What's the real deal with shipping?

I don't think shipping a puppy is ideal by any means, but I am having a hard time finding breeders anywhere near me where I could drive. My question is this--I have been to several (more like hundreds LOL) of sites who ship their pups and all say that Continental and Delta have special pet shipping procedures now and that they are in pressurized cabins--the same environment that we fly in. Then I came across another breeders site and she basically said that this is not true and that they are in cargo (no matter what they tell you). I wish I would have remembered her site, but I don't.
What's the truth about shipping pups?

 

I honeslty don't know as I've had no experience with this, but, my suggestion would be to contact a few airlines directly. They would probably be the best to get accurate info from

 

I'm not quite sure either! I asked a friend of mine who used to work for various airlines, and since she's been out of the business for a while now, she wasn't sure whether they have what you are speaking of...she knows they didn't have them when she worked for the airlines. Like PooGirl said, I would call the airline(s) directly and see what they have to say about it. Flying a pet via cargo definitely isn't pleasant (for the pet), and if you can, I would avoid it by all means!!!

Here's an interesting article regarding pets and flying:
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/magaz ... 02_1.shtml

If the breeder is too far away, and flying seems to be your only option, why don't you consider flying there (to where the breeder is), and flying back with your puppy in the cabin with you so he/she doesn't have to go through the stress and other problems related to being put in cargo!!! :y_the_best:

Good luck!

 

I have certainly thought about me going to get her...problem is that I have a *little* fear of flying If I had to to do I could--just not the most pleasant thing for me.

 

You're much safer flying than driving!!! :wink:

I do understand though, I know a couple of people who have a fear of flying, and it must not be easy to face that fear. However, having been on so many flights (I've lost count, too many to remember :lol: ), I can assure you, it's not bad at all (then again, I never had, and still don't have, a fear of flying, so I'm probably a bit biased :roll: ). Although, my great aunt has a rather significant fear of flying, but this summer she had to fly out to DC for a wedding, and after the flight, she said it was just fine, and she'd do it again!!! So, if she can do it, believe me, you can do it!!! :y_the_best:

 

Oh I know I can do it--I did it last year. I know it's hard for people who don't have a fear to understand (my hubby tries but can't get it). The thing is that I know that flying is safer than driving--I know all the statistics...but that is why they call it an irrational fear. You can know all you want, but it still doesn't help you during take-off Actually, once I am in the air I am pretty good (same with landing). It is really the take-of that I hate.
I'm sure it would be easier if I knew I was going to pick up my baby and then I would have her with me on the flight home too! Don't get me wrong, I would do it, I just wouldn't love it

 

That's right, knowing that you are going to pick up your furbaby will make the flight more than worth it!!!

 

well, from the research that I have done, I've read that reputable breeders will not ship their pups, because they would like to meet the future parents and give them the third degree (anyone that doesn't ask you a million question obvisiously doesn't care for the pups). I have also read the the pups are secluded in a dark tramatizing area because the it's the cheapest way for the breeder and the pups can be extremely tramatized by this. I had a friend who got her pup this way and afterwards the pup was really afraid of her crate because she had bad association with it, she did improve with time. I think you should really fly down yourself, meet the breeder and the pup's parents.

 

I have experience with shipping, both my dogs were shipped. My breeder whom I got both from was very concerned about where her pups went. She asks a lot of questions and wants to see pictures of your house you, kids etc. My first dog (Max) I had to get from Cleveland OH which is about 3 1/2 hrs away we drove there to get him in the cargo dept. You have to have your pup checked by an airline approved vet to ok that flying is safe for that particular dog. It has to be a certain temp. outside and in the cargo department. The first time we got Max from Continental and we did have to go to the cargo dept of the airport which was totally seperate from the airport. We were very skeptical but we live in NY and our breeder was in OK so we had no choice. It was quite expensive for us to ship him let alone to go there and fly him back, so that was not an option for us. I did have the same problem, there are no Papillon's in my area at all, I checked everywhere.

The secound time I got Rosco and I called several airlines and only so many do this, we had to fly from Ada Ok which is about 2hrs away from my breeder so there were only a few that flew to both her location and mine. Delta was the best for us, they fly them in the cargo department but people check on them periodically. Rosco we picked up right at our local airport and we got him right at check in. That was much easier for us and my breeder. The plane ride isn't that long either. Depending on your location, and the pups. We did have to have a layover but someone did check on the dog and make sure they had water and food.

Both my dogs came out of the airplane with open arms, neither were distraught or tramatized or any of that. I am sure it depends on each individual dog but dogs are left alone at home for just as many hours. They have to have a airline (vet) approved crate. :wink:

If I had to ship my puppy again I would. I did not have a bad experience and hopefully if you decide to, you won't either.

Good Luck, let us know what you decide. :wink:

 

This dark secluded area in which you are speaking of is the cargo area of the plane (where all the luggage and stuff is stored).

Just thought I'd point that out!

 

It is the Cargo area and it has the same temp and same pressure as the cabin .yes it is dark in there and shipping puppies is something that has to be well thouught out and well planned and have the right type care .
It is never wise to ship a puppy hta tis easily frightened ,so the personality of the puppy is a factor ,so is the age ,the crate they are in makes a huge dfference also ,some airlines are foolish and even if a carrier is Ffa approved ,they won't let you use one with good ventalation ,Like Delta for instance ...So best to use a breeder that knows all the ins and outs of shipping before you have a puppy shipped and refuse to have it shipped under at least and I don't like it but at least 11 weeks ,12 or older is better ...

 

You must make a date 7 days before you ship a dog. it has to have an airline approved crate. be vet checked within 10 days of shipping. be up to date on shots. free of all diseases, at least 8 weeks old. It is best to ship counter to counter. that way the dog dont set in the laugge(sp) all night or day. united has cargo that is temp controlled.

 

I did not have a bad experience with shipping either of my dogs. The breeder I choose had done this several times before. Unfortuantly, depeding on the breed you choose you may not have too many options. If that is such a big factor for you, then you may want to choose a different breed. Like I said before I had no problems with it, and I would have no problem doing it again. I love the breed of dogs I have and that is the only option for me. To each their own I guess. I did in fact ask my breeder if she has ever encountered a dog to be "traumatized" and she said "no." So I guess in rare cases dogs can be distraught. The breeder I choose leaves a few toys, a sock or something with their mothers scent on it, and they are of cource well over 8 weeks. LOL Like I said I do see a lot of people posting against it, but depending on the breed you want, depends on the availabilty in your area. I would tend to say that no one here is posting from past experience and I don't recall anyone experiency a bad trip. So good luck in whatever you choose, if it were me I would not get the breed I want becuase of this issue. LOL Hope this helps.

 

Whether or not you ship a puppy does or does not make you a good or bad breeder ...Show dogs are shipped from all over the world in cargo .People take their dogs with them on trips and if too large to go in cabin,they go in CARGO ...
the premise that only a bad breeder ships came from the fact that puppy mills ship as many puppies as they can in one crate on airlines to pet stores .
Often these puppies are packed into a single small carrier /no food or water and this is what gave shipping the bad rep ...
I have actually seen this years ago when I was shipping a puppy to california,a lady came in ...had 8 more than apt from their looks 6 week old puppies packed in a crate ,she sat them down and the airline took them and sat them out on the hot pavement ...
No food /no water ...nothing in the crate but 8 tiny crying babies ...I was livid ! I ask "why don't those babies have water ,why do so many go in one crate (a tiny one at that ) plus I let the sirline and the woman know what I thought about the whole thing .
Here my girl was in an overlarge special carrie I order just for mine ,toys ,food ,bed ,puppy pads ,the whole 9 yards ,not afraid or cowering ,but was recieving the best attention from all in the room ,was not placed out in hte heat but yet those babies were suffering ....
That is a bad breeder ...Luckilly the airlines now have updated rules ,most won't take over 2 at a time in a carrier and the dog Must have food and water inside the carrier ...
I am sure that their still is a few that get by with the mass sending of babies ...but the shipping istself is not the telltale sign of a bad breeder ,it is WHAT BREEDER is bad ..
Now ,there are some puppies that should never be shipped ,if they are too young ,never under 11 weeks and preferable over 12 to 16 ...one that is scared of a kennel ,one that has had a problem with hypoglycemia ...all aspects of the puppoies personality should go into the decision of shipping or not ,I have never had one to die ,sicken (except for a little car /travel sickness ) or be treated ill by any airline ..
The breeder you choose must put all in perspective before she ever agrees to fly a pupy to you ..
I have always said ,,,better to deliver or come pick up ,but in cases where the area is just too far or as IN alaska ...someitmes shipping is the way you have to go ...Just make sure the breeder you choose knows the correct way and the correct procedures of shipping a puppy and not only wat an airline says and requires but what she should require also .

 

Okay... I have done both... 2 of mine were flown and the last I drove and picked up. I must admit, the excitement of driving 9 hours to pick up my baby was thrilling (took 9 hrs cause we got lost!!!!! Darn Blatimore anyways!!!) But, my first 2 were shipped, and I have to say, the airlines were great!!! One came into Philly and the other Harrisburg. The personal there were excited to me my new babies, almost as much as I was. And they personally carried them to me, waiting for me to open the crate to see them too! So, the flying isn't an issue to me.... all of my babies were healthy and happy and seemed unscathed by the whole thing!!!!!

Denise

 

You're right, I haven't experienced it personally with my pups! The only reason why I am quite confident in what I say is due to the fact that I am friends with someone who worked for various airlines and has witnessed with her very own eyes what goes on "behind closed doors." She has seen the dogs lying in their own feces because they either couldn't hold it, or got nervous, she has seen the dogs covered in their own vomit because they got sick during the flight, she has seen the dogs trembling with fear before and after the flight, she has seen it all, and what she saw was NOT the minority!!!!!! Let's face it, it's a sad, but true, fact...cargo is far from luxury accomodations, this excerpt from dogfriendly.com says it all:

Put yourself in the pup's position, would you feel comfy and safe in such an area?!?! (Very few arilines have changed such accomodations!)

Yes, shipping is done all the time, and most dogs come out alive, no doubt about that! I'm not saying a breeder, nor the buyer, is "bad" for shipping, what I AM saying is that I would hope it would be the LAST resort for any breeder, and only done under ideal circumstances, if it must be done at all!!!!

Thanks for letting me explain myself, and I sincerely don't mean to offend anyone in what I said!

*BTW, I think this topic has pretty much been beaten dead by now, so this is the last reply/comment *I* will make on this thread/topic!

 

My baby shih .....it is true puppies cannot hold their pee and poop htat long and if in a crate for long amounts of time ,they will pee and poop in it and if they have no here else to lay ,will lay in it ...
A good breeder would make sure they have a large enough crate that the bed and puppy pads are there for them and there are many htat get sick ..travel sick ...but you proved my point about crate trainning better with your statements about crates than I could have imagined ..A puppy ,left in a crate ,for long periods of time ,cannot hold their poop or pee and will use it and if haveing no where else to lay hteir head ,will lay in it also ...
Thanks ! and i am not being sarcastic here I truly mean ..Thank you !

 

For me I look at it this way: If you pick up your puppy you are driving so you are most likely going to crate him/her for the amount of time to drive so, in that amount of time I am sure your puppy being so young is bound to have a few accidents.

Like I said if I were you I would not consider a different breed just based on the fact that you will have to ship him/her.

But honestly I really don't know of anyone who had a bad experience personally so therefore I do not disagree with it. And I do agree with the airlines being extra curtious and anxious for you to meet your new puppy. When I picked up Rosco there was another couple waiting patiently too, and both pups were so excited to see us.

I would not consider a breeder just based on the fact that they ship their pups. They most likely are in for the best interest of their pup as well. Many breeders guarantee the health of their pup, in term if there was a problem they would give you another anyways, and I am sure they don't want that either.

Like MyBaby said, I am finished posting on this topic as well. No matter what breed or breeder you choose there are risks involved no matter what. So LOL.[/quote]

 

Denise, LOL about your 9-hour drive!

We live in VT and are planning on picking up our boy in Alabama! Yes, you know where.

Because we drive to FL every year for the winter school break to visit family (and get some SUN, it's dark in VT in Dec.) -- so we figure taking a "few hour" detour "on the way" home will be the best route (we also happen to live 2 hours from the nearest "real" airport -- our local airport, only 10 minutes away, only has turboprops flying in and out, and I would not wish that ride on any puppy).

So, I guess it is true, some people will go to any length for their "babies."

Cheers. Jane

 

I'm a research-a-holic, and I've been researching this very topic.

My puppy is being shipped to me as well. At first I was a little freaked about it. Then I realized the ones who were really "freaky" were those (breeders, "dog experts", etc.) saying that ALL breeders who ship dogs are bad. I don't like blanket statements...usually. So, this kind of attitude led me to do more research.

I have a friend who is an air traffic controller (mgr. of his dept.). He's been doing this for 25 years. I asked him about it. The first thing he asked was "which airline?" I said it was Delta. He said, "no problem. I wouldn't hesitate for a second." He said that Delta is the best, and they are wonderful in the "pet dept."

Also, I have a breeder friend who also doesn't like to ship, but has done it. She said that the only way she'll do it is to use the "counter-to-counter" method, or the "desktop" (or something like that). That is where the stewardess actually carries the pet off the plane and directly to you. It costs a little more, but it's worth it. It's about $250. But since I don't have the 20 hrs. to drive one way, this is necessary.

Another breeder told me that the 2 hr. plane ride is much less tramatizing than a 20 hr. (or even less) car ride.

Food for thought.