i agree with everything uve said, but what to do if being in the carrier turns to nightmare? he bites it, scratches it, its almost impossible to take him out without being bitten. he doesnt eat for whole day, doesnt drink, and hides somewhere in the house. trip turns to huge stress. and if we take him to the vet, the it will be almost impossible to put him back to the carrier, he will bite like crazy, scratch, scream, run away-but will not let u put him into the carrier. it all began after his loong trip when breeder send him to us. he was in the train WITH supervision, but that idiot didnt let him out of the carrier for 3 days! after that, all the problems began...during our trips i ususally keep the leash very short, but of course ur right...maybe i should try that soft cat bags? u kno like soft carrier? i dunno...