Pilot and Paws | Flying with dogs

[redbaron1982]

Hey guys, I want to get involved in pilot and paws org, so I can fly more (having a mission is a huge motivator for me).

I was looking at some of the flights that were requested, and they involved large breeds, like one German Shepherd for instance. My question is, how you manage to get a large crate into a Mooney. I have J model. My plan was to fold the back seats and take the dogs there, but ingress/egress is what sounds challenging.

Any tips or ideas?

[M20F]

Buy a T-Bone

[Falcon Man]

Take out the seat backs and cushions, fold the seats down, assemble the crate inside the aircraft, put a section of carpet on the wing walk, for dogs > 6 months old have the owners get a sedative from their veterinarian. Use just enough that the dog can still walk. For my hunting dog I use Trazadone and Gabapentin. This combo works well and minimizes vomiting. (I am a veterinarian).

[midlifeflyer]

FWIW, I've done large dogs with no crate; just a seat belt tether. Tarp to protect the back seat (mostly just in case). The large dogs I've done have treated it like a car (I ask how they are in cars). Toby, the Golden in this video, jumped on board and curled up in the back seat. Fell asleep shortly after takeoff and awoke during the descent. Same for Hunter a pointer - he was great. As we taxied, he "pointed" at other airplanes taking off and landing. 

 

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, M20F said:

Buy a T-Bone

Plane, steak, or both?

[NickG]

Most dogs just sit in the back and go to sleep once the engine comes on. I've done maybe 15-20 PnP missions and that's pretty much universal.

[Nico1]

That's awesome! Flying with PnP is super rewarding, you'll have a blast! Large crates don't fit in my F (I haven't played with removing the back for the rear seat, maybe then I can fit in something larger). So larger dogs have gone uncrated in the back seat. Smaller dogs always crated. Also, if transporting uncrated dogs I strongly encourage to bring someone along to help. If pups are crated then you're ok solo. 

Happy to chat more if you have any questions! Feel free to DM me!

[Nico1]

Also, I carry a small runner rug to roll down over the wing-walk. Some doggies don't like stepping on it so the rug helps. Make sure it's red  

[redbaron1982]

Thanks, all, for the tips. I'm planning to fly solo, so I don't feel comfortable with a uncrated dog onboard with me, specially if it is not a dog I know. I guess the chances of the dog becoming aggressive or anxious are low, but the results could be very bad if I'm alone and have to deal with such a situation.

I guess I'll try to start with a small dog (or cat), one that I'm confident the create would fit through the door and then as I get more comfortable with all these, maybe I'd do larger dogs uncrated.

[NickG]

5 minutes ago, redbaron1982 said:

Thanks, all, for the tips. I'm planning to fly solo, so I don't feel comfortable with a uncrated dog onboard with me, specially if it is not a dog I know. I guess the chances of the dog becoming aggressive or anxious are low, but the results could be very bad if I'm alone and have to deal with such a situation.

I guess I'll try to start with a small dog (or cat), one that I'm confident the create would fit through the door and then as I get more comfortable with all these, maybe I'd do larger dogs uncrated.

That’s an excellent plan - start with the small dogs and work your way up as you feel comfortable 

[Amelia]

My words of wisdom:

-ask the transporting person to withhold food the day of the flight. Water only. I never found tranquilizer to be necessary or  desirable.

-for a non-crated dog, ask that the dog wear a sturdy harness with leash provided. Cats get crated, as they may get airsick.

-line your back seat with sturdy plastic tablecloth or tarp. I cut slits for seatbelt.

-invite the dog to hop on the wing. Lowering flaps may help. Thread a rear seatbelt through the harness with enough slack to permit dog to sit or lie down, but not enough to join you up front. Reassure dog with head scritch and a kind word.

A secured  big dog will quietly look out a window, then soon settle down for a snooze.  A crated dog may be less content because it can’t see what’s happening. (ANC headset for human is a good thing.)

-on landing, one beautiful pointer stretched forward and gave my copilot husband an appreciative slurp on the back of his neck. That was canine applause for my landing, I modestly admitted.

A walk in a grassy area upon disembarking is always appreciated.

The 4-footed pax are lots less trouble than their 2-footed ones, I find.

Good luck.

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, Amelia said:

The 4-footed pax are lots less trouble than their 2-footed ones, I find.

Hmm, you could try the harness and leash (possibly muzzle?) on the 2-footed ones

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, Amelia said:

My words of wisdom:

-ask the transporting person to withhold food the day of the flight. Water only. I never found tranquilizer to be necessary or  desirable.

-for a non-crated dog, ask that the dog wear a sturdy harness with leash provided. Cats get crated, as they may get airsick.

-line your back seat with sturdy plastic tablecloth or tarp. I cut slits for seatbelt.

-invite the dog to hop on the wing. Lowering flaps may help. Thread a rear seatbelt through the harness with enough slack to permit dog to sit or lie down, but not enough to join you up front. Reassure dog with head scritch and a kind word.

A secured  big dog will quietly look out a window, then soon settle down for a snooze.  A crated dog may be less content because it can’t see what’s happening. (ANC headset for human is a good thing.)

-on landing, one beautiful pointer stretched forward and gave my copilot husband an appreciative slurp on the back of his neck. That was canine applause for my landing, I modestly admitted.

A walk in a grassy area upon disembarking is always appreciated.

The 4-footed pax are lots less trouble than their 2-footed ones, I find.

Good luck.

I have done all sizes. The small ones in crates, the big ones clipped into a rear seat belt so they can't get up front. I should have followed your #1 and #3. I was bringing a Dobe mix from AZ back to CA. He was fine the entire flight but got just a little antsy before landing when I smelled something. I've had Dobe's for about 15 years and they can clear a room with gas so I didn't think much of it until after landing when I saw there had been an accident in the back seat. It took quite a bit of cleaning, and was the last time I took a dog not in a crate. 

[IvanP]

On 7/28/2025 at 12:34 PM, midlifeflyer said:

FWIW, I've done large dogs with no crate; just a seat belt tether. Tarp to protect the back seat (mostly just in case). The large dogs I've done have treated it like a car (I ask how they are in cars). Toby, the Golden in this video, jumped on board and curled up in the back seat. Fell asleep shortly after takeoff and awoke during the descent. Same for Hunter a pointer - he was great. As we taxied, he "pointed" at other airplanes taking off and landing. 

 

Cool pup! Goldens rule.