Travel Kennel question

[manda99]

Hello everyone,
Smokey and I are flying back to NYC and he's going to be in a kennel in the cargo area of the plane for the flight (yes, I am very nervous). I got his kennel yesterday but I am having a hard time getting him to get into it. He has NO problems going in his BIG crate that he's in daily while I'm at work but he won't go into the smaller one. It's not SO small but he does have a duck a little bit to walk in. He won't put a paw in. He'll lean in as far as he can to try to get the treat I put near the back of the kennel but he won't actually get in. I've tried putting a treat at the door, then a little further back, and further, but once he can't just stretch to get it, he walks away (well, he tries numerous times & whines at me first).
I've tried holding the treat through the holes at the back... same thing. No paws in the kennel.

Any suggestions on how I can get him to realize that it's not a bad place to go in? Because when we move I think I'd like to make this kennel his bed at night, too (maybe... eventually... i love sleeping with my doggie though so...maybe not).

So yeah - ideas? Help? Fool proof methods?

Thanks!
manda

[Karen]

Leave the kennel door open, and leave it around where he can explore it when he doesn't feel "forced" to. Put treats in there, or a favorite blanket or toy as incentive, and then just leave it around. Once he gets "used to" it, he might go in, no problem. How long do you have before you go?

[manda99]

Well, I put a bed he sometimes lies on in it and now he'll at least get 1/2 way in. I am just leaving it open so he can check it out... Hopefully he'll get used to it in time. I have until Jan 27.

[Dixieland Dancer]

This is totally up to you but sometimes when I have a problem area in training and the dogs know what I want but will not comply, I withhold their meals. I will hand feed them breakfast and if they refuse to do what they know is expected, I put it away and we will try again at dinner. I have never had to go more than a few missed meals until the dogs realize it's my way if they want to get fed.

I strongly emphasis that I only do this when it is absolutely necessary and I know the dogs understand what is expected but refuse to do it. If you think you know that Smokey understands you want him to go in the crate you can try this since you are pressed for time. Otherwise I would never suggest it.

[sammi]

I thought they didn't fly dogs in the cargo in the winter?

[manda99]

Dixieland Dancer - Thanks for the suggestion. I think he does know I want him in there. He seems to be getting more & more curious so I'll give him a little longer to warm up to it.


Sammi - A lot of airlines don't. I am flying Spirit Airlines and they keep their cargo area at 75 degrees so they do fly pets in cargo during the winter. I'd never heard of this airline before but it's only $30 for Smokey to go on top of my $89 one-way ticket from LAX to LaGuardia. Holy good fare!


manda

[manda99]

Well, I finally got Smokey to go in the travel kennel... But I may be a horrible mom for the way I did it.

I smeared peanut butter on the back wall of the kennel. He streeeeetched in with 3 legs in there to get it. Since he was so close I just wanted him to see it wouldn't kill him to get in all the way so I pushed on his rump, he pushed back, I pushed again and in he went. I closed the door, he didn't notice and just kept licking the peanut butter. Then he turned around and I was there with more PB and lots of "Good boy!"s for him. I left him in there for about 30 seconds and then opened the door. He came out but then went all the way back in too look for more PB.
He came out and then about 5 minutes later went in 1/2 way sniffing around.
About 30 minutes later we did it again (the PB on the wall, me pushing his rump and last leg in). Same thing, he didnt react, just licked the PB and then turned around to the closed door. I gave him more PB, gave him the lay down command and he did that. Left him in there in a down position for about a minute and he was fine. Opened the door and he still stayed in chewing on a toy. He came out a bit later and then a bit after that cruised into it all the way again sniffing around, checking it out.
So, at least he's not afraid of it anymore...
But am I a horrible mommy for pushing him in there like that? It seems to have worked... and he didn't seem "mad" at me. I just couldn't lure him all the way in before.


Although I'm sure he prefers his penthouse of a wire crate compared to the smaller travel one he's okay with the travel one now and will go in and out at his leisure.

[Cincy'sMom]

I don't think your methods were horrible at all. Sometimes we all need a little push of encouragement! He was rewarded for doing what was needed and with praise as well as food. He should be more willing to go in as time goes on.

I forget...does Smokey have Pit in him? If so, did you make sure Spirit allows this breed? Unfortunatly, a lot of airlines are refusing to transport pit bulls and I would hate for you to get there and have them refuse him.

[manda99]

Cincy's Mom - I feel better now, thanks
And Smokey is full pit... I *think* I asked when I bought the ticket originally but I should call just to be sure. Good idea.

[manda99]

FYI - i called the airline & they told me no restrictions.
yay! we're GO!

[Cincy'sMom]

Yeah!! We usually fly Spirit to Florida each summer and it makes me happy to know we use an airlines that doesn't descriminate on the basis of breed!

[wolf_Q]

I've never heard of Spirit Airlines...they sound pretty reasonable! Do they have a website? I wonder if they fly out from Salt Lake City...

[Dixieland Dancer]

You know your baby better than anyone else. If the method worked then *YAY* to you! In training I have learned that not all methods work for all dogs. You need to improvise to the situation which is exactly what you did! Congratulations!!!

[Cincy'sMom]

Website for Spirit

[ownerof3dogs]

My family fly Spirit airlines to Florida every time we go. It is very reasonable and they are really good. We have never had a problem flying with them!