[Dailydrool] Help! Advice needed on flying bassets

[Sylvie McGee]

Hi, Val,

It's great that you have a couple of months to work on behavioral retraining
with your boys to get them ready for crating and flying...

Traquilizing is generally NOT approved for flying, because it can have the
effect of depressing respiration, which is not good in the plane
environment. There are some anti-anxiety drugs that are more systematic,
like Clomicalm, which is basically an anti-depressant - and these might be a
possibility. They have a longer lead time, and you should talk to you vet
about them pronto because they can take a month to six weeks to kick in
fully....

But I would also start right away with acclimating the boys to crates...it
can be done...

I would start by putting the crates you are going to use (size 400
varikennels - the plastic travel crates) out in the house somewhere central,
like where the family spends most of its time. Put two out, so that each boy
has his own.

Put nice fluffy beds in the crates, and start throwing treats in the crate
so that the boys will want to stick their heads in. Initially, put the
treats near the door, so they just have to duck heads in quickly. Then move
towards throwing the treats back further in the crate. These should be
absolutely super-duper, yummy, very-extra-special treats! You are aiming for
maximum attraction. Fresh cooked meat works nicely. Or roll up, or salami...

Leave the crates open at all times, and for a week or two, just focus on the
treats. When the boys have gotten a bit used to sneaking in to get the
treats, start feeding in the crates.

Again, initially just put the bowl just inside the crate door, so that they
will put their heads in to eat. If they refuse to eat, TAKE THE BOWL UP
until the next meal! They will not starve themselves, and they will start to
eat with head in crate....

As they get more comfortable in the crate, feed further back in the crate,
and eventually push the door closed while they are eating - but don't latch
initially.

Give that another week, and once they are more comfortable, latch the door
while they are eating, and allow them to stay a little bit in the crate
after the meal (15 minutes or so).

With this routine, they should become more comfortable in the crate, and
you may even find them occasionally curled up in the crate on their own.

As they get more comfortable, you can transition to putting the crate in the
car and taking them for rides, so that they get used to the sensation of the
crate in a moving and noisier environment.

Slow and easy - start right away so you have maximum time to work through
this process, and don't forget to use the best treats as training
aids/bribes. ;)

Sylvie McGee
HeavenScent Bassets
Olympia, WA