Hi All,

This is my first post but I have lurked for a long time and found this site extremely helpful.

We have just received PR, have booked flights and are off to Canada in two weeks time!

Does anyone have any last minute advice for travelling through airports with pets (including giant breed guard dog) and toddler in tow, or any must dos to make landing easier?

I think we have all the paperwork in order, I just wondered if there were any sanity saving ideas!

Thank you

For the toddler take them a bag with some knick knacks to keep them entertained...a few bits they have never seen before. Some people even wrap up stuff so it takes longer to open them!

We starve the kids of TV a few days before and load up an iPad with their favourite tv shows and a few good games.

Take lots of (non messy) snacks because the airplane food may not be their cup of tea or be served at the right time. (we have a family airplane picnic as we go so cheap that food is not free on the plane!)

Something to suck, whether its a soother, bottle, (candy or gum if older) or something else for the take off and landing for their ears.

Maybe a small pillow, cushion or blankie for if they have a nap. A favourite cuddle toy or comforter.

For the small kids we have used a CARES harness - most airlines will let you use them - if you do use one first google the airline name plus CARES to see if they allow you to use them on board.

Some airports have play areas that aren't publicized so check the airport website before you go as its somewhere they can let off a bit of steam before the flight. I think it was heathrow where theres a room with lots of inflatable and bouncy stuff just off the departure lounge. We also do a few trips up and down the travelators to wear them out beforehand!

Good luck!

You might need to pick up your dog at the cargo terminal...better to check now where the dog will be released....assuming you've carried out all prodedures for immigrating a dog.

Flossie and Jim, thank you so much, that all sounds brilliant. We will have to take our own food anyway as both our son and I have coeliac disease and its easier not to risk the frequently gluten containing gluten free meals. Great idea about no TV for a few days before, I would never have thought of that.
Unfortunately he is too big for a cares, even though he is only just two. He has flown quite a bit before, although only very short flights, so I am hoping that we can entertain him enough, and we are flying into Halifax so its not a long flight luckily.
Great idea about the travelators too, generally he loves travelling and I'm hoping this isn't the time that changes!

Davita thanks very much. Yes, that bit is all planned, our dog has been around the world with us a lot already as we have lived in a lot of different countries so nothing new on the procedure front. We have used a pet travel company to schedule the flights, do the paperwork etc, which we normally do as it is complicated flying a dog of his size (93 kg) who cant be handled by anyone other than myself, my husband or our son. He has a pet passport too, and all jabs are up to date.
This is just the first time we have travelled with dog and toddler rather than just dog, somehow I feel that can only add to the chaos.

RE: Post # 4
Taking your dog all over the world cannot include where I currently live..... Indonesia.
Here they eat dogs and I visualise many Manadonese guys licking their lips over seeing a 93Kg lunch...

93kg???? what sort of dog have you got?

Yes check beforehand where the Cargo area is. The one in Calgary was very hard to find. Roads had closed etc.

We flew our dog out a few days later than us. Figured a tired child and a dog just off a flight would be too much.

Is his name Clifford?

Maybe Digby

Or Fluffy

Why dick around?

Go to your GP and get a prescription for "something". I did that years ago when I took my infant son to Indonesia. He spent most of the flight asleep.

93kg?

Are you sure that's a dog?

Yep, they are sure

Good grief!

Nice-looking thing but I don't think I'd want it on my lap

Can you imagine cleaning up after it?
My uncle had a St Bernard called Havoc and the size of his poo!( the dog, not my uncle that is ) - I can remember it to this day

Please do not post a photo.

No photo. Just imprinted on my brain.