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Ten tips for taking your dog on plane trips

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Flying these days can be stressful and frustrating...and that's without a dog! Once you include Fido in your travel plans, things get even more complicated. But with some good pre-planning, you can make air travel with your dog go more smoothly.

First, you should know that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other pet organizations encourage you to think twice before taking your dog on a plane, especially if she has to travel in the cargo hold. Cargo holds are not pressurized or temperature controlled. And as with your luggage, your pet could end up on the wrong plane and at the wrong airport. Most airlines limit their liability for lost "cargo," and they may not make much effort to return your dog to you if she gets lost.

If your dog is small enough to ride in a carrier under your seat, then flying may be fine. If not, and you still need to transport your dog on a plane, these tips may make your dog's flight safer and more comfortable:

• At least one month before you leave, take your dog to the vet for a thorough check-up. If any of her vaccinations expire within a month of the trip, get her inoculated before your departure. Some states and countries may not allow your dog to enter if she's due for a booster shot soon--even if her shots are still current. Also, be sure you have a good supply of any medications your dog takes.
• Your dog should have a collar with identification tags, including one with your destination contact information. A microchip can be a great help if your dog's collar should come off. Make sure the microchip is encoded with your cell phone number.
• If at all possible, book a direct flight to your destination. The fewer stops or changes of planes, the less likely your dog will be left out in bad weather or lost by baggage handlers.
• Your dog's crate should be USDA-approved for shipping and should be large enough for your dog to sit, stand, and turn around in comfortably. You can buy travel crates from a pet store or your airline. Clearly write your destination name, address, and phone number on at least two sides of the crate. Also write "Live animal" and "Owner is passenger" or "(Your Name) will claim" in one-inch block letters on the sides of the crate. The crate should have arrows on all the sides indicating which end is up. If not, draw large, clear arrows on all sides.
• Line the bottom of the crate with shredded paper or towels along with bedding to help absorb accidents. During travel, the crate door should be securely closed but not locked, so airline employees can open it in an emergency.
• Always carry two photographs of your dog and attach a third photo to the travel crate. This can help airline employees find your dog if she gets out.
• Your dog will need food and water during the flight, especially if there are layovers. Freeze a small, unbreakable drinking dish filled with water and put it into the crate. The frozen water won't spill during check-in, and it will melt during the flight so your dog can drink it. If you tie a cloth bag of food to the outside of the crate, the airline employees can feed your dog if there's a long layover or delay.
• Check with your vet if you're considering giving your dog a tranquilizer before the flight. Most vets recommend against it, as tranquilizers can interfere with the dog's breathing.
• Let check-in and ticketing personnel and flight attendants know that you're traveling with your dog who's in the cargo hold. This way, they can help you with any issues that may affect your pet.
• If you're worried about your dog during delays or other flight problems, insist that airline employees check on your dog if possible. (However, it's likely they won't have access to the cargo hold while in flight.) In some circumstances, you may need to retrieve your dog and leave the plane.

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