Carrying for dogs: purpose and types

Flying or moving with your pets is not such a simple process. In addition to the pet, the owner needs to monitor the bag, suitcase, documents, wallet, and a curious dog, which you have to lead on a leash, creates a lot of inconvenience. Therefore, carrying is currently used not only for cats, but also for dogs.

Do not spare funds for the purchase of this important equipment, the owner will need to carry it more than once during his life. Experienced owners know that this thing serves the following purposes.

• For travel. If there is personal transport, then the task is simplified, but in a bus, train or plane, special transport is indispensable. A passenger with a dog on a leash will simply not be allowed there.
• To visit a veterinary clinic. Both small and large dogs can be brought to a specialist on a leash, but if the animal is unhealthy, then carrying will become a necessity for delivering the dog. In a bag to transport a sick pet will be faster and safer.
• Carrying can serve as a pet house. If the family has children, then the dog will consider the bag to be his resting place, where you can hide from the noise.
• To visit the exhibition. Before this serious event, the dog can spend several hours in the hands of the groomer, and so that the appearance does not deteriorate upon delivery to the exhibition, you will need a carrying bag.

Product advantages are its wide functionality. Carrying can be used as an item for transporting an animal and as a home enclosure. It all depends on the variety.This thing is also good with a wide assortment: at present you can order a bag for transporting an animal of any size in pet departments and online stores. Models differ in parameters, material, functionality, design, price. Some large specimens allow two small dogs to be transported simultaneously.

Of the minuses, it can be noted the high cost of even budget options. For miniature dogs, it is recommended to buy a cat option - it will be cheaper.

It is important to choose the size so that the animal can stand in full growth without bending, as well as stretch out in full length. But a very spacious carrying also will not work, otherwise when braking or making sharp turns, the dog will be thrown against the walls. The additional volume should be such that the pet has enough space for a convenient 360-degree turn.

The height of the product should be 10 cm above the dog’s head. There is even a formula for calculating the size of the carry. Take the following options:

• a - the length of the dog from nose to tail, cm;
• b - limb length from floor to elbow joint, cm;
• c - width of the chest area, cm;
• d - length from the floor to the tips of the ears, see

The size calculation formulas are as follows:

• carrying length = a + 1 / b;
• width = s + c;
• height = d + 10.

For dogs of small breeds, products made of soft materials are suitable, but for large individuals only massive carriers and cages made of solid materials are offered. Most often, containers for transporting large dogs are plastic or metal. Carriers for large and medium breeds can be equipped with additional elements and are almost always plastic.

If the owner has chosen a cage for transportation, then this is in any case a metallic option. The cage is good in that it can be used additionally when visiting animals at an exhibition, but it is uncomfortable with its blowability, that is, it can only be used in summer.

For miniature breeds, you can choose both a plastic model and a rag model. To make it easy for the pet to breathe through textile materials, a plastic mesh is often sewn into the products. Sometimes copies with a hole for the head are offered, as well as options with a foam insert to maintain shape.

Staying in more detail on options from soft or hard material, You can highlight the most popular in terms of functionality of the variety.

• Soft carry bag. This option resembles the appearance of a sports bag with a window for ventilation. Such specimens have medium-length handles for easy operation. Bags with an additional compartment, where you can store dog paraphernalia and ammunition, are popular. There are options on wheels that can be transported as suitcases.
• Backpack. Another soft option. Also used for small dogs. Some specimens have a window that provides the animal with an overview. For safety, windows on some models are equipped with a metal mesh. The backpacks are made of high-quality nylon, which has water-repellent properties, and the animal does not get wet inside in the rain. The product allows you to travel on a bicycle. Very convenient carrying, freeing up the hands of the owner, however, the backpack is recommended to be used only for balanced dogs who are not afraid to be alone in an enclosed space without seeing their owner.
• Sling. Another variety of soft material. It is a bag on the owner’s chest, which is outweighed over one shoulder.This option is more suitable for timid miniature individuals who are afraid to lose their owner from sight. Reliability is provided by a wide shoulder strap. This copy can be used exclusively for babies, for dwarf or medium dogs it will not work.
• Plastic container. As already mentioned, if possible it is better to choose exactly plastic. It is easy to clean, does not absorb moisture, which is very important for eternally scared little dogs, and does not cause an allergy in an animal. There are models with additional fastening, such a box can be reliably fixed on the car seat. The product allows you to additionally attach the drinker inside, in addition, such a carry can be put on dirty asphalt - everything will be easily and quickly washed. By the way, for example, during air transportation it is allowed to transport dogs only in plastic boxes.
• Metal cage. This option is often used when transporting large dogs: shepherd dogs, labradors, dogs. Here you can install a drinking bowl and put a bowl of food. The animal itself is quite comfortable, since it has a completely open overview and it sees the owner. Cells are easy to clean and can be used additionally at exhibitions.

Before choosing a dog carry, pay attention to seasonal models. They are subject to special requirements.

• Winter portable bags should be made of dense fabric material that can hold warm air inside. Such a bag cannot get wet. When choosing a size, consider that the animal may be transported in warm clothing, so the parameters should be slightly larger.
• If the animal is transported in the summer, then choose containers of thin breathable material that allows fresh air to pass through. To the dog was not stuffy, on the side of the product should be equipped with nets, windows. For psychological comfort and tranquility of the owner himself, it is recommended to choose a bag in gentle pastel colors.

If you figured out the time of year, then you should familiarize yourself with other recommendations for choosing a carry.

• For a short trip on the bus, for example, to the local veterinary clinic or to the cottage, for small dogs, choose a soft carry. It is lighter in weight, and the pet itself will be more comfortable there. In addition, there are now folding soft models that can be easily transported when empty.
• For a big trip, give preference to plastic options. Firstly, they simply won’t let them on a train or plane with a soft bag, and secondly, in many countries dogs can only be transported in plastic boxes in cars.
• If during the journey there is a long hike, then for a large or medium dog it is better to purchase a container on wheels with a retractable handle, and for a miniature breed, get a backpack.

As already mentioned, cells and carriers have a dual function, they can be used both during the campaign and at home, but you need to do this correctly. Dog handlers give their recommendations for the operation of vectors and cells.

• Do not lock the animal into the cage just because you are tired of it. Instead of doing so unfairly with a curious puppy, it is better to take up his education and training. If you leave a tired dog in an enclosed space all the time, you will never be able to teach her to move in a bag.
• If you need to transport a puppy aged 8 to 16 weeks, then do not leave it inside for a long time. Even one hour of loneliness gives the dog cub psychological discomfort.The same applies to the use of carrying in the house. At the age of 4-6 months, the puppy can be locked in a cage for a maximum of 3 hours.
• Adult dogs can be left in the cage for 8 hours, but only after a 30-60 minute run. In the opposite case, an unprepared dog may try to gnaw the grate, try to get out, whine, bark, bothering its neighbors.
• Try to use the cage as little as possible to punish the dog, otherwise she will hate this thing and at the next trip it will be difficult to drive her inside.
• If the animal decided that the cage in the house is his refuge, then you should carefully pass the cage, as the pet may begin to guard its territory. In this case, do not get the animal out of the carrier by hand, it is better to entice it with a treat or “shake it out”.
• When traveling on a trip, check with your company representative about the characteristics of the carry. A number of airlines have their own requirements for the height of the product and its locking mechanisms. Usually a plastic container should have two locks, a place for attaching a bowl for food and drinking bowls, good ventilation.
• Get an individual carry for your dog, do not take the bag from friends. Firstly, it can be dangerous. Perhaps the dog of friends was transported in this bag to the veterinary clinic, being sick, and, therefore, your dog has every chance of catching an infection. Many fungi and bacteria can live inside the carrier for several years, and even aggressive chemistry does not always work on them. Secondly, the pet itself will not be comfortable inside the “alien” carrier, because he will distinctly smell the other dog and get nervous about this all the way.

Also watch a video on how to stitch a dog carrier.