The truth about sending a puppy across the country.
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, April 1, 2026
While you’re reading this, I’m in Seattle preparing to send Moonbeam to his new home in Virginia.
In just a few short hours, his bright yellow eyes will be staring out from his crate like two glowing torches cutting through the shadows, searching for a voice he trusts to come and rescue him.
Moonbeam is traveling all the way across the country on a six and a half hour direct flight from sea to shining sea!
He will be safe.
Everything will be fine.
And he’ll be so happy once he’s in the arms of his forever family eagerly awaiting his arrival.
But, I have to be honest.
This is my least favorite way to travel a puppy home.
Perhaps you, too, live on the other side of the country and have wondered how in the world your new American Dirus™ puppy would get to you from way over here in Washington State.
Well, not to fear, my fellow friend!
There are four very good options to choose from.
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The first way (also the least expensive) is to fly your puppy home via Alaska Airlines Pet Connect®.
NOTE: All other airlines have had an embargo on pet transport since Covid in 2022.
With this option, you are required to purchase a medium-sized airline approved crate, an absorbent pad, and two bowls to attach to the crate door.
Usually, traveling a 15-20 lbs pet via air cargo is around $400 or so.
Plus, the cost of the crate/bowl combo (around $100) and the pad ($20).
If I have to travel to Seattle (a 5-hour drive one way), you’ll need to add $350 in additional transport cost.
All in, you’re looking at $520 - $870 to travel your puppy home from Dire Wolf Project™ headquarters.
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The second way (also a reasonable price, but the longest timeframe) is to have us travel your puppy home to you on the DireWolf Express™.
We don’t rev up the engines, though, unless there are at least five dogs traveling at the same time.
(That way everyone can share the cost.)
The DireWolf Express™ trip costs $680 for puppies and $780 for adults.
And for that price, your new puppy starts out life with some real extraordinary experiences, including:
- Socialization training
- Potty training
- Containment training
- Manners training
- Vehicle training
- And puppy learns routine and to follow a schedule
You can follow us in real time all around the country through our premiere tracking app, PolarSteps.
It’s a lot like following Santa Claus on his way around the world on Christmas Eve.
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The third way is for you to travel out to the Spokane Int’l Airport, where we’ll meet you with your new puppy.
Then, you fly back with puppy, bonding and loving each other on the plane the whole way home.
You are simply responsible for the round-trip plane ticket.
Oh… plus the proper-sized soft crate.
And the pee pads and other accessories.
This can be a relatively inexpensive way to go (depending on plane ticket rates at the time), but it is, by far, the most inconvenient for you.
You’ll have to fly out empty-handed, spending your flight energy on the way here.
Then, when you are tired from the trip, you’ll turn right around with a bright-eyed new puppy that is all alone with a stranger for the first time in its life.
I’ve seen your tired eyes and weary bodies many times as I’ve handed over a sweet puppy that was going right back into the airport to wait for the next flight.
That’s why…
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For the first time last year, Jay and I decided to include a premium puppy escort service for our special families and their new puppies.
If I were purchasing a new puppy, this is the way I would travel my new one home.
It is the fastest and most comfortable form of travel for your new puppy.
It is also the most convenient for you.
(But it is also the most expensive.)
We charge $680 to escort your puppy home to you in the cabin of the plane, but…
You are also responsible for the round-trip plane ticket, plus the in-flight pet charge which is $100-$150 depending on the airline.
Generally, you are looking at anywhere from $1480 - $1680 for this premium puppy escort service.
We provide the crate and other amenities.
You just sit back and relax until it’s time to pick puppy up upon arrival.
You get to meet us personally, and puppy is handed off in style.
What a way to go.
So you see, there is always a way to get your puppy home to you.
We work hard to find the best way home that works for you and your family.
No need to worry.
Your new puppy will be home soon!
Find out more about all of the options listed above at the following link:
https://shop.direwolfproject.com/collections/direwolf-express%E2%84%A2-pet-transport
And if you want to read all about pet insurance and journey tracking… this link has quite a few more articles worth reading:
https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-dogs/direwolf-express/
Because the journey home to be as epic as the pup itself!
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.