Having a puppy shipped by airlines is a common concern of many clients. As a breeder that has been shipping puppies across USA and Canada for 10+ years, I no longer have these concerns, but I do understand them so I thought I would take a few minutes to explain the procedure and hopefully put these concerns to rest.
In order to ship a puppy to other states and out of the country, the airlines require a health certificate issued by a verified vet within 10 days of travel. Essentially this certificate is a confirmation that the puppy is healthy. Some airlines will also require an acclimation statement from the vet, stating that the puppy can be exposed to temperatures in a given range for short periods of time. The airlines require that the animal NOT be sedated, as their balance and equilibrium is altered under sedation which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved. There is also concern that the increased altitude pressure can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems with animals that have been sedated. Depending on the airline and the airport, puppies are either checked in, as well as picked up, from either the nanny or baggage claim office in the passenger terminal. Puppies are checked in approximately two hours prior to the flight and are generally available to be picked up arrival within 30-45 minutes of arrival or delivered to receiver’s doorstep (if you requested or paid for a doorstep delivery).
After being checked in, puppies are kept in the passenger’s cabin beside the nanny that is flying with the puppy. They are kept in areas that are temperature controlled until it is time for them to be loaded onto the plane. Many airlines transport pets to and from the plane in heated/air conditioned vans. The airlines that do not have this option will not ship pets if the temperature is below 25 degrees or above 85 degrees. Once on the plane, pets travel in the passenger cabin that is also pressurized and temperature controlled.
Some people worry that being shipped is too traumatic of an experience for the puppies. At Proud staffordshire bull terrier kennel home, we do all we can to make this transition as low stress as possible. Carriers are lined with a thick layer of absorbent bedding for comfort, as well as to absorb any accidents that may happen while in the carrier. It is very rare for a puppy to relieve themselves while in the carrier, though it does happen on occasion. We also crumple up a mass of paper towels and put a thick layer of them in the carrier. This gives puppies the ability to burrow into them for a little extra warmth, as well as gives them a ‘hiding place’ to feel a little more safe and secluded during their trip.
Upon arrival most puppies seem relieved to see people- something familiar. It is a good idea to take some baby wet wipes and a towel with you to pick your puppy up (if you ordered or paid for airport pick up), especially if you have a long ride home. If your puppy is one of the few that relieved themselves in the carrier, you and your new puppy will appreciate a quick wet wipe bath and having a towel to switch out for the soiled bedding in the carrier. If it is a quick trip home, I would suggest leaving the puppy in its carrier until you get home. If it will be a longer drive you may want to let the puppy out in the car, before you get on the road to stretch its legs. Play it by ear though. Some puppies will be a bit shook up by all the change taking place and may be more comfortable left in the carrier.
Once you get home with your puppy, we recommend starting in a very small room. The master bathroom is ideal because there usually isn’t much for them to hide behind or under. This will force them to come out of their shell and explore quicker than they would if they were in an area that they could hide under a bed or behind a dresser. We send a teaser toy, two cans of wet food and a small bag of dry food attached to the carrier. Locate the toy and coax your puppy out of the carrier with the toy. Playtime is the fastest way to quell your puppy’s fears of a new environment and win their heart. Starting them in a small area will make them feel safer and more at ease. Too large of an area will cause sensory overload and make the acclimation process take longer.
If you ordered or paid for your puppy to be delivered to you right at your home, you just seat back at home, relax and make all the necessary arrangements to welcome your new family member. All the procedure that I explained above will be done by the nanny provided by the pet couriers who I use to ship the puppies. So they will go through all the process to make sure upon arrival at your doorstep, the puppy should be ready to jump out of the crate and start running around the house immediately.
