Travelling with my Golden Retriever

[Patrick O'Brien]

Hello all, the book is incredible, Thanks Tim! I've read many books on the market (Tony Robbins, Steven R. Covey, etc.) and yours is a real paradigm shift, WOW! :) A questions for the ones that travel alot: Can I do and go every where that tim as travelled with my beautiful Golden Retriever? What should I expect? In August I want to go 1 month to the Kitesurfing competition in Les Iles de la Madeleine in Canada, but I'm not sure if I could bring my dog. Anythought?

[greg]

Each country has different requirements for bringing your pet along. It's best to call their embassy to get more information. Some countries will require shots, other countries will require six months quarantine for your pet. Best of luck in your travels!

-- Greg

[joshua]

I have two black labs who have been throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. I'm driving to Costa Rica this fall,from Alaska, and am gathering info on that, and have been told by someone who has done the same, that they had no issues anywhere in Central America with their dog. Many island nations/ states/ territories have quarantine restrictions on bringing in animals.

[GatsbyGirl]

That's the exact same thought I had when reading about the travels. I would love to travel for an extended period of time but I miss my dogs too much.

Driving to Costa Rica is an option. Great advice, thanks!

[beaver]

From what I understand flying with dogs can be very hard on them, the stress of being apart, extreme temperature differences while waiting for take off and so on. I think it depends on the airline.

[Webzu]

I have two black labs who have been throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. I'm driving to Costa Rica this fall,from Alaska, and am gathering info on that, and have been told by someone who has done the same, that they had no issues anywhere in Central America with their dog. Many island nations/ states/ territories have quarantine restrictions on bringing in animals.
Hey Joshua, I'm from Costa Rica! Check out my Costa Rica podcast (http://www.costaricatalkradio.com).

You can bring your dog to Costa Rica but make sure it's updated on all its shots and they need to be within the year so if your dog was given a 2-year rabies shot that's won't cut it.

You will need health certificates from your veterinarian including proof of rabies. You will also need form 7001 from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) signed by the State Veterinarian certifying that all vaccinations have been administered and your dog is in good health. Your vet should be able to help you with that. Since you're driving you should be fine but if you fly your dog can't during the summer months due to the heat.

Make sure you have your paperwork since they'll put your dog in quarantine right away if you don't have the proper documentation.

I just know about Costa Rica so since you're driving you should check with Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua which should be your route down. Your vet should know.

I would love to have you on my show when you're done with the trip! My Dad drove down from Minnesota to Costa Rica twice in the 1960's and 1970's. He had a lot of fond memories of those trips.

[NatalieMac]

If you want to do a lot of traveling with a pet, I recommend checking out KomfortPets pet carriers - komfortpets.com. (I'm not associated with them in any way besides being a happy customer). They provide heat or cooling so your pet stays comfortable.

[lolala13]

I think it's great that you want to spend time and travel with your golden! What a terrific idea for a book or e-book. You may want to consider seeking out and writing about the best places to travel with your dog.

I recently read in WSJ that Virgin Airlines has started a charter service that would presumably allow one to book air travel with pets - on board, not cargo. That would be a fantastic move for those of us with bigger dogs.

My husband and I have retrievers (labs and curlys) and it's a constant source of frustration trying to book vacation time, make sure our dogs are well-cared for and just plain missing them.

Good luck to you and let me know if you come up with any new, exciting ideas!

Best,
Lolala13

[cchapman84]

One advantage we found on our honeymoon traveling into Canada was that when you have an 80 pound German Shepherd barking in the backseat, customs tends to let you through a bit quicker :D

Most countries you'll have to have a health certificate and all of the paperwork stating that shots, etc. are up to date. Traveling by car is going to be your best bet. Traveling by plane can be VERY stressful on an animal, especially if they haven't done it before. Some airlines are better than others, but often the cargo areas are not well heated or cooled, noisy, and not at all relaxing for an animal. I would be very cautious with any air travel with my dog (actually, I wouldn't do it with my dog at all, and she goes absolutely everywhere with us).

[final_id]

I'd have to say I wouldn't be able to put a larger dog into the cargo hold unless solidly pressed to do so, and then only once in a dog's lifetime. Like if there were a war or a hurricane and we were emergency refugees, THEN I'd submit to letting the "throwers" throw my dog. Otherwise I'd drive or not bring the dog unless it was small enough to come into the cabin with me. Just seems like too much of a risk to ship a dog in a crate.

I've had smaller dogs, and I know of people with smaller dogs, who bring them on board into the cabin with them. As long as dog-inside-carrier fits beneath the seat in front of you (and plenty of brands of carriers are made to fit in that way) then you're allowed, by most airlines, to bring the pet that way. I once sat next to a guy who did world-wide Sea World shows, who was on his way across the country to do a TV talk show with an iguana. Under the seat in front of us.

Just my thoughts ... I'm considering getting a Toy Fox Terrier as my next pet. (I'm pet-less right now.)