| Picking up your Puppy at the Airport? |
| First, check with your local airline to see exactly where you are to pick your puppy up. In some cases, puppy's come into the main terminal, in other airports they go to the cargo buildings. You will need your airway bill number, (which you will get when shipping arrangements are made) and a photo ID in most cases to claim your puppy. Leave home in plenty of time to get there and find the place to pick up your puppy. When your puppy leaves the breeder, he should be freshly bathed, but quite often, puppy's get air sick, or can't hold it for the entire trip, so bring along some paper towels, and if you have access to it, a bag of shredded paper, it works much better at keeping messes off your puppy then just a towel or newspapers laid flat in the bottom of the crate. There should be feed and water dishes attached to the crate, so you don't have to worry about bringing those. Depending on how far you have to drive home, you may need to bring some feed, to start the feed changing process, and a bottle of water. Some kennels have deep water wells, with pure, untreated water, so if you have a source of non-chlorinated water, it would be better for the puppy. If you are not far from home, it most likely will be better not to feed the puppy at the airport, though a drink of water should be offered. The exception to this rule would be toy breed puppy, these need frequent feedings to avoid sugar shock. Please do not try to leash break your pup in the airport parking lot. New collars can be difficult to get adjusted right, and your puppy will undoubtedly have a tantrum his first few times on a leash, and a busy airport parking lot is not a good place to have a loose puppy! If you are picking up your puppy from the breeder or from a kennel, it would most likely be best to transport him home in a crate. Puppy's often do get carsick. You will need the same supplies as for the airport pickup, paper towels and shredded paper, and feed and water dishes for longer trips home. The breeder will send home some feed for him, and if you have a long trip, a jug of our good water will be needed. |
