If Your Puppy Must Be Shipped
Waiting for the plane carrying your new puppy to arrive is a nerve-wracking experience. The optimal situation is for a person to travel with the pup in the cabin, but this often isn't feasible unless you can fly out to collect your pup personally. In most cases, the pup will likely be shipped as air cargo.
If you're hesitant to spend the money to fly to pick up your pup, check the various online discount sites for booking air travel for low fares. Sometimes you can find a cheaper flight during the week as opposed to the weekend, or you can take an overnight flight to save money. If at all possible, picking up your pup in person will make the trip easier for both of you.
Some Safety Tips
Most breeders are experienced with shipping puppies, but you should still confirm a few points for your own peace of mind. The puppy should not be given tranquilizers for the trip. Drugs work differently at high altitudes, and these can actually endanger your pup. Also, direct flights are best, so there's no chance of the pup being misplaced in some distant city during a flight change.
While air travel is more relaxing and convenient than driving, there are some rules and restrictions you should know about before planning to ship or fly with your new puppy. Airlines have toughened their own rules on shipping live animals, including dogs. Many refuse shipments during the heat of summer. Others will only allow overnight flights so temperatures are cooler. Be sure to check with your chosen airline well in advance of your flight to learn these important regulations.
If your breeder will be shipping your puppy ask him to fill the crate's water cup and freeze it, putting it in the crate at the last moment so that the puppy will have water as it melts. It's also advisable to have something taped to the top of the crate (a bag of dog food or a rolled blanket) so that airline staff members are less likely to pile heavy luggage or other cargo on top of your pup's crate. Items will certainly shift, even during a smooth flight, and falling luggage can frighten and even injure your little pup.
Meeting the Flight
Once you know when your puppy is being shipped, call your airport and find out where you should meet the flight to collect your pup as quickly as possible. The pup will certainly be hungry and thirsty and will need to go out as soon as the plane lands. Once you have the dog in your possession, leave him in the crate, carry the crate to the car, and drive to the nearest available patch of green. With all car doors and windows closed, open the crate and fasten the new collar or harness and leash to the dog. Once everything is securely attached, let him out to stretch his legs and go to the bathroom. This brief time out of the crate will relax the puppy for the ride home. And unless there is someone else riding in the car with you who can hold the puppy during the drive, the pup will need to go back in the crate until you arrive safely at home.
