If you take your doggie on the plane with you, make your first stop a place for your doggie to stretch his legs and to go potty. If you can not easily make it outside, consider scouting out a family bathroom. In most airports, this option provides a room with a lock. Put a doggie potty pad on the floor and bounce a ball against the wall.

If you crate your doggie, open the carrier as soon as it is safe to do so. Give him some water and a good head scratch. Check the paperwork to ensure your doggie has not been exposed to excessive heat or cold. Ensure that he doesn't have any visible injury. If anything appears wrong, take your doggie to the veterinarian immediately.

When traveling, your doggie will want to walk as much as possible. Ensure you bring a leash to accomodate this need while on travel. Storing the leash inside the crate or carrier can pose a choking hazard for your doggie. Instead, pack it away in your purse or outside carrier pocket. Alternately, tape it to the outside of the crate.

Tranquilizers seem like an easy way to help your doggie through a flight but this is rarely the case. Rather, it often inhibits your doggie from adjusting the climate changes occurring in-flight. The best approach is to talk to you veterinarian about alternative plans.

When traveling, carry a photo of your doggie and his micro chip information. If your doggie were to be separated from you, the photo will help others identify him and the chip number will help you prove that he is yours if he is picked up by the animal authorities.

Avoid feeding your doggie too close your your flight. Six hours for large dogs and four hours for a smaller dogs is a good rule of thumb. Include small amounts of water in the crate. Too much water will spill on his bedding. Ice cubes are a good solution as they melt over time.

When traveling, your doggie's nails can become hooked in the crate or carriers canvas sides, doors, or holes. For his protection, clip his nails prior to travel.

When travelling ensure that your doggie's collar indicates the idenfication of both your home address and your temporary residence and that phone information is valid. Your mobile phone number is a solid choice for a contact number.

Affix a travel label to the carrier with your name, the name of your final destination or contact person, home and final destination addresses, as well as your home, cell, and final destination phone numbers.

Give your doggie at least a month before your flight to become familiar with the travel carrier. This will minimize his or her stress during travel. In addition, include a favorite toy or item with your scent in the carrier with your dog for comfort.

Carriers are available in both hard-sided and soft-sided. Soft-sided carriers are more suitable for carry-on and tend to fit better under the seat. Follow the airlines requirements for the appropriate size carrier for your doggie. The proper size carrier should allow your doggie to be able to lie down comfortably, stand up and turn around. Ensure for proper ventilation and comfort.

Have everything packed early and leave early to allow plenty of time to deal with normal air travel as well as your doggie’s needs. Keep yourself calm before the flight as doggies sense your stress and anxiety.

Do not ship pug-nosed dogs or cats such as Pekingese, Chow Chows, and Persians in the cargo hold. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave them vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke in cargo holds.

Always travel on the same flight as your doggie. Ask the airline if you can watch your dog being loaded and unloaded below the cabin. In addition, when you board the plane, notify a flight attendant that your dog is traveling with you as special precautions may be taken.

Use direct flights. Changing planes may cause undue stress on your doggie, particularly if layover time is not adequate for a walk and potty break.

If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that will accommodate the temperature extremes, particularly if your doggie is traveling below the cabin.

Consider booking a non-peak flight, which typically means less passengers and more cabin room. This will help ease potential stress for your doggie.

During your pre-trip vet appointment, ask your vet to issue a health certificate for your doggie. This typically needs to be dated within ten days of departure. Carry this with you while traveling with your doggie, as it may be required at different points throughout your travel.