Suggestions on Picking up pup from airport

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Should I just reach in and remove the pup from the travel crate myself and comfort him or open the door and let him come out on his own? Maybe with some treats? Any other feedback for airport or the car ride home would be helpful. I don't want the pup to be stressed out or scared. Thanks

[Rebecca, Kandy & Murphy]

We did this about 6 weeks ago.  Our new family member was a full grown dog though, not a puppy.  And he hated crates (long story).  So he was growling and biting when we picked him up.  We got the crate at the loading dock at the airport, so no way was it safe to do anything until the crate was in the car.  Then my husband reached to open the door and Murphy bit him.  So we didn't open the crate until we got him inside the house.  We let him come out on his own, keeping our other dog away and trying to keep the kids from rushing him.  I think it was really important to let him come to us on his terms and timing. We did not offer treats right away since we were worried about an upset tummy.

All of which says, even if you have a plan, be prepared to alter it as circumstances unfold.  I would have loved to do lots of this differently but a scared/aggressive dog, delayed flight which meant a late-night arrival and out-in-the-open loading dock were all things we hadn't foreseen.

[Gumbo and Ashley]

I am very nervous about this. I see pics of others picking up theirs and they just open the crate and let him potty and give him treats and it goes totally smooth. But then i hear other stories like yours and many others and I'm torn whether or not to open the crate door in the car before we take off, then see how  he responds and take it from there. My ideal ride home would be with him in my lap while my husband drives. But like you said, anything can happen I suppose! Yikes... I'm nervous! lol

[Christy&Riley]

We put Riley in a crate for the 30 minute drive home. She screamed the whole way and got herself so worked up that she peed and puked a few times in the crate. We figured she would hate us when she came out. But, my husband put the crate on the ground, opened the door and she came out all smiles. Never seemed to hold it against us. We were also amazed that she immediately saw us as "Mom and Dad" within minutes. Neighbors came over and she ran to us as her protectors. I would suggest opening the door and seeing how he responds before sticking your hand in. Just make sure she can't charge out and get in trouble. Have fun with your new little one!

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Oh goodness! Yes I know I'm going to instinctively want to let him out immediately after a long airplane ride, but what if he bolts out and runs into parking lot?  Omg I would die. Chasing him around the parking lot will only add to his stress. So, as hard as it will be....maybe I should just keep him in crate for the drive home. I was thinking it could just sit on my lap for the ride? but now after hearing a few stories I'm not so sure. Better safe than sorry.

[Christy&Riley]

Looking back we probably should have held her and not made her stay in the crate. Just get a potty pad for your lap just in case. We never had a puppy so we had no idea what we were doing.

Because Gumbo won't have his shots he can't roam where other dogs have been. But maybe you could find a grassy area at a restaurant near the airport, lay out a big blanket and greet him there before making the drive home.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

First off, I would suggest waiting until you are home and in a secure location.  I have read a few horror stories about a crate being opened and a pup bolting at the airport.  

I think letting the pup come out on his/her own is smart.  We opened the crate, I sat right outside of it and Wilson climbed out and into my lap.  It was the sweetest moment!  Then I picked him up and took him outside for a potty break.

We were fortunate because the airport was only 15 minutes from home.  I was DYING!  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the little guy.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

We have both our dogs shipped on two separate occassions. I opened the crate in the office and let them come out to me. I put a leash on and took them outside to potty and with one I sat in the back seat w a towel and held him and with the second I was alone so I drove with her in the crate for about 20 seconds as she cried and vomited, so I took her out and put her on the front seat with a blanket. Thank goodness too because she vomited 3 more times and she would have been rolling around in it in the crate. She still gets carsick, poor girl.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Libby came in from Washington to California and when the crate was given to us I unlocked it and she looked up at me with the most incredible eyes that just said " take me" and I did.  I took her out of the crate and put her in my arms and loved her for a few mins.  As we walked to the car we stopped to let her go to the bathroom and that actually scared her more.  I put her back in my arms and we drove home which was about twenty five minutes.  It was a great ride and I know that bond was very important to her and I.  No problems and she slept most of the way.  When we got home she went to our back yard and did her business and the rest is history.  I was very happy we took her out of the crate.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Where did Libby come from in Washington? Groucho Too was from Washington also, and I am probably going to get another dog from the same breeder. I had him sent here to California with another dog from the same litter.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I have had all three of my doodles shipped by air and no problems at all. Be flexible and see what seems to work for your pup. My first pup was scared and did not want to come out of his crate so we brought him home from the airport in his crate. The second was in my lap the whole way home. The third came into San Francisco and we went to a park area right down the road and had a little get to know each other time in the park. He bonded to us immediately and rode in my lap all the way home. Usually dogs are the last things off the airplane, so don't be too anxious in the baggage claim area.

[Kurt Gustafson]

Enjoy your pup, but a couple things to think about. Most puppies get car sick. The last three of ours did, the fourth did not. If you plan to take him out, bring some old towels. Second, you do NOT want to let your puppy on the ground where other dogs may have been (to get acquainted or go potty). This goes even when you get him home (no parks, pet stores, etc). Your puppy will not be fully immunized to parvo. This is very deadly and the virus can live on surfaces and in soil for a long time after an affected dog has been there. I suspect your pup may want to be taken out and comforted, but he is better back in the crate for the ride home. It is safer too were an accident to happen.

[Jennifer Tramell]

This echoes what many other people are saying but my take is to follow the lead of the pup.  I would let him see, smell and hear you before ever opening the crate.  I would slip my hand in the crate, keeping the door closed around my arm, and fasten the leash - just in case the pup squirms away from you.  If the pup is hiding in the back, let him stay there until he feels secure and approaches you.  If he's at the front of the crate licking your fingers, I'd take him out and cuddle (it'll be killing you anyway if you don't :-) )

A couple people have mentioned  the parvo issue, they are wise and should be heeded.  I took a friend to the airport to pick up her puppy and we drove out of the airport and found a nice grassy area on a side road where we let the pup stretch her legs and go potty.  The pup had kept her crate dry for the whole trip - no reason to start a relationship with a backwards step in potty training!  Even areas like gas stations and restaurants could be common potty areas for people travelling with their dogs or roaming stray dogs.  I would let my pup go potty on the parking lot (watch out if the blacktop is hot) - why take the risk of parvo or other illnesses.

For the trip home, as long as you aren't driving I would follow the lead of the pup.  Many people say to keep him in the crate, I've always held my pups on a towel (just in case of accident).  If the pup feels more secure in the crate - leave him in the crate.  If he wants out and will lay in your lap - let him cuddle (my friend's pup cuddled up and went right to sleep in her arms).

Personally, I'd avoid treats.  The travel and stress might upset his tummy, and if he's not food motivated it might not help anything (trust me, I have non-food motivated dogs).  You want him to approach you on his own terms, let him get used to you for a little while before bringing out the bribes :-)  Remember that you are a big, strange person.  If you grab him, drag him out, and envelope him before he is ready, it could be scary.  Watch his body language and he'll cue you in to when he's ready for cuddles.  Inviting him into your life instead of dragging him into your life is a great precedence. 

Don't worry- you'll do great!!! So exciting - can't wait for pictures!