Ear Protection for Dogs

unicate (Shirley) wrote in message ...
Does anyone know where to purchase ear protection for dogs being taken in
single-engine airplanes? It supposedly exists, but I haven't been able to
locate it. Would appreciate any/all help.

I guess you'd need to ask those who've told you it exists.

We've flown with 3 dogs. We tried to construct hearing
protection for the first using cotton or foam and a
homemade "bonnet". She wasn't having it and went nuts
until she removed it, at which point she lay down and
went to sleep for the rest of the flight.

Of the three, one appeared to enjoy it, one was petrified,
and one tolerated it.

For the latter two, IMO, a pocket full of freeze-dried
liver improved their opinion more than hearing protection
would have.

You asked about hearing protection but IMO of more importance
is figuring out how you will secure the dog. We once had a
55 lb dog jump into the baggage of the C182RG we were flying on
short final just after breaking out on an instrument approach.
Fortunately that only improved the landing (182 w/ two people
up front being notoriously nose-heavy). In our current plane,
a sudden 55 lb shift of CG to rearward would NOT be good news,
and of course 55 lbs in the back of the pilot's neck during
TB doesn't improve one's flight skills either.

Good luck,
Sydney

Ross Richardson wrote:

Check this out as one person's protection. This was at a flyin and I
captured the picture.

Those appear to be kneepads with a thick foam pad glued to them. Neat idea. They
would stay on a Scottish Terrier just about three seconds, however. I don't know
how long my coonhound would tolerate them either, but she isn't a frequent flyer
anyway.

George Patterson
Great discoveries are not announced with "Eureka!". What's usually said is
"Hummmmm... That's interesting...."

Newps wrote:

You won't hurt your dogs hearing.

That's debatable, and not ALL veterinarians share that opinion. PEOPLE have
hearing loss after prolonged periods of exposure to comparable things like a
motorcycle engine ... it is *possible* that riding in an airplane frequently
w/no ear protection *could* cause some hearing loss, not to mention, as I've
already said, just being uncomfortable.

You do it like trainers train hunting dogs and
gunfire.

Thanks, but I'm not new to dog training. I understand about introducing dogs to
things like loud noise. That's not the problem. I'm not afraid of an ambulance
siren either, but I still don't think I'd enjoy being forced to have it
blasting in my ears on a regular basis.

So put the dog in the plane and taxi around at
idle, gradually increasing power. Maybe a few
high speed taxiis down the runway.

Again, it isn't a question of getting the dog USED to it. My friend's dog is
used to the noise and tolerates it no problemo in a C-182 but CLEARLY does not
in the RV4. He can't talk, but he can't SAY IT any "planer" (pun intended) that
he can't stand *that* noise. It has nothing to do with being "used to" it or
making high-speed taxis down the runway. As for my dog, if I can do something
to make her first exposure to it more comfortable, I'm going to make the
effort. YMMV.

--Shirley

snowbird101 wrote:

I guess you'd need to ask those who've told
you it exists.

Yeah, that's obvious ... of course I did that. It's the typical "I've seen dog
headsets for sale somewhere, I just can't remember WHERE!"

You asked about hearing protection but IMO of
more importance is figuring out how you will
secure the dog.

*Nods* on that, too. Fortunately, mine is only 13.5 pounds and used to riding
in a small plastic dog crate in the car, so she won't object to riding in her
crate and will be safely secure and tucked-away there.

Thanks.

--Shirley

unicate (Shirley) wrote in
:

Ross Richardson wrote:

Try this. I saw at an fly-in

http://www.eaa323.org/e060802/I58.jpg

Yes! That's what was described to me. Wonder if that was "homebuilt"
or purchased? do you know? I know some dogs would hate to wear it,
feel self-conscious and all that (!!), but mine is a real Attention
Brat, she loves wearing the latest thing! Seriously, she may tolerate
the noise fine, but I'd feel better if I at least made some attempt to
protect her ears.

Thanks for posting the pic.
--Shirley


Knee pads from walmart, back in the bicycle section $10. Some kind of
foam glued to them, probably with spray-on contact cement $8.

Having the stupidest looking dog at the fly-in... priceless..... :-)


Seriously though, I wounder how much that really helped...

--
ET

(future student pilot and future Sonex builder)


"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

I have never heard of hearing protection for dogs, mine probably wouldnt tolerate
it anyways, but our french bulldogs fly with us all the time, no problems as of
yet. My wife also usualy does not wear a headset, she prefers not to wear one
because she likes to read books while flying.

loud noice can damage hearing over time, my dogs dont spend that much time in a
plane for it to be a problem.


Shirley wrote:

"Peter Duniho" wrote:

Never heard of such a thing. I can't
imagine my dog would put up with
something like that.

Well, it *does* exist because I've had more than one person tell me about it.
And yes, it *can* affect their ears/hearing, dogs have very sensitive ears and
some airplanes are *pretty* darn loud ... ever take your headset off? Imagine
riding the entire way like that! True, some dogs don't seem to mind or be
affected, and most people probably don't bother with it ... but clearly some
dogs can't stand it, I've seen that firsthand.

If prolonged motorcycle riding or loud live music can affect a human's hearing
over time, riding in a small airplane w/no ear protection probably could too
... and even if it doesn't damage their hearing, I really doubt it would be
very comfortable! But thanks for the opinion.

--Shirley

It was built much like the others posted. The pilot and owner does
extensive flying in his C-206 around the country. The dogs seem to be OK
with the set up.

Ross

Shirley wrote:

Ross Richardson wrote:

Try this. I saw at an fly-in

http://www.eaa323.org/e060802/I58.jpg

Yes! That's what was described to me. Wonder if that was "homebuilt" or
purchased? do you know? I know some dogs would hate to wear it, feel
self-conscious and all that (!!), but mine is a real Attention Brat, she loves
wearing the latest thing! Seriously, she may tolerate the noise fine, but I'd
feel better if I at least made some attempt to protect her ears.

Thanks for posting the pic.
--Shirley

Michael 182 wrote:

Occasionally, "Let me out."

Whatever side of the door the dog or cat is on, it's the wrong side.

I know. I was just teasing you...


"Peter Duniho" wrote in
:

"Judah" wrote in message
...
"3 out of 5 veterinarians don't recommend hearing protection for dogs
in airplanes..."



Well, to be fair, I have no idea what a scientifically valid survey of
vets would turn up. It was three of three of vets I consulted. But
it's entirely possible those are the only three vets in the world who
don't recommend hearing protection.

Unlikely as hell. But possible.

Pete

I would strongly recommend crating the dog during flight or if that's
not feasible, a harness connected to the seatbelt in the back seat so
that the dog cannot change the W&B nor surprise the pilot.

The last thing you need (and it might be the last thing you do!) is
have a dog surprise you by jumping into the front seat. No telling
what they would do to the rudder pedals or the yoke.

Mine, on the other hand, would expect to be chauffered around and would
be sitting like a Queen in the back seat.