Dog on a plane: preparation in the weeks before

From six to eight weeks out: vaccinations and flight fitness

Six to eight weeks before departure is the time to book a veterinary visit to check if your dog is fit for flying and to start the vaccinations required by the destination country: some, like the rabies vaccine, require weeks to be considered valid for legal purposes.

At four weeks: getting used to the carrier

Leaving the carrier open at home with familiar objects inside helps your dog associate it with a safe space rather than an unknown experience: the longer this cohabitation period, the less stressful boarding day will be.

At two weeks: breed restrictions and airline rules

This is when to check the specific restrictions applied by your chosen airline: many companies limit or prohibit transport in the hold for brachycephalic breeds (such as bulldogs and pugs) due to documented risk of breathing difficulties in these breeds, and weight thresholds or cabin transport methods vary significantly from one airline to another.

In the last few days: practical test

A short car trip with the carrier in the days immediately preceding the flight allows you to observe how your dog reacts in conditions similar to the real thing; it's also worth checking in advance the availability of your vet so you're not left without support in case of a last-minute check.

The most useful advice is to turn this sequence into a written checklist to check off week by week: it reduces the risk of forgetting a step and the stress for both the dog and the owner. For the complete guide, see also Traveling by air with your dog.