Is flying an 8 wk old pup scary for them? Any repercussions seen?

[Barb Perkins]

I'm about to get my first Goldendoodle pup. Very excited. I have a question for anyone who has had a puppy shipped to them..

I'm reading this book to prepare me for this adventure. It's called Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons. Really liking this book btw. But it mentions that week 8-11 are "fear" weeks for the puppy. I was just thinking, maybe not a great time to ship a pup? Do they end up scared of everything after that?? 

I'm just curious if anyone has seen any issues on this topic. This is a long way - Seattle Wash to Syracuse NY, but breeder says she ships east all the time, so maybe I'm just worrying for no reason..

Any thoughts?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think you have gotten some interesting ideas and opinions already and I am sure it is making it tougher for you to decide what to do--especially since this already seems to be a "done deal"--I will just add that I was responsible for putting a pup on a plane for the breeder i raise pups for--we didn't ship him until he was 14 weeks old and other breeders I know wait until at least 12 weeks to fly a pup that far. 8 weeks is really infancy compared to 12 or 13 weeks--the pup I put on a plane in Boston MA went to Vancouver Canada and  had 21 hours from door-to-door, including driving him to the airport, arriving three hours before take-off, a four hour flight and a layover of four hours then a five hour flight, then two more hours until he arrived at the new owners house. That is a loooong day and a similar distance to what your pup would do. BUT, Continental has a kennel in Houston --if you fly him via Houston (which a lot of breeders do) he can get out and be fed and cared for between flights. The layover has to be at least three hours for that and there is a small charge, but I think it is worth it. I taped food and an extra pee pad to the crate and he got fed and had a clean crate to go into. The pup was just fine upon arrival, but again, he was 14 weeks old by then. I had taken him to town and exposed him to loud truck noises etc and had a lot of people handle him to prepare him for the flight. 

[Barb Perkins]

Thanks Ginny - I agree,  this seems way too young for all of this. I wish I started my search for a pup earlier. All the good breeders I find have all their pups accounted for. I think I should wait till November and get on that Ohio list, now while I have the chance. Not sure if I will lose a 250.00 deposit I already sent to Seattle, but I will suck that up I guess. I don't want to scar a little puppy.

[Barb Perkins]

Well, just spent hours on this airline hunt. I have found a flight that Otis (I think that's what we are going with) and I would fly from Seattle to Chicago on Alaska Air for 4 hrs,have a one hour delay -then fly from Chicago to Cleveland on US Air for 1:15 hrs and be in Cleveland at 10pm. I could have my bf pick us up in Cleveland and drive home, or stay in Cleveland overnight and head home in am. (Cleveland to home is 5.5 hr drive.)

So, just added $553.00 plus gas to and from Cleveland to the price of 1900.00 pup. It's not about the money, I know. It's assurance. There are no direct flights in life to Syracuse from almost anywhere so this is the best I can find. Now I have to research the airlines, find out what they allow for under my seat, if dog will fit etc, and when does the poor thing pee??  I don't know...maybe this is too far for the little guy to travel? 

Has anyone ever done all this with an 8 wk old pup? Am I being a nervous nelly? I spent 3 hours today on the internet trying to find a GD or LD (standard) within driving distance <6-7 hours, that was ready to go now, and came up with one place in Ohio, ready in November. Maybe that is the better bet? I wanted to train him while it was warmer here but....  oh what to do? what to do?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think the crate plus the pup has to be 12 pounds or less--can't remember exactly but I think only a mini would fit the criteria! It doesn't really matter that much what the weather is for training--you will have this dog a long time and you want everything to be right from the start! I think that the puppy will be fine if flown, it just isn't ideal. And  if you plan to fly to Seattle to improve matters, he may be too big to fly in the plane with you. 

You could ask the breeder what it would cost to have her keep the pup for a few more weeks so he would be a bit older when he flew--or wait for a different pup. I will PM you with some other ideas.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

Hudson flew from Oregon to Michigan during the month of December when he was 9 weeks old. It was a nonstop flight on Delta.  He did great and was happy and well adjusted upon arrival. He has grown up into a wonderful dog. 

[Barb Perkins]

that's good to know.. i'm so conflicted. thnx

[Barb Perkins]

Thanks everyone, seems some good and bad experiences, like everything in life I suppose. Maybe I should sleep on it. I REALLY appreciate all the input!!!

[Shannon and Finn]

It might be helpful for you to research airline reviews for pet travel. It could be useful in understanding what your pup would go through and help you choose the best airline and flight and also set your mind at ease. It might be possible to fly him non-stop on a well reviewed airline somewhere at least within reasonable driving distance. Also getting specific information about your breeders plan when shipping a puppy and talking with others who have purchased and shipped their puppy from your breeder. Just a couple thoughts!

[Barb Perkins]

Well I bailed on the Seattle thing. I found a pup in Atlanta that ships direct 2.5 hrs from Atlanta to Syracuse by the end of next week. So now I feel like I can rest easily and am very happy with my decision and thank everyone for helping me by sharing their experiences. He is also a little older,  will be 10 weeks when he flies here on friday.  (my birthday too,  yay, what a gift)!!

Thanks again guys. Very helpful!!

Barb

[F, Calla & Luca]

Enjoy your pup!