Dogs on a plane
From Service Dog Training
Dogs on a Plane (Pictures to come!)
Traveling for the first time with your service dog
Service dogs can give a lot of freedom for the disabled traveler, but they can also add to the stress of traveling because no matter how well they behave it’s just that much more to look after. There are some simple tips to follow that can make your first few plane trips with your service dog a lot easier. I’ve divided this up into 4 sections: Preparation before you go, At the Airport, On the Plane, and Reaching your destination.
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Preparation before you go
First consider what would be the most appropriate first trip for you and your dog to make as a team would be. It may be best to pick a trip for leisure or to a family event as your first flight instead of a business trip or conference where you may already be stressed. This does not mean that you should not use a business trip as your first flight with your dog, but it is something to consider when planning. Short flights, or longer trips made of several shorter legs may be better than one long flight since it gives your dog time to collect himself before heading off again. Your first flight with your dog should not be an international flight if that can be avoided at all! There are a wide variety of laws concerning the entrance of service dogs into foreign countries that can be confusing and add extra stress to your first trip.
Once you have picked your trip, consider how well you fly. Are you nervous in flight? Your dog will use your behavior as a cue to how he should be responding to the flight. You may want to speak with your doctor about the value of taking a mild sedative before your flight if you think it will help you present a calm appearance to the dog.
Your next challenge is to determine where you want to sit on the plane. As a service dog user, you have the ability to pick pretty much any seat you want in your cabin class. This excludes the exit row, and you should make sure that you and your service dog are never seated on the exit row. Many service dog users prefer to sit in the bulk head seats because of the extra floor space for the dog. If you have a very small dog this may not be necessary, and a small dog can also be placed in a soft carrier and put under the seat in front of you. Many service dog teams also prefer window seats to reduce the chance of the dog’s feet intruding in the aisle and being stepped on or run over by a serving cart. It is your responsibility to make sure your dog is not in the way of the cabin crew. The main exception I have found to the general rule of bulkhead seating is on very small planes where it is just one seat on each side with a cross-cabin bench seat in the back. In those place (usually carrying 25 passengers or less) it is usually best to sit in the very back and place the dog in the aisle where he is not blocking other passengers. Once you have a general idea of the seating arrangements you want, you can call the airline to request them. They are required to accommodate your request if you call 72 hours or more in advance, but I have found it best to call at least a week in advance. They are not required to accommodate you if other disabled passengers or service dog teams have already requested those seats, adding to the benefit of calling early (I’ve never had this happen, but theoretically it is possible). Another thing to consider as you prepare for your flight is if you prefer to travel with a friend or attendant. It can be helpful to have someone with you on your first flight to keep an eye on items during the security screening process and to provide moral support. If you have a friend or attendant traveling with you, request that they be seated next to you when you request your seating arrangements from the airlines. They are usually glad to accommodate this, and it will provide you with a “buffer” between yourself and any of your fellow passengers that may not want a dog at their feet.
If you are worried about your dog being too active or nervous on the flight or if your dog is prone to motion sickness ask your vet about giving him Dramamine before takeoff. For larger dogs, this produces a very mild sedative effect that does not usually interfere with their duties. The day before you leave you should make sure to exercise your dog well so that he will not be hyper the next day. It is also a good idea to thoroughly brush your dog to reduce the likelihood of someone having an allergic reaction to him. Remember though, the airline cannot exclude you and your dog from the flight because someone else is allergic. You may want to consider feeding your dog earlier in the day, feeding a lighter meal or not feeding him at all the day before you fly. This reduces the risk of defecation while in the airport or in the air. If you have a morning flight, you can take away their water late in the evening the day before as well. Make sure your dog has had a sufficient chance to relieve themselves before you enter the airport. Remember to pack for your dog as well. Bring food and water dishes, food, treats, and any medication your dog might need. Also be sure to pack emergency information in case you or your dog gets sick after you reach your destination. This should include emergency contact information, medical information for the dog, a description of the dog including microchip numbers or tattoos, a statement that the dog should not be taken to the pound if you are unable to care for it, and a statement that you or your estate will be financially responsible for the care of the dog during the time you are unable to take care of him yourself. This protects your dog from being dumped in the pound of you become sick or get injured on your trip. Keep this information on the dog or on your person. Generally the sooner you can arrange private care for the dog with a veterinarian or boarding facility the better. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an identification tag and a rabies vaccination tag.
At the Airport
Make sure you get to the airport early. For the first time you fly with your dog, three hours before your flight would be a safe margin. Generally it will not take anywhere near this long to go through security and get your bearings, but for the first time it is better to have the extra time so you can move at a relaxed pace. Your first step, like any flight, should be to secure your boarding passes. If the ticketing agent asks for paperwork on the dog, firmly inform them that none is necessary and ask for your boarding passes. I usually avoid this by using the self check in kiosks. After you have checked any baggage and gotten your boarding passes, you next need to go through security. In general, my experience as a service dog team with the TSA has been positive. Make sure you are aware of any special screening requirements that may be necessary because of your disability. You are not required to remove your dog’s equipment to have it x-rayed, but you may if you wish. My dog wears both a harness and a dog pack. I have found it to be easiest to put the dog pack through the x-ray machine but to leave the harness on so the dog understands he is still working. You can have the dog go through the metal detector either before or after you. I have found it easiest to put the dog in a stay position on one side of the detector, step through, then to call the dog to me. If you set off the detector you will need to be checked further using a hand wand. If the dog alarms (some airports are more sensitive than others, do not assume the dog will not alarm because he didn’t at another airport) then the dog will need to be patted down. It is your responsibility to keep the dog in one place and to make sure the dog is not a threat to the TSA agent. I usually gently hold the dog’s head to keep him in one place and to avoid him looking threatening to the agent. Keep in mind that the agent may be allergic to, scared of or unfamiliar with dogs. If you have chosen to keep a dog pack on your dog, the TSA may search the pack by hand. This can be complicated if they want to remove everything from the pack. Make sure if they do this that they put everything back in as well. Ask a friend or another TSA agent to keep an eye on your things as they come out the X-ray machine while the dog is being searched to make sure no one walks off with your things. Be pleasant to the agents, even if you are in a hurry, and remember that this is not something they encounter every day. If there is a problem, calmly ask to speak to a supervisor. Remember that at no point can they separate you from your dog against your will. They may not grab the dog’s leash or harness from you or tell you that you must put the dog in a different place while you are searched. If they are insisting on this, ask to speak to a supervisor. It may also be a good idea to carry a copy of the TSA’s guidelines on screening service animals and show it to the screeners if there is a problem. Remember that they can and will arrest you if you create a disturbance, so it is in your best interest (service dog team or not!) to maintain a good working relationship with the TSA. Once you have made your way through security you can proceed as you would normally when at the airport. Find your gate and take some time to get settled. Ideally you should have plenty of time to relax and put yourself and your dog back together after the security screening. If there is a boarding agent at the gate, ask them about pre-boarding. You are not required to pre-board, but you have the right to if you wish. This is probably a good idea on your first flight since it will let you take a few moments to get settled before the rush of people comes onto the plane. Some airlines will seek you out specifically if you request pre-boarding, others will issue a general call for anyone that wishes to pre-board. If it is a very small plane, there may not be an option to pre-board, but in those situations there are usually so few people on the plane that it is not a problem to board with the rest of the passengers.
On the Plane
Getting on to the plane is usually relatively simple. Going onto a large plane involves just going down the jetway and straight onto the plane. If you are traveling on a smaller plane that requires you to board from the ground it may be more difficult. Some dogs, even larger ones, cannot reach the bottom step of a commuter jet and may need a boost. Usually there are airport workers available to help with this. The best way is to encourage the dog to place his front feet (if possible) on the second step from the bottom and ask someone to lift the dog’s hind legs onto bottom step. Usually the dog can manage fairly well from here. Because many dogs prefer to face the aisle of the plane, you should consider backing your dog into the row if he is too big to turn around once in the row. You should have your dog in a lying or sitting position while on the plane, although it is acceptable for them to stand during takeoff or landing if they feel more secure. I prefer that my dog lie down for the entirety of the flight. If you plan on giving your dog a Dramamine or any other type of sedative, you should give him the medication either right before or right after boarding, unless told otherwise by your vet.
Once the plane starts moving, you may notice that your dog is panting or shaking. This is a reaction to the pressure changes and should not be a cause for concern. Many dogs stop doing this after they become used to the pressure change. You must remain in control of your dog and be sure to keep him in your row. Praise your dog when he is behaving well, but be ready to correct him if he acts out of line. Keep a close eye out for stray paws, noses and tails so he does not get stepped on. Try to keep the other passengers from bothering him. If other passengers are being troublesome, speak to one of the flight attendants and ask them to speak to the problematic passengers. Turbulence may startle the dog or upset his stomach, but this is not common. Airsickness bags work for dogs as well as people, so if your dog is prone to motion sickness make sure you know where one is. Your relaxed attitude will help your dog relax as well, so keep an upbeat demeanor and talk to your dog in a happy voice. Your dog will realize that this strange process of flying is not bothering you and it probably shouldn’t bother him either. The increased engine noise upon landing can startle a dog who has been asleep. If your dog has been sleeping soundly during the flight, you may wish to rouse them slightly as you land, both in preparation for the noise and for leaving the plane. It is best if your dog stays in a down position during landing and taxiing. Do not let your dog bolt for the plane door when it is open. Take your time to collect your things and leave at a calm rate. If you have a connection to make, you may wish to offer your dog a little water in between flights. It is also a good idea to walk the dog around the terminal some to let them stretch their legs before getting on the plane again.
Reaching your Destination
When you reach your final destination, you should keep in mind that your dog has not had an opportunity to toilet since you left. After claiming any checked luggage you should make sure your dog has a chance to relieve themselves if they need to. It is also a good idea to offer your dog some water, especially if you did not do so between flights. Your dog may be tired and want to rest for a while, or he may be bored and want nothing better than a walk. Keep your dog’s comfort in mind, a positive ending to the trip will influence both of your perceptions about how the trip went as a whole. Take some time to evaluate the trip including anything you want to change on the way home.
