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liquidmoonfarms

Flying your puppy home

Updated: Jul 1, 2022

Pups are free to go beginning February 6. I am not concerned if the pup needs to stay with me a bit longer in order to finalize or schedule pick up. I will not charge you and am ONLY concerned that the puppies make it to you safe and fairly stress free.


Due to weather we are not shipping puppies in cargo. There are other options to bring your puppy home from Kentucky though.


Flight Nannies:

A Fight Nanny would meet me at the airport and fly with your puppy in cabin. You meet the Flight Nanny at your airport and pick pup up. Their price is usually reasonable and they provide everything for the flight. Due to it’s minimal contact, this is a good option for any that need to worry about COVID. Pet Jet Pals has been recommend by a few other ES breeders. Visit their website for more information.


Transporter:

A driver is also an option. This site has been used by a few buyers and recommend. You enter your information and they email you a list of transporters in your area and their quotes. Each business should be verified by you.


Flying with your puppy

I will meet you at Lexington Airport and you will fly your puppy home.


Meet Me At The Airport

Reservations

Call the airline as soon as possible to make a reservation for you and your puppy. It is best to call the airline for this reservation so you can ensure they know about your puppy and you can get the most up-to-date information on the airlines requirements for documents, travel crates, etc.


Gather Your Gear Ahead of Time

Since you are flying with your pup, you need more gear than you would if you were driving.

● Leash

● Small, battery-powered fan

● Treats, take a variety of tasty treats that do not need refrigeration

● Water container. A small, sealable container for water, such as a Tupperware or Ziploc container. Remember, buy your bottle of water AFTER you get through Security so it won’t be confiscated on the way through.

● Chews. Get a few puppy-sized chewies, such as stuffed Kongs, bully straps, pig’s ears and marrow bones. If you are traveling internationally, be sure you know the importation rules for bringing chews into the country.

● Cooling bags. Four to six quart-sized Ziploc bags that you can have the flight attendant fill with ice, then double bag them and put them in the Sherpa to keep the puppy cool.

● Benadryl tablets, split into the appropriate size for your puppy. Benadryl makes most puppies drowsy so tends to make the flight go more smoothly. Give the first dose 30 minutes before you take off and then every 6-8 hours thereafter. We give our 10-12 pound puppies ½ Benadryl every 6 hours. Check with your veterinarian to find out what the correct dose would be for your puppy.


What I can help with:

● Sherpa pet carrier. Get a Sherpa with the most ventilation and a two-sided bottom with both vinyl and fleece.

○I will purchase your sherpa from Amazon and add the price to your final puppy cost. They run between $30-50. I will email you the receipt

○I will need to get your puppy accustomed to his Sherpa before he leaves.

● Potty Packs consisting of the following in a one-gallon Ziploc bag:

○ One Wee wee pad

○ Three paper towels, folded individually

○ A snack-sized Ziploc bag of pellets of potty litter for the puppies

● Comforting smells. A soft toy and/or towel that has the scent of your puppy’s mom and littermates on it.

● Meals. I will be giving you some food, but bring a container to feed in, if needed.

● Baggies for potty cleanup at or on the way home from the airport

● Collar


Using Potty Packs

Take the stress out of pottying your puppy in the airport and onboard the plane by having potty packs ready. To use a potty pack, put the wee-wee pad on the ground in a bathroom stall and sprinkle the litter on it. Keep the puppy on leash while encouraging her to potty on the pad. Wait patiently since puppies often are distracted when you first put them down in a new place. Once the puppy potties, fold up the used wee-wee pad and put it in the Ziploc bag. Use the paper towels to clean up any mess. Toss them in the bag, seal it and dispose of everything in the bathroom trash container. Do not use designated dog potty areas, as your pup is not fully vaccinated yet and we don't want her sick.


What to expect on the flight

What should you expect when you fly with a puppy in the cabin? Much of your trip will be similar to any other airline flight. After arriving at the airport but before going inside, try to potty your puppy. Then check in at the normal airline counter before making your way through security. At the counter, you may need to show your pup’s health certificate to the airline personnel. At security, you will have to remove your puppy so the Sherpa can be x-rayed. Then you will go to and wait at the gate until your flight is called. While moving through the airport, your pup should be in the Sherpa bag but once at the gate, you can take her out for some playtime and relaxation. Keep an eye on her in case she needs to potty. If she does, use your potty packs (see above) to keep the airport clean. It’s usually best to go to the restroom to get her to potty. Take her to the restroom if you think she needs to potty.


We recommend giving puppies a dose of normal, human Benadryl about 30 minutes before boarding the plane. Benadryl makes most puppies very sleepy so will help the pup nap throughout the flight. Check with your vet regarding the correct dosage for your puppy. Once onboard, your puppy will need to be in a closed Sherpa bag, at least during take-off and landing. Occasionally, kind flight attendants will let you hold her on your lap during the rest of the flight but that is rare. However, you should be able open the top of the Sherpa bag so you can pet, reassure and take care of your pup. The biggest challenge for puppies on airplanes is heat. Hot puppies are miserable and often very loud so do what you can to keep your puppy cool. Cool puppies sleep. To safely cool your puppy, put her leash on so she doesn’t get loose and open the top of the Sherpa bag. Then, direct the overhead air vent into it. Ask the flight attendants to fill some double-bagged, Ziploc bags with ice and place them in or around the Sherpa. Direct a small, battery-powered fan into the Sherpa. Keep your puppy occupied during the flight with chewies, meals and water. If she starts to get restless, she may need to potty so grab a potty pack and head to the restroom. Put the wee-wee pad on the floor and sprinkle the litter on it. Encourage her to potty on the pad. Wait patiently since puppies often are distracted when you first put them down in a new place. Once she potties, fold up the used wee-wee pad and put it in the Ziploc bag. Use the paper towels to clean up any mess. Toss them in the bag, seal it and dispose of everything in the trash container. That’s about it except expect to be the most popular person in the airport with your new pup. Passengers love to meet puppies while they wait for their planes. Flying is a great experience for your pup so enjoy the trip!

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