Traveling with a Service Dog

Traveling with a service dog can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Below are some tips to ensure a smooth journey, whether you’re traveling by car, air, or staying in a hotel.

Leaving Town doesn’t have to be Stressful

Traveling by Car
Traveling by Air
Airport Dog Relief Areas
Staying in a Hotel
Supplies
Traveling by Car

Traveling by car with a service dog requires some special considerations to ensure the safety and comfort of both the handler and the dog.

  • Secure Your Dog: Use a dog seat belt or a travel crate to secure your dog during the journey. This not only keeps your dog safe but also prevents them from becoming a distraction while you’re driving.
  • Take Regular Breaks: Stop every 2-3 hours to allow your dog to stretch, hydrate, and relieve themselves.
  • Keep the Car Cool: Never leave your dog in a parked car, especially in hot weather. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, putting your dog at risk of heatstroke.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring a portable water bowl, dog food, a leash, and any medications your dog may need.

Traveling by Air

When flying with a service dog, you will need to complete certain forms and notify the airline in advance. Here are the details:

  1. Forms: You will need to fill out the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form. This form attests to the animal’s health, behavior, and training4. For flights that are eight hours or longer, airlines may require a DOT form attesting that the animal can either not relieve itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner.
  2. Notification: You should inform your airline that you will be traveling with your service dog at least 48 hours before your trip.
  3. Vet Records: It’s recommended to carry a copy of your dog’s vaccination records and any other relevant health information.. Some airlines may require a health certificate for your service dog.

Remember, these requirements can vary by airline, so it’s always a good idea to check with your specific airline for their service animal policies.

Airport Dog Relief Areas

Airports can be stressful environments for dogs, but with a little preparation, you can help your dog use the relief areas effectively:.

  1. Familiarize: Before your trip, try to familiarize your dog with the type of surface they’ll encounter in the relief area, whether it’s grass, gravel, or artificial turf.
  2. Visit before the Flight: Visit the relief area before check-in to give your dog a chance to relieve themselves before the flight.
  3. Use the Command: Use your potty command to encourage your dog to go. Be patient and give your dog some time to get comfortable in the new environment.
  4. Bring Supplies: Bring poop bags and cleaning wipes to clean up after your dog. Some relief areas may provide these, but it’s always a good idea to have your own.
  5. Reward: Don’t forget to reward your dog for successfully using the relief area. This can help reduce stress and make the experience more positive for your dog.

Remember, every dog is different and may require different amounts of time to learn. Be patient, consistent, and always end training sessions on a positive note.

 

Passenger Support Representatives

Passenger Support Specialists (PSS) are TSA officers who have received specialized training to assist individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, and passengers who need additional screening assistance3. You can request the services of a PSS by contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours prior to your departure.

 

Passenger Support | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)

Staying in a Hotel

Staying in a hotel with a service dog requires some additional planning.

  • Check the Hotel’s Policy: Before booking, check the hotel’s policy on service animals. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hotels must allow service animals and cannot charge extra fees.
  • Communicate Your Needs: Inform the hotel in advance that you’ll be bringing a service dog. This allows them to accommodate you appropriately, such as providing a room near an exit for easy bathroom breaks.
  • Maintain Good Behavior: Ensure your dog is well-behaved and doesn’t disturb other guests. Remember, a service dog is a reflection of its handler.

Supplies

When traveling with a service dog, it’s important to pack all the necessary supplies.

  • Food and Water: Pack enough food for the duration of your trip, plus a little extra in case of delays. Don’t forget a portable water bowl and bottled water.
  • Leash and Harness: Bring an extra leash and your dog’s service vest or harness.
  • Toys and Treats: These can help keep your dog entertained during long journeys or in unfamiliar environments.
  • Health Records: Carry a copy of your dog’s vaccination records and any other relevant health information.

Cleaning Supplies

Accidents can happen, so it’s important to be prepared with cleaning supplies.

  • Waste Bags: Always have waste bags on hand for picking up after your dog.
  • Cleaning Wipes: These are useful for quick clean-ups.
  • Small Bottle of Cleaning Liquid (if possible). It’s good to try to clean or sanitize the area.
  • Towels: Bring a few towels for drying your dog if they get wet, or for laying down in the car or hotel room to catch loose fur.

Training Your Dog to Potty on Command

Training your dog to potty on command can be a very useful skill, especially for travel or when you’re in a hurry. Here’s some tips if they are not quite reliable yet. You might even have to resort to the crate training schedule if this does not seem to be working as you hoped. (See our crate training page under the Puppies link.)

  1. Potty on Command: This can be useful when you’re in an unfamiliar area or when you have limited opportunities for bathroom breaks. Choose a specific word or phrase to use as the command. It could be anything like “go potty” or “do your business”. The key is to be consistent with the command you choose.
  2. Surface associations (optional): One thing that you can do, particularly if you travel a lot, is set up different types of surface materials and practice with it on your normal potty breaks. For example, some airports have artificial grass in the relief areas, so you could set up a small area and have your dog get used to eliminating on it – and that is the ONLY thing they do on that surface. There are other materials, such as mulch that you could put in a small area and practice with as well. If these are not feasible, you might even try to have an object with you that is always placed in the “potty” spot.  These associations can be very helpful when you need your dog to go in a hurry. 
  3. Timing: Start training when your dog naturally needs to go. This could be first thing in the morning, after meals, or after playtime.
  1. Regular Schedule: Keeping your dog on a regular bathroom schedule can help prevent accidents. Try to stick to your dog’s usual routine as much as possible.
  1. Use the Command: As your dog starts to go, say the command in a clear, upbeat voice. Make sure not to distract your dog while they’re going.
  2. Reward: After your dog finishes, immediately reward them with praise, a treat, or a favorite toy. This helps your dog associate the command with the action and the reward.
  3. Repeat: Consistency is key. Repeat this process every time your dog needs to go, using the same command and rewards.