So you found that perfect puppy across the nation. Now what?

any people are missing the joy of owning a wonderful pet due to a fear that shipping an animal will cause extreme stress and result in a negative effect on the dog?s well being. I would like to assure these people that good breeders take special care when shipping a puppy. I put a lot of time, love and care into raising my puppies. For that reason, I want to see my dogs taken care of in the best possible way. When I ship my babies I ship them in the same crate they grow up in here with their own toys. Here are some tips for people who are considering buying a puppy over the internet that will be shipped:  

1. When buying a puppy, be certain that the breeder ships the animal counter to counter. Although, there is a little more cost involved, this ensures that the puppy is never in a stressful situation and is not left unattended. He is hand carried from one counter to the next. Although handled by the Cargo/Baggage department of the Airline, the shipper does not need a statement of acclimation because the animals are always in a climate controlled environment and not in the main baggage compartment. The flight attendants just love to baby these little dogs! Important Note: Please call your airport well ahead of time to confirm exactly where to pick up your pup and what things you will need to bring! Some Airports take the pups to a separate holding area.

2. It is important to make certain that the breeder makes shipping reservations for the shortest amount of travel time possible. Most reputable breeders will already be aware of this fact. It is possible for the buyer to also call for themselves and make sure the arrangements are for the shortest travel time.

3. As a breeder, I would like to assure people of the safety in shipping a puppy. I personally can supply references from those to whom I have shipped a dog. Any breeder, who has shipped previously, should be able to do the same. The people, who have received puppies from me, were very happy and did not feel there were any negative effects on the animal. In many cases, when the puppy came out of the crate to the new owner, the little one was so happy that there was an instant bond with their new family.

4. I suggest that people find out which airline the breeder uses. I usually ship with Continental Airlines and use their Quickpak Live Animal Service, and I am a Registered Known Shipper by them. It costs more but the careful handling and reliable, on-time delivery is worth the cost.  I deliver the puppy to the main counter and the buyer picks their puppy up at their baggage counter (hand carried to them). I have found them to be very concerned with the safety of my dogs.   

They work closely with the local Zoos and shipped animals for them, which gives me much comfort. Although I know there has been some bad press in the past about airlines and animals, things are different now. A few years ago, safety was an issue when airlines shipped an animal. However, I speak with experience when I say that Continental Airlines has made, and is making, huge strides in their efforts to improve the shipping quality and tracking of animals. Anyone who may be interested can call the Live Animal Desk in Continental Cargo?s Customer Service Center at 1-800-575-3335 for more information.

5. The age and health of a puppy must be taken into consideration before shipping. Puppies must be AT LEAST 8 weeks of age. The Tiny Tots often have to be a little older. I will not ship until the puppy is ready. My veterinarian will assist with the determination by performing a health check. This assures that the puppy is healthy and ready for the trip. The vet will then sign a health certificate signifying this fact.

6. I would like to address one last concern: purchasing a dog "sight unseen" over the internet: People are worried that they will not get the dog for which they paid. Or maybe the dog won't be what they want. Even with pictures, it is difficult for people to buy a dog. They must rely on the breeder to figure out what they want and the personality of the dog.

         It is imperative that breeders are careful NEVER to misrepresent their dogs. It is important that breeders take the time to listen to the customer and honestly tell them about the individual puppies. I suggest that the buyer ask the breeder for references of people who have purchased puppies from them. People need to know that they will be getting the dog they are expecting. Just like people all puppies have differences. The public needs to remember that a puppy is a long-term investment. 

          Therefore, it is important to only deal with a reputable breeder. Breeders should put their dogs and their customer's happiness before money. Certainly, breeders want and need to make money because so much hard work and expense goes into raising a healthy and well socialized puppy. However, if the dollar sign is the most important part of their breeding program, quality puppies will not be the end product.

You can take confidence in the fact that a good breeder will ship a puppy in the safest and best possible way to ensure the health and well being of the dog. You should also feel comfortable to ask the breeder as many questions as you need to. I strongly urge the public to get references from former customers and even breeder organizations (i.e., NRTA). Doing the homework assures a person of getting a healthy puppy of good quality.

*And finally, as the prices change frequently on the cost of shipping check with me about shipping prices to your location. I will be happy to let you know ahead of time what it will cost. Here are the two questions I am most frequently asked...

* WHAT IS INVOLVED IN SHIPPING A PUPPY, AND WHY DO SOME BREEDERS CHARGE MORE THAN OTHERS TO SHIP?

* WHY IS THE COST THAT THE AIRLINE QUOTES ME FOR SHIPPING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU CHARGE TO SHIP?

   I will answer both of these together. You can call the Airline and ask what it costs to ship a puppy. Then when you ask me how much it costs the price may be higher. Let me explain why the costs are different. There is so much more to shipping a puppy besides just taking him to the airport.

1) First, the basic cost of shipping by the Airline is the base cost I must pass on.

2)  Next, I must find the closest airport for the buyer. This can sometimes take a lot of time. I will not ship the puppy to a small airport that does not handle commercial jets. The puppy can only be sent in a pressurized, climate controlled bay.  I must frequently spend extra time with e mails and phone calls getting everything worked out. Once the puppy is scheduled I must E-mail and call the buyer with all the info, the airway bill number, flight number, date and time. This must be done at least 7 days in advance and sometimes weather or other problems get in the way and plans must be changed. If you live far away from a major airport, please plan to arrive there before the pup lands so he will not spend time in the crate. Please do not ask me to send him on by small plane.

3) I spend half a day taking the puppy to the Veterinarian for a health

certification, and to make sure he is in the best condition to fly. There is a charge for a health certification and for time and travel to the vet.

4) It takes 2 to 3 hours to get the crate completely ready with all the papers and information for the buyer. It also must be carefully labeled to avoid mistakes on the plane. I clean the puppy, his crate, his blankets and toys the night before. The day of the trip I put him with the blankets and crate pads that he is used to into the crate along with stuffed toys and a safe chew toy for comfort.

5) Then there is the 100 mile trip one way to the airport in Austin, Texas. I do not use the closer, smaller airports. I won't use a plane that does not have a pressurized, climate controlled bay for the pup. This means that I usually must get up before daybreak and have the puppy prepared starting the day before. If traffic is bad it can take me all day to ship a puppy plus mileage, gas and meal expenses. There is no way to truly charge for wear and tear on the car but you can see that it takes it's toll.

6) I do not simply drop the puppy off and go on my way home. I stay with that puppy until he is boarded and the plane takes off, making sure everything will go smoothly for him. I talk to everyone involved making sure his needs will be met. I keep him comforted, as he is used to me. In case he is unable to fly for any reason I am there to take him back home.

7) I do everything I possibly can to make the trip less stressful for the puppy and the new owner. When possible I take puppies along on dry runs when I ship out older pups so that they will get used to riding in a car and all the noises. There is a lot of stress to the breeder when shipping a puppy and I simply cannot just charge what the airline charges alone. If I did that I would soon be out of business and could not sell healthy happy puppies to good homes unless the buyer picks them up from me.

8) I say all this to explain what is involved when I quote the shipping charge to you. I try very hard to be fair in my charges and truly represent the cost to me. That is why each charge may be slightly different. Each situation will be different and I will not do less than the absolute best for any puppy that I ship.

I do hope this helps explain the shipping charges and what is actually involved in shipping a puppy. Please E-Mail or call me for any other questions or concerns you have on this issue. Remember that you are always welcome to pick the puppy up yourself if that is possible for you.  :)  Marion

 

    

Sincerely, Marion Shiller

cc: Continental Airlines

 

* Special Note on how to help your Puppy handle being shipped *

I would like to add one thing here about low blood sugar in very small pups with a high metabolism. Because I cannot feed them much before going on the plane, sometimes the pup's blood sugar can drop if there are any delays. The Airlines are good about caring for my pups but sometimes the stress of the flight can cause the little ones to burn sugar more than normal.

I encourage you to prepare ahead of time for this. Carry a small amt. of Karo syrup with you and a small bottle of spring water. I raise the pups on well water and they are not used to the smell and taste of city water. Until they adjust you don't want them to get dehydrated or have their blood sugar dump. Most of my pups do well and want to eat right away.

If the pup is acting normally you can give him a couple of pieces of the hard food I send with him along with some water when you first get him. Do offer him some kind of food and water when you first pick him up. If he is listless let him lick some Karo syrup off your fingers along with a bit of water. Then give him a few pieces of puppy food when he perks up. If you feel that he did not weather the trip well a trip to your vet may be necessary. If he does not want to eat or drink within a couple of hours call your vet. I want to reassure you that these complications are rare but can happen. I do everything I can to make sure the flight is not stressful, but I cannot know how each puandle it.

I always appreciate a call from you once you get home and get settled so that I can see how the pup did on the trip.

 

~ A SPECIAL SECTION FOR DOGS 5 LBS. AND UNDER~

       

            We all know that these little tiny puppies are special. But we also have to know that it takes a special person and some special care to keep them at their best. When responsible breeders takes on the task of breeding these tiny little dogs, they know that they will have their share of puppies that have special needs. 

            Breeding dogs this small costs much more in veterinarian costs and pregnancies are often more complicated. People who are not professional breeders should not breed these dogs and any dog under 5 pounds should not be bred. The little ones under 5 pounds are some of my most popular dogs, but I recommend spaying the females before their first heat rather than breed them if you get one this small.

            Purebred dogs tend to have certain breed specific problems. Although the majority of these dogs are hardy and healthy there are some health problems that we see often enough to mention here. I am not trying to scare anyone out of having one of these wonderful tiny jewels. But I want you to know what you need to know so that you don't run into problems.

 

1) Extra teeth and periodontal disease can be a big problem for these little guys. Especially the smallest ones under 4 lbs. Many of them have extra baby teeth that fail to come out, or they simply don't have enough room in their tiny mouths for the amount of teeth they have. This leads to trapping of food between the teeth after meals and may lead to serious periodontal disease. If you are aware of this you can prevent big problems.

 Have your vet check the mouth thoroughly, paying particular attention to the small bottom front teeth. This area is especially hard to brush. Brush his teeth every day and use the products I recommend in the dog care section you shouldn't have any major problems. If your dog has bad breath all the time there is a reason for it. Please have his teeth checked often.

 

2) Low blood sugar can become a problem because of their size. Mostly because they are very small they cannot eat enough at one meal to keep up with their high metabolism. I recommend that you feed him twice a day (three times a day for puppies). If you are trying to feed home cooked meals, try supplementing that with a breakfast of a few pieces of a good quality hard dog food like Innova. Yams have natural fat and sugar that make a teaspoon of cooked yam a good breakfast. If you do run into a situation where he can't eat and acts listless you can use a little Karo syrup until you can get his food into him. 

 

3) Obesity can become a problem and shave years off his life. If you have never had one of these adorable little ones you will probably have a tendency to give in and feed him too much or give too many treats. Keep in mind that his stomach is only the size of a quarter. Unless he is in hard training every day like agility he should only eat a tablespoon of food or two at a time if you don't want him to gain weight. This means that you want to pack maximum nutrition into what you do give him. (see dog care section for more detail). To how you what I mean here are two pictures. The first is an overweight dog and the second is one of normal weight.   

             If you can, exercise him every day and watch his weight. His ribs should not show from a distance but you should be able to easily feel them. If he is looking fat and round he is probably overweight. Check with your vet if you are unsure. I recommend weighing them with a postal scale that weighs from 10 pounds on down. Once he becomes an adult and his weight stabilizes you can figure out how to feed him to keep him at his best. If he is around 3 pounds a weight gain of a couple of ounces can actually make a difference.

 

4) If your baby has a round bulb like head (more common in the tiniest ones) his fontanels (soft spots) on the top of his head may not close completely. This is usually not a big problem but it is something to be aware of. Have your vet check for this and just be aware that it can be dangerous for these little guys to get a hard hit on the head. Usually dogs learn to get along regardless of size, but if you have a big playful dog as well, you might want to keep an eye on them when they play so they don't get too rough.

 

5) These little guys usually mature slower than larger dogs so they may not be able to hold their urine and feces as well until they are a little older. If you are consistent with house or crate training (which begins here with me) you will not have too many problems. Just bear in mind that it may take them a little longer to be completely trustworthy in that department.

 

6) The B type body is preferred by some and it features a longer body with shorter legs. They are usually a little more barrel chested and can have bowed legs. Sometimes they can have problems with joints or kneecaps but this is not usually a big problem for them. If he starts limping or seems to have trouble running or keeping his balance just have him checked for joint problems.

 

7) Vaccinosis (overdose of or reaction to a vaccine) can be a problem with certain vaccines. This is especially true of the smallest dogs. As a breeder I have to meet certain specifications and all my puppies are fully vaccinated and up to date. Once you get him it is up to you and the vet you choose how you go about his vaccination program. You may notice that they have diarrhea or don't feel well after a vaccine. More and more vets are becoming aware of dose appropriate vaccines which are geared to their small size or the idea of drawing blood work (titers) every year to see if a vaccine is necessary.

 

Some vaccines do not cause a problem immediately but as they build up every year are the cause of many medical problems. Look into this yourself and discuss this with a veterinarian who is up to date on this subject. Holistic vets are sometimes more aware of this problem. If you click on this picture it will take you to the web site where you can get detailed information about vaccines.

 

 

8) Rarely, demodex (mange) can show up in an otherwise healthy dog. It is caused by an external parasite that is also present in low numbers on healthy animals, including people. Whether or not a pet shows symptoms of this disease depends primarily on their immune status. It is impossible to predict which pets will get this disease, or how well a pet will heal if it shows symptoms. The immune system of these tiny dogs matures slower so occasionally demodex will pop up. Demodex is caused by a mite, a microscopic ectoparasite that infects the hair follicles. 

Most pups pick up these mites from their mother when they are nursing, and do not normally cause any problems. It is a dog under stress or one with a compromised  immune system that will develop this disease. If your puppy feels stressed during the trip he may show a spot or two of hair loss. If this happens have him checked by your vet and do whatever you can to help him adjust and feel secure in his new surroundings. This can be treated and will likely not reoccur again. Be careful though about the harsh treatments. Don't treat unless absolutely necessary. It will often go away by itself once the puppy is settled in. As I said, it is rare but is can happen. Just like people, dogs all respond differently to change and stress.

 

 

Well, that is all I have for now. Despite the above possible problems, these little guys are usually tremendously hardy and adaptable. If properly cared for they usually have a long life span and will give you years of love and companionship. They pack a lot of dog into a very tiny body!   :)  Marion