Posts Tagged ‘dog travel’

Advice On Buying The Most Suitable Dog Cage

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

When looking to buy a dog cage it can be quite confusing as there are so many different dog cages out there to buy. There are numerous to choose from such as the large, heavy duty travel cages, to the smaller, cute, decorative types that look more like a piece of furniture.

You will probably find one of the most popular and cheaper types are the wire cages. These are easy to service and are often used for crate training and travelling. One slight disadvantage is that they do not really provide a quiet retreat for your dog as they are open on all sides. This can be easily solved by placing a blanket over the cage.

A popular chice nowadays is the soft dog cage. They are popular because they look cute and thay are nice and warm and cozy for your dog. Although they are quite durable, you may run into problems if your dog likes to chew things or is going to grow a lot bigger. They are ideal for the smaller breeds of dogs.

The next type is the wicker dog cage, which is one of my favorites. It will often blend in with the furniture at home and so is ideal if you plan on keeping the cage indoors. As with the soft type of cage, these types are best suited to small dogs.

For transportation purposes the most common type used is the plastic dog cage. These come with a door at the front of the cage with vents on the side and top. They are often more expensive than the other types. If you are going to invest that extra money in one of these, it is worthwhile buying one that is airline carrier approved. For travelling on a car, I prefer this type over the wire cages.

When considering what type of cage is most suitable it is important to also consider the size of your dog and his habits. If he is large and a chewer, I would recommend a hard plastic dog cage, especially if he is going to be spending a lot of time in the cage.

Whichever type of cage you decide to buy, it is important to remember that this is your dogs new home. He should see this as somewhere that provides him with security and somewhere quiet to rest.

Fran writes many articles on car dog cages and about training your dog with small dog cages.

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The Use Of Kennels And Cages In Training Dogs

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

When looking for a dog kennel for your pet, remember there are certain types that are made for different breeds of dogs, and not every cage will be the right one for your particular situation. There are luxury kennels, designed for small dogs when they travel, that have every imaginable amenity included. Others are made for extremely large pets and are build to maximize security.

Dog cages can be made in virtually any size imaginable (even large enough to house a room full of adult sized people), and have many styles that serve various purposes. Make sure to get one that suits your exact needs and specifications.

If you are travelling with your pet then may want to get a cage that is fabric with a door of mesh and a zippered roof; or you may want to buy a hard plastic type of cage with metal doors, or a kennel which is totally metal mesh save for a solid floor. All of these are ideal for keeping your pet still while on a long car trip for vacation, or even for transporting the animal from one training event to another. It also makes a great way to carry your favourite canine when free roaming pets are not allowed.

When used indoors, kennels are primarily used for training, whether it be potty training, behavioral modification, or just “damage control” when you leave the house and feel your furniture might be in peril if your canine friend were left to his own devices. By keeping the dog in the cage at night when you do not want to take him outside to go to the toilet, you can teach him to operate his body on a schedule that best suits your needs and schedule.

You can also use the cage as a punishment when they have misbehaved. It won’t take many unwanted trips into the closed off space for him to learn when something is considered bad and not to be done. While it’s not a substitute for your attention, sometimes a cage is a good way to keep your rambunctious pet under control during times when you’re not home.

You can also buy cages that are made for outdoor use, like kennels, wooden floor cages that are a part of a doghouse, that are great for having a nice place to sleep and move around outside, or dog runs, that are much like cages but have legs above the ground, and are stronger. Finally, walk-in cages are good for the temporary housing of several large dogs, and provide ease of access and cleaning.

Graham writes articles on dog cages and crates and about whare to find cheap dog cages for sale online.

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Transport Dog Crates and Stylish Pet Carriers

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

You may have heard statistics about dogs in transport dog crates being injured or lost, and even dying on board airplanes. These statistics crop up from time to time, usually in the context of a fresh injury, loss or death. Airlines do generally attempt to do their utmost to ensure that dogs traveling by airplane arrive at their destination safely. In fact, dog breeders and other dog enthusiasts often use airplanes as dog transport for their dogs, without incident. And compared to the proportion of dogs in transport dog crates and pet travel carriers being successfully tansported, the proportion of mishaps is pretty small.

It is sensible to take as many reasonable precautions as you can to avoid any mishaps. After all, you would never forgive yourself if something terrible occurred and it was avoidable by you having taken some simple precautions.

The number one suggestion to all pet owners is to completely avoid sending your dog traveling in an airplane unless it is absolutely necessary. Many veterinarians and humane organizations are constantly reporting about dog injuries from air travel due to dogs which desperately attempt to claw its way out of the crate in order to escape. Some of them actually do escape and become injured in the cargo bay. Travel pet carriers have a much better track record, simple because they are by nature smaller, and pets in travel pet carriers usually travel in the passenger compartment under your seat.

The most important precautionary measure to take for the safety of your dog, if you do decide that the only dog transport available is to fly your dog, is to take him to the vet for a complete checkup to avoid complicating a pre-existing medical condition.

The best time of day for your dog to travel is when the outside temperature is at a medium level. So if you’re traveling in a warm climate, early morning or the evening are the best times. Conversely, if you’re traveling in especially cold weather, the middle of the day is best. This will help ensure that your dog does not overheat, or catch a chill.

Puppies, in particular, are likely to suffer from stress or anxiety if put into transport dog crates in the cargo area of the plane. Unless your puppy is already very large, it is really important to ensure that if flying is your only option, that you will be permitted to bring him with you in the passenger compartment.

Dogs of any age can suffer from separation anxiety, and some are much more prone to this than others. If your dog has ever shown signs of separation anxiety in any situation, you can be fairly certain that such a condition will be exacerbated if he is locked into a transport dog crate and left alone in the cargo section of the plane.

If you anticipate that there is any possibility that your dog will suffer from separation anxiety whilst in the cargo part of the airplane, investigate the possibility of treating him with a course of natural anti-anxiety treatments. Discuss this option with your vet. If your dog is prone to anxiety, your vet may even suggest that your dog be sedated. This is a last resort measure, but you should be guided by your vet’s advice, particularly if your vet knows your dog well and is making this recommendation.

Traveling with your dog takes meticulous planning and preparation. The right transport dog crates or other dog transport pet carriers are essential.

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Transport Dog Crates

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Traveling by air with your dog can be tricky. The first essential piece of equipment you’ll need is a suitable dog crate, but before you look at transport dog crates, you should make sure there are no alternatives to transporting your dog by air. Sometimes it is the only option, and if that is your situation, you should try to make the trip as worry free for your dog as possible.

Airplane travel for dogs is fraught with problems, and most pet owners who have made any enquiries about transporting animals by air are aware of dogs being injured or worse on such trips. Don’t misunderstand me, most dog air travel is incident free, but because things can go wrong, planning ahead can mean the difference between a smooth journey for your dog or one with mishaps.

Before you do anything else, you should call the airline you intend to travel with and find out their current policies on pet transportation. If you have a choice of airlines, call each one, as the policies may vary slightly. If you intend to transport a young puppy, you also need to be aware that federal regulations require that a puppy be at least 8 weeks old before it is permitted to be carried by air, and it needs to have been weaned for a minimum of 5 days prior to transportation.

Puppies and small dogs (usually less than 15 pounds in weight) can sometimes travel with you, in transport dog crates or other pet carriers, underneath your seat. If traveling with a small dog in this way, then, it is imperative that you ensure that the transport dog crate or other pet carrier’s dimensions are such that the crate or carrier will fit underneath the seat. Large dogs obviously cannot be slid under seats, and need to go in the cargo compartment of the airplane. It is still essential that the transport dog crates are of a suitable size for the dog, so as to minimize any distress caused to the dog. They need to be big enough so the dog is not completely confined, but not so big that the dog can be injured if the crate is handled carelessly.

These are some steps you can take to ensure a less stressful trip for your pet if you need to transport them by airplane:

- stop-overs and transfers extend the journey for your dog, so opt for a direct flight wherever you can.

- find out about any delays in your flight schedule before you leave for the airport. You can confirm your flight the day before but it’s also a good idea to call the airport just before you are due to leave as well, to double check whether the flight is scheduled to take off on time.

- just prior to leaving for the airport, take your dog for a walk.

- check with your vet as to feeding recommendations for your dog. Most vets will recommend that your dog travel on an empty stomach. For long flights, your dog will need to be fed, and your vet will advise you what is appropriate, taking into account your dog’s age, size and regular diet.

- ensure that plenty of water will be available to your dog during the flight to prevent dehydration.

- it’s good practise to plan to arrive early at the airport. This is especially important when you’re traveling with a pet, as there are more things that can hold you up.

- toilet your dog just before you place him in the transport dog crate if at all possible. Enquire in advance whether there are facilities for your dog to toilet at the airport. If not, get your dog to go immediately prior to leaving for the airport, or stop enroute to the airport just before you get there.

- before boarding your dog, stay with him for as long as the airport staff will allow you to. And ask whether it is possible for you to personally deliver your dog to the gate.

- tell your flight attendant as soon as you board the plane that you have a dog in the cargo area.

- upon arrival at your destination, go immediately to the baggage area to welcome your dog.

Before making a decision on transport dog crates, discover information on dog transport and stylish pet carriers at HealthierDogs.com

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