Flying an old dog to UK
#46
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
That's great DR. Hectie and I would quite fancy having a couple of drinkies in First. Isn't Britain Great. (He thinks he's a person. Goes to all my gardening jobs with me.)
How about the tube? Buses?
#47
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Yes, dogs are allowed on buses - not sure about the tube (London), but can take dogs on local trains and the Metro (underground) in Glasgow.
#48
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,272
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
My golden retriever, Merlin, was 11 when he flew from the UK to Canada. He had no problems at all, and was so happy when he saw the snow. A few years later, my other golden, Magic, flew back to the UK, also age 11, again with no problems. So I think golden retrievers, being generally relaxed dogs, are good fliers. Getting the dog used to spending time in their crate helps too.
#49
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Suzy was scared witless by fireworks, thunder, explosions on the telly, etc. (that was before she went stone deaf). She travelled cargo every time and came out undaunted.
#50
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Suzy always travels on the train with me. No restrictions on where we have to sit, though if it's inconvenient for whoever is booked in the seat next to me, I occasionally move. I spent one journey standing close to the door because the person sitting next to me had allergies and the train was full.
Lately, I've been booking very early and getting a first class rail ticket - if you book early enough in advance, it doesn't cost much extra, meals are free, newspapers are free, internet is free, drinks are free, seats are bigger, wider gangways, emptier carriage ... need I say more?
Lately, I've been booking very early and getting a first class rail ticket - if you book early enough in advance, it doesn't cost much extra, meals are free, newspapers are free, internet is free, drinks are free, seats are bigger, wider gangways, emptier carriage ... need I say more?
In Switzerland dogs have to have a ticket! (One can get a 'dog-day' ticket which is half the price of a 2nd class ticket, or a season ticket for regular trips). I was on a train there recently and someone had their beautiful white Pyrenean Mountain dog in the carriage and she wandered up and down greeting everyone
http://www.sbb.ch/abos-billette/bill...eiz/hunde.html (not sure if this will come out in German or not, my laptop automatically converts into English and there is the 'en' for English on the SBB home page)
Last edited by Englishmum; Oct 27th 2011 at 9:25 pm. Reason: typo
#51
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 121
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
I can't be certain which airline he flew, but it was very probably Air Canada, In the cargo hold.
#52
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Magic was scared of fireworks and thunder too. During thunder storms, he would sometimes sit on my lap, which looked slightly daft as he was a big 38 kg dog. Another time, I found him sitting in the bathtub, for protection, during a thunder storm. He had no problems with flying.
I can't be certain which airline he flew, but it was very probably Air Canada, In the cargo hold.
I can't be certain which airline he flew, but it was very probably Air Canada, In the cargo hold.
#53
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Magic was scared of fireworks and thunder too. During thunder storms, he would sometimes sit on my lap, which looked slightly daft as he was a big 38 kg dog. Another time, I found him sitting in the bathtub, for protection, during a thunder storm. He had no problems with flying.
I can't be certain which airline he flew, but it was very probably Air Canada, In the cargo hold.
I can't be certain which airline he flew, but it was very probably Air Canada, In the cargo hold.
Dogs are denning animals so they will probably be fine.
#54
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto To Skipton Yorkshire
Posts: 88
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Anyone flown their dog back to UK or vice versa in the dreaded cargo hold of an airplane? Can you please share your experience with me? I have an 11 year old golden who enjoys her comforts in life and i'm scared to fly her. I looked in to the Queen Mary 2 but they only carry 12 pets, 6 large 6 small and fully booked for 2012 already!
I totally understand where you are coming from. We flew from Toronto to Manchester with Air Transat a week ago. With 2 cats and 2 dogs, my oldest dog is 10.5 chocolate Lab. She also loves her home comforts, I am not going to lie to you here, it was tough on her. Though after about 3 days she was back to her old shelf. She was out this morning running in the fields in the Yorkshire country side and rolling in the grass. She is back to her old shelf. My other dog who is 5 and a BC mixed breed, was ready to go as soon as she got off the plane.
I would suggest doing as much as you can to get your dog comfortable with the crate and make sure you have a soft bed in it for your dog.
Good luck and your dog will be fine
#55
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
I totally understand where you are coming from. We flew from Toronto to Manchester with Air Transat a week ago. With 2 cats and 2 dogs, my oldest dog is 10.5 chocolate Lab. She also loves her home comforts, I am not going to lie to you here, it was tough on her. Though after about 3 days she was back to her old shelf. She was out this morning running in the fields in the Yorkshire country side and rolling in the grass. She is back to her old shelf. My other dog who is 5 and a BC mixed breed, was ready to go as soon as she got off the plane.
#56
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto To Skipton Yorkshire
Posts: 88
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
#57
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
Do you have to pay to take Suzy on the train? I imagine that guide dogs travel for free, but do passengers without disabilities need to pay a fare for their dog?
In Switzerland dogs have to have a ticket! (One can get a 'dog-day' ticket which is half the price of a 2nd class ticket, or a season ticket for regular trips). I was on a train there recently and someone had their beautiful white Pyrenean Mountain dog in the carriage and she wandered up and down greeting everyone
http://www.sbb.ch/abos-billette/bill...eiz/hunde.html (not sure if this will come out in German or not, my laptop automatically converts into English and there is the 'en' for English on the SBB home page)
In Switzerland dogs have to have a ticket! (One can get a 'dog-day' ticket which is half the price of a 2nd class ticket, or a season ticket for regular trips). I was on a train there recently and someone had their beautiful white Pyrenean Mountain dog in the carriage and she wandered up and down greeting everyone
http://www.sbb.ch/abos-billette/bill...eiz/hunde.html (not sure if this will come out in German or not, my laptop automatically converts into English and there is the 'en' for English on the SBB home page)
#58
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
How did you know she had a terrible time? Was it just the way she behaved when you got her back?
#59
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
I know it's easy for me to say...but it does seem that even pets that didn't travel too well soon settle down after a few days. I'm sure you have no need to worry...just as long as the vet gives them the OK to travel by air.
#60
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto To Skipton Yorkshire
Posts: 88
Re: Flying an old dog to UK
she has some health issues, Kidney problems and she would not come out of her crate when we saw here. When we got to the new house she would not leave my side. She did this for 4 days. She also drank a ton of water.