Dog Owner Chat! (for-fun poll added) (new chat)

[Ethulai]

How would I go about taking Kiba on a plane? She is only 4 lbs, would she be able to be in a carrier under my seat? I might be able to convince my dad to let me go to VidCon and I would have to fly, so I would like to take Kiba.

Pretty sure the only dogs they allow on the plane where the passengers are, are service dogs. Otherwise they would have to be in the freight area of the plane in a carrier.

Edit; at least, those are the rules in Australia.

[MacGyver]

How would I go about taking Kiba on a plane? She is only 4 lbs, would she be able to be in a carrier under my seat? I might be able to convince my dad to let me go to VidCon and I would have to fly, so I would like to take Kiba.

You'll have to check with your airline as each airline has its own rules. Most airlines limit carry-on pets to a max. of 10lbs (including carrier weight) and the carrier must be able to fit under the seat on front of you. Again, check with your airline and flight (size can differ per plane type).
Also, be sure to let them know you have a dog as carry on when you reserve your flight - only a certain number of pets can be on board in-cabin. And confirm it at the counter when you board as well. You'll want to have Kiba's required health records too (though I'm pretty sure this is only for international flights and flights to Hawaii). Again, check the airlines rules on pets in-cabin.

I'll grab some links for you tomorrow.

edit; from FAA CFR FAR:
Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking any person's path to the main aisle of the airplane.
Your pet container must be stowed properly before the last passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to leave the gate.
Your pet container must remain properly stowed the entire time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and for take off and landing.
You must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the proper stowage of your pet container.

Have you decided on an airline yet? If you have any more specific questions, ask away. I studied up on flying with pets quite a bit when we were planning on going back overseas.

[Cardinal]

Small dogs are more fragile. Small dogs have smaller, thinner bones than a larger dog. That's not to say they are INCAPABLE of doing the things larger dogs, they're not to a certain extent (not all sports are open to small dogs). You don't typically hear about GSD's stepping off of a couch and breaking a leg, but its a VERY REAL threat for an Italian greyhound. You wouldn't typically push a smaller dog as hard as a larger dog, when having backpacks a larger dog can typically go up to 20% of body carrying weight and I'm pretty sure 10% is the average for small-toy dogs. You can do SERIOUS damage tripping over or stepping on a smaller dog because their bones are thinner.

I don't think this is a matter of small dogs cant do x,y,z.

[orpheus.]

I know bigger dogs tend to have smaller life spans, from around 10 - 12, but that's still a grand old age. I agree it would be amazing if they lived just that little bit longer, but better to have a short happy life than nothing. I love my sheepies. Have you ever heard of Newfoundlands too? They're huge dogs but still great, I love that breed.
~QUESTION~
Just how long is a small dog's average life span? (Never had one before)

Some only live to nine or eight though - and I know it isn't exactly a short period of time but it isn't quite as long as I'd like, it's a shame since I admire most big dogs but I don't think we have the right kinda lifestyle for them anyway. Newfoundlands are gorgeous, there's a lady who walks two of them and they are huge, but really gentle, you don't really see very many of them though, the majority of dogs here are westies, labs, whippets, english staffies, bully mixes, golden retrievers and border collies along with the occasional beagle. But most of them are staffies since people adopt them thinking they'll be 'hardcore dogs' and then they end up in the pound, where there is already 40 staffies. It's really sad since these dogs are actually really nice-natured and make great companions.

[control freak.]

Hello! How is everyone and their lovely lil' doggies? It's been a bit since I've
posted, so I decided I'd sneak in for a little update;

Dixie and Tobi are adjusting extremely well to their leash
training. They get to walk at least 2 miles every day and
are loving every bit of it. They are pretty much able
to ignore any other dogs trying to get their attention.

<__<; Only recent issues we've had is their new leashes.
They are retractable (I know a lot of you prefer harnesses,
but those just don't work so well for our dogs) and well..
they suck. But what could you expect for $7 a piece.
Good ones are more around the lines of $20-$30 a piece.

Anyway. I just got hired on to a new job so I can afford
to spoil them more. They'll be moving to a Blue Wilderness
diet and I am also thinking about taking insurance out
on them.

[Ethulai]

Hello! How is everyone and their lovely lil' doggies? It's been a bit since I've
posted, so I decided I'd sneak in for a little update;

Dixie and Tobi are adjusting extremely well to their leash
training. They get to walk at least 2 miles every day and
are loving every bit of it. They are pretty much able
to ignore any other dogs trying to get their attention.

<__<; Only recent issues we've had is their new leashes.
They are retractable (I know a lot of you prefer harnesses,
but those just don't work so well for our dogs) and well..
they suck. But what could you expect for $7 a piece.
Good ones are more around the lines of $20-$30 a piece.

Anyway. I just got hired on to a new job so I can afford
to spoil them more. They'll be moving to a Blue Wilderness
diet and I am also thinking about taking insurance out
on them.

I hear you about those retractable leashes. Mum used to get them for our old dog, they used to break so fast -.-

My dogs are great! They freaked me out earlier today because they were chasing each other around the house when I was in the bathroom and Jacques managed to turn on the TV...suddenly I hear voices inside my house...I was so freaked.

I also noticed something funny about my pups. If I am drinking/eating something they haven't come across before, Jacques will come over and sniff but not ask for it. Remy will just watch from afar. Étienne‎ will be curious but will not touch it until I give the okay. After I do give the okay and he eats/drinks it, suddenly Jacques and Remy want it! Boys eh? I keep imagining Jacques sees Étienne as his personal food taster.

I got a crazy weekend coming up so they get to go to my parent's house this weekend. Which is nice because they have a bigger backyard than I do.

I'm considering fostering Greyhounds. Looking into it at the moment.

[FuzzyThePunkCat]

@MacGyver, thanks for the info! I haven't really looked into what airline I would use, since I am not sure yet if I am going to have enough money in time to be able to go. Kiba is only 4 lbs, so she should be able to fit the weight limit. I will let you know if we are able to go if I have more questions

[Cardinal]

Just got back from dropping Sif off at his new home. Very happy for the little guy, they seem like a fantastic fit.

[star star.]

Does anyone know a good way to keep a dog from escaping? I'm just curious because our dog Mazie keeps escaping, even with a frozen ground

[vaska]

Like, escaping, how?