| Have you wanted to visit friends or relatives, or | | | | luggage. Be sure to ask about the airline's requirement |
| perhaps hike the trails at a scenic park? Did concerns | | | | of toys inside the crate when you make your |
| over leaving your pet behind prevent you from | | | | reservations. If the airline does allow toys, it is nice to |
| going? Traveling with your pet is easier than you | | | | supply your toy breed dog with at least one |
| think. | | | | companion toy for the trip. The crate will also need |
| Air travel with pets falls into two categories, in-cabin | | | | to have one water dish and one food dish attached |
| and cargo. In-cabin pets must be small enough to fit | | | | to the front of the door. Most airlines will require you |
| into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of | | | | to place a bag of food on top of the crate and |
| you. Pets too large to fit comfortably in a carrier | | | | some inside the food dish. You will also need to |
| must travel in cargo. If your pet needs to travel in | | | | provide soft, absorbent material for the bottom of |
| the cargo area of the plane, you will need to check | | | | the crate. A soft blanket with your scent works well. |
| for temperature restrictions. Most cargo areas are | | | | Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-cal |
| not temperature controlled. They do not have air | | | | before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite |
| conditioning or heat. | | | | with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride |
| When you make your plane reservations ask if the | | | | in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The |
| airline will accommodate your pet. Some airlines do | | | | Nutri-cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy |
| not take pets. If you purchase your airline tickets | | | | breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia |
| through the Internet, make sure your pet will be able | | | | (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur |
| to travel with you. You will need a reservation for | | | | during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy |
| your pet as well as yourself. You will need to inquire | | | | breed dog tranquilizers. |
| of the airline's specific requirements such as plastic | | | | The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, |
| crate or soft-sided carrier. Ask the airlines what size | | | | which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off |
| will be required for your specific pet. | | | | into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will |
| Airlines have restrictions on the number of pets they | | | | probably sleep most of the trip. |
| will carry in order to provide safe travel for all. | | | | You will probably want to train your toy breed pet |
| Therefore, making your pet's reservation at the | | | | before the trip to make your pet a better traveler. |
| same time you purchase your ticket is a good idea. | | | | There are many resources available that will show |
| Extra charges for both in-cabin and cargo pets will be | | | | you how to accomplish this. One way to help your |
| assessed. | | | | pet get use to traveling inside a hard-sided crate or a |
| You will need a health certificate from your | | | | soft-sided carrier is to pack the crate or carrier just |
| veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. | | | | as you would for the airplane trip. Take your pet for |
| If your trip will be longer than that you will need to | | | | several trips in the car before you actually go on the |
| purchase another health certificate for the return trip. | | | | airplane trip. Take your toy breed pet to the vet in |
| Cost of a health certificate varies by location and | | | | the same carrier or crate you will be using for the |
| vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45. | | | | airlines. A soft blanket with your scent is nice to place |
| Most airlines require a soft-sided carrier for in-cabin | | | | in the bottom of the crate for your toy breed pet's |
| pet traveling. Some soft-sided carriers come with | | | | comfort. Time spent training will definitely pay off for |
| wheels just like luggage, which makes it easier to | | | | you and your toy breed pet. |
| transport your pet through the airport. A soft-sided | | | | Don't hesitate to travel by air with your toy breed |
| carrier also reduces the amount of "pet space" under | | | | pet. A little preparation and planning before the trip is |
| the airplane seat. Window and middle seats have | | | | all that is usually required. Flying with your toy breed |
| more room underneath than aisle seats due to seat | | | | pet is safer than traveling in an automobile. Don't |
| configurations. | | | | forget to check with your motel to see if pets are |
| Toy breed dogs traveling in cargo will need an | | | | welcome! |
| airline-approved crate. Generally, these are hard-sided, | | | | Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us online at: We are |
| non-collapsible crates. The airlines usually require the | | | | an article and dog training resource directory all about |
| toy breed dog be able to stand and turn around | | | | toy breed dogs. Sign up for our bi-weekly |
| comfortably in the crate. Some airlines will not allow | | | | newsletters. |
| toys to be inside the crate. You may have to pack | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| your toy breed dog's toys separately with your own | | | | |