[nagdu] flying with Princess for the first time

[Doug Parisian]

Maybe I could add a little to Nicole's suggestions.

Rule number uno!  Keep calm.  Your dog needs you as much as you need your 
dog and will very quickly pick up on any anxiety you might have.

Really, there's very little difference between a plane or a bus, or a van, 
they are all moving vehicles with the surroundings being different.

When I was at TSE after my first of five different holidays there, I hauled 
my wheelie case down the residence halls a few times so that on the day of 
travel, that was one less issue for my dog to be concerned with.  I actually 
got other students to do the same, creating unfamiliar sights and sounds for 
the dogs.

Once assured that my dogs are fine in an airport situation, and suffer no 
natural air sickness, I proceed as I would do on any day, regular feedings, 
the works.  My longest trip was about 14 hours total travel from point to 
point and I've done this trip several times with at least two of my dogs 
with no issues though I wouldn't recommend this strategy on a first trip 
with a brand new dog.  TSE always provides a travel package, some paper 
towels, a poop bag, and a few cookies.  Cookies and/or ice cubes can help if 
there are ear issues.

With all of my dogs, I approach everything with the approach that I, and not 
any physical residence, am the home of my dog.  I don't worry about small 
issues like getting lost; I've never yet heard of a blind person and their 
canine companions dying lost and alone in an airport.

Holy Hanna, relax, it'll be lots of fun.  Just one more thing I do, 
regardless of school philosophy; I insist that all of my dogs learn to 
follow others, whether behind or off to the side.  I have done this in 
travel situations as well.  It keeps the dog focused and you have a better 
feel for what your dog is doing with a stiff harness rather than a not so 
stiff leash.

I like the rope leash idea.  This is also useful for dealing with certain 
ill-behaved humans should such ever become necessary and providing one has 
the strength and agility.  The element of surprise is also helpful.

Doug: contributing to the plain truth.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini at Home" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] flying with Princess for the first time


> Okay... here goes:
>
> 1. If you are flying a long way, cut back her food the morning of the 
> flight. Regardless of whether or not you do this, you may want to get some 
> pepcid to give her. This is perfectly fine, and I sometimes do it for 
> Lexia. You probably will have to make her swallow it or put it in a pill 
> pocket.
>
> 2. If you do not want to set off the metal detector and get a pat down, 
> then find some kind of leash that does not have metal. I have a rope that 
> has a loop at either end. I take Lexia's leash and harness off and use the 
> loop at one end to make a slip collar.
>
> 3. I strongly recommend that you take the harness off during the flight as 
> it is probably uncomfortable for the dog.
>
> 4. If possible, try to relieve Princess as close to when you leave as 
> possible.
>
> 5. Bring a plastic gallon bag with you. If princess needs to do number two 
> on the plane, it is possible that it will come up as vomit rather than 
> doing number 2. This is how it is with Lexia. Although I would much rather 
> clean up solid stool in case of an accident, she usually vomits instead.
>
> Okay, that's all that I can think of at the moment.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Hannah Chadwick" <sparklylicious at suddenlink.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 3:16 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] flying with Princess for the first time
>
>
>> Hello All,
>> Thank you for all your suggestions and advice; I will definitely keep
>> everything in mind once I am settled with Princess, and ready to teach 
>> her
>> new commands.
>> Princess and I will be finishing up here on Friday, and we're going home!
>> I'm beyond excited, and more than glad to have the new addition to my 
>> life!
>> I must say that I'm a little nervous that Princess will be flying with me 
>> on
>> Friday and it will be the first time for her. Questions like: what if she
>> seriously does not like the plane? what if she has an accident while
>> flying?... etc etc. I'm just really nervous but I'm sure things will go
>> smoothly since Princess seems to respond well to praise.
>> Any suggestions, advice, or stories of your first time flying with your
>> guide would be greatly appreciated!
>> Cheers, Hannah
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/eggmann%40shaw.ca