Even though this video is 2 years old, it is the best one I have ever found of traveling with dogs by plane. The content is very on point and accurate, including the time frame to prepare. My family and I flew from Brazil to the US a couple of times and brought our Lhasa Apso in cabin. However, the second trip was completely different from our first one since there was a ban in place for both cargo and in cabin travel for dogs from high risk countries for rabies. Believe me, even though we were extra prepared, it was still the hardest thing we did related to our international move. Thanks for the great information!
Hello Daniele! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comment. We made the 2 dog videos because as you said it is seriously the most stressful part of travel and there was so little clear information. Our Leo is our baby and we had a lot of prep with him to bring him here to Portugal. Wishing you all the best! Cheers! M&D
Hello Emma! We couldn’t agree more. Only for moving. 🐶🐾Thank you for your kindness on the job to pets you don’t even know. If the owners could thank you 🙏🏻 they would. It’s stressful for the owners as well. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers! M&D
@@DanielFreeMan365 calming medicine can make the dog drowsy but give it more anxiety hence why many airlines don’t allow it. Also due to the impact it can have on blood pressure. On some aircraft’s like the ATR crew members can enter the cargo area during the flight and i have never seen an okay dog. I have seen bloody crates as the dog has tried to bite or a scratc it’s way out due to anxiety attack :(
Wow these tips are so helpful! 🙏 I adopted a small female mix type 1year and 7 months ago, she🐕 means the entire world to me. I love this story you guys sold everything in North America and decided to retire, move all the way from the US to Europe in Madeira. I was livin&workin in Scandinavia in years, then my bf & I decided a new life,we sold a car, rented flat to move in a cheaper country. Now we live in Spain for next 8 months. Happy to find people on UA-cam that are similar minded, stay in touch
Hello! Thank you so much for watching our video and for your kind comment. We are so glad that you found value in our content. We are loving our second half of life here and Madeira and our Leo the vizsla is living his best life here! We hope you’ll subscribe and stick around! Cheers! M&D
I live in NYC and I'm planning to go to Italy for 6 months with my 40lb, 18month old Labradoodle. The thought of putting her in cargo causes me so much stress but I can't imagine how stressful it would be for her to leave her that long. Also, to be honest, I don't want to be without her for that long and I want to take her on this adventure with me. I spoke to the vet who assured me he's done this many times without issue and will prescribe a "chill protocol" to help her anxiety. The thought of putting her in a stressful situation brings tears to my eyes but I'm hoping this protocol will make her relaxed and it will be 1 direct flight. My research suggests Lufthansa is the best airline. Thank you for posting this, very helpful as I plan.
Hello Mallory! We completely understand. It’s tough making the decision, but what you are saying shows how thoughtful and caring you are. We have left our Leo for 3 months as we have travelled around Portugal in an RV. Right choice- as the RV with a 55 pound dog would have been crazy ( and it rained the a lot) and he is receiving excellent care. However, we miss him so much and wouldn’t do this again. The chill protocol sounds great - do it! We used TAP airline and were very happy with the way we/ and Leo were treated. Definitely check out reviews and do your research. Once on the plane and told Leo was loaded and all was well- there is a moment when you relax. There also may be others with dogs in cargo - and their reassuring words were nice. If you haven’t already check out our other Dog Passport video- we talk about the next part of flying with a dog in cargo- some of it may be useful as you make your plans. Direct flight - one on and one off - is perfect! We would give Leo the chill pill - here in Portugal we were offered that as well by our vet- so it mustn’t be the same thing that previously wasn’t recommended. ?? Maybe something like Wecomfort. Best of luck to you and your pup! 🐶Safe travels and enjoy your 6 month adventure together. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down Thank you for your thoughtful response. I've left her with a sitter she ADORES for 1 or 2 weeks for previous trips (this sitter has been keeping her 1-2x a week for over a year and she loves her very much), yet I can't tell you how much she sleeps when I return.. It's almost like she never has restful sleep when I was away, so she'll sleep for a veeeeery long time when I return. So as stressful as putting her in cargo will be, there's NO WAY I can leave her for 3+ months knowing that she may be anxious when I'm gone that long. I've booked my tickets and I'm now getting her used to the crate. Had to weigh the pros and cons and as stressful as it may be, the best thing I can do is to be prepared and trust that she will be ok! Thank you again and I hope you're continuing to enjoy your amazing adventure.
Just wanted to provide an update in case anyone was interested. My pup and I made it safely to Florence from NYC. Unfortunately I had to connect via Zurich (1.5 hr layover where I didn't get to see her, but there's a "pet station" so they took her out of the crate to potty and fed her and gave her water etc). She was separated from me roughly 14 hours from check in at NY to arrival in Florence. She had NO issues at all. The vet actually advised against any medication because she was properly crate trained before. I truly believe that's key; the agent at check-in mentioned the reason most pups have an issue in cargo is because usually that's the first time they're ever put in a crate, crazy!!! Anyway, it obviously took a few days for her to settle but we've moved from a quiet, rural town to busy Florence city center with noises, scooters, motorcycles, lots of people etc so gradually exposing her worked wonders. But there was no issue as far as transporting her. Swiss Air took great care of her and every step of the way, they assured me she was safe. The crew actually met her before we left NY and told me not to worry (I was definitely more nervous than she was). When we disembarked in Zurich, they updated me that she was removed (I actually saw them moving her crate across the tarmack on a tram). When we reboarded in Zurich, they came to my seat to confirm she was on board (she was the last to board etc). My 2 biggest tips are 1. Make sure your pup is properly crate trained prior and 2. Be mindful of your own energy when you hand her off. I literally told her "house" (that's her cue for crate), said "I'll see you soon" (which I always say before I leave her alone), closed the door and walked away. THAT was the hardest thing but I believe it helped to NOT make a big deal at all. I know this was long but I just wanted to update our experience. Of course every pup is different, but she was NOT traumatized in any way. She was obviously very happy to see me, but the travel process was seamless. Thank you again for ALL your tips, those were tremendously helpful for me and I'm sure they will be for others. Ciao da Firenze :)
Part 1 and 2 are the best videos I have found on traveling with dogs, this is truly helpful, and puts my mind at ease... specially considering all the horror stories I have come across. Thank you for the in-depth information.
Great video!! Exactly the information I've been searching for. Appreciate all the hard work you put in researching and the excellent detailed presentation, especially from the angle of your own experience. Can't wait for part 2! Hope your dog is feeling better and he's back to 💯!
Thank you so much! We really appreciate any feedback, and well-wishes 😀 . Hopefully these 2 videos will benefit others who are looking for information on flying with their dog in cargo - Cheers! D & M
Omg thank you so much. U just reached out to TAP and we are organizing our 2 month vacay to Switzerland. We are stopping in Lisbon to pick up my car and drive the rest of the way. It'll be a direct flight from Miami. Thanks. You and your mom are awesome!
Hello! That’s great to hear. Safe travels and we hope all goes well. Leo had a great experience with TAP. We hope you do as well. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Thanks for sharing your crate training video. I have a 5 lb poodle. I’m planning to take him on a plane when I move to Madeira. I’m still in the research phase. Thanks for sharing your experiences! ❤😊
Hello! Your poodle will love Madeira. At 5 lbs he can travel on the plane with you. That’s great! Good luck with your research and if you think we can be of any further help- let us know! Thanks for watching and we hope you’ll subscribe! Cheers! M&D
Thanks for sharing this atleast we know how they transport dogs on a cargo. I brought mine in Canada but thankfully I got her on the Cabin. I also posted a video to give hope for those who are planning to bring their dog to Canada
Hello Reinamee! We are happy to hear that you had a good experience bringing your pup into Canada in cabin. It’s great that you posted a video to share the experience with others. We are all nervous if it’s the first time traveling with our dog in cargo or cabin! Thanks for watching and sharing! Cheers! M&D
I really appreciate the time and effort you guys put to create this video! You pointed some things that I didn't consider while trying to figure out how to move my doggie to Madeira next year. Many thanks!!
Thank you so much! We certainly do like feedback 🙂 We are glad you got something out of it. Part 2 comes out this Saturday so hopefully there is good info there for you too! Take care, D & M
Great video! We are leaving in October for Portugal with our Aussie and Golden. I have a lot of lists of hints and steps and there are times it makes me a little nuts. Thank you.
Thank you so much! We hope it helps :) It certainly can get overwhelming with too much varied information. Our goal was to pull it all together, as far as what worked smoothly for us, and share so others could benefit. Your move with your pooches will go great! All the best - D & M
Hello! Thank you for watching our video and we are glad that you found value in the content. Ha ha… 😂 glad you’re working on it! Safe travels! Cheers! M&D
Excellent video. Well thought of, detailed, and relatable. I’m retiring next year and my biggest concern is that I don’t have a choice but to transport my babies in cargo. It’s giving me anxiety thinking about it even if it’s still a year away. This video gave me hope and assurance that they’ll be ok.
Hello Benny! Thank you so much for the kind comment. We totally understand that transporting your babies in cargo is daunting. We know we were worried as well. Leo was not crate trained. He sleeps in our bed. He’s not used to being alone…. So we took it step by step and moved slowly and now we are here with Leo- and we are so glad we did. Exactly why we created the two videos, we know the anxiety is real and there is so much negative information. Best of luck to you on your travels and retirement. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Cheers! M&D
Hi, thanks so much for this video! Would you know if there's any kind of lighting that's allowed to be attached to the kennel? My dog doesn't like pitch-black environments. I've been rummaging my head on what could possibly help him feel less anxious in the dark. I'm even considering glow in the dark stickers now. 😅
Hello Midnight Midnight! Thank you so much for watching our video and for your kind comment. We are happy you found value in the content. We don’t know for sure what is technically allowed but from our experience, you could for sure add some kind of glow light . Good luck with your dog travels. We know there’s a lot of anxiety around cargo travel. Get your dog used to the crate in a positive way is something we highly recommend. If adding something that glows helps- go for it! Good luck! M&D
Thanks for watching! It turned out a bit long, but hopefully helps others plan their travel with pets. When we were planning ours, we had a hard time pulling cohesive information together. Cheers! Doug & Monique.
Hi! Yes it was a concern for us initially too, as we had never done anything like this before - the retiring, the move, the dog move - so much to think about and plan! But now having done it, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend cargo travel for others' dogs. It all went smoothly :) ... but the boat would be SO much fun... expensive, but fun! Good luck with your endeavours! D & M
Hello Ileana! Yes!! We saw several crates with two smaller dogs together! We wish Leo had a pal that could have been in there with him! I think as long as the two dogs and the crate don’t exceed the weight restriction, you’re fine. Always of course, consult with the individual airline. Thanks for watching the video! Happy Holidays 🎄! M&D
Thank you for this informative video🙏🐶your thought process and preparation is valuable. Would you make a video on why you chose Madeira as your residence in early retirement?
Many thanks for this wonderful video. I am traveling to Toronto from Bangalore, India transiting through Frankfurt. My 2 year old Dachshund will be in the cargo hold. The travel plan came out of nowhere and I was really concerned if she would even go near what looks like a giant cave. I got the crate yesterday (3rd May) and we have to be in Toronto on 26th May and onwards for the next 5 years may be. She just went into the crate like she uses it everyday. I don't know how she will manage the weather. It is mostly pleasant weather where I am coming from but your point about a transatlantic flight worries me a bit. How can I manage it? I m happy atleast she is in the crate on her own :)
Hello ronnie _g! Thank you for watching our video and for your kind words. Sometimes life is like that and we have little time to prepare. It sound like your Dachshund is making it easy by loving the crate! What a sweetheart! Take each leg of the flight one step at a time. For crossing the ocean it will be fine. It’s longer but essentially it’s the same as a night in the crate. A light meal and water, a oooty break and walk before, calm words into the crate and walk away. When you arrive and meet again, your new life in a new location will begin. Dachshunds are smart and amazing dogs!! Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes! Cheers! M&D
@TrackUsDown1 Did you book one-way tickets to create your travel breaks for your dog? How did you consider if you were allowed to "import" your pet into your layover country? I am getting conflicting advice from people who say its better to do a direct however I am very anxious because the direct flight is 17hrs in the air.
Hello Sarah! First of all we completely understand how complicated this all is and conflicting information is everywhere. We also have a part 2 to this video so please check that out. We did book one way, as we were moving to Portugal. We flew from one city in Canada to another and spent the night. Then from Canada to Lisbon and spent 2 nights after the 7 hour flight. Then to Madeira. All in Portugal. The reason you see to book direct is so that the airport staff never has to transfer your dog from cargo to another flight. So we booked one flight where we put him on and took him off. Spent the night or nights and then another flight. He was never transferred by the airlines. We also felt more confident with each flight and we liked seeing him, feeding and walking him between flights. If it was simply a 7 hour flight one place to another, that would be easy. Your direct flight 17 hours is long! That’s a long time in cargo for a dog. If you were to break it into steps like 2 or 3 flights, you are correct -wherever you would land you would need to meet the requirements to enter that country for the dog. That’s a tricky situation. I guess the question is -can your dog do 17 hours plus another couple on each side , so 20 hours in a crate? Tricky. Good luck to you as you make these tough decisions. M&D
@@Track_Us_Down I really appreciate this response. I am considering flying from Ontario to Vancouver and then it’s only 14 hours direct to the next location. I’m getting a lot of pushback from people who don’t seem to think the 20 hours in a crate is an issue I suppose you run the risk of traumatizing them by doing more than one flight but it would be nice to know she is ok. Unfortunately the flight to van is still 5 hours. But it would be broken up for the dog
@@midnightmidnight6796 our dog will not be able to go. The process got infinitely more complicated as she was too large to fly excess baggage (she’s 60lbs) and we had to involve a relocation company to assist flying her as manifest cargo. This meant multiple long haul flights etc.
Thanks for the video. I am moving overseas in July, to Morocco. My pup is 2 years old, 80 lbs and a boxer. I have been doing my research. I have tons of questions for you guys...
You are welcome.. hopefully our two "Dog in Cargo" videos will helpful for you! We would be happy to answer anything we can - you can track us down via email if you like at trackusdown@icloud.com. Cheers!
Thank you! Anyone who mentions "vizsla" and "nervous without their humans" KNOWS the breed, lol. You are so right. The D7 visa is a great suggestion - we will be doing that soon too! Cheers! D & M
Hello Sandra! Leo our vizsla was almost 10 when we travelled. We completely understand your concern but as you say it’s a move not a trip. If your dog needs to come with you, prepare you and him the best you can. We have a part 2 to this video about the pet passport. Make him as comfortable and ready as possible. Take one flight at a time with a day or two between. Be calm and positive and when you land in your new home . Take him out of the crate, let him pee and give him a treat. You’ll have arrived and your new lives can begin. Breathe. You can do this!!! Happy New Year! 🥂 M&D
Ola, I have been watching your videos and am so grateful for your content. My husband and I are coming to check out Portugal in Jan to confirm it is where we want to go. I was curious on how you found information on what your dog needed before you moved. I have a vet that does the international health certificate (we are in the US) and Ive been on the USDA website but the vet was asking me if Portugal has ever had rabies..? As in if the country itself has had rabies outbreaks. I do not know where to get that answer and thought maybe you had already come across it. thank you in advance for any information you may have to help with this question. Bom Dia e Tchau.
Hello Paige! Thank you for watching and commenting. Portugal is not on the rabies outbreak list. Your dog will need to show proof of vaccination for rabies, as well as all the other items mentioned in the videos, like a microchip etc. Portugal does not require a titter test coming from North America. Hope that helps. We know it requires a great deal of online research to find all the information. Good luck and please reach out if we can be of further help. Our email is on out about page. Cheers! M&D
Hello! We are not sure what the price for cargo would be in this year. We paid approximately $400 for Leo from Canada to Portugal. Thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
thanks for the detailed video. Which airline did you use? I am being told that we have to use a pet agent to book a flight on cargo and they charge a fortune.
You are welcome! We flew on WestJet and then TAP airline. For both we booked the dog-in-cargo ticket directly with the airlines. If you fly onboard, on the same plane as your dog in cargo, then you absolutely do NOT need an agent. Maybe you are being told this for the situation where you are "sending" your dog in cargo, but not actually flying with it yourself on the plane. We don't know about that particular situation. But if you are flying on the same plane, you do not need an agent and we would not pay for that! Cheers! D & M
.just a question. when the dog sleeps on the crate successfully, is the crate inside your room where you sleep or is the crate outside the room where you are sleeping?
Hello! Great question. We started with the crate in our bedroom and slowly moved it into the hallway and finally into another room. Our boy is very attached and we moved it very slowly. Best of luck to you and thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down .thanks so much for the response! Really appreciate it. i will also do that for my good boy in preparation for our relocation back to Manila.
hello, We just received the estimated price for our two dogs in cargo of $3200. Did you use cargo or in the hold? We are currently flying TAP form Chicago to LIS and TAP states that to and from the US the total weigh cannot be more than 70lbs while other flight are 99lbs for the hold. We can make the 99lb limit.
Hi there, yikes that's steep. Our dog was in "Hold" although it's the same place as "Cargo" - they just call it differently due to weight. Between the crate and our dog, the total weight was likely a good 5 lbs over the 70 lbs "limit" listed on the TAP site, but we fudged his weight a bit so he came in just under 70 lbs. Otherwise he would have been considered "Cargo" (travels in the Hold just the same, but would have been called "Cargo" and cost about $100 more) so still quite reasonable. Is it just because of flying to/from USA that TAP charges so much? Would it be doable within the 99lb weight class to fly them via Toronto? So much to consider and decide we know, and it can be stressful. We wish you all the best and safe travels! D & M
Hello, my Standard Poodle is about 34 inches tall and the maximum height for crates on the airline we are taking is 33. I know you stated your pup has long legs. Was you pup as tall as mine, if so how did he do when standing up in the crate you've chosen? Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi! Totally understand your concern - we always want our poochies to be as comfortable as possible, however we would definitely say not to worry. You literally cannot get a bigger crate, and there isn't anyone there that's actually measuring. It's not like you're purposefully trying to stuff a big dog in a small kennel that's clearly too small for it. And with the measurements you've given, your dog will easily be able stand up, turn around, and readjust. They do spend most of their time laying down, or maybe sitting a little, so they will hardly be standing at all anyway! Our dog was just a few inches shorter, and we had one crate size smaller than yours. We understand why they have to have standards, but after seeing how our dog mostly sat or lay down, it's not imperative to be "to-the-exact-measurement." Hope this helps relieve some of your worry! All the best to you! D & M
Hi! We have met with and are all set to use DTC Madeira, they are on Facebook, we met Mario who runs the local chapter of this company which is also all over mainland Portugal. They seem great!
Thank you for responding to my anxious questions.. we’re are planning on moving to Madeira very soon and I’m trying to do as much research as possible.. your Video are so helpful , keep up the good work . Thanks again Shawn
Good question. Best to check on the website of the airline you are using, they should have a pet section that details it all. Our crate was 40" long. To be honest, I don't think they look that closely unless it's outrageously bigger and noticeable. Would 8" really make much of a difference? Hard to say. Wouldn't want to give you bad advice, but we ourselves wouldn't be worried about a crate that was 8" longer. But again, please check your specific airline and go from that. All the best!
Even though this video is 2 years old, it is the best one I have ever found of traveling with dogs by plane. The content is very on point and accurate, including the time frame to prepare. My family and I flew from Brazil to the US a couple of times and brought our Lhasa Apso in cabin. However, the second trip was completely different from our first one since there was a ban in place for both cargo and in cabin travel for dogs from high risk countries for rabies. Believe me, even though we were extra prepared, it was still the hardest thing we did related to our international move. Thanks for the great information!
Hello Daniele! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comment. We made the 2 dog videos because as you said it is seriously the most stressful part of travel and there was so little clear information. Our Leo is our baby and we had a lot of prep with him to bring him here to Portugal. Wishing you all the best! Cheers! M&D
As cabin crew I have tried to comfort cargo pets a lot of times and it’s awful seeing the stress of them. Only do this for moving 💕💕
Hello Emma! We couldn’t agree more. Only for moving. 🐶🐾Thank you for your kindness on the job to pets you don’t even know. If the owners could thank you 🙏🏻 they would. It’s stressful for the owners as well. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down exactly I really agreed with your video 💕💕💕
How about we give pills to the dog for the flight duration?
@@DanielFreeMan365 calming medicine can make the dog drowsy but give it more anxiety hence why many airlines don’t allow it. Also due to the impact it can have on blood pressure. On some aircraft’s like the ATR crew members can enter the cargo area during the flight and i have never seen an okay dog. I have seen bloody crates as the dog has tried to bite or a scratc it’s way out due to anxiety attack :(
@@emmawickman1196 i am definitely going to give a sleeping type pill from the vet as my dog has extreme level of anxiety and i want to fly with Klm
Wow these tips are so helpful! 🙏 I adopted a small female mix type 1year and 7 months ago, she🐕 means the entire world to me.
I love this story you guys sold everything in North America and decided to retire, move all the way from the US to Europe in Madeira.
I was livin&workin in Scandinavia in years, then my bf & I decided a new life,we sold a car, rented flat to move in a cheaper country. Now we live in Spain for next 8 months.
Happy to find people on UA-cam that are similar minded, stay in touch
Hello! Thank you so much for watching our video and for your kind comment. We are so glad that you found value in our content. We are loving our second half of life here and Madeira and our Leo the vizsla is living his best life here! We hope you’ll subscribe and stick around! Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down Hello thank you as well for dog tips. I subscribed for Track Us Down channel.
I live in NYC and I'm planning to go to Italy for 6 months with my 40lb, 18month old Labradoodle. The thought of putting her in cargo causes me so much stress but I can't imagine how stressful it would be for her to leave her that long. Also, to be honest, I don't want to be without her for that long and I want to take her on this adventure with me. I spoke to the vet who assured me he's done this many times without issue and will prescribe a "chill protocol" to help her anxiety. The thought of putting her in a stressful situation brings tears to my eyes but I'm hoping this protocol will make her relaxed and it will be 1 direct flight. My research suggests Lufthansa is the best airline. Thank you for posting this, very helpful as I plan.
Hello Mallory! We completely understand. It’s tough making the decision, but what you are saying shows how thoughtful and caring you are. We have left our Leo for 3 months as we have travelled around Portugal in an RV. Right choice- as the RV with a 55 pound dog would have been crazy ( and it rained the a lot) and he is receiving excellent care. However, we miss him so much and wouldn’t do this again. The chill protocol sounds great - do it! We used TAP airline and were very happy with the way we/ and Leo were treated. Definitely check out reviews and do your research. Once on the plane and told Leo was loaded and all was well- there is a moment when you relax. There also may be others with dogs in cargo - and their reassuring words were nice. If you haven’t already check out our other Dog Passport video- we talk about the next part of flying with a dog in cargo- some of it may be useful as you make your plans. Direct flight - one on and one off - is perfect! We would give Leo the chill pill - here in Portugal we were offered that as well by our vet- so it mustn’t be the same thing that previously wasn’t recommended. ?? Maybe something like Wecomfort. Best of luck to you and your pup! 🐶Safe travels and enjoy your 6 month adventure together. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down Thank you for your thoughtful response. I've left her with a sitter she ADORES for 1 or 2 weeks for previous trips (this sitter has been keeping her 1-2x a week for over a year and she loves her very much), yet I can't tell you how much she sleeps when I return.. It's almost like she never has restful sleep when I was away, so she'll sleep for a veeeeery long time when I return. So as stressful as putting her in cargo will be, there's NO WAY I can leave her for 3+ months knowing that she may be anxious when I'm gone that long. I've booked my tickets and I'm now getting her used to the crate. Had to weigh the pros and cons and as stressful as it may be, the best thing I can do is to be prepared and trust that she will be ok! Thank you again and I hope you're continuing to enjoy your amazing adventure.
Just wanted to provide an update in case anyone was interested. My pup and I made it safely to Florence from NYC. Unfortunately I had to connect via Zurich (1.5 hr layover where I didn't get to see her, but there's a "pet station" so they took her out of the crate to potty and fed her and gave her water etc). She was separated from me roughly 14 hours from check in at NY to arrival in Florence. She had NO issues at all. The vet actually advised against any medication because she was properly crate trained before. I truly believe that's key; the agent at check-in mentioned the reason most pups have an issue in cargo is because usually that's the first time they're ever put in a crate, crazy!!! Anyway, it obviously took a few days for her to settle but we've moved from a quiet, rural town to busy Florence city center with noises, scooters, motorcycles, lots of people etc so gradually exposing her worked wonders. But there was no issue as far as transporting her.
Swiss Air took great care of her and every step of the way, they assured me she was safe. The crew actually met her before we left NY and told me not to worry (I was definitely more nervous than she was). When we disembarked in Zurich, they updated me that she was removed (I actually saw them moving her crate across the tarmack on a tram). When we reboarded in Zurich, they came to my seat to confirm she was on board (she was the last to board etc).
My 2 biggest tips are 1. Make sure your pup is properly crate trained prior and 2. Be mindful of your own energy when you hand her off. I literally told her "house" (that's her cue for crate), said "I'll see you soon" (which I always say before I leave her alone), closed the door and walked away. THAT was the hardest thing but I believe it helped to NOT make a big deal at all.
I know this was long but I just wanted to update our experience. Of course every pup is different, but she was NOT traumatized in any way. She was obviously very happy to see me, but the travel process was seamless.
Thank you again for ALL your tips, those were tremendously helpful for me and I'm sure they will be for others. Ciao da Firenze :)
Part 1 and 2 are the best videos I have found on traveling with dogs, this is truly helpful, and puts my mind at ease... specially considering all the horror stories I have come across.
Thank you for the in-depth information.
Awesome! Thank you! We are SO glad you found some value in our 2 dog videos ☺️
All the best, Monique & Doug
Thank you so much both of you, extremely helpful advice!
Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind comment. Happy New Year! 🥂M&D
Great video!! Exactly the information I've been searching for. Appreciate all the hard work you put in researching and the excellent detailed presentation, especially from the angle of your own experience. Can't wait for part 2! Hope your dog is feeling better and he's back to 💯!
Thank you so much! We really appreciate any feedback, and well-wishes 😀 . Hopefully these 2 videos will benefit others who are looking for information on flying with their dog in cargo - Cheers! D & M
Omg thank you so much. U just reached out to TAP and we are organizing our 2 month vacay to Switzerland. We are stopping in Lisbon to pick up my car and drive the rest of the way. It'll be a direct flight from Miami. Thanks. You and your mom are awesome!
Hello! That’s great to hear. Safe travels and we hope all goes well. Leo had a great experience with TAP. We hope you do as well. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Thanks for sharing your crate training video. I have a 5 lb poodle. I’m planning to take him on a plane when I move to Madeira. I’m still in the research phase. Thanks for sharing your experiences! ❤😊
Hello! Your poodle will love Madeira. At 5 lbs he can travel on the plane with you. That’s great! Good luck with your research and if you think we can be of any further help- let us know! Thanks for watching and we hope you’ll subscribe! Cheers! M&D
Thanks for sharing this atleast we know how they transport dogs on a cargo. I brought mine in Canada but thankfully I got her on the Cabin. I also posted a video to give hope for those who are planning to bring their dog to Canada
Hello Reinamee! We are happy to hear that you had a good experience bringing your pup into Canada in cabin. It’s great that you posted a video to share the experience with others. We are all nervous if it’s the first time traveling with our dog in cargo or cabin! Thanks for watching and sharing! Cheers! M&D
How old is your pet and what was the weight as we are also moving to Canada plz give me all required information
I really appreciate the time and effort you guys put to create this video! You pointed some things that I didn't consider while trying to figure out how to move my doggie to Madeira next year. Many thanks!!
Thank you so much! We certainly do like feedback 🙂 We are glad you got something out of it. Part 2 comes out this Saturday so hopefully there is good info there for you too! Take care, D & M
Thank you for this video! It’s excellent- exactly what we were looking for. Great information. Looking forward to part 2!
You are welcome! Glad to hear you found it useful! Cheers!
This is great info! Thanks so much for laying out all these steps, for others to gain the benefit of your experience.
Thank you so much - we really appreciate this feedback. We hope it benefits others!
@@Track_Us_Down already forwarded your video to a freind that wants to travel abroad with her dog.
Thank you! :)
Great video! We are leaving in October for Portugal with our Aussie and Golden. I have a lot of lists of hints and steps and there are times it makes me a little nuts. Thank you.
Thank you so much! We hope it helps :) It certainly can get overwhelming with too much varied information. Our goal was to pull it all together, as far as what worked smoothly for us, and share so others could benefit. Your move with your pooches will go great! All the best - D & M
Thanks, great and helpful video...'Number 5. Can your dog fly?'...not yet, but working on it 😂
Hello! Thank you for watching our video and we are glad that you found value in the content. Ha ha… 😂 glad you’re working on it! Safe travels! Cheers! M&D
Very useful advice, thank you 😊
Hello! You’re most welcome. We are happy you found value in our content. Cheers! M&D
Many thanks guys… it was very helpful.
Btw I’ve been in Madeira and it is amazing. Nice choose.
Hello Francisco! Thank you for the comment and we are glad you found it helpful. Yes Madeira is magical!! Cheers! M&D
Excellent video. Well thought of, detailed, and relatable.
I’m retiring next year and my biggest concern is that I don’t have a choice but to transport my babies in cargo. It’s giving me anxiety thinking about it even if it’s still a year away.
This video gave me hope and assurance that they’ll be ok.
Hello Benny! Thank you so much for the kind comment. We totally understand that transporting your babies in cargo is daunting. We know we were worried as well. Leo was not crate trained. He sleeps in our bed. He’s not used to being alone…. So we took it step by step and moved slowly and now we are here with Leo- and we are so glad we did. Exactly why we created the two videos, we know the anxiety is real and there is so much negative information. Best of luck to you on your travels and retirement. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down My babies are not crate trained too and sleeps in our bed. Again, thank you!
Great video ! And the Amazon links were a bonus !
Glad you like them! Thanks for that feedback!
Hi, thanks so much for this video! Would you know if there's any kind of lighting that's allowed to be attached to the kennel? My dog doesn't like pitch-black environments. I've been rummaging my head on what could possibly help him feel less anxious in the dark. I'm even considering glow in the dark stickers now. 😅
Hello Midnight Midnight! Thank you so much for watching our video and for your kind comment. We are happy you found value in the content. We don’t know for sure what is technically allowed but from our experience, you could for sure add some kind of glow light . Good luck with your dog travels. We know there’s a lot of anxiety around cargo travel. Get your dog used to the crate in a positive way is something we highly recommend. If adding something that glows helps- go for it! Good luck! M&D
Very useful. Planning to go to Dominican Republic shorter travel time
Hello! We are so glad you found value in our content. Best of luck going to Dominican! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
Excellent video! Thanks so much!
Thanks for watching! It turned out a bit long, but hopefully helps others plan their travel with pets. When we were planning ours, we had a hard time pulling cohesive information together. Cheers! Doug & Monique.
Thanks for the video, this is my biggest concern really about moving to Portugal. I’m seriously thinking of going the boat route…
Hi! Yes it was a concern for us initially too, as we had never done anything like this before - the retiring, the move, the dog move - so much to think about and plan! But now having done it, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend cargo travel for others' dogs. It all went smoothly :) ... but the boat would be SO much fun... expensive, but fun! Good luck with your endeavours! D & M
Very thorough video!
Thank you!!
Great Video. Is possible to both of my dogs fly in the same Kennel? (they are small side) or which be the better option for them? Thanks!
Hello Ileana! Yes!! We saw several crates with two smaller dogs together! We wish Leo had a pal that could have been in there with him! I think as long as the two dogs and the crate don’t exceed the weight restriction, you’re fine. Always of course, consult with the individual airline. Thanks for watching the video! Happy Holidays 🎄! M&D
Thank you for this informative video🙏🐶your thought process and preparation is valuable.
Would you make a video on why you chose Madeira as your residence in early retirement?
Thanks for the comment! And very timely - that is next week's video! 😆 Cheers!
@@Track_Us_Down yes!🥳💃🕺thank you!
Many thanks for this wonderful video. I am traveling to Toronto from Bangalore, India transiting through Frankfurt. My 2 year old Dachshund will be in the cargo hold. The travel plan came out of nowhere and I was really concerned if she would even go near what looks like a giant cave. I got the crate yesterday (3rd May) and we have to be in Toronto on 26th May and onwards for the next 5 years may be. She just went into the crate like she uses it everyday. I don't know how she will manage the weather. It is mostly pleasant weather where I am coming from but your point about a transatlantic flight worries me a bit. How can I manage it? I m happy atleast she is in the crate on her own :)
Hello ronnie _g! Thank you for watching our video and for your kind words. Sometimes life is like that and we have little time to prepare. It sound like your Dachshund is making it easy by loving the crate! What a sweetheart! Take each leg of the flight one step at a time. For crossing the ocean it will be fine. It’s longer but essentially it’s the same as a night in the crate. A light meal and water, a oooty break and walk before, calm words into the crate and walk away. When you arrive and meet again, your new life in a new location will begin. Dachshunds are smart and amazing dogs!! Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes! Cheers! M&D
@TrackUsDown1 Did you book one-way tickets to create your travel breaks for your dog? How did you consider if you were allowed to "import" your pet into your layover country? I am getting conflicting advice from people who say its better to do a direct however I am very anxious because the direct flight is 17hrs in the air.
Hello Sarah! First of all we completely understand how complicated this all is and conflicting information is everywhere. We also have a part 2 to this video so please check that out. We did book one way, as we were moving to Portugal. We flew from one city in Canada to another and spent the night. Then from Canada to Lisbon and spent 2 nights after the 7 hour flight. Then to Madeira. All in Portugal. The reason you see to book direct is so that the airport staff never has to transfer your dog from cargo to another flight. So we booked one flight where we put him on and took him off. Spent the night or nights and then another flight. He was never transferred by the airlines. We also felt more confident with each flight and we liked seeing him, feeding and walking him between flights. If it was simply a 7 hour flight one place to another, that would be easy. Your direct flight 17 hours is long! That’s a long time in cargo for a dog. If you were to break it into steps like 2 or 3 flights, you are correct -wherever you would land you would need to meet the requirements to enter that country for the dog. That’s a tricky situation. I guess the question is -can your dog do 17 hours plus another couple on each side , so 20 hours in a crate? Tricky. Good luck to you as you make these tough decisions. M&D
@@Track_Us_Down I really appreciate this response. I am considering flying from Ontario to Vancouver and then it’s only 14 hours direct to the next location. I’m getting a lot of pushback from people who don’t seem to think the 20 hours in a crate is an issue I suppose you run the risk of traumatizing them by doing more than one flight but it would be nice to know she is ok. Unfortunately the flight to van is still 5 hours. But it would be broken up for the dog
@Sarah Sousa Hi Sarah, how did it go? I'm moving in a month and it's gonna be a 14-hour flight for me and my dog. 😥
@@midnightmidnight6796 our dog will not be able to go. The process got infinitely more complicated as she was too large to fly excess baggage (she’s 60lbs) and we had to involve a relocation company to assist flying her as manifest cargo. This meant multiple long haul flights etc.
Thanks for the video. I am moving overseas in July, to Morocco. My pup is 2 years old, 80 lbs and a boxer. I have been doing my research. I have tons of questions for you guys...
You are welcome.. hopefully our two "Dog in Cargo" videos will helpful for you! We would be happy to answer anything we can - you can track us down via email if you like at trackusdown@icloud.com. Cheers!
Congrats! I know vizslas get nervous without their humans.
I would love to hear the logistics in how you acquired D7 visas.
Thank you! Anyone who mentions "vizsla" and "nervous without their humans" KNOWS the breed, lol. You are so right. The D7 visa is a great suggestion - we will be doing that soon too! Cheers! D & M
How old was your doggo when he flew?
I'm worried for my senior dog to fly cargo, but I don't have a choice because it's a move, not a trip. :(
Hello Sandra! Leo our vizsla was almost 10 when we travelled. We completely understand your concern but as you say it’s a move not a trip. If your dog needs to come with you, prepare you and him the best you can. We have a part 2 to this video about the pet passport. Make him as comfortable and ready as possible. Take one flight at a time with a day or two between. Be calm and positive and when you land in your new home . Take him out of the crate, let him pee and give him a treat. You’ll have arrived and your new lives can begin. Breathe. You can do this!!! Happy New Year! 🥂 M&D
Hi Shandra, how did it go? I'm also moving and no choice for my dog but to fly cargo. :(
@@midnightmidnight6796 Sadly, because of family drama, I wasn't able to fly her here :(
@@shandrafuerte oh my, sorry to hear this!
Ola, I have been watching your videos and am so grateful for your content. My husband and I are coming to check out Portugal in Jan to confirm it is where we want to go. I was curious on how you found information on what your dog needed before you moved. I have a vet that does the international health certificate (we are in the US) and Ive been on the USDA website but the vet was asking me if Portugal has ever had rabies..? As in if the country itself has had rabies outbreaks. I do not know where to get that answer and thought maybe you had already come across it. thank you in advance for any information you may have to help with this question. Bom Dia e Tchau.
Hello Paige! Thank you for watching and commenting. Portugal is not on the rabies outbreak list. Your dog will need to show proof of vaccination for rabies, as well as all the other items mentioned in the videos, like a microchip etc. Portugal does not require a titter test coming from North America. Hope that helps. We know it requires a great deal of online research to find all the information. Good luck and please reach out if we can be of further help. Our email is on out about page. Cheers! M&D
What would be an average price range to send a dog in cargo, in present year?
Hello! We are not sure what the price for cargo would be in this year. We paid approximately $400 for Leo from Canada to Portugal. Thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
thanks for the detailed video. Which airline did you use? I am being told that we have to use a pet agent to book a flight on cargo and they charge a fortune.
You are welcome! We flew on WestJet and then TAP airline. For both we booked the dog-in-cargo ticket directly with the airlines. If you fly onboard, on the same plane as your dog in cargo, then you absolutely do NOT need an agent. Maybe you are being told this for the situation where you are "sending" your dog in cargo, but not actually flying with it yourself on the plane. We don't know about that particular situation. But if you are flying on the same plane, you do not need an agent and we would not pay for that! Cheers! D & M
.just a question. when the dog sleeps on the crate successfully, is the crate inside your room where you sleep or is the crate outside the room where you are sleeping?
Hello! Great question. We started with the crate in our bedroom and slowly moved it into the hallway and finally into another room. Our boy is very attached and we moved it very slowly. Best of luck to you and thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down .thanks so much for the response! Really appreciate it. i will also do that for my good boy in preparation for our relocation back to Manila.
hello,
We just received the estimated price for our two dogs in cargo of $3200. Did you use cargo or in the hold? We are currently flying TAP form Chicago to LIS and TAP states that to and from the US the total weigh cannot be more than 70lbs while other flight are 99lbs for the hold. We can make the 99lb limit.
Hi there, yikes that's steep. Our dog was in "Hold" although it's the same place as "Cargo" - they just call it differently due to weight. Between the crate and our dog, the total weight was likely a good 5 lbs over the 70 lbs "limit" listed on the TAP site, but we fudged his weight a bit so he came in just under 70 lbs. Otherwise he would have been considered "Cargo" (travels in the Hold just the same, but would have been called "Cargo" and cost about $100 more) so still quite reasonable. Is it just because of flying to/from USA that TAP charges so much? Would it be doable within the 99lb weight class to fly them via Toronto? So much to consider and decide we know, and it can be stressful. We wish you all the best and safe travels! D & M
Hello, my Standard Poodle is about 34 inches tall and the maximum height for crates on the airline we are taking is 33. I know you stated your pup has long legs. Was you pup as tall as mine, if so how did he do when standing up in the crate you've chosen? Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi! Totally understand your concern - we always want our poochies to be as comfortable as possible, however we would definitely say not to worry. You literally cannot get a bigger crate, and there isn't anyone there that's actually measuring. It's not like you're purposefully trying to stuff a big dog in a small kennel that's clearly too small for it. And with the measurements you've given, your dog will easily be able stand up, turn around, and readjust. They do spend most of their time laying down, or maybe sitting a little, so they will hardly be standing at all anyway! Our dog was just a few inches shorter, and we had one crate size smaller than yours. We understand why they have to have standards, but after seeing how our dog mostly sat or lay down, it's not imperative to be "to-the-exact-measurement." Hope this helps relieve some of your worry! All the best to you! D & M
@@Track_Us_Down Thank you, it does provide some relief❤️
Hi there , what dog service do you use when you travel ?
Hi! We have met with and are all set to use DTC Madeira, they are on Facebook, we met Mario who runs the local chapter of this company which is also all over mainland Portugal. They seem great!
Thank you for responding to my anxious questions.. we’re are planning on moving to Madeira very soon and I’m trying to do as much research as possible.. your Video are so helpful , keep up the good work . Thanks again Shawn
Thanks
would airlines allow 48" long crates
Good question. Best to check on the website of the airline you are using, they should have a pet section that details it all. Our crate was 40" long. To be honest, I don't think they look that closely unless it's outrageously bigger and noticeable. Would 8" really make much of a difference? Hard to say. Wouldn't want to give you bad advice, but we ourselves wouldn't be worried about a crate that was 8" longer. But again, please check your specific airline and go from that. All the best!
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Your message didn't seem to come through! 😉