Introduction
Traveling with a service dog is more complicated than travelling alone, but it’s worth the extra effort. I’m hard of hearing, and I don’t know what I don’t hear. Service Dog Koogle alerts me to sounds I can’t hear, so I can be confident I’ll know if the fire alarm goes off at night.
Koogle and I have travelled all over the US together, including a trip to Hawaii. We’ve learned a few things that work. In this blog post will offer tips on how to successfully travel with a service dog. It does not cover emotional support animals or therapy dogs which do not have the same access to the main cabin.
Pre-Trip Planning
You are less likely to encounter bad surprises if you know before you go. You should also plan for all of your dog’s needs on the trip.
Flying
You will need to complete the Service Animal Air Transportation Form when flying within the United States. Go straight to the Department of Transportation’s website to get the form. Avoid websites that will try to sell you service dog registration. The airlines pay no attention the these so-called registries. They are just a waste of money. Print a completed copy of the form to carry with you when you fly.
Contact the airline at least 24 hours before departure to let them know you are travelling with your dog. Some airlines have dedicated accessibility phone numbers, so check their website. The airline will ask the two basic questions about your dog, and you will be prompted to complete the Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
I usually fly on United Airlines because I’ve flown over a million miles with them and get nice perks. United allows passengers to add a service dog to their frequent flyer profile. They can then click to add their dog to future reservations using either their app or website. That action automatically generates the DOT form and lets the airline know a service dog be coming. I edit Koogle’s profile periodically to make sure it contains his most recent rabies vaccination date.
Getting the Right Seat
I can choose my seat on United, and my frequent flyer status allows me to pick one in the front row of economy class. Many service dog handlers prefer that bulkhead seat, because of its extra leg room and its easy boarding. It usually isn’t hard to book the bulkhead seat, if I plan far enough ahead.
If your airline has an accessibility phone line, you can call it to request special seating with your service dog. If not, try the regular reservations number to make the request.
Some service dog handlers fly Southwest Airlines because it doesn’t have reserved seating. They request bulkhead seating at the gate when they arrive with their dog and are usually accommodated.
Window seats have worked best for Koogle when the bulkhead row isn’t available. He can usually curl up at least part way beneath the seat in front. His legs or tail won’t jut out into the aisle for that spot.
Choosing a Place to Stay
Hotels and motels are required to accept service dogs by law. They cannot charge extra for the dog. I add my service dog to the reservation if there is an obvious way to do so, but I don’t sweat it otherwise. I have yet to have any trouble checking into a hotel with Koogle. AirBnB does not require advanced notification that you’ll bring a service dog and does not charge extra for it. I still like to notify the host about it through the chat function in the app. This way there are no misunderstandings if the host sees me coming and going with a dog. VRBO has a similar policy.
Getting Around at Your Destination
Major rental car companies including Hertz, Avis, and Budget have dog-friendly policies. Pet dogs are welcome without extra charge, so service dogs don’t get viewed with suspicion. However, you could get charged extra if your dog leaves a mess, liked shed fur or slobbered windows. Avis offers advice on how to keep their cars clean when traveling with a dog to avoid the cleaning fee. A small package of Windex wipes takes spit off glass in no time.
I like to reserve a small SUV like a Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, or Toyota RAV4. It’s easy to drape a queen-sized sheet over the back seat of these vehicles, keeping mud, grit, and fur off the upholstery. The four door layout makes it easy for a Labrador or German Shepherd to get in and out. Clean up is easier too. Once Koogle and I ended up with a Dodge Challenger when the car we reserved wasn’t available. I do love a good muscle car, but Koogle had more trouble getting into the back of a two door car. Clean up was a hassle too. Consider your own accessibility needs when reserving a car. It’s not just about the dog. I’ll discuss clean-up aids below in the section on what to pack.
Ride shares like Uber and Lyft are a hassle. Both companies have policies requiring their drivers to accommodate passengers with service dogs. The reality is another thing. Koogle and I have been ghosted by drivers when I told them about my service dog through the chat function of the app. We’ve also seen our rides go right on by with the driver pretending not to see us. Unfortunately I found I need to use Uber Pet if I need a ride with Koogle. It costs more, but I know the driver will show up.
What to Pack
You’ll need to pack both the things your dog will need and the things you will need to tidy up after your dog. Try to keep it simple, but don’t forget the things you need for your daily routine together.
Koogle’s needs are simple enough. I don’t pack another suitcase for him, but I do organize his things into a packing cube. His packing list looks like this on a short trip:
- Food for the number of meals required
- Enough training treats for each travel day
- Fur brush
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Bowls
- A roll of poop bags
- One or two toys
- Leash
- Service dog vest
I pre-package each of his meals into plastic bags with his supplements added. Likewise each day’s quantity of training treats is pre-measured and placed in plastic bags. The following additional items either go in my suitcase or carry-on bag:
- Queen-sized sheet (in the suitcase)
- Windex wipes (in carry-on)
- Fur-nado fur remover (in carry-on)
I use the sheet in the rental car, as mentioned above. While I keep the Fur-nado with me wherever I go on the road or in the air for quick clean ups.
Time to Fly
A properly trained and socialized service dog should have no trouble once onboard the aircraft. The main challenge is in the limited opportunities to toilet your dog once you check into a flight.
Airports are required to have service dog relief areas. Unfortunately these tend to either be outside of security or indoors within the terminal. Koogle usually balks at relieving himself indoors, because he was trained not too.
Going outside of security during a layover can take a considerable amount of time, especially during heavy travel times like holidays. I select non-stop flights when I can or longer layovers when I can’t. I always give Koogle a chance to go as we enter the terminal to check in. We head for the first outdoor grassy patch at our destination airport.
It also helps to know your dog. Koogle normally goes outside to pee once every four hours. Number two usually happens first thing in the morning and once in the evening. A three hour flight at mid-day, therefore isn’t really a stretch. For longer flights, I will limit his water in the morning of travel. On especially long flights, I limit his food too. Koogle has flown from Honolulu to Chicago (8 hours) like a champ.
Getting Through Security
A little bit of practice makes the TSA check easier. The service dog vest must go through the x-ray machine, just like your coat and shoes. Koogle wears a metal training collar, which I take off and run through x-ray as well. I keep his flat collar on with the leash attached. The agents will send you to the metal detector with your dog, rather than the glass-encased body scanner. I prefer to go through the metal detector first with Koogle waiting behind in a sit stay. I keep ahold of the leash and call Koogle through once I have cleared the metal detector.
No two checkpoints work exactly the same, so be prepared to be flexible. You should never let go of your dog’s leash. However, I have had TSA agents insist I remove Koogle’s leash and collar, despite all my polite objections. If that happens, politely insist that an agent holds on to your dog while you can’t.
Then there is the question of space. The TSA screening area is a busy place. People are jostling to pick up their scanned bags and to put their shoes and belts back on. I keep Koogle under the luggage inspection tables while I repack my carry on and put on my shoes.
Conclusion
A little bit of thought and planning go a long way to setting up a successful trip with your service dog. Hotels and rental car companies are usually hassle-free, but you should bring what you need to tidy up after your dog. US-based airlines all make accomodations for service dogs. The main challenge in flying is the length of time your dog may need to go between toilet breaks.
Do you have any tips or tricks that work well for you when traveling with your service dog? Share your experiences in the comments below! Your insights could help others have a smoother journey with their helper by their side. Safe travels!
