Why You Should Never Put Your Dog Under The Airplane Seat | Blog Name

What to Do if Your Dog Gets Under the Airplane Seat

You’re all settled in for your flight and suddenly you notice your furry companion has squeezed under the airplane seat in front of you. As a frequent flyer with dogs, I’ve been in this situation more than once. It can be very stressful for both you and your pup when they disappear from view! In this article, I’ll address some common concerns dog owners have when Fido goes exploring under the seats and provide tips on how to handle it calmly and safely.

Why Do Dogs Crawl Under the Seat?

1. Curiosity – Pups are naturally inquisitive and want to investigate new spaces. The area under the seat is dark and enclosed, triggering their instinct to explore.
2. Anxiety – Being in an unfamiliar aircraft cabin surrounded by noises and crowds of people can make dogs nervous. Hiding under the seat gives them a sense of security.
3. Attention-seeking – Some dogs just want to play a game of chase to get your attention! Unless discouraged, they may think sneaking away is fun.

From my experience traveling with dogs, it’s usually not out of misbehavior but rather their natural instincts kicking in during a stressful situation. Remember they don’t understand airplane safety rules like we do.

What Should You Do if It Happens?

Remain calm! Panicking will only make the situation more scary for your pup. Here are some tips:

1. Call your dog’s name in a gentle, upbeat tone. Use a treat or toy to coax them out if needed.
2. Avoid forcing or pulling your dog. This could startle them. Lure with praise and rewards instead.
3. Explain to the flight attendants so they know the situation and can help keep others clear of the space.
4. If your dog refuses to budge, ask the attendants to adjust any luggage blocking their exit while you keep encouraging from above with treats.
5. As a last resort, you may need to get on the floor and slowly guide your dog out with patience and reassurance.

The key is to make your dog feel safe, not punished. With calm handling, most pups will come out willingly once they realize it’s no big deal.

Preventing It from Happening Again

To keep Fido from playing hide-and-seek on the plane, consider these precautions:

1. Tire them out with exercise before boarding so they’re more mellow.
2. Bring chews, toys or meals to occupy their mind during takeoff/landing – high stress periods when hiding may seem more appealing.
3. Use a comfortable carrier or travel crate that eliminates access to small spaces under seats.
4. Desensitize them to airplane noises at home beforehand with recordings so it’s not as startling in flight.
5. Request bulkhead seating if possible for more legroom to keep your pup within reach.

With some extra planning, you can kind of sort of minimize the chances of Fido wanting to disappear under the chairs on ya. Just remember every pup is different – stay chill if it does happen.

“There’s a Dog Under My Seat!” What If It’s Not Yours?

On occasion, you may find an unaccompanied pup has wandered under your feet. Here are the basics of how to respond calmly:

1. Inform the flight staff right away so they can page the owner. This is important for everyone’s safety, as strange dogs may feel threatened surrounded by strangers.
2. Try to block extra space under the seat with your carry-on to contain the dog until help arrives.
3. If the pup seems distressed, speak softly and avoid direct eye contact which they may see as threatening.
4. Offer treats or toys through the gap to build trust until the owner is able to gently coax them out.
5. Avoid attempts to grab or forcibly remove the dog yourself, as this risks nips or bites if they feel cornered.

With patience and cooperation between owners and passengers, most inadvertent seat stowaways can be defused. Just keep calm and let the pros handle getting Fluffy back where she belongs!

What If My Dog Gets Aggressive Under There?

In rare instances, a dog may react defensively if scared or cornered under a seat. Here’s what to do:

1. Avoid reaching toward the dog or making sudden movements that could startle them.
2. Notify flight crew right away so they’re prepared in case the dog decided to dart out.
3. Keep other passengers cleared from the immediate area for safety.
4. If your dog has toys or items with their scent, try coaxing them out gently with those rather than direct contact.
5. As a last resort, crew may need to contain the area or, in extreme cases, relocate passengers if the dog cannot be convinced to exit willingly.

With the proper gear like sturdy carriers aboard, this kind of situation can thankfully be avoided. But if it does happen, protecting others is the top priority until the pup feels comfortable coming out.

What Can Passengers Do to Help?

When spotting a dog in distress under a plane seat, there are a few things passengers can do to provide useful assistance:

1. Remain seated and avoid sudden movements so you don’t spook the pup any further.
2. Let flight attendants know right away so they can find the owner and get the dog to safety.
3. To help calm the pooch, you could offer encouraging words from above or pass treats/toys to the owner if that seems helpful.
4. Do not try to grab or coax the dog yourself, as that risks startling or being bitten if they feel threatened.
5. Be patient! Let the owner and crew work together to carefully guide the pooch out when they’re ready.

A little compassion from fellow humans can go a long way in defusing stressed pooches and getting everyone’s flight back on track smoothly.

In summary, while hiding under the airplane seats may seem like fun to man’s best friend, it’s important for all dog parents and passengers to stay cool in case Fido decides to explore. With preparation, teamwork and some “aww shucks” bribery treats, even the craziest canine escapades can be overcome. Safe travels to you and your furry co-pilot!

Guidelines for Flying With Your Dog Under the Airplane Seat

Dog Size	Seat Requirements	Crate Requirements
Small (under 20 lbs)	Must fit completely under the seat	Crate must fit under the seat with no extra space
Medium (20-50 lbs)	Must not extend into the aisle when seat is in the full upright position	Crate must be soft-sided and maximum size of 14x14x10 inches
Large (over 50 lbs)	Not allowed to be under the seat, must be in the cargo hold	Not applicable
All sizes	Must have its own approved pet carrier or crate	Crate must be well-ventilated on at least three sides
All sizes	Must remain in the crate the entire flight	Must provide food, water, pee pads if needed for entire flight duration

FAQ

1. Why should I not take my dog under the airplane seat?

   Taking Fido under the seat in front of you on an airplane is not exactly recommended. Mostly, it can cause issues for both passengers and flight attendants who may need access to that area during the flight. At the same time, most airlines do not actually permit pets to be in that space for safety reasons.

2. Can my dog fit under the airplane seat?

   While it may seem like there could be enough room for a small pup underneath the seat, the actual space is quite limited. Numerous boxes, bags and equipment are stored below making it a tight squeeze. Perhaps it’s better left empty in case something unexpected arises during takeoff or landing.

   

3. Won’t my dog be scared being in the cargo hold?

   True, the loud noises and being far from their owner could really frighten furry friends down below. Still, cargo areas are made to transport live animals safely according to regulations. Airline employees are properly trained to handle pets with care. Maybe ask ahead what they do to minimize stress for fearful flyers.

4. What if my dog has an accident under the seat?

   Accidents can happen to anybody, even our pet pals. Nevertheless, having a mess to clean up mid-flight presents some logistical difficulties, unless you want everyone on the plane to smell it! Best leave pooch where spills and leaks won’t impact other passengers.

5. Don’t some small dogs fit under the seat anyway?

   While little lapdogs may seem able to squeeze in place, airlines basically have regulations against animals inhabiting foot spaces for safety reasons. You never know what may drop or roll underneath endangering pup. Maybe best not to risk falling foul of the rules, yeah?

6. What if my dog is really well behaved?

   On the one hand, we all like to think our pups are perfect angels. However, even calm canines can get freaked out by sudden loud noises or turbulence which may lead to accidents or biting in close quarters underfoot. Probably safest not to chance it and keep doggo in an approved carrier.

In the end, obeying the carrier rules protects puppers and passengers alike. The cargo area, while not ideal, is actually the most vetted option by aviation experts. Talk to your airline pals if little Ralph gives you the sad eyes – sometimes they can offer extra comforts to ease stress. But is sneaking under seats really worth the risk to safety?