Yahoo Lifestyle 4 Things to Remember Before Flying With Your Dog This Holiday Season
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Earlier this summer, I flew from my home in Portland, Oregon to Dallas and back in the same day to pick up my new puppy, a 16-week-old American Hairless Terrier.
As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Fear Free Professional, I put a lot of plans into place to make sure the flight would be as successful as possible with my new puppy. I flew to Texas, spent the afternoon bonding, then headed to the airport to fly home.
Rule one of flying with a dog: Don't just show up at the airport with your dog! Beyond that, simply knowing an airline's rules and regulations and following a few best practices will make travel with your pup a snap. If you’re going to be flying with a dog or puppy, I recommend booking a direct flight whenever possible. This will minimize the amount of time you and your dog must spend in airports.
Getting ready for a trip? Here are answers to some common questions about flying with dogs, as well as some of my top training tips and strategies for supporting your dog while in the air and at the airport.
What are the rules for flying with dogs?
Always check your airline for specific requirements — each airline has slightly different rules for the size of carrier allowed, the age dogs must be to fly and other specifications and paperwork.
Generally, puppies must be older than 8-10 weeks for domestic flights. Airlines often charge a fee (generally $100-$125) for flying with dogs under the seat. Some airlines require dogs to have received health clearance from a veterinarian before flying. Others, like American Airlines (the airline I used for my trip to Dallas), do not require health certificates for domestic flights.
Many airlines don’t allow brachycephalic breeds or flat-faced breeds, including French Bulldogs and pugs, to fly in the cabin (or cargo).
Can dogs fly in the cabin?
Most airlines do allow small dog breeds and puppies to travel under the seat in a carrier in the main cabin. You will need to purchase an add-on to your ticket to fly with your dog, so check with the airline beforehand to ensure there is room for a pet on your flight.
In most cases, large dog breeds will have to travel in cargo. However, there are now some specialized airline options like Bark Air catering to dog guardians and dogs of all sizes, serving limited destinations. Service dogs are permitted to fly on all airplanes while they are working, however, they must be task-trained to assist a person with a disability. Do not ever try to pass your pet dog off as a service dog — it's unethical and illegal.
Can I fly internationally with my dog?
Yes! But be sure to check dog travel requirements for all countries you’ll be visiting. Since August 1, 2024, there have been new steps implemented for bringing dogs into the United States, and young puppies can no longer be brought into the country. If you're traveling from a country considered low risk for rabies, like Canada, the puppy has to be at least six months old, have a Centers of Disease Control (CDC) Dog Import Form and be microchipped. Dogs entering/returning to the United States from or having visited counties considered high-risk for rabies have additional health screening requirements to be permitted to enter the country.
What to pack
Your dog’s carrier will count as one of your two carry-on items. This is my list of items I recommend bringing when flying with a dog:
Health certificate (if required by your airline)
Copies of vet records.
Treats
Chew
Poop bags
Pet wipes
Pee pads
Toy
Leash (6 foot, no retractable leashes)
Harness
Collar and updated tags
Collapsible water bowl
Food for the day of travel and your trip
Any daily medication that your dog takes
What to expect
When flying with a dog, you won’t be able to check in for your flight in advance — you'll have to check in at the ticket counter at the airport — so plan to get there a little earlier than usual. An attendant at the ticket counter will request the documentation that the airline requires and confirm that your dog's carrier is the appropriate size.
At security, your dog will need to come out of the carrier. (I’ve never had such a fun experience going through TSA screening as I did while holding my new puppy!) Most airports have pet relief areas where dogs can potty before the flight. Then, get your dog settled into their carrier with toys and chews. Regardless of how cute or well-behaved your dog is, they must stay in their carrier for the duration of the flight.
How to prepare your dog to fly
If you know that you’re going to be flying with your dog, there are things you can do to help make the travel day less stressful.
Get a carrier before the trip.
Buy your dog an appropriately sized carrier. Set it out in your home and let your dog explore and get comfortable with it. To help your dog build positive associations with the carrier, give your dog special chews or even a few meals in the carrier.
Get your dog used to public transit.
If your city allows small dogs in carriers on public transportation, bring your dog on the bus, subway, or train in their carrier. You can also transport your dog in the car in their carrier to get them used to the sensation of being in motion while in the carrier.
Bring chews on travel day.
Having something to chew on will help make pressure changes during takeoff and landing more comfortable.
Get some exercise.
On the day of your flight, try to get your dog out for a good walk before heading to the airport. My puppy Rodeo and I went on a long walk with her breeder and littermates before our flight. She then had a chew and treat-filled toy in her carrier and was quiet for the flight from Dallas to Portland.
How to make flying easier
If you are going to fly frequently with your dog, an advanced training skill that can make your flight better is to teach your dog to potty on cue. This will allow you to take your dog to the “bathroom” in the pet relief area before your flight or during a layover.
To start teaching your dog to go on cue, say the cue you want like “potty” anytime your dog potties outside, and give your dog a treat. Soon your dog will make the association that when you use that verbal cue they should potty. With practice, you’ll be able to ask your dog to potty anywhere, even the pet relief area of an airport. Although flying can be stressful, with some planning and preparation you can help the travel days go smoothly for your dog.
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