Our dog's first airplane flight was NOT a success :(

Рет қаралды 3,376

2 жыл бұрын

We wanted to take our 6 month old dog up in the airplane for her first flight in my Grumman Tiger airplane. Unfortunately it didn't work out as we had hoped. Our dog became extremely stressed. We also try out the 4paws aviation dog headset to see how it performed. Lessons were learned and hopefully the next flight will be a better experience.

Пікірлер: 49

@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын

MOCHI UPDATE Feb 2023: Mochi just successfully flew from Los Angeles to Phoenix and back without a hitch. The key to success was a crate. While she didn't love it, there was no crying and howling like we experienced in this video. She even kept her headset on the entire time!

@TWRSHO 2 жыл бұрын

Some thoughts and I’m not sure of the feasibility, but try introducing Mochi to the plane in steps and try to make it a fun experience. If Mochi is toy motivated, bring her favorite toy or if food motivated, bring her favorite treat. Just start with the plane in the hanger. Take her in and out several times and reward and praise her each time in the plane before getting out. Then step up to getting into the plane and closing the canopy and reward her and so on and so on. Hopefully working up to getting in the air. Try not to force her, if she gets nervous or scared, step back and let her calm down before trying again. Good luck! Hopefully you won’t need the sedatives, but some dogs just can’t overcome their fear of something.

@marcelob.5300 2 жыл бұрын

I totally agree.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Thx for the suggestions. I'd like to try and avoid the medication route but want to have that option if I need it.

@dougschrag1637 2 жыл бұрын

If the pup is used to riding in a car, get a 30 minute recording of your plane, and then play it over the car's stereo if possible. Gradually increase the sound, so she gets accustomed to the airplane noise first. Then add the headsets. After that introduce her to the plane. I am sure that a strange loud noise coupled with the headsets and a strange environment as well, may have been too much all at once.

@dukenewton2368 2 жыл бұрын

I second the crate idea. That and a Thunder Vest do seem to provide a bit of security to the dog in those new and stressful situations.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought a new crate yesterday as she had outgrown the original one I had bought.

@GeezerGeekPilot 2 жыл бұрын

Bryan, make sure she gets plenty of time in-crate in your home with the door left open… treat inside 😎.

@homertalk 2 жыл бұрын

Poor Mochi, She's a trooper. Some dogs are skittish. Maybe one of those calming jackets would help. Thunder something. Best wishes!

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Funny how brave she acts in some situations, others she just can't handle. If I can get her more comfortable in the car, I'll feel like progress is being made!

@denmarktwp 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe some staged conditioning. Take a trip to the hangar, she gets a treat. Hop into the plane, several treats. Hop back out of the plane, wander around the hangar, back into the plane several treats. Go home. Another trip, treats in the hangar, treats in the plane, back out, wander around, back in, treats in the plane. All this using the kennel. Maybe start using the kennel in the car, too. Third trip same as before this time run the engine at idle, taxi at idle, treats if she'll eat them, back to the hangar, shut down, treats, into the car, treats. Progress to run ups, in the kennel, treats back to the hangar, treats, go home. treats. Keep taking baby steps filled with treats. - Just some thoughts.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Great suggestions. I will def try them out.

@marcelob.5300 2 жыл бұрын

I'd go with a lot of power up attempts and also a cage so she wouldn't go running all over the cockpit. The sedative is probably a must. She probably is freaked out by the vibrations in her body and need to get used to them, slowly. Lots of time and lots of fuel. Some dogs are terrified by the snap of fingers others aren't bothered by anything.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...as you could see in the video it wasn't until the increased RPMs that she really freaked out. I have my work cut out to get her comfy for a long cross country.

@stopanimalabuse4741 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with the dog crate idea. I've found that helpful during numerous pilots-n-paws flights. If I suspect a dog is over stimulated I'll use a crate. They seem to feel safer in a confined space especially with a few treats.

@UncleKennysPlace 2 жыл бұрын

My basset hound farted soooo much the first and only time I took him up in the Skyhawk I thought he had crapped the back seat. Luckily it was only nervous gas. A friend had to drive him 305 miles home.

@TheFlyingStampede 2 жыл бұрын

Yikes! A couple things with Mochi. She might be better in a crate in the back or on the back seat with a few of her favorite toys or a favorite blanket. You can try one of those Thundershirts too, they're supposed to be good for anxiety. Also, being held and coddled doesn't generally help the situation either, it actually reinforces their behavior. In the past I've used freeze dried treats soaked in a bit of Benadryl, which helped for long car rides. Always check with your vet for the recommended dosage for your doggo. We've been lucky that our dog does better in the plane than in the car. Best of luck!! With a bit of work I think she'll eventually be a good flying partner!

@watashiandroid8314 2 жыл бұрын

My totally uneducated guess backed by no experience is the same as a few others here, tiny itty bitty baby steps with positive reinforcement once mochi is calm and relaxed with that baby step with repetition and not pushing too far in a single day even if things are going well.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Good suggestions. Baby steps.

@GeezerGeekPilot 2 жыл бұрын

Awww, she's so sweet. Possible ideas: (1) more and more car rides, with a pleasant reward at the destination (treats, walk on the beach, whatever), (2) bring her favorite blanket and swaddle her in it, (3) maybe put one of the back seats down and put her bed there, (4) remove her leash when in the aircraft, (5) as you noted, a sedative (weened off over time)... make sure the sedative doesn't wear off before arrival. Kudos to you and Karla that you're working this in advance of your cross country.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

I was hoping you would chime in Wayne. Yeah I def need to get her more comfy in the car. I've seen how well your pups do in your plane...perhaps one day Mochi will be the same.

@TheFlyingStampede 2 жыл бұрын

We use a short leash, maybe 2 feet long that buckles into the back seatbelt and connects to our dog's harness. Our dog sticks to us like velcro, so I worry about her coming up front with us.

@lamberto6405 2 жыл бұрын

So, this is meant as constructive feedback and I hope you see it as such. During the run-up obviously Mochi was trying to get as far away from the front of the airplane as much as possible. She might see and feel that prop in a very different way as we do, we don't know. While it was Carla's good attempt to comfort her, this was not Mochi's desire. So, possibly letting her go towards the back of the plane might have been a better idea. Mochi might not know Carla enough to take comfort in her arms, so we have to let the dog decide what is best for her. The run up can also be done in timing phases. Run the engine at 1800 and while she is still calm, lower it. Do this running the engine a few more times while keeping the dog calm at all times. Once you see the dog getting nervous, kill the engine and reward the dog with a treat. Taxi back and give another treat. This is a very time consuming approach. The crate idea will be a good one. She'll probably fall asleep eventually. This might be the quickest and best option... Good luck!

@WolfPilot 2 жыл бұрын

Oh man. Totally EPIC fail. That's too bad. Some dogs are ok with flight and some aren't. Good to see another video from you! Keep us posted on how it works out

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Stressful for all involved.

@da40fan27 2 жыл бұрын

Feel your pain. My dog hates flying (tries to run away from the plane) but fortunately is stoic about it once we put him in the backseat. We only fly him to my in-law's farm, which he loves, but doesn't associate the flight with the fun later. Neither brand of dog ear protection stays on for more than a minute or two. I think the crate will be a good idea.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

Thx. Yeah I just bought a new crate yesterday because she outgrew her old one. Hopefully that helps some.

@GeezerGeekPilot 2 жыл бұрын

YMMV… in over 100 PnP transports with dogs in kennels… I had 2 that freaked and we had to call a “no-go”. Having their blanket in with them seems to help.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

I've only done 1 PnP trip (2 dogs). They were in separate crates but were very mellow. Perhaps they were given sedatives in advance. No idea.

@GeezerGeekPilot 2 жыл бұрын

It might depend on how the dog was raised or house trained. Many dogs seem to consider a crate their "home within a home" and are comfortable there.

@ga1205 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely in a crate with a blanket or toy. Contain all potential issues.

@dieselnine1022 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely think having her in a small carrier would be good. Probably wouldn't put her in the tiny cargo area for your long trip. Try Bach's Rescue Remedy. It comes in a couple of different formats.... good for dogs or cats. What year is your GA5B (I think the B was the Tiger, and the A was the Cheetah)? Just asking I may have been the one who airworthied it back in Savannah, so long ago.

@katep4485 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if you could make a noise reducing dog crate. I think there are a lot of good tips here, but would also recomend finding a dog trainer to work with. They are mostly good at training the humans to work with their particular dog. We've found them helpful even after many many years of dog experience.

@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын

Thx for your feedback. I’m gonna try taking her next week on a trip using the crate. We shall see.

@GeezerGeekPilot 2 жыл бұрын

Mochi is super cute!! (OK, now I'm going to watch the remaining 9:20 of the video 😀).

@MrSoarman 2 ай бұрын

My black lab went for a ride with me, in a car she is happy looks out window etc, in the plane was fine till rotation the she laid in the seat SPLAT, would not get up till engine shut off.

@N1120A 2 жыл бұрын

Aww, Mochi Monster! I'm thinking a carrier will make her feel better

@FlySkies 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure he's hearing a very high frequency that's hurting or scaring him. Most probably from the prop. You have the equipment. Check it out

@rickh4310 Жыл бұрын

I would definitely never even try to get my dog in my Grumman Tiger let alone my wife. Maybe I could try putting my wife in the dog crate along with the dog!

@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын

Maybe if the pilot flew a little better they wouldn't mind so much LOL

@kickassaz 2 жыл бұрын

You don't need medication. Just keep doing little stimulus with the dog and rewards. Taxi up and down or let them sit in the plane parked up and have lunch etc. They just need to get used to the noise and vibration ☺️

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

I'd really prefer to not go down the medication route. That said, I'm open to the idea.

@kickassaz 2 жыл бұрын

@@Wolficorntv I don't think it's needed. Reading some other comments I second a crate and thunder jacket. My dog when it thunders gets under the bed or In his grate. I put a towel over the top and sides so it's dark with a comfy bed in there and toys.

@jamiehammond5923 2 жыл бұрын

Why would you take a dog that is not trained properly?

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

How exactly do you train a dog to fly in a plane without ever trying to put her in a plane? She didn't like it so we didn't depart and taxied back. What's the issue?

@jamiehammond5923 2 жыл бұрын

@@Wolficorntv A dog has to be comfortable with its surroundings. When I trained my dogs for hunting I just don't take them out hunting. I get them use to shooting guns around them first. I would take the dog around planes first before trying to put it on one for a trip.

@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын

@@jamiehammond5923 I've flown with multiple dogs that took to it immediately. She didn't so we will change our approach. Perhaps she never will be a flying dog. We shall see.

@chuck_in_socal 2 жыл бұрын

My last two dogs were fine with flying. No special training.

@exrobowidow1617 2 жыл бұрын

@@Wolficorntv Have faith in the training process! Neither animals nor humans remain static; they are learning all their lives, until they are really, really old or have dementia. I have too many cats, only one of whom asks me to pet and brush her. The others leave, either faster or slower, if I offer to pet them. Two will politely put up with handling if I find them "cornered." All were born feral; two moved into our house as feral adults, and the rest were "too old" (more than 12 weeks) when they moved in as kittens. I'm having to rethink how I interact with them, especially how they view my actions. How do animals think vs. how do humans think? How can we as humans adjust our actions-- our eyes, our facial expressions, our hands, body language, emotional energy-- to make learning easier for our furry friends? When dogs investigate something, they first use their nose, then their mouth, then maybe their paws. Cats start with their eyes and ears, then their nose, then their hands. Humans start with our eyes, then maybe we speak, then we reach with our hands. If a cat reaches with its hand to another cat, it's in attack mode, and the other cat will either choose to oppose (hiss, fight, or play) or flee. So I'm having to rethink what's going on in their minds when I reach out my hand to touch them. They have to learn that I'm trying to be nice to them when I reach out. It's a steep learning curve for older cats. I have no idea how long it will take to get them all comfortable with handling. I've had cats for over 30 years, and I'm just now figuring this out about the hands! At least dogs tend to be a lot more tolerant of the stupid things humans do.