OK, so you’ve decided your dog is small enough, and you have your bag (if you need help choosing, check out my blog post. You want them to be completely comfortable in this bag, so spend some time teaching them to get in and out of it. I start by throwing treats into the back of the bag, and letting my dog get comfortable reaching in to eat them. After multiple repetitions of this, I will hold my hand on their bum, to keep them from backing out of the bag, and apply a little pressure. Not being able to back up, most dogs will then attempt to turn around, but with their head in the bag, this will actually result in their hind end in the bag, and their front end facing out. BIG jackpot with lots of treats. If they do manage to back out of the bag, just keep working at it. It doesn’t take long for them to learn that good things happen inside that bag. The easier it is to get your dog in the bag, and the happier they act about it, the fewer questions an airline employee is going to ask. Here is a video of what that looks like.
Your airline may limit the number of dogs allowed in cabin, so make sure you call or make a reservation online. The airline may require a health certificate from your veterinarian. This is always required for dogs traveling in cargo, but policies can vary for pets in cabin. I ALWAYS have one, but I have NEVER been asked for it. Still, I don’t take chances. If you want to know for sure, check with your airline. If you want to fly with more then one dog, you are going to have to phone a friend. In general, airlines allow one pet in cabin per ticketed passenger. Some airlines will allow you to buy an additional seat, and then also pay for an additional dog in cabin, but if you’re doing that, you might as well bring someone with you ;-).
So your trip is booked, and you are on your way to the airport. I understand you want your dog to have freedom for as long as possible, but ALWAYS take your dog to the ticket counter IN THE BAG. I really cannot emphasize this enough. 99% of the time, nobody even knows I HAVE a dog in the bag until I point it out. This is how you want it. Your dog is an afterthought — of course they are happy, of course the bag is big enough, here’s my money, and we are on our way. In the dozens of times we have flown, the only time an agent said anything to me was on a return trip home with Trip, when I got lackadaisical and walked her to the counter on leash. DON’T DO IT!
No dogs to see here…
I will insert a warning here. Unless you have a tiny toy breed dog who is inches from the top of your carrier, and you could comfortably fit 3 of them in your bag, there is always going to be some potential for an individual ticket agent to give you grief, or even prevent you from bringing your dog. I know a dog who has flown numerous times, in the same bag, on the same airline, get turned away at the counter and not allowed to travel because the agent that day decided her dog needed to be able to completely stand in the bag. That’s why you should do everything possible to not draw attention to your dog, and minimize questions. But at the end of the day, there are individuals who may make your life difficult, and there’s only so much you can control. I always have a backup plan just in case I have a problem with the airline that day, which luckily I’ve never had to implement.
Your next stop will be security. Your dog will come out of the bag, and the bag will go through the x-ray scanner. You can either walk your dog through the metal detector, or carry them. TSA may stop you and swab your hands, checking for explosive residue. As of this posting, if you have TSA Precheck they don’t need to do this, but they will through general security. Second caveat — it’s not fun if they find residue. Expect to go in a private room and get the FULL security screening. I’m now careful to make sure I wash my hands prior to going through security if I’ve just filled up the rental car with gas on the way back to the airport.
After that, back in the bag, and on your way. I will often allow my dog to stick their head out while we’re waiting for our flight. Technically, your dog is required to be in the bag at all times inside the airport, and you could get a ticket for not following this rule. This is also the case when you are on the flight. Please don’t be the jerk who insists on taking Fluffy out and sitting them in your lap. It’s not fair to your neighbor or the flight attendants. You’re on a plane, and the rules exist for a reason. Please don’t ruin it for everyone who wants to be able to travel with their dogs.
Final note — there are some medications your veterinarian might prescribe if you think your dog needs it to be more comfortable during the flight. If you are heading for a big competition, this is not ideal, and you should really focus on doing everything possible to acclimate your dog to the carrier. Feed them in it. Take them on trips in the car, or to pet friendly stores. If they can handle that, they can probably handle a flight. But there are some mild medications that are safe for travel, and may help decrease anxiety and be mildly sedating. There are no medications that are recommended for pets that have to travel in cargo.
I hope this helps give you an idea of what to expect when you take your dog on their first flight. Have any questions –comment below.
