Traveling with your German Shepherd can be a rewarding experience, creating lasting memories as you explore new destinations together. However, air travel requires careful planning and consideration to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort. This comprehensive guide provides practical tips and insights for successfully flying with your German Shepherd, covering everything from pre-flight preparations to in-flight considerations.
Understanding Your German Shepherd’s Travel Needs
German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and protective nature. They are also active dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Understanding these traits is essential for planning a trip that caters to their needs, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout your travels.
Pre-Flight Preparations
- Consult Your Veterinarian: Before flying, schedule a visit with your veterinarian to ensure your German Shepherd is healthy enough to travel. Confirm that your dog is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations and obtain a health certificate if required by the airline or destination. Discuss whether sedation is appropriate for your dog during the flight.
- Research Airline Policies: Each airline has its own regulations for traveling with animals. Research airline policies regarding pet travel, including breed and size restrictions, crate requirements, and any necessary documentation. Some airlines may have restrictions on the number of animals permitted on each flight, so it’s essential to make reservations for your dog in advance.
- Acclimatize Your Dog to a Crate: If your German Shepherd will be traveling in cargo, it’s crucial to acclimate them to a crate well before the trip. Choose a crate that complies with the airline’s specifications and is large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Encourage your dog to enter the crate voluntarily by placing treats and toys inside. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate, making it a positive and comfortable experience.
- Book Direct Flights: When flying with a dog, it’s best to book direct flights whenever possible to minimize stress and reduce the risk of delays or misconnections. If a direct flight is not available, choose a route with the fewest layovers.
- Consider the Temperature: Check the temperature of the flight’s starting point and destination, as extreme temperatures can be dangerous for dogs. During summer, try to book early morning or evening flights to avoid the hottest parts of the day. In winter, it’s best to book midday flights to avoid the cold. Note that during extreme temperatures, dogs are often not allowed to fly in cargo.
At the Airport
- Inform the Airline: Inform the airline, tour operator, or booking agent that you intend to fly with a guide or assistance dog. This should ideally be done at least 48 hours before flying, although every reasonable effort should be made by the airline to accommodate a guide or assistance dog if less notice is unavoidable.
- Arrive Early: Arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight to allow ample time for check-in, security, and any necessary procedures. This will also give your dog a chance to relieve themselves before boarding.
- Security Checkpoint: Before passing through security and departures, you should be offered the opportunity, and assisted by the PRM agent, to take your dog to spend (relieve itself) at the designated spending facility. The same agent may also run through a checklist when checking-in, to ensure that you have the appropriate PETS passport or other paperwork for your dog to leave and re-enter the country.
- Boarding: You and your dog should be boarded on the aircraft first, along with other PRM passengers, to ensure you are comfortably seated before other passengers embark.
In-Flight Considerations
- Comfort and Safety: Ensure your German Shepherd has access to fresh water during the flight. You can freeze a water bowl before the flight, so it gradually melts and provides a continuous water source. Provide a familiar blanket or toy to help your dog feel more secure.
- Monitor Your Dog: Throughout the flight, monitor your dog for any signs of distress or discomfort. If your dog is traveling in cargo, ask the flight attendants to check on them periodically.
- Assistance Dogs: Airlines are entitled to ask for evidence that a guide or assistance dog is trained by, what is known as, a recognised training organisation. A list of qualifying training organisations can be found on the International Guide Dogs Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI) websites.
Post-Flight
- Veterinary Check-Up: After the flight, consider taking your German Shepherd to the veterinarian for a check-up, especially if they traveled in cargo. This will ensure they are healthy and have not experienced any adverse effects from the journey.
Additional Tips
- Pack a Travel Kit: Pack a travel kit for your German Shepherd, including food, water, bowls, leash, waste bags, toys, and any necessary medications.
- Exercise: Plan your itinerary to include dog-friendly parks, trails, and beaches where your dog can run and play. Bring along interactive toys and puzzles to keep them engaged during downtimes.
By following these tips, you can help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable flight for your German Shepherd. With careful planning and preparation, you can create lasting memories as you explore new destinations together.