Are you planning an international trip with your four-legged friend? If so, it’s important to make sure that you and your dog are well-prepared for the journey ahead. In this post, I will share my personal experience flying with my dog, Sage, from the United States to Germany and provide some tips on how to prepare your dog for international travel.
Before embarking on our journey, I spent several months researching and planning for international pet travel. I checked all the requirements for pet travel on the USDA website and consulted with my vet to ensure that we had prepared all the necessary documents and vaccinations. Make sure you have enough time before your journey to complete all the necessary documents as they could take over a month.
The day before our flight, I made sure to skip breakfast for Sage so that she wouldn’t have to go potty during our travels. On the day of the flight, we drove with Sage and 2 suitcases to Boston airport. My husband Tony, was staying behind to finish selling the house and shipping our staff overseas.
At the airport I was alone with two suitcases and a large dog crate, flying with Lufthansa. I needed to register for the flight and check my bags before checking in Sage. I also made sure to find a spot for her to go potty before the final boarding call. Thankfully, the airport staff was very helpful, even providing me with needed paperwork and guidance on where to go. As Sage is about 55 lb or 23 kg she has to travel in the crate in a special air conditioned area. Another important part of being prepared for international travel with your dog is making sure to book your place on the plane early as there are only 3 or 4 spots available.
Once it was time to board Sage, we were taken to the inside corridor where security did a swab drug check of the inside of her crate. I learned that collars and harnesses are not permitted inside the crate, but blankets and towels are allowed. After getting the all-clear, I put Sage in the crate and headed to the security checkpoint.
Next, I headed to the security checkpoint and made my way to the gate. I was able to catch a glimpse of Sage’s crate along with three others as they were loaded onto the plane. Our flight was a straight shot to Frankfurt, and we had arranged for a car to drive us from Frankfurt to Leipzig, our final destination. While it added four to five hours to our journey, it was preferable to a three-hour layover and transfer. Plus, Sage loves car rides!
Upon arrival in Frankfurt, I headed to the oversized baggage claim area to collect Sage’s crate, which was quite heavy and zip-tied shut for extra security. I had to find a pair of scissors to cut it open, which proved to be quite challenging. A kind German girl that worked at the airport, eventually helped me, mentioning that this happens all the time. Sage was free in a few minutes and was so happy to see me and all the travelers around us. She wasn’t shy about saying hello to anyone who paid her attention!
In the end, our journey was a challenging but rewarding experience. If you’re planning to travel internationally with your furry friend, it’s important to do your research, consult with your vet, and make sure that you and your pet are well-prepared for the journey ahead. With proper preparation, you and your dog can have a safe and comfortable journey.