Bring dog

Plan early!! Check with a good local vet on all issues. You will need a vet certificate anyway to bring your dog into HK. Make sure his rabies shots are up to date. Get him micro-chipped.


Check online for pet-friendly airlines. After many pet deaths, some have started taking more care. You many not be able to ship your dog during summer months because of high-temp restrictions.


Most airlines now require that a certified agent handle the check-in procedure on the U.S. side, so find one ahead of time. Some have affiliates on the coast (say San Fran or LA) that can walk your dog during any layover. (Try to get a non-stop flight if you can.)


If you want an agent to help on the HK side, check www.wishyouwereherehk.com. We have used them for pet sitting. Fantastic! Pet lovers. Or try www.ferndalekennels.com. Used them to bring over our German Shepherd. They were very helpful.


International flights require that crates have breathing holes on all four sides, whereas, last I checked, they only need breathing holes on three sides for U.S. flights. So, finding the right crate can be difficult. (Also, you will probably need XL size.) We just purchased a three-side holed crate at Pet Smart, then they drilled one-inch holes in the fourth side for us.


Here are some suggestions to consider for making your dog's trip more comfortable:


1. Fill the bottom of the crate with about 2 inches of shredded paper. This will be absorbent if he has an accident.


2. Fill an attachable dish with water and freeze it the night before he leaves. Put it in your dog's crate the morning he departs. Your boy can then lick the ice for moisture for awhile longer than just water, which will go quickly or spill.


3. Fill another attachable dish with fresh water. (Only use metal dishes as your dog could chew a plastic ones that come with the crates and choke on the pieces.)


4. Purchase a canvas dog toy ahead of time and have everyone in your family sleep with it in bed a few nights (seriously). Then put this in the crate with your dog (bury it under the shredded paper or the airport people will take it away) - your familiar smell will comfort him.


5. If your dog is friendly, tape a big note on the outside of the crate saying "My name is X. I am friendly. Please feed me." Then tape a ziplock with your dog's food to the outside of the crate with feeding instructions.


6. Attach his collar and leash to the OUTSIDE of the crate for the trip. Don't leave his collar on him as he could catch it on something and choke.


7. Bring one week's worth of his U.S. food to HK so you can gradually switch him over to his new food. This should help avoid stomach upsets.


Check out this HK gov Ag & Fish site for the import requirements - www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_ie/qua_ie_ipab/qua_ie_ipab_idc/qua_ie_ipab_idc.html

Do this a month or so ahead as it takes time to process and receive the permit.


When he arrives, he may be very disoriented and even depressed for a few days. Be patient if he has accidents or behaves worse than usual. Give him lots of love and exercise. Create a "space" in your home just for him with his old blanket or mat from the U.S. Don't wash it before coming so it smells familiar.


Finally, with such a big dog, I hope you will have a place with a garden or lots of time to walk him.


Best of luck!