for driving too. I've done a move by myself from Ohio to California and back by car.(SUV)
I have two medium sized dogs. One was crated in the back of the SUV and the other was seat belted in the front seat.
When you make reservations at the hotels request a ground floor near a back entrance.
I found that to be the easiest exit when they had to go outside instead of taking the steps or an elevator with two dogs.
And that way you're not disturbing the other guests.
I was given a mild tranquilizer for my one dog because she was definitely not use to driving in a car, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
But all in all the trip went very smoothly.
I'm doing three days (NJ to NM) with my two dogs later this month. I couldn't imagine anything worse for them than being in crates in the bottom of a cold, noisy, smelly airplane.
I don't really know what I would do but to give another perspective. The rescue group I got my dog from flies dogs all over the country regularly and they feel very confident about doing it. If you look at their web site they talk about the shipping of the dogs. Scroll down on the sidebar to find airline travel for dogs. Small Paws® Rescue
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We're still debating if I should fly with him in cargo or drive 3 days alone with him- staying in hotels. My move would be taking place in a couple of weeks. I know I need to book a direct flight, but I'm nervous about the horror stories I read. My vet said not to worry and she'd take 4 hour plane flight over 3 days in a car any day. Any one have any experience with dog travel?Thanks!
Drive, she said
