Flying with puppy first the first time - crate advice

[Michele Kiss]

Hi all. We are planning on flying with our 18-week miniature labradoodle (Fenway) in two weeks. He is still small enough to fly IN-cabin under the seat in front of us (I would NEVER trust an airline with my pet in cargo, OMG.) And he may stay small enough, which we're hoping. We want him to be used to all kinds of experiences, like flying, and hope to travel with him many times, so taking him while young is important. 

We have a soft-sided carrier, etc, for the flight itself. I have flown with a cat before so I know the usual drill (don't feed them / give them water X hours before flight, health certificate 10 days before, etc.)

My question is about the crate. He is a crate-trained puppy. Should we be taking his crate with us?! It would definitely have to be checked baggage. (It does fold up, but it's one of the typical wire crates.) And if we don't, where does he sleep? I feel like his carrier is a little small for a whole night's sleep? And it seems dangerous for his first night of NON-crated sleeping to be in a hotel where he could get up to god knows what while we're asleep.... 

There are tons of sites out there for advice on traveling with a pup, but no one ever seems to talk about this specifically. Any advice? 

Also, because we're in a hotel, I'm tempted to put out pee pee pads so he doesn't ruin hotel carpet :-/ But not sure if that will "undo" potty training, which he's been REALLY good about more recently. 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Hi….I'm working from home today so not much time for a lengthy reply but I've done this and would definitely recommend folding/taking the crate. I agree that the carrier would definitely be too cramped.  I used a "soft crate" the first time we stayed in a hotel and puppy managed to pay, nibble the way out! Wire is secure, not to mention his own familiar environment as well as safe.  Only way I'd do it from now on….just my 2 cents...

[Michele Kiss]

Thanks for the response. Yeah it does seem like that's the best option. We'll have to check stuff anyways to be able to take all his stuff, so what's one more thing? 

[Jaime + Oliver]

While we didn't fly, on our across the country road trip we did bring the wire folding crate.  The pup was 6 months at the time and wasn't confined to it at night anymore at home.  But having that familiar place and some consistency was important for him - it definitely helped to settle him among all the strange/unfamiliar noises.  I'd vote for bringing the crate.

[Michele Kiss]

Thanks so much. We also spoke to our puppy trainer last night and it sounds like bringing the crate is definitely the way to go. Appreciate the responses!