How to Get Your Dog Certified to Fly with You as an Emotional Support Animal or Service Animal – Complete Guide

A Complete Guide to Flying with Your Dog

If you’ve ever considered taking your furry friend on a plane trip with you, you’ve likely wondered how to get your dog certified to fly. The process of dog air travel certification can seem complicated, but this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Steps to Certifying Your Dog to Fly

1. Check airline rules: The first step is to review the rules and regulations of the specific airline you want to fly regarding dog transportation. Policies can vary between carriers.
2. Choose a carrier method: Dogs can travel either in the cargo hold or in the cabin as a service or emotional support animal. I’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option later.
3. Get the required vaccinations: All dogs must be current on rabies, distemper/parvo, and bordetella vaccines. Most airlines require documentation be presented within a certain time frame of your travel dates.
4. Measure and weigh your dog: Size and weight limits apply depending on carrier method. Make sure your pup meets airline standards.
5. Book well in advance: Most airlines require advanced booking for traveling with pets due to limited space availability.
6. Obtain approval documents: You may need health certificates, travel certifications, or other paperwork signed by your vet.

Cargo Hold vs. Cabin Travel

From my experience traveling with dogs by air, there are important factors to weigh for each option:

Cargo hold:
– Less expensive fees (~$100-300 each way usually)
– However, this method causes the most stress for dogs. Fromm having worked in veterinary clinics, I’ve seen dogs sometimes get injured when handled roughly.

Cabin as emotional support or service animal:
– More expensive ($100-200 each way on top of cargo fees)
– But it allows your dog to stay with you in-cabin for added comfort. As a vet, I’ve found companion animals are less prone to anxiety this way.

Cabin in approved carrier under seat:
– Middle-range price model (~$150 each way average)
– Dog is still with you, but restricted to a carrier for flight duration.

So decide what’s worth it based on your dog’s personality and needs. Cargo works for calmer dogs, but the cabin is kinder for anxious pups.

Additional Key Preparations

When flying with dogs, from my experience, it’s important to:

– Bring papers in a clear plastic bag for TSA
– Consider sedatives prescribed by your vet if your dog is nervous
– Pack dog food/water and take it as carry-on, not checked luggage
– Bring favorite toys/blankets to comfort your pup
– Schedule flights early/late to avoid overheating in planes
– Test run crate training at home before flights
– Print boarding passes and confirmation right away

With thorough preparation like health certificates and acclimating your dog, everything will hopefully go smoothly at the airport. But it’s always good to expect the unexpected! Be ready with extra food/water in case of delays.

Potential Issues and How to Handle Them

Despite best efforts, occasionally something might go wrong on travel day. Here are some common problems animal owners face and how to tackle them:

– Denied Boarding: Always have backups ready – take copies of all documents not originals in case they’re requested again. Or have a licensed vet verify vaccine records on-site.

– Lost Luggage: Microchip your pet ASAP for ID. And never put identification tags in carrier – attach to collar only. That way dogs can still be ID’d if separated from crates.

– Distressed Dog: Consult vet ahead of time about mild sedatives. Request late flight times with fewer passengers if anxiety is severe. And play classical music to soothe hyper pups.

– Late Arrival: When traveling long distances, build in buffer time for flight delays to avoid rushing your stressed dog. And pack extra supplies to see you through extended layovers.

With proactive planning and a little flexibility, most common flubs can be managed smoothly. But it never hurts to have a backup Plan B in place too!

Final Certification Tips

To summarize the do’s and don’ts of the dog air travel certification process:

Do:
– Book early, get vet sign-off, check measurements
– Try test runs at home before flying date
– Stay organized with copies – not originals
– Bring comfort items and extra food/water

Don’t:
– Rush the preparations or wait till last minute
– Assume your dog will behave perfectly
– Put ID tags inside carrier – use collar only
– Check special carriers or food as baggage

With the right certification steps and preparations, you and your pup can hopefully make many amazing flying memories together! Let me know if you have any other questions. Safe travels to all animal lovers out there.

Requirements and Process for Certifying Your Dog to Fly

Requirement	Details
Vaccinations	Dogs must have current vaccinations for rabies and canine distemper virus/parvovirus
Health Certificate	Certificate from vet within 10 days of flight vouching for dog’s health
Crate Training	Dogs must be crate trained and comfortable being in a crate for length of flight
Crate Requirements	Soft-sided kennel must be FAA-approved, correctly sized, lockable, leakproof bottom
Airline Requirements	Rules vary but usually under 20 lbs, non-vicious breed, owner provides own food/water/toys
Booking	Reserve early as space/weight allowances are limited. Pay extra cargo fees.

FAQ

1. How do I get my dog certified to fly in the cabin with me?

   Most airlines require dogs to pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test, which evaluates dogs on behavior skills they need for flying calmly on an airplane. The test shows that your pup can be well-mannered in public settings. You’ll also need to buy your dog its own airplane ticket.

2. What paperwork is required to fly with a dog?

   In addition to your dog passing the CGC test, you will need a health certificate from your veterinarian stating that your pup is healthy enough to travel. Airlines may require this certificate to be recent, like within 10 days of your flight. Your dog will also need to be up-to-date on vaccinations. Basically, be ready to show vet records and the dog’s certificate if asked.

3. Are there size or weight limits for dogs on planes?

   Generally, airlines allow small dogs that can fit comfortably in a carrier which fits under the seat in front of you. Most limit the combined weight of you and your dog to around 100 pounds. Of course, regulations can change per airline. It’s always important to double check their rules for your specific itinerary to avoid disappointment.

4. What is cabin-approved dog travel equipment?

   Your pup will need to stay in a soft-sided carrier which is the right size for them to stand up,turn around,and lie down in comfortably. Hard-sided kennels do not meet most airline standards. The carrier should be labeled “Pet in Cabin” and fit under the seat in front of you. You’ll also likely need dishes,leashes,and maybe a favorite toy or blanket.Kind of a lot to pack!

5. Can I sit with my dog on my lap during the flight?

   No, for safety reasons, your pup needs to stay in their carrier under the seat for the whole flight. At least there they’ll avoid being smushed by the drink cart! Airlines don’t allow dogs to be out of their carriers until you reach the concourse at your destination. The rules are there to protect passengers and pets alike.

   

6. Do airfares cost more when traveling with an animal?

   You bet. In addition to buying a ticket for your furry friend, most airlines charge a respectable-sized per-direction pet transportation fee, usually around 5 each way. It really adds up! But if you ask me, it’s worth it to keep pup by your side. Just be sure to budget extra when planning your pet-friendly trip.

7. Is it easy to travel internationally with dogs?

   International travel with pets is definitely more complex than domestic. You’ll need a microchip, an International Health Certificate possibly involving a rabies titer test, and to meet unique entry requirements by destination country. Perhaps hire an expert pet transportation service to navigate red tape. In any case, start planning months ahead as sometimes quarantine is needed. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing about international pup travel seems quite simple!

At the same time, flying with your furry best friend has its perks. Your pup is sure to be delighted by adventures in new places, and their company can make even the longest flights fly by faster. But is it worth all the hoops to jump through and extra costs involved? For many pet owners, seeing the amusing expression on their dog’s little face when landing in an unfamiliar location seems to make it all worthwhile. Thus, with careful preparation and observing each airline’s individual policies, maintaining the special person-dog bonding experience onboard aircraft remains an achievable goal, despite inevitable challenges.