A Complete Guide to Getting Your Dog Certified to Fly
If you’re reading this, chances are you want to take your furry friend along on an upcoming flight but aren’t sure what’s involved in getting them certified to do so. Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare your pooch for air travel, from training requirements to equipment needs to booking logistics. By the end, you’ll feel confident and prepared to get your certification.
Training is Key
The first major step is training your dog to be calm and well-behaved in stressful situations like the airport environment. From my experience working with dogs, training is absolutely essential to help them feel at ease. Ideally, you’ll want to start training your pup months before your intended flight to allow time for repetition.
Practice things like having your dog calmly sit or lay down and stay while in busy, loud areas with lots of movement and distractions. You can even hold a mock “airport” session in your home to expose them. Reward calmly lying still with treats. It’s also a good idea to get your dog accustomed to noises like luggage carts rolling by, PA announcements, and the noises of other dogs by playing videos of flying sounds.
Equipment
In addition to training, you’ll need the proper equipment to keep your dog safe and comfortable during take-off, landing, and time in the cargo hold. The most important item is an FAA-approved travel crate or “carrier.” It must be the right size for your dog – not too big but large enough for them to stand up and turn around in.
The crate should meet IATA size and strength standards with secure latches and proper ventilation. You’ll also want absorbent training pads or bedding, a favorite toy or chew, and possibly a thundershirt-style wrap to help soothe anxiety. A small amount of water is okay but avoid feeding for a few hours before the flight to reduce chances of an “accident.”
Certification Exam
Once your dog hasmastered basic training and has their gear, it’s time for the official certification exam. These are administered by independent professionals authorized by the carrier you’ll be flying with.
At the exam, your pup will undergo tests to evaluate their behavior in situations mimicking the airport environment. This includes things like standing calmly for nail trims or gentle rubbing of paws, tolerating basic handling by strangers, remaining relaxed on their back for a belly rub, and not exhibiting signs of fear or aggression at unpredictable noises.
Most dogs pass on the first try if adequately prepared. But don’t worry if yours needs a second exam – with continued training, they’ll get there. Just be sure to book well ahead of your trip to allow for multiple attempts if needed.
Booking Your Flight
Once certification is complete, you can schedule your trip. Be sure to book early, as space is limited in the cargo hold and priority is given to service animals. Ask about airline-specific policies, like weight limits or travel dates around holidays.
You’ll provide your dog’s carrier, certification info, and possibly health records when checking in. Microchipping is also wise in case of any mishaps. Most planes only allow one pet per passenger unless traveling with a second handler. Fees vary but expect at least $100-200 each way.
Pre-Flight Preparations
On flight day, be sure to follow dietary restrictions. And give your dog a chance to use the bathroom right before arriving at least 2-3 hours before departure to prevent accidents.
Remain calm and positive as you check in – your energy will affect their stress levels. Double check you have all paperwork and allow extra time. The airport environment can still provoke anxiety, so try distraction techniques if needed.
- At the gate, surrender your pooch and carrier to airline staff.
- You’ll likely get a baggage claim ticket for pickup on arrival.
- Try not to fret excessively once aboard – most dogs do fine!
Arrival and Pickup
When you land, head straight to the airline baggage office with your claim ticket. There may be a short wait as pets are unloaded, but staff will radio ahead. Remain upbeat for that joyful reunion!
Give your pup some water and TLC after the journey. Excitement at the new place could cause accidents, so watch for signs and take them out as needed. A comfy ride home and relaxation awaits after all that travel!
Whew, that covers the basics of getting Fido certified and jet-setting safely. It requires prepwork on your end, but the rewards of having your furry companion by your side are worth it. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions! Safe travels to you and your pup.
Requirements and Process for Getting Your Dog Certified to Fly
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Vaccinations | Dogs must have current rabies, distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccines. Proof will be needed at check-in. |
| Health Certificate | A health certificate from a licensed vet within 10 days of travel is required. It confirms the dog is fit to travel. |
| Carrier | An airline-approved soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. It should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. |
| Behavior Test | Some airlines require dogs to pass a temperament evaluation by a certified tester to ensure they will behave well during travel. |
| Identification | Microchip or tattoo is required for identification if your dog gets lost. Include ID on carrier and leash. |
| Fees | Most airlines charge a fee per direction for pet travel that depends on size of dog and length of flight. |
FAQ
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What do I need to do to get my dog certified to fly?
Basically, you need to get your dog accustomed to traveling in a crate. Take them on car rides and get them used to being in their crate for longer periods of time. You’ll also need to make sure your dog is well-behaved and can handle noises like baggage carts without freaking out. Finally, you’ll need to get them acrtified through an organization like the International Air Transport Association (IATA). They’ll evaluate your dog to make sure they can fly safely.
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How do I train my dog for the IATA evaluation?
You’ll want to start training your dog early. Get them used to being handled, having their collars grabbed, nails trimmed, ears and mouth examined without issue. Practice crate training and get them calm staying in their crate for long periods. The evaluation involves things like observing their behavior around other dogs and distractions too. So work on obedience training and getting them to ignore other animals at the vet office. Approach it gradually with lots of rewards and praise.
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What’s involved in the actual IATA evaluation?
The evaluation is performed by a certified behaviorist. They’ll observe how your dog acts around things like equipment, noises, and other dogs at the airport. Your pup needs to remain calm and not try escaping their crate during the whole process. Their stress levels are monitored too. Some other tests may involve things such as seeing if they’ll let a stranger examine them in the crate. They basically want to make sure your dog can fly without becoming disruptive or dangerous to passengers or crew.
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How much does certification typically cost?
The fee for the actual evaluation can vary based on where you live but usually falls between $125-$250. You’ll also need to pay for training classes and preparation beforehand which could add several hundred more. Then factor in expenses like crates, clothing/labels, and an yearly renewal fee too. So all in all, it takes an investment of perhaps $500+ to get Rover properly trained and certified for air travel. Though for many people it’s worth it to fly with their precious pooch!
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What kind of containers and safety gear is required?
Dogs must fly in special hard-sided kennels that are IATA-approved and labeled with tags showing the dog has passed certification. The crate cannot exceed certain dimension and weight limits either. You’ll need to provide food, water dishes, and even ice packs for summer flights. Dogs must wear a collar or harness at all times along with ID tags. Muzzles aren’t absolutely necessary but are sometimes required depending on breed or demeanor. Proper documents proving vaccinations are a must too.
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Are there any breed or age restrictions?
The policies vary a bit by airline, but most dogs must be over 10 weeks and under 6 months to fly as cargo. After 6 months they’ll ride in the main cabin. Some airlines won’t accept bully breeds or dogs over a certain weight too. And elderly or very young puppies may be denied as the stress could impact their health. It’s best to check guidelines for your specific airline to avoid any issues. Now let me think… what other questions do you have about flying Rover? Feel free to ask!
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Can you tell me more about what flying is like for dogs?
The experience may appear kinda scary for poor pooches nevertheless most make it through okay if properly prepared. The crate provides a safe den but the sounds can surely be startling at first. Most pups whimper a little during takeoff yet calm down after. The crew is often rather gentle and caring toward pup passengers. At the same time, long flights can be tiring without exercise stops. Luckily laws now demand breaks for water. With everything considered though, dogs seem to tolerate flying way better than people do! What do experts think – do our furry friends really mind air travel so much?
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What if my dog is nervous or doesn’t like their crate?
If your pupgo gets anxious or hates their carrier, certification may be kind of a stretch. Fortunately you can usually ship through ground methods as an alternative. But it involves more preparation – like making sure Fido is well exercised before traveling and providing extra pee stops. Sedation is sometimes allowed too as a last resort during a vet exam. Overall its probably best finding methods your particular pooch feels most comfortable. Maybe they’d sort of prefer riding shotgun with a companion! But I ain’t no expert – anyone have further thoughts?