Shipping your dog to Mexico

[Cherise]

Hopefully, Mexico or sout of are on the horizon. My gal is older. She is pretty nervous/anxiety ridden sailing unless sailing downwind, fairly flatly. She prefers ro be in the cockpit, of course right at the helm ready to lend a paw.

My solution. Why not have family hang onto her for a month and send her down via plane from California to La Pa, Maz or PV?

Has anyone done this or looked into it? She is a long haired breed and 65lbs. Can she go alone or must a family member fly with her?

Thanks fellow sailing dog owners,
Cherise

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[Sea Dreaming]

Cerise,
I have flown a number of pets. It broke my heart every time. Even though airline folk are usually kind to pets, seldom will anyone have time to check their well fare in flight. Spilled water is common and it's not refilled. The whole experience seems to be very stressful for both dogs and cats and, depending on the animal, the stress can continue for days after the flight is over. It usually works best with younger pets because of the stress.

Each country has its own entry requirements too. I can't advise about mexico but for starters, chipping, vaxinations and health certificate are required.

Can you have a friend drive your pup to Mexico? Pay for a rental car and they can fly back.

[Cherise]

Thanks Sea Dreaming oh and for the other thread too - ouch!!!

She is good to go for most countries, some obvious aside. I like your idea of driving her down, if possible. True, there is nobody there to refill water :/
I don't want to be that cruiser that can't go because she's waiting for her best bud to pass.

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[TJ D]

Hi,

Our dog has been with us for 8 years, and recently passed the 10,000 bluewater mile mark. We've flown him 8 or 9 times, including 2 round trips to Europe.

We have flown him from Puerto Vallarta to Seattle and San Francisco and back as well. It sucks for him every time, but we have it down pretty well.

First, we make sure he drinks a lot right before we put him on the plane. We put a little peanut butter in some water, and he slurps it all up at the airport. So, he's well hydrated.

Even if he has water in his dish, he doesn't want to drink while flying anyway.

We also give him a mild sedative. I know it's not recommended for all dogs, but it helps him.

In the end, he's been just fine at the other end, and except for some jetlag on the Europe trips (wanting to go for a walk at 3AM), we have had no real problems.

Mexico is not a problem. You should bring an international health certificate with you, and proof or vaccinations, particularly rabies.

We've never sent the dog via cargo. I would feel better if he went with somebody. It doesn't cost much to fly to PV anyway.

You might also consider that the sail down isn't really typically too rough, our dog didn't find it to be uncomfortable, as he has on rougher passages. Maybe bring her along? Just a thought.

Have a nice trip.

TJ

[Cherise]

Hi TJ,

Thanks for the detailed post. It sounds like you have it down. Wow, 10,000 Bluewater miles, sounds like your dog should write a book!

My girl is far too large for flying in the cabin, so she would have to go cargo.

Good point about downwind sailing.

Thanks, C

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[Celestialsailor]

For what it's worth. Another option is driving. I did it from Sacramento to San Carlos in 21 hours. So La Paz would be a little longer. Maybe buy a small beater car and have it be your Mexico car.

[SWFLman]

If you decide to do the airline/cargo route..... Be sure to do it during the winter months. Airlines will not ship pets in the summer to southern locations. Last thing you want is them sitting in a kennel/crate in 90 degree weather. What other said is all accurate. We shipped our dogs to Mexico and were a bit stressed, etc. Vacinations and health certificates are required. When we shipped ours, it was before 9/11..... not sure if the regulations have changed and if they allow pets to fly without a passenger onboard. Might want to check with the airline regarding that.
Steve

[JPA Cate]

IMO, in the long run, for a 9 yr. old dog who tends to be nervous sailing, I'd talk to the vet about a mild tranquilizer, and take her on the boat. She will be happiest with her "pack leader" there with her, and the drug should calm her. The trip from CA to Baja is usually a very gentle one, and should not over stress either of you.

The option of having her driven down to rendezvous with you would also be easier on her than flying her to Mexico. i know sometimes flying turns out to be the only option, but having seen how hard it was on my own Malemute (about twice the size of your dog), I wouldn't do it again.

Ann

[jmtindle3]

We had an Aussie 45#. She made the trip back and forth to Mazatlan by air in the baggage area 6 times and we never had a problem. She must have been an exceptional dog. I agree with vets not to tranquilize the dog. In rough flights they can really get hurt. I think If you are going to be sailing with the dog take her with you from the start. Drivng is not so great either although my dog loves it. Good luck the dog will be fine

[Cherise]

Great advice everyone, thank you!
Ann, what mild tranquilizer was your pooch prescribed? I like a natural route, or diy when possible. However, I know you cannot replace pharmaceutical's at times.

I avoid my vet as much as possible. They always end up coming up with many hundreds of dollars more for me to spend on her. What we do for our hairy children, right?!
I am most worried about the Calif. coast on her (such as pt conception), so perhaps family can drive her to socal for me. It can be hard at times to remember that socal and mx aren't nearly as boisterous as the SF Bay.


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[zeehag]

what ann cate sed.. itis cruel to ship a critter. they arecargo. scary for critters. do tranq n sail or drive. you have the time with critter to soothe it, you have the time to care for the dog, especially as it is an older critter.
i know you would feel crappy if anything happened to dog on trip. please accompany dog. yes conception is a wild n wooly place-- have family drive goggie to somewhere south of santa barbara-- oxnard, ventura?? so you can pick up and spend time with dog on trip. dog will do well with you.

[JPA Cate]

Cherise,

I have no idea what was prescribed; it was over 30 yrs. ago. However, this is one time that a decent vet could really help.

I know you've heard horror stories about rounding Pt. Conception--I did as a Bay Area sailor--but, the horror stories are mostly from people struggling north against the current and wind. In unfavorable weather, I would agree with zee, but you will be waiting for those northerly quadrant breezes for your southbound trip, the wind on the quarter or even further aft, with the south flowing current in your favor, and the motion should be relatively gentle. Assuming you're taking the 43 footer, it should be a mellow voyage, and easy on your old girl, as she becomes accustomed to it... The hard part will be getting her to eliminate while aboard. To facilitate that for her, she will have to be slowly operant conditioned to do her jobs when/where you say. I believe they call this "clicker training" now, and you can probably find the relevant information online.

You CAN teach old dogs new tricks. It just takes a little longer.

Ann