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Giveaway: New, larger Kobi Pet Carrier + mesh luggage wrap ($139 value)

About a month ago, I posted a review of the new, larger Kobi Pet Carrier (and the very new — in fact, not yet released — mesh luggage wrap). I liked it very much, you’ll remember, and I told you that I’d be buying one for Chloe. The carrier is big enough to accommodate a large small dog like my girl, but it still fits under an airplane seat — and the three extra inches you can add to its length by unzipping a gusset are priceless, especially on a long-haul flight.

The charcoal and black option (containing Chloe), with me starting the luggage wrap demo.

According to my own rules, I cannot keep gear sent to me for review that costs more than $50. You, however, would hardly want a carrier that Chloe used on two long days of flying across country and back. Since I already planned to buy one of these carriers for my own use, I’ll keep the one Chloe’s used, and purchase the one I’m giving away (and have Kobi send it directly to you). Clever, right? And it’s even more clever than you think, because this way you get to choose whether you want your carrier to be the same color as the one Chloe tested (charcoal with black trim), or the other available color, chocolate with pink trim:

The chocolate and pink option (with both ends zipped open, and the padded base pulled out a little). Photo by Kobi Pets.

The carrier is valued at $114, and the mesh luggage wrap (I’ll send you the one I tested, since it hasn’t been Chloe-fied, and since it’s not yet available on Kobi’s website) is valued at $25. [6/2/13 update: The Luggage Adapter is now available on Kobi’s web site.] My thanks to Kobi for making it so easy for me to try out this carrier and luggage wrap, and for letting me give them away!

How To Enter

One lucky reader can win. If you would like a chance to win, leave a comment with a dog travel tip of your own (you have even more good ideas than I do, and I want to hear them!) before 11:59 PM PST on Monday, May 6, 2013. Please fill in the e-mail field of the comment form (your e-mail address isn’t shared with anyone, and I will not send you e-mail unless you win).

Announcing the winner

I will choose a winner randomly and announce the results here, on Dog Jaunt’s Facebook and Google+ pages, and in Dog Jaunt’s Twitter feed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

Rules

Please, only one comment per person per giveaway post. Duplicate comments and anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the e-mail address in your comment form is valid (e-mail addresses are never public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. A sweepstakes winner’s failure to respond to the prize notification and provide a shipping address within the specified three business days will be considered such sweepstakes winner’s forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. To enter, you must be a U.S. resident, age 18 or older. (Dog Jaunt loves residents of all countries, but it’s just too difficult to comply with every country’s rules.) Employees, partners and vendors of Dog Jaunt and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. Entries that appear to be generated by scripts and other automated technology will be disqualified. When applicable, the winner may be required to execute and return within five business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. All prizes will be awarded. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that Dog Jaunt reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize.

90 comments

  • kristen

    We’re super-lucky to have an excellent traveler on our hands (and so thankful to have found this site before our first plane trip with her). That said, my best tip would be to always have a couple of treats in your pocket, just in case your pup decides that it would rather stay out (or stay with it’s head popped up) than go back in its bag. Ours loves to leave her head popped out and I’m always afraid someone will come by and decide that the bag must be too small for her (she has a long neck so she ends up looking bigger than she is when she does this) so I’m always eager to get her back inside quickly and without any drama.

  • Audra de Bont

    My tip would be to use a pet stroller in the airport for layovers of any length. I have 3 chihuahuas that I travel with between the US and Europe. I typically layover in Detroit for 3 to 4 hours and the stroller makes my life so much easier to “lug” them around. The nice part is you can check it for free at the gate!

  • Jill D

    Always take food and water enough for the duration of the trip. A particular food is not always available everywhere and some pups can be particular about the taste/smell of their water.

  • Kelly

    My best travel tip is handy for those who feed raw, as I do. I generally feed frozen raw but when traveling and schedules are crazy, freezers aren’t available, etc., dehydrated raw food is a lifesaver.

  • Kelly

    Also, just wanted to mention how much I’d love to win this givewaway. I have a larger-sized “small dog” (a 19 lb. Westie) so it’s hard to find good looking, quality carriers that are large enough to carry him comfortably. I work in the city and take my dog on trains, subways, buses, to work, etc. so having a good carrier is a must. My current one (Sherpa) is definitely showing its wear.

  • Sherry

    I have a small French bulldog. When we travel I place a cooling mat in his travel bag. Keeps him happy and I don’t have to worry about him over heating.

  • Jin

    When traveling, put on a T-shirt or vest on your dog! It’ll minimize the shedding which will #1 reduce the amount of cleanup with a lint roller which is very very important in a rental car, let alone your own vehicle and #2 decrease the amount of allergens to those around who may be allergic to dogs. Also, wash your doggie before traveling as this will also decrease the allergen load. Latter two being important when your dog is traveling with strangers in an enclosed area such as a plane, train, etc.

  • Kelly Ann T.

    Do not forget your vet records, just in case there is an emergency. I always bring my dog’s food so I don’t have to worry about finding it. Another suggestion of mine is to bring a toy that your dog likes. My dog loves squeeky toys and I buy the ones that other people cannot hear so that it does not drive them nuts.

  • Abby W.

    This carrier looks fantastic!
    Here are my two tips:
    1. If you see a therapist and qualify for a mood disorder according to the DSM-IV, have your licensed therapist write a letter that prescribes you an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). If you qualify, you have the right to bring your ESA with you on flights without having to pay a pet fee. You can also have your pet with you at a property that generally has a “no pets” policy.

    2. My current carrier doesn’t have privacy shades, but to limit the sensory input for my Pomeranian–who is the every watch-dog, I put a small towel (one I also keep with me to clean her paws and such) over her carrier while we wait at the gate. This helps her just settle in and rest rather than being on constant alert from all the people moving around.

  • Susan McHenry

    I agree with the stroller…great help for a run to the “doggie relief areas”! Also I put a sock with my and husbands scent on it in the carrier …. makes us feel a little closer for Murphy, our Westie. Could be a T-shirt but at 19#, space is limited for him!

  • G

    My travel tip, if you use water bowls when traveling with your dog, the night before freeze water in the bowls with a small amount of honey in the water. This makes the water have a slushie like texture as it thaws….the frozen water doesn’t splash and spill and with the honey it doesn’t slip and slide out of the water dish as easy and yet still gives your dog ample water to sip on. This is especially useful in the small platic dishes attached to crates when flying by air. Another great tip, I make sure to have….pack a dog first aid kit when traveling with dogs. Include medicines for diahhrea and vomiting, as well as extra poop bags, a pair of latex gloves, a trash bag (in case you have to change bedding and blankets in a crate and need somewhere to store the mess until getting home) and other various doggie first aid items. Although you hopefully will not need any of it it’s better to be prepared than not when traveling with pets.

    And thank you for the chance to win. This would be a wonderful bag to have when traveling with my dogs. I have eight, including three rescues, and often travel with my dogs and this bag would be great for several of them. Thank you.

  • Shawn H

    My Bella is super energetic and has a very sensitive stomach, so there are two things we do before air travel. First, instead of her regular food, the day of flight, I feed her pure pumpkin puree to fill her belly, and I give her a tablet of Endosorb as a preventative measure. My Vet prescribed the Endosorb years ago to calm her stomach and prevent diarrhea and it has always worked great for us. The second thing we do is go for a nice long run to wear her out just before we leave for the airport. She is initially excited when we get to he airport, but calm and ready for nap time by the time we board the plane.

  • Chloe

    We are currently getting ready for our first trip on a plane. I have been reading all the posts on the site which have been very helpful getting my crazy pup ready. She currently wears her thundershirt in her crate and also has a comfort zone plug in. I plan to put her in her thundershirt the day of the trip but I have been trying to decide if I should spray the inside of the carrier with the comfort zone spray or if I should buy her the comfort zone collar. Anyone have better luck with one or the other? Thanks!

  • A quick reply, Chloe — I think the collar helped our Chloe a bit, and the spray never has…. But she’s just one data point.

  • Amanda L

    Based off of reading your blog, the middle seat is definitely the best option on Southwest to place your dog under. And be sure to bring along plenty of food, an empty water bottle to fill once through security and any medications needed. Our Shih Tzu takes Clorazepate when we travel, so make sure you have extras in case you run into any unexpected delays.

  • Hai Po

    For the few weeks leading up to the travel day, I suggest having your dog sleep in his or her travel carrier. This gets my dog used to the idea of being in the travel crate for hours at a time; in fact, he likes his crate now and will go into it on his own.

  • Mallory H.

    My travel tip would be a Thundershirt – we love ours. And, seatbelt harnesses. Also, those natural calming pills (we like to call ‘sleepy pills’) We just moved a month ago and drove for 12 hours w/our three dogs – and they did really well!

  • Lindsey D.

    My travel tip would be to have a seat close to the bathroom so you can let your dog out once in a while

  • Carol Lehman

    My travel tip is to read Dog Jaunt. It contains everything you would ever want or need to know about traveling with your furry baby. I cannot say thank you enough for this site.

  • Blanca

    My TIP…take hand sanitizer along with your poo bags!!! You never know if you need to pick up poop …and its best to be prepared….to clean the fecal bacteria. Yuck!

  • Kristen

    I have an anxious little girl, and before our first big trip in a few weeks I am taking her to work (she’s very quiet and my boss/coworkers love for her to visit) in her carrier for her to practice spending time in it near my feet. We’ll see how it goes!!!

  • Sherry Hudson

    My tip would be if traveling in the car long periods of time to bring 4 or 5 new toys or treats that can be given every few hours to keep the doggy from getting too bored. My Petey loves to open wrapped presents (makes him think its Christmas) 🙂 I love all these comments, my dog has gone for long car rides but hasnt gone on a plane yet, He is traveing from Boston to Hawaii in a few months. Im a little scared since he is 14 and has some health conditions. He will retire there. I have got so many awesome ideas from all of you and am writing them down. I love the carrying bag and would love to win it. I havent purchased one for his trip yet.

  • Cory williams

    My travel tip is to find a restroom marked “family” found in most airports, then let your traveling pooch out of his travel bag for a stretch and water break during your flight’s layover.

  • Kim

    My tip is to ask all of your friends for their tips! I flew with a dog for the first time 2 weeks ago, and a friend suggested Dog Jaunt for great info!!! It helped tremendously! I read about carriers, which seat to choose, and tips for flying – thank you!!

  • Bernadette

    I just recently travelled with my shih tzu to the Philippines and I’m so proud of my Squeakee because he was such a good boy the whole length of our flight from California via Narita to Manila and back. My tip would be to bring extra blanket (small ones for babies) and paper towels. On our flight from San Francisco to Narita, I tried to give him water (I used the syringe so that it’s easier for me to give him water) but when I stooped down the bottle tipped over and water spilled all over his carrier. I’m so glad I brought the blankie which I put on top of his carrier bedding after wiping it with the paper towel. I also brought his old and new toys which he used as his pillow when he sleeps. I also have benadryl, treats and kibbles, peepee pad just in case there will be some flight delays or cancellation.

  • Mary

    Since the side pockets of our travel bag are small and our shih-poo’s muzzle is short, we wanted bowls that could fit both and have lids. We found the perfect small, shallow bowls in the human baby section of our store! They are durable and also have non-slip bottoms.

  • Chloe

    Thanks Mary-Alice! I’m not completely convinced the diffuser really helps her in her crate so that’s good to hear your opinion. I may just skip it.

  • Kristin G

    I’m always looking for new bags to put my yorkie in! He loves to travel and voluntarily gets in any bag. This one would be perfect for him. I have lots of tips and tricks since we have travelled quite a few times.
    Tip #1: get a decent size pin made up with a picture of your dog and pin it to your travel bag. That way people, workers and flight attendants know you are traveling with a pet. You can make this yourself for cheap!
    Tip #2: when on the plane, it’s hard to get your pup some water, so ask the flight attendants for a cup of ice. That way it’s a treat for your dog, keeps them distracted and gets them water at the same time!

  • Maria Elena

    I live in NYC and haven’t had the fortune to travel to another country with Toby yet. I am a little bit scared of traveling with him to another country and that is why I follow your facebook page. It has helped me a lot and has taken some of that anxiety away.
    Toby and I go everywhere together. We usually travel a lot by train, bus and car.
    He is a bichon and suffers from motion sickness. On days that we are using public transportation or car I get up three hours earlier to walk him but especially to feed him — that way by the time we are on the road his stomach has settled and won’t cause him to vomit.
    I always make sure his eyes are covered if he can’t be next to a window and that seems to help him.

  • Joe

    Whenever we take our French bulldog to stay as a guest in someone’s home we buy her a new stuffed toy. She is excited to get a new toy, and our host is pleased that we aren’t bringing a “dirty” dog toy into their home. Plus they are more apt to play tug with her too if they don’t have to grab onto a worn chew toy.

  • Karen Steele

    I haven’t had an opportunity to read all of the tips, but I have found
    it preferrable to travel at night if you can. It gives you an opportunity to give your dog
    a lot of exercise during the day, which helps her be more relaxed when it’s time to be
    In the carrier. The lights inside the cabin are off and there is an atmosphere of calm on the plane. Less talking, more sleeping. And it’s the time when your dog is ready to sleep too.

  • Dana

    I haven’t gathered the nerve to bring my little high maintenance tornado anywhere yet, but I am always training in that direction: His Sturdy Carrier is in the living room and he gets a little treat when he goes in there and hangs out I’m paranoid they won’t let us on (he is 13″ long, 13″ tall and I worry they will say he is too big. So I taught him to roll over in it and spin around in it so that if they have issue at the airport I can ask him to do his little dance in there so he looks comfy. I only use the carrier for fun stuff, not the vet. I do need to take him on the BART and start training him to be in it at my feet in a different type of noisy vehicle. I have already printed up lost doggie posters with his pic in his bag with his medical issues on it. My guy is deathly allergic to bee stings and I’ll definitely have a lot of his benadryl injections. And I plan to always get the phone numbers of any and all emergency vets on all routes of the trip just in case. I’ll have enough of his special diet for the trip and toys to swap out so he isn’t bored. I’ll take him to the dog park and wear him out, go home and bath him and head out for the latest flight I can get for us so he is super tired on the plane.
    I’d love to have this bag .. maybe I’ll have the nerve to take him somewhere. Keep up the good work! I always enjoy your articles and FB and Twitter feeds.

  • Esther

    This site has been a God send for me and my pup Franklin, so many great tips! Thanks to you our 1st trip was amazing and we are planning more!
    Tip 1: tIs woth the money for the extra leg room seats if they are offered (like on Jet Blue). It gets hot in the carrier and having the extra room allows you to position the the little air vent down to actualy blow on your pup when you pull thier bag out from under the seat during the flight. (it doesnt work as well in the ‘normal’ leg room seats.
    Tip 2: If you can get you pup to flirt with the nice lady in the extra room seat so she finds you after take off and offers you her seat because she knows this tip and you didnt when you booked the flight 🙂
    Tip 3: Pracrice walking and moving your pup in the bag before you leave, and do it outside the house in places that have lots of noise and smells. Franklin loves his bag (sleeps in it all the time) but move him in his bag and he gets all stressed out… And it is even worse at the airport.

  • Geoff

    Our Lhasa likes to travel with us, but on planes doesn’t like the change in the air pressure. We bring treats with us, and slip them through the space between zippers so that she chews as we are ascending and descending. Make sure these treats don’t have much odor though! er brought salmon jerky with us on the plane once. Big Mistake! The area around our seats was really smelling. I quickly put those away and brought out the freeze dried chicken pieces. These were much better.

  • Julie

    We stay at dog friendly KOA campgrounds when we’re on the road! Affordable and simple. Also, Red Lion at Disneyland charges only $50 or less for the pets entire stay. So cheap!!

  • SRN

    My travel tips would be
    1. Take your dog to the vet prior to travel to ensure that they are in good health and safe to travel. Request a health certificate as it may be needed at different points throughout travel.
    2. Be sure your pets nails are trimmed to reduce potential injury while in carrier.
    3. Try to book direct flights or off peak flights to reduce stress for your dog while traveling.

  • TKN

    I try not to travel too often as it does cause stress to my dog regardless of precautions/preparations prior to our flight. However, when I do travel I bring plenty of water and my dogs favorite treats. I also take short car rides with our dog in his crate to try and prepare him for traveling. Upon arrival to our destination I remove my dog from his crate as soon as possible to let him get needed restroom breaks and fresh air.

  • I’ve stayed out of this stream of comments, but it’s not because I haven’t been listening. I’ve been fascinated, and SO IMPRESSED, by you guys. These tips are GREAT, and you guys are the kindest, to your pets, and each other, and me. I appreciate you all so much. Winner announced tomorrow!

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