Comments on: Airplane carriers for in-cabin pet travel http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/ Traveling with a small dog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:35:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary-Alice http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-2/#comment-31332 Mary-Alice Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:21:45 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-31332 Hi, Patricia! Thanks so much for the kind words. You know, I think with a dog that's long and (relatively) low like your pup, I'd think about the Sleepypod Air or the large Kobi Carrier. They're not quite as tall as I'd like -- both are 10.5" tall, while the SturdiBag is 12" tall -- but they both have the option of being very long indeed. The Air can be 22" long when its ends are down, and the Kobi can be 21", I think, when its end is unzipped (I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, so I'm estimating). I don't recommend the Contour Messenger bag as an airplane carrier -- it's a wonderful around-town bag, but it's snug triangular shape won't give your pup the room she deserves. Having said all this, I just re-read your message, and I think, in fact, that your dog is about the same size as Chloe, though a little shorter at the shoulders. She too is about 13.5" from shoulder to base of tail. In THAT case, give serious consideration to the large SturdiBag. Chloe spends most of her time in it curled up, but I'm sitting next to her at the airport right now and she's lying comfortably on her side with her head against the front window, sort of diagonally across the bag. It's not a full-on stretch, but she's certainly not crowded. And I surely do like giving her the head room, height-wise, that the bag offers. Please let me know what you decide, and how your trip goes! Hi, Patricia! Thanks so much for the kind words. You know, I think with a dog that’s long and (relatively) low like your pup, I’d think about the Sleepypod Air or the large Kobi Carrier. They’re not quite as tall as I’d like — both are 10.5″ tall, while the SturdiBag is 12″ tall — but they both have the option of being very long indeed. The Air can be 22″ long when its ends are down, and the Kobi can be 21″, I think, when its end is unzipped (I haven’t gotten my hands on one yet, so I’m estimating). I don’t recommend the Contour Messenger bag as an airplane carrier — it’s a wonderful around-town bag, but it’s snug triangular shape won’t give your pup the room she deserves.
Having said all this, I just re-read your message, and I think, in fact, that your dog is about the same size as Chloe, though a little shorter at the shoulders. She too is about 13.5″ from shoulder to base of tail. In THAT case, give serious consideration to the large SturdiBag. Chloe spends most of her time in it curled up, but I’m sitting next to her at the airport right now and she’s lying comfortably on her side with her head against the front window, sort of diagonally across the bag. It’s not a full-on stretch, but she’s certainly not crowded. And I surely do like giving her the head room, height-wise, that the bag offers.
Please let me know what you decide, and how your trip goes!

]]> By: Patricia http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-2/#comment-31219 Patricia Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:09:20 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-31219 Hi Cara - Awesome site! We have a small terrier mix (possibly Cairn) who weighs a little over 13 lbs. She is long though, from tip of her nose to her rump she is longer than any of the carriers about 23 inches (and about 11.5 at the shoulder) - I wonder how long your Chloe is and how she deals with it in the large Sturdibag. I am reluctant to buying one and then find out she won't fit into it. Curled up she is 17 inches by 12 inches lol. But that means she couldn't really stretch. Measured from the shoulder to the base of the tail she is 13.5 inches. We intend to fly to Switzerland (an 8 hour flight), stay there for a while and then to Israel (only about 4). We do this trip usually once a year and we stay for about a month and really want to take her with us. The airline (Swiss) has these rules: Pet pack: your pet is kept in a clean, escape-proof, scratch-proof, soft-sided pack. (Length + width + height = max. 115 cm) The pet has enough room in the pet pack. It is not allowed to move about freely on board. The Sturdibag (large) is within those parameters, so is the Contour Messenger Black Label Bag. Which do you think would be more comfortable? Thanks, Patricia Hi Cara -

Awesome site! We have a small terrier mix (possibly Cairn) who weighs a little over 13 lbs. She is long though, from tip of her nose to her rump she is longer than any of the carriers about 23 inches (and about 11.5 at the shoulder) – I wonder how long your Chloe is and how she deals with it in the large Sturdibag. I am reluctant to buying one and then find out she won’t fit into it. Curled up she is 17 inches by 12 inches lol. But that means she couldn’t really stretch. Measured from the shoulder to the base of the tail she is 13.5 inches.

We intend to fly to Switzerland (an 8 hour flight), stay there for a while and then to Israel (only about 4). We do this trip usually once a year and we stay for about a month and really want to take her with us. The airline (Swiss) has these rules:

Pet pack: your pet is kept in a clean, escape-proof, scratch-proof, soft-sided pack. (Length + width + height = max. 115 cm)

The pet has enough room in the pet pack. It is not allowed to move about freely on board.

The Sturdibag (large) is within those parameters, so is the Contour Messenger Black Label Bag. Which do you think would be more comfortable?

Thanks,
Patricia

]]> By: Patricia http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-31218 Patricia Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:06:42 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-31218 Hi- Awesome site! We have a small terrier mix (possibly Cairn) who weighs a little over 13 lbs. She is long though, from tip of her nose to her rump she is longer than any of the carriers about 23 inches (and about 11.5 at the shoulder) - I wonder how long your Chloe is and how she deals with it in the large Sturdibag. I am reluctant to buying one and then find out she won't fit into it. Curled up she is 17 inches by 12 inches lol. But that means she couldn't really stretch. We intend to fly to Switzerland (an 8 hour flight), stay there for a while and then to Israel (only about 4). We do this trip usually once a year and we stay for about a month and really want to take her with us. The airline (Swiss) has these rules: Pet pack: your pet is kept in a clean, escape-proof, scratch-proof, soft-sided pack. (Length + width + height = max. 115 cm) The pet has enough room in the pet pack. It is not allowed to move about freely on board. The Sturdibag (large) is within those parameters, so is the Contour Messenger Black Label Bag. Which do you think would be more comfortable? Thanks, Patricia Hi-

Awesome site! We have a small terrier mix (possibly Cairn) who weighs a little over 13 lbs. She is long though, from tip of her nose to her rump she is longer than any of the carriers about 23 inches (and about 11.5 at the shoulder) – I wonder how long your Chloe is and how she deals with it in the large Sturdibag. I am reluctant to buying one and then find out she won’t fit into it. Curled up she is 17 inches by 12 inches lol. But that means she couldn’t really stretch.

We intend to fly to Switzerland (an 8 hour flight), stay there for a while and then to Israel (only about 4). We do this trip usually once a year and we stay for about a month and really want to take her with us. The airline (Swiss) has these rules:

Pet pack: your pet is kept in a clean, escape-proof, scratch-proof, soft-sided pack. (Length + width + height = max. 115 cm)

The pet has enough room in the pet pack. It is not allowed to move about freely on board.

The Sturdibag (large) is within those parameters, so is the Contour Messenger Black Label Bag. Which do you think would be more comfortable?

Thanks,
Patricia

]]> By: Mary-Alice http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-30682 Mary-Alice Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:57:09 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-30682 Hi, Cara! A 3-lb. pup -- how adorable he must be! Now then. If the available space is as tall as his shoulders, he should be fine -- the bag needn't be as tall as his head, since shoulder-height means he can turn around, and he'll likely lie down for most of his travels anyway. However, if the space isn't as tall as his shoulders, I'd consider how likely it is that he'll have an accident. If it's very likely, you might consider taking out the pad that comes with the bag and just using one of the DryFur pads as the base (maybe put a small handtowel in there for him to snuggle up to). If not likely, I'd do without the DryFur pad -- Chloe's pretty reliable now, so we don't use the DryFur anymore (I'd use it as a base under her comfy pad -- a different one from the original pad -- if we were going on a really long trip, just as a precaution). If the bag is still too short with that adjustment (but how can it be? you have the tiniest of pups!), you'd want to consider swapping up to a large size. Let me know what you decide to do! Hi, Cara! A 3-lb. pup — how adorable he must be! Now then. If the available space is as tall as his shoulders, he should be fine — the bag needn’t be as tall as his head, since shoulder-height means he can turn around, and he’ll likely lie down for most of his travels anyway. However, if the space isn’t as tall as his shoulders, I’d consider how likely it is that he’ll have an accident. If it’s very likely, you might consider taking out the pad that comes with the bag and just using one of the DryFur pads as the base (maybe put a small handtowel in there for him to snuggle up to). If not likely, I’d do without the DryFur pad — Chloe’s pretty reliable now, so we don’t use the DryFur anymore (I’d use it as a base under her comfy pad — a different one from the original pad — if we were going on a really long trip, just as a precaution). If the bag is still too short with that adjustment (but how can it be? you have the tiniest of pups!), you’d want to consider swapping up to a large size. Let me know what you decide to do!

]]> By: Cara Butler http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-30605 Cara Butler Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:16:47 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-30605 I just purchased a small sturdi bag for my 3 lb toy poodle Deuce. I also packed it with the dry fur (with an extra in the bottom) the way you suggested and put him inside to see how he liked it. Of course he cried, it was during his free time after all, but the more I looked at him it seemed like the bag wasn't tall enough for him to stand. Idk if it was partly because of the added dry fur but he seemed uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is not medium sized bag so ive ordered the large bag. Since I know it already fits under the seat and I know he'll have plenty of room it's just up to me to see what would suit him best. I guess I'm just curious to know what your thoughts are. One last thing, does the strap that comes with the bags seem really short to you? I was hoping it would be long enought to hang across my body but I'm having a difficult time adjusting it. Just thought I'd ask but that for the help!!! I just purchased a small sturdi bag for my 3 lb toy poodle Deuce. I also packed it with the dry fur (with an extra in the bottom) the way you suggested and put him inside to see how he liked it. Of course he cried, it was during his free time after all, but the more I looked at him it seemed like the bag wasn’t tall enough for him to stand. Idk if it was partly because of the added dry fur but he seemed uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is not medium sized bag so ive ordered the large bag. Since I know it already fits under the seat and I know he’ll have plenty of room it’s just up to me to see what would suit him best. I guess I’m just curious to know what your thoughts are.

One last thing, does the strap that comes with the bags seem really short to you? I was hoping it would be long enought to hang across my body but I’m having a difficult time adjusting it. Just thought I’d ask but that for the help!!!

]]> By: Mary-Alice http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-27016 Mary-Alice Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:31 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-27016 Hi, Kat! We do fine on JetBlue with Chloe's large SturdiBag, but there would be utterly no anxiety, no fretting about agents' reactions, if Chloe fit in the size small. Is Lola full grown? How often do you plan to travel with her, and on trips of what length? If she's still going to grow, the large is a better choice. The large might also be a better choice if you plan to do a ton of cross-country/international flights, where the bonus room would be welcome. If instead to plan to do this big trip (actually, I have no idea where your starting point is, but I'm imagining it's on the West Coast) and then do short hops around the East Coast, with a rare trip back west, you might want to go with the small size. Hope that helps -- and thank you for the praise! Hi, Kat! We do fine on JetBlue with Chloe’s large SturdiBag, but there would be utterly no anxiety, no fretting about agents’ reactions, if Chloe fit in the size small. Is Lola full grown? How often do you plan to travel with her, and on trips of what length? If she’s still going to grow, the large is a better choice. The large might also be a better choice if you plan to do a ton of cross-country/international flights, where the bonus room would be welcome. If instead to plan to do this big trip (actually, I have no idea where your starting point is, but I’m imagining it’s on the West Coast) and then do short hops around the East Coast, with a rare trip back west, you might want to go with the small size. Hope that helps — and thank you for the praise!

]]> By: Kat http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-26762 Kat Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:42:09 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-26762 Hi Mary-Alice! I love your blog! It is so helpful. I am relocating to New York in about a month and I will be taking my dog with me. Her name is Lola, she is a 7.5 lb peekapoo and measures almost 10.5 inches from floor to shoulder. I would like to get her the sturdibag for the flight but I'm not sure what size to get. Do you have any input on which size to go for? I am flying Jet Blue. Thanks so much! Hope to hear back from you :) Hi Mary-Alice!

I love your blog! It is so helpful. I am relocating to New York in about a month and I will be taking my dog with me. Her name is Lola, she is a 7.5 lb peekapoo and measures almost 10.5 inches from floor to shoulder. I would like to get her the sturdibag for the flight but I’m not sure what size to get. Do you have any input on which size to go for? I am flying Jet Blue.

Thanks so much! Hope to hear back from you :)

]]> By: Mary-Alice http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-24622 Mary-Alice Tue, 24 May 2011 12:35:55 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-24622 Dear Dog Jaunt readers -- I get lots of comments on this post, and I've stopped publishing most of them because the issues are either similar to the ones that have already been addressed or really specific to the particular owner/dog traveling team. Instead, I answer them directly, using the e-mail address that WordPress requests when you leave a comment. A message from Sierra, the last commenter, mentioned that the last published comment was quite old, and was I still moderating this post, and the answer is yes, absolutely! Dear Dog Jaunt readers — I get lots of comments on this post, and I’ve stopped publishing most of them because the issues are either similar to the ones that have already been addressed or really specific to the particular owner/dog traveling team. Instead, I answer them directly, using the e-mail address that WordPress requests when you leave a comment. A message from Sierra, the last commenter, mentioned that the last published comment was quite old, and was I still moderating this post, and the answer is yes, absolutely!

]]> By: Mary-Alice http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-24621 Mary-Alice Tue, 24 May 2011 12:30:44 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-24621 Hi, Sierra! I'm so sorry it's taken so long to get back to you -- I'm on a long road trip, and failed to schedule in some quiet time to read and respond to messages. I'll plan better next time! Your carrier sounds absolutely fine to me, size-wise. As you may know, we travel with a large SturdiBag, typically, which is about the same size -- it's about 3 inches wider, but the other dimensions are just about the same. It works well for our 13.5 lb, 12" tall at the shoulders Cavalier. Now then, about the tranquilizer. I would talk to your vet, because if you find yourself desperate for a solution, it would be good to have one in hand. Choosing mediation/dosage any dog for flight, even in-cabin, is a job for a vet, and French Bulldogs present special issues because of their breathing apparatus. The hope, though, would be that he could make it without a tranquilizer, and my hope would be that he'd be so bemused by what was happening to him that he'd lie low and not make a fuss. You can improve the chances of that happening by making sure he gets a good, long walk before you leave Denmark -- and, ideally, some more exercise at the Amsterdam airport. On the plane, if he starts getting fussy, try taking him to the bathroom and getting him to move around a bit -- I know the stalls are tiny, but if you crouched up on the toilet seat cover you could pat him a bit and get him to work on some of his sit/down skills. If there was no real demand for the bathroom at that time, you could stay in there for a nice little chunk of time, and at least give him a break from the carrier. Consider bringing a Kong toy with you, stuffed with good things, that he'd have to work at. Sometimes I recommend one of those puzzle toys for dogs, but your pup may not be old enough for them. And although it's uncomfortable for you, I've found that Chloe settles down when I bend over in my seat and pat her through the top of her carrier. On some flights, you can pull the carrier onto your lap and pat your dog in it in a more comfortable position. On some flights, indeed, if the flight attendant is willing to turn a blind eye, you can zip open the carrier door and reach in very comfortably, or even let your dog's head poke out (almost no one is willing to let the whole dog come out of the carrier, however). Long answer, but I would talk to your vet so you have the right tranquilizer for your dog, for his age, available in your arsenal if he needs it. Good luck, and safe travels, and let us know how it goes! Hi, Sierra! I’m so sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you — I’m on a long road trip, and failed to schedule in some quiet time to read and respond to messages. I’ll plan better next time! Your carrier sounds absolutely fine to me, size-wise. As you may know, we travel with a large SturdiBag, typically, which is about the same size — it’s about 3 inches wider, but the other dimensions are just about the same. It works well for our 13.5 lb, 12″ tall at the shoulders Cavalier. Now then, about the tranquilizer. I would talk to your vet, because if you find yourself desperate for a solution, it would be good to have one in hand. Choosing mediation/dosage any dog for flight, even in-cabin, is a job for a vet, and French Bulldogs present special issues because of their breathing apparatus. The hope, though, would be that he could make it without a tranquilizer, and my hope would be that he’d be so bemused by what was happening to him that he’d lie low and not make a fuss. You can improve the chances of that happening by making sure he gets a good, long walk before you leave Denmark — and, ideally, some more exercise at the Amsterdam airport. On the plane, if he starts getting fussy, try taking him to the bathroom and getting him to move around a bit — I know the stalls are tiny, but if you crouched up on the toilet seat cover you could pat him a bit and get him to work on some of his sit/down skills. If there was no real demand for the bathroom at that time, you could stay in there for a nice little chunk of time, and at least give him a break from the carrier. Consider bringing a Kong toy with you, stuffed with good things, that he’d have to work at. Sometimes I recommend one of those puzzle toys for dogs, but your pup may not be old enough for them. And although it’s uncomfortable for you, I’ve found that Chloe settles down when I bend over in my seat and pat her through the top of her carrier. On some flights, you can pull the carrier onto your lap and pat your dog in it in a more comfortable position. On some flights, indeed, if the flight attendant is willing to turn a blind eye, you can zip open the carrier door and reach in very comfortably, or even let your dog’s head poke out (almost no one is willing to let the whole dog come out of the carrier, however).

Long answer, but I would talk to your vet so you have the right tranquilizer for your dog, for his age, available in your arsenal if he needs it. Good luck, and safe travels, and let us know how it goes!

]]> By: Sierra http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/04/airplane-carriers-in-cabin/comment-page-1/#comment-24530 Sierra Thu, 19 May 2011 01:59:34 +0000 http://www.dogjaunt.com/?p=595#comment-24530 I would like to thank you very much for this site as I have found it very useful for an upcoming trip I am taking to the US from Denmark in about two weeks, with Delta as our airline. I am travelling with one other person and am planning on bringing my french bulldog puppy who will be about 14 weeks old at the time. He has been to the vet several times and will need one more time before leaving so that everything is in order but I am concerned about a few things and would be extremely grateful for any advice and suggestions you could give. At this point, his weight is not so much an issue yet although his size in height and length is becoming close to what the adult size is. However, although adult french bulldogs do not normally grow over 30,5 cm or 12 inches max. in height measured at the shoulders nor are they very long, they are very compact and thus on the very heavy side for a small dog, weighing between 9-13 kg or between 19-28 lbs. At the same time, most airlines, including Delta, do not allow such snub-nosed dogs as french bulldogs to travel as cargo and leaving him behind even when he is a big boy would be very difficult as when travelling, we are often gone for weeks at a time and french bulldogs tend to become very particularly attached to their people, hating to be away from them even for a day. So I'm not really sure what to do about this... As for our carrier, it is a soft, very flexible bag that is a bit oversized in height but we wanted to give him a bit extra room while having a bag that could allow him to travel in it if he is to get a bit taller than he currently is, though the extra space was the main reason. It is measured at approx. 45 cm L x 21 cm W x 30 cm H or about 17,7 in L x 8,3 in W x 11,8 H although when I measured it myself I found that the height was actually closer to 11-11,5 in in height or 28-29 cm. The bag can be squished with ease if necessary, easily down to 20-21 cm (about 8 in) and even more actually though I doubt it would have to be squished that much. He likes the bag as he is already used to travelling in bags when we take him on the bus or train and will gladly play in and around it and doesn't mind being put in it although he would prefer it not to be shut as he pushes his face against the mesh sometimes. Because of this I'm worried he won't like travelling for the approximately 9 hours it will take when take our longest part of the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit and will become restless and possibly quite noisy. Should I talk to the vet about something to calm him for such a long flight? I've heard bad stories about people who have had badly behaving puppies on a long flight from Europe who were denied to bring their puppy back on the same airline when they went to leave to come back home from US... Since he isn't bad for travelling shorter distances (around 4 hours or so) I'd like to try to skip medication but after hearing these bad stories I am wondering if it would be the best for everyone, especially him... I would like to thank you very much for this site as I have found it very useful for an upcoming trip I am taking to the US from Denmark in about two weeks, with Delta as our airline. I am travelling with one other person and am planning on bringing my french bulldog puppy who will be about 14 weeks old at the time. He has been to the vet several times and will need one more time before leaving so that everything is in order but I am concerned about a few things and would be extremely grateful for any advice and suggestions you could give. At this point, his weight is not so much an issue yet although his size in height and length is becoming close to what the adult size is. However, although adult french bulldogs do not normally grow over 30,5 cm or 12 inches max. in height measured at the shoulders nor are they very long, they are very compact and thus on the very heavy side for a small dog, weighing between 9-13 kg or between 19-28 lbs. At the same time, most airlines, including Delta, do not allow such snub-nosed dogs as french bulldogs to travel as cargo and leaving him behind even when he is a big boy would be very difficult as when travelling, we are often gone for weeks at a time and french bulldogs tend to become very particularly attached to their people, hating to be away from them even for a day. So I’m not really sure what to do about this… As for our carrier, it is a soft, very flexible bag that is a bit oversized in height but we wanted to give him a bit extra room while having a bag that could allow him to travel in it if he is to get a bit taller than he currently is, though the extra space was the main reason. It is measured at approx. 45 cm L x 21 cm W x 30 cm H or about 17,7 in L x 8,3 in W x 11,8 H although when I measured it myself I found that the height was actually closer to 11-11,5 in in height or 28-29 cm. The bag can be squished with ease if necessary, easily down to 20-21 cm (about 8 in) and even more actually though I doubt it would have to be squished that much. He likes the bag as he is already used to travelling in bags when we take him on the bus or train and will gladly play in and around it and doesn’t mind being put in it although he would prefer it not to be shut as he pushes his face against the mesh sometimes. Because of this I’m worried he won’t like travelling for the approximately 9 hours it will take when take our longest part of the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit and will become restless and possibly quite noisy. Should I talk to the vet about something to calm him for such a long flight? I’ve heard bad stories about people who have had badly behaving puppies on a long flight from Europe who were denied to bring their puppy back on the same airline when they went to leave to come back home from US… Since he isn’t bad for travelling shorter distances (around 4 hours or so) I’d like to try to skip medication but after hearing these bad stories I am wondering if it would be the best for everyone, especially him…

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