To bring the dog away in cargo?

[Lolacabanaa]

We spend 3 weeks in Italy where my parents have a house in the summer. I know it’s far in advance but am debating on whether to bring the Labrador. They’d have a great time- lots of walking and swimming in the sea but am only nervous about the travel aspect as am worried for her safety in cargo and whether it’ll scare and traumatise her. Does anyone have any experience with this?

No leave her at home with a dog sitter

I wouldn't for three weeks can you drive her Instead?

Travel rules may all go tits up anyway, my vet said yesterday if we do crash out on no sea they will implement the three month blood test again for rabies so time would be b right anyway. It's such an unknown at the moment.

A long flight in cargo is OK, but it's a) expensive, and b) a bit much to do two flights in three weeks

PLus, as babysharkah says, it's a complete unknown at the moment what the rules will be next summer regarding pet travel in the EU

I'd plan on kennels, TBH

I wouldn't subject my dog to that.

I wouldn't put her in kennels either though.

Do you have any family or friends you could nleave her with?

I think it could be a bit much for her.

A holiday with a lovely dog sitter or excellent kennels would be much better I think.

hibbleeddible my family will all be in the house in Italy and dh’s family is in Greece so not much help. If it’s not possible to bring Bridget (Labrador) we will of course just go for less time and find care for her here, I know she’d love the time there I just wish there was a way to make the journey okay for her

It will be so hot that time of year would your dog reallly enjoy it? We felt the same about France but decided against it as it would be far too hot x

PET travel will change after Brexit don’t plan anything

Check that dogs are allowed on the beach - they often aren't!

I wouldn't fly a pet unless absolutely necessary, my DP works for a big airline & has seen many cats/dogs pass through the airport.

They have to go into quarantine before the flight - then caged hours before takeoff, transported to plane, loaded and secured. Then it's the same the other end. My DP sometimes has to wait 30mins plus at the plane stand for cargo to collect a animal - whatever the weather.

recently dogs definitely are. It’s a place I’ve been spending my summers in all my life and the beaches are filled with dogs running around and swimming in the water

But it’s not a tourist destination at all and so all the dogs there don’t have to fly and do long car journeys to get there at most

I couldn’t subject my dog to that unless absolutely unavoidable.

If you want to bring her on a beach holiday, take her to Cornwall or somewhere.

I wouldn't travel a pet in cargo unless there was absolutely no other choice. I have first hand experience of how distressing it is for many dogs, even those whose owners expect to be relaxed and unphased. The change of pressure at take off and landing can also cause them a lot of ear pain. The poor things are on their own in a scary unfamiliar and noisy environment and are in pain with no one to reassure them.

Also, I've also seen pet containers kicked along the floor by staff at foreign airports

Marking this. We've thought about it a lot as we don't feel comfortable leaving our dogs elsewhere. Our concern is for their welfare once we're abroad but if you're comfortable in Italy with them then why not? It's a short flight. The thing we always come back to is that, if we asked them, they'd want to come with us.

Also not all guide dogs can cope with flying and therefore don't (although many obviously can happily and therefore do) and I kind of figure that if a highly trained dog that has been raised since it was a small puppy to cope in all circumstances can be distressed by travelling in the cabin with its owner beside it then a pet dog on its own in the hold is likely going to be very miserable.

I would drive there.

I wouldn't. The heat for one thing - the local dogs will be acclimatised to it, but unless we have another crazy hot summer, British dogs won't be. Plus, pps have a very fair point about pet travel rules being unknowable at the moment.

We use a dog boarder who has the dogs at her home - she's absolutely lovely and our ddog (who is quite old and a tad high maintenance and neurotic) adores her and is very happy there. I'd look for a set-up like that every time now.

If you are planning on a trip abroad next year do speak to your vet SOON! you need to allow 3-4 months for rabies vaccination and titre testing as a no deal brexit is likely to mean that uk dogs will be regarded the same as dogs from "listed" coountries rather than part of EU pets scheme.

Nobody knows for sure however the stance in the veterinary profession is to proceed as if this will be the case for anyone returning to uk after march.

Mine has travelled in cargo before. International move so unavoidable really. He was ok when we collected him (delighted to see us and desperate to toilet). He’s a released guide, so crate trained, has been to the airport many times previously for his ‘career’, and we acclimatised him to aircraft noise (you can get soundtracks of being in the cargo hold and luggage being moved in and out) so he was as well prepared as possible. I’d do it again for a move, but not for a holiday. It’s expensive and really adds to the travel stress at both ends.

Depending where in Italy you also need to think about leishmaniasis risk and take appropriate preventative measures

When we go away our dog boards with our dog walkers. Nice family setting, another dog for company- he seems to have a great time. Lots of people do this these days which I think would be less traumatic than crating in the plane