Thanks so much for the replies!

I can't use the medium carrier because Southwest states that carriers must be 8.5 inches or shorter. I've heard people say that the medium fits fine but I don't want to risk being held up at the gate. The flights are about 3 hours each- I'm going to open the top during the layover so she can stand if she wants. She can definitely change position in there if she wants, too, though I'm hoping she'll sleep. She's used to the carrier- it's the carrier we use for taking her on the subway, so she has very positive associations: it means she gets to go with! She hops right in and ducks her head so I can close it.

I also worry about the pee pad thing because Frida is not pee pad trained either, she goes outside. We tried to use them during the hurricane and she basically was like wtf is that? And had an accident on the floor instead, which of course we didn't scold her for.

One thing I'm hoping might work is that, because she is crate trained, I'm thinking of not putting her in the crate the night before (I often don't sleep before I travel) so that when I put her in the carrier she thinks it's still night time and will continue to sleep through the flights.

Thanks for the food advice! I think I'll just feed and water her as normal beforehand, then. I know she can hold it that long. And bring along some treats and her collapsible water bowl for the layover.

Wow great ideas, I have to Tavel to Montana by car from Seattle and it is -10 below, I will use that bathroom idea for a wee wee pad so she's not so cold even with a coat on, she's only 3.5 lbs and she will feel so much better, great question


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Just to warn you, you will be asked to take your dog OUT of the carrier, and to go through security holding your dog, so that they can scan the carrier! No metal on the collar please! Either take off the collar and put it in the basket, or put it on the carrier. Mine had on just collars, and had the plastic clips, so didn't set off the alarms.

Oh great, thanks! I'll be sure to take her collar off for security, I wasn't sure about that. Annoying, because she usually wears her harness under her shirt, but I suppose since she won't be on the leash anyway it's okay to just do the collar (which she has her tags on) in case she bolts. But I'm not worried about taking her out, she loves being held, but if it were my cat it would be a different story!

Toby's collar has the plastic clip to buckle it but it has a metal d ring where you attach the leash. I really don't want him to be without a collar in the middle of a large airport but I guess I don't have a choice.


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I was just thinking about the people who might fly with dogs that aren't pee pad trained. Are flights with connections where you have to go through customs again a possibility or is that just for international travel? We're used to going through customs more than once on a trip and if we had Odie with us, we could take her outside.

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I know some of the large airports have animal potty areas..but no we don't go through security more than once. We do usually need connecting flights but you just land and then move on to the next gate.

I guess I could line the crate with a pee pad and bring extras so any accidents can be contained and disposed of.

I travel with my 4-pound Chloe all the time, and long distances too!

I usually give her water (even on the plane) from a bottle cap. I grab a bottle of water before I get on the plane just for her. It's tedious sometimes, refilling the bottle cap after two licks, but at least she gets water!

As for bathroom breaks, I've never had a problem with Chloe. She has been on long-distance flights with no problems. I put a pee pad underneath her in there to be safe, but it has never been wet. If you're worried, I would recommend the pee pads. The only other thing I can think of is to be prepared, carry some dog wipes in case she does have an accident.

Good luck!

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