Are you boarding a plane and hitting the friendly skies with your working dog? Check out our tips for an easy travel experience.
Kinley and I just returned from a trip to Seattle, where we visited my sister and worked with her eight-week-old wheaten terrier on some basic clicker training. Marker training for puppies is such a fun way to teach them an excellent communication style, and I had a blast introducing this to not only the little 8 week-old ball of fluff but to my sister and brother-in-law as well!
Despite how much I love going on about the benefits of marker training for puppies and dogs, we’re going to side-step to a different K9 training topic today.
For those of you who have a service dog, are training a service dog, or are interested in some of the ins and outs of what it looks like when flying with a service dog, this blog is for you!
Before we dive in, this is my PSA for anyone who ends up on this post and is considering getting a Belgian Malinois as a service dog: it isn’t always (as in, almost never) the best dog breed option. I got really lucky with Kinley’s ability as a working dog and to perform her tasks, which outweighs her natural distrust of people and overall protective nature.
If you’re looking into what breed is best for a service dog, consider choosing a less reactive one. If you have your heart set on training a Belgian Malinois as a service dog, I suggest only adopting an adult Belgain Malinois with working potential or a fully trained adult service dog so that you know their personality.
Okay, now, back to the point of this.
Q&As plus tips to make the process of flying with a service dog as seamless as possible.
What do you do when your service dog has to use the bathroom during a trip?
A working dog should be well-trained to know that using the restroom is done on command. Flying with a service dog is no different. But, that doesn’t mean your K9 can always wait until you’re outside, depending on the length of your flight and time spent between connections.
Research your connecting flight ahead of time when flying with a service dog. The airport will list whether or not they provide dog relief areas. If there isn’t one provided, familiarize your service dog with relieving themselves using a pee pad on command. Then, request an airport or airline personnel direct you to the best place for your working dog to utilize the pee pad.
Do people ignore your service dog while you're flying?
I put a 'Do Not Pet' patch on Kinley's vest. Sometimes a ‘service dog’ declaration on your pup’s vest isn’t always enough. It’s important that (if your medical condition allows for it) you create clear boundaries when traveling and flying with a service dog. Airports have a lot of chaos and energy; even working dogs with experience in that chaos can find themselves overwhelmed. Remember, your dog is still a dog, regardless of how highly trained they are. Make sure people are giving them emotional space to focus on their job.
Where will my service dog sit on a flight?
When flying with a service dog need, they need to occupy only your area of the plane. Kinley is 52 pounds, and if my husband and I are both flying, she’ll lay on the floor spanning our leg space.
If it’s just me, she’ll angle her back and butt under the seat, and have her head directed at me. A larger service dog may need to remain sitting. I always prefer a window seat, that way, she has room to lie against the wall versus being stuck between two people. Avoid the isle if you have a dog with a long tail. Somehow, the tail always ends up getting stepped on at one point or another.
What is security like when flying with a service dog?
I suggest TSA precheck if you and your service dog travel often to streamline your process and avoid taking your computer out/shoes off/and so on. But security is usually a breeze with or without pre-check. You can leave your service dog's vest and equipment on. Just be aware that this most likely set off the beeping alarm and require a quick pat down from the security agent. Again, no big deal.
I prefer to use a TSA-friendly leash when flying with a service dog. It makes going through security a little quicker and avoids the alarm going off.
Once we’re on the other side, I put Kinley in a sit, gather my stuff, and then reward her with a high-value treat. I save her extra yummy ones for working situations only. Gracie’s freeze-dried chicken hearts are my current go-to.
What about other dogs in the airport?
Your working dog should be used to seeing other dogs out and about, and flying with a service dog is no exception. Obviously, other service dogs should have no problem ignoring your working dog and focusing on their own job. But, other people will still be there flying their small pets who can be out of their kennels when not in the boarding area.
Most people will give your service dog the respect and space they deserve and keep their pets from running up to him or her, but that’s not a guarantee. My best advice is to display your dog’s working status clearly, and just as your dog advocates for you, advocate for them.
If a pet dog in the area seems to be barking and pulling their owner toward you, walk away. That owner may be clueless and heading toward a, “Can my pup say hi?” request. When flying with a service dog, avoiding people who don’t respect your dog’s space is best. Your working dog is there to do a job for you, not entertain others.
Does flying your service dog with different airlines make a difference?
Kinley has flown dozens of flights, and for some reason, I always find myself happiest and most comfortable when we fly Delta. But our flights are always in and out of Anchorage, so we don’t have as many options as the lower 48.
Regardless of what airline you’re flying on, as long as you provide them with the necessary paperwork required for flying with a service dog, they’ll do their best to accommodate you in an appropriate seat for the flight.
Most airlines have a process for submitting their required D.O.T. service dog paperwork, so look into the individual airline’s information. If you feel that it’s vague, reach out via phone.
Hawaiian Air is the only airline we’ve ever had a challenging time with. I’ll save that story for another day!
Tips I've learned over the years for flying with a service dog .
Have a few dog meals on hand. If their dog food is in the bag that’s checked, pack enough for a few meals on your person in case you have issues with lost luggage.
Check your luggage or pack light. The less you have on your person, the easier it is for you to maneuver yourself and your dog (or vice versa) through the airport, bathrooms, restaurants, etc.
If you have a longer layover, look for restaurants with tables that are against a wall. Your service dog is spending an extended amount of time around energy and chaos, and it’s nice when they can have a little space to hang out while you eat versus sitting in the middle of a tight and crowded airport restaurant.
Don’t try to use an escalator with flying with a service dog. Even if your dog has no problem stepping on to or off the escalator, the metal pattern isn’t safe for their toenails. Find an elevator instead.
Book ahead. Secure your flights with as much advanced time as possible so the airlines can accommodate you and your pup if they’re a larger breed dog.
If this is your first time flying with a service dog, practice first. Head to the airport months or weeks before your flight, and work on having them spend some time walking through the areas that don’t require you to have a boarding pass. If your SD has yet to do a flight, or it’s their first flight with you, getting them into and out of the airport a handful of times will really help their comfort level.
Keep training-specific high-value treats on hand. Reward your dog for acting like a boss throughout the flight process. Choose a treat that they only are offered while working/training, and reward often. Your dog is a pro and deserves to get paid like one when performing their trained tasks in higher level distraction. Just don’t reward too many treats, or you may be dealing with some stinky dog toots on the plane.
Pay attention to your service dog’s disposition during take-off and landing . It’s pretty much impossible in training to replicate that experience of flying with a service dog without private access to a large commercial jet. So, if this is a newer experience for your service dog, pay attention to their demeanor during take-off and landing.
Kinley prefers to supervise the takeoff, settles down for the flight, and likes to watch again when we land.
And on a final note, remember that your dog is a living, breathing creature. When it comes to flying with a service dog who isn't experienced (or heck, is just having an off day), things that we didn't plan for can sometimes happen. A working dog handler can do everything right and still have a bump in the road. Maybe your K9 partner misunderstands a command, or they may face something completely new and foreign and get a little bit spooked. When flying with a service dog, treat it just as you would any other public outing. Keep control of them at all times, be sure that they are representing themselves correctly by displaying their qualities as a working dog and not a pet, and reward them often during new experiences. If you have a pet dog who you'd like to try to pass off flying as a service dog, please don't. Hundreds of thousands of hours go into training a working dog. I know your pet dog is amazing, but they aren't a service dog. You put others at risk by pretending that they are and that they'll behave as such.
I know there are so many more facets to flying with a service dog, so please post any questions below, and I’ll answer them as soon as possible!
Happy travels!
Comments