Flying with Large Dog

[TGreen]

Got a Golden Retriever puppy. He is going to be pretty big. Anyone here fly with their large dogs? How's it go? Do you put them in the back seat? How do you get them on and off?

[midlifeflyer]

I've flown large dogs for PnP. They've hoppped in as though it was a car. I use a seat belt tether.

[kortopates]

There must be a few dozen threads are flying with dogs. Let google be your friend to search MS.
I’ve owned two Labs, sequentially, and now my Mooney sized 35lb Terrier.

All have been in the backseat with a harness and leash tied to shoulder belt just in case of bad turbulence and to keep them in the back seat. But we’re two pilots up front with no room anyway. But regardless i sure wouldn’t want a dog trying to get on our lap in the front seat.

All of my dogs have done much better at altitude than ourselves and flying at 16K has never been a problem. But although most dogs including yours will be fine too, some dog breeds, like pugs, do have breathing issues.

Hearing protection is the challenge. Vets have told me that won’t live long enough to worry about it but i could always tell none of my dogs like the noise. They’ve all had mutt muffs on. But keeping them on is a learned behavior. Labs aren’t the smartest breed both took quite some time to learn to keep the mutt muffs on. Both required re-positioning it properly after startup before they would leave it there in flight. My Jack Russel terrier though is much smarter and in just a couple flights, quickly learned to keep it on before start up.

Some use a crate, which makes sense for an unknown dog. But not for a family member unless your expecting problems. Never even came close to a dog having an accident in the back seat either. But we make sure they get a bit of a walk before takeoff to relieve themselves.

Thankfully there are many more pet friendly hotels since we first started flying with dogs 30 yrs ago. That was always the first problem before we could depart.


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Edited August 5, 2023 by kortopates

[BloodRedSkies]

We used to fly with our Borzoi to shows. I assure you a golden puppy isn't going to be a problem. Get a harness and clip them in. 

[Airterrys]

In my Bravo, I fold the rear seats down and give my 100# Rottweiler the run of the cargo area with a tether that latches his harness into the rear seatbelt for safety. He is usually asleep by 3000’ and helps my wife and I out with wt and ballance. I also do many PNP flights but only with crates. Took 4 puppies and 2 medium dogs in three separate crates on my last PNP run.

[A64Pilot]

Depends on the Dog, this is Brownie and her first flight, she was an old girl but was fine, sadly she passed last Summer, she was 14.

12 I think in the photo. Flying didn’t stress her at all.

Just put an old blanket in the seat.

 

[bgpilot1]

Teddy would ride in the back seat below 12,000 with no issues, just like a ride in the car.  Attached photo was just while moving the aircraft on the ground.  He grew up at the airport so different noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks don't bother him too much.  

Do be sure to keep your puppy hydrated while flying.  Just like humans.  Short flights until fully potty trained!  

Barry

[icurnmedic]

80 lb Doberman, asleep before takeoff. No problem!

[Pinecone]

Any issues with keeping them (and their claws) on the wing walk?

[geoffb]

Moving blanket on the wing.  I've got scratches from an inadvertent loading incident.

I keep the seats out.  112 lbs of big lab hops in and lays down.

[A64Pilot]

6 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Any issues with keeping them (and their claws) on the wing walk?

Moving blanket is what we used, the old kind that was quilted, but be careful because on the painted part of the wing it’s really slick.

I use the same blanket when removing seats, once removed I put one on the blanket then on the hangar floor

[kortopates]

I tried the blanket trick once and gave up on it since unless you have some one standing on it on top at the door, the blanket slides down immediately. What's works easily for us is to pick up the dog by its harness with front hand and hold legs with second arm just to move dog up and above flap to wing walk area. You'll want a dog harness to secure them in the back anyway rather than just a collar that could break their neck in an off field landing. That's worked for both of 75lb labs for me, but probably not for my wife. But now its really easy with our 35lb terrier mix.

Unloading I do the same in reverse so they don't scratch the flaps, but that's also where a blanket will work fine since you'll be at the door to hold it in place without needing 2 people.

I have a friend that used to travel with two big Great Dane's, the size of miniature horses! Don't think they would fit in the rear of my Mooney, but she took the rear seats out of her Cardinal, with SUV sized back cargo space, and they fit well that way.

Edited August 7, 2023 by kortopates

[jturuc]

I had a lab that took many flights with us. Usually 3.5-4Hr flights between NC and Florida without any issues.

I used a nice sticky and light weight yoga mat on the wing, I set her on the wing and with my wife in the front, she would walk right into the plane.

The hardest part for them is when you pull the front seats all the way forward, it is hard to go down to the floor and then back up to the seat in such a short distance.

I bought a small foldable step stool that fit perfectly behind the front seat that was level that she could use to get to the back seat during entry and exit.

For the noise and hearing, she used Mutt Muffs. I trained her early with them at home with loud music :). She never had an issue with them.

I bought a harness and tether that was attached to the lap belt which allowed her to move enough but still keeping her safe with turbulence.

Below are all the items that I purchased. I am sure there are others out there.

Step stool-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WGNQVGM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mutt muffs-
https://www.pilotmall.com/products/mutt-muffs-hearing-protection-for-dogs-large

Harness-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D7DSLRF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Tether-https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VDB1THL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Being non turbo, I never went over 11K feet with her.

Enjoy your travels!

Lab Flight.pdf

[natdm]

Threads like this make me regret getting a cat.

[A64Pilot]

19 hours ago, natdm said:

Threads like this make me regret getting a cat.

A dog thinks, they feed me, take care of me and love me.

They must be God’s

A Cat thinks they feed me, take care of me, and love me.

I must be a God.

[natdm]

7 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

A dog thinks, they feed me, take care of me and love me.

They must be God’s

A Cat thinks they feed me, take care of me, and love me.

I must be a God.

Our cat crawls between my wife and I at 2am and starts “slurping his butt-hole” as my wife coined it. 
 

Free cat! Anyone?