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Originally Posted by Cat Hunter  Phoebe is cute!! 
I am replying to all the people who posted on this thread. First of all thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate your input.
My dog helps me even when I am not at home, he came with me to Washington DC for five days and he not only reminded me to take my medicine he also helped me with my fear of flying! This was the first time in ages that I did not take a tranquilizer before flying. I needed to be sure to keep my wits about me as this was Mogwi's first flight. The stewardess let me keep him on my lap almost the whole flight. Having him on my lap, stroking and talking to him was immensely calming to me and removed my need for the tranquiler all together. I have been taking pre flight tranquilizers for 8 years now! I took him on as a pet so I had to pay $100 per segment and on the way back the stewardess did not allow me to have him on my knee, causing major stress to Mogwi and me. The other passengers were not too happy either. The difference was like night and day. What can I do to make sure he is allowed on my lap? It seems that it is a question of the personal preference of the stewardess, so basically if she/he does not like dogs I have to take a tranquilizer, seems very unfair.  |
Where a pet (as opposed to service or therapy) dog is allowed to sit is not the preference of the flight attendant. It is determined by each airline. Each airline can decide if pets are allowed and can limit which breeds are allowed. The FAA indicates there will be a carrier that must fit under the seat and be there for taxiing, take-off, and landing. The carrier and the dog are considered to be your carry-on. Most airlines in my experience require the dog to remain in the carrier for the entire flight. Some flight attendants will allow some accommodation for a dog who is having an issue, which may bend the airline rule but insures fellow passengers are not disturbed by a whining, barking dog. Some can be flat out rude.
I would suggest that you work with your vet to have a medication for your dog with you that can calm the dog in case he is distressed in his carrier. There are prescription and non-prescription options. And work with your doctor to make sure you are also comfortable. Our pets react to our stress, too. That way in worst case scenarios you are both OK. Beyond that, shop airlines to find one with policies that better match your needs and work to get your dog certified in a way that he can fly without confinement.
We fly with our yorkie and she's getting better all the time but we have had a couple of really tense flights over her short 2.5 years where despite meds she was not comfortable. The pressurization of the cabin that can bother people's ears bothers her. We give her something to chew and swallow during that time. During the flight we will sometimes have her carrier in our lap and put a hand in to pet her. It's not very comfortable and makes a beverage or food a little tricky. She wears jammies because she gets cold on the floor of the plane. She's trained to go to the bathroom on a piddle pad. So, about 2 hours into a flight I will take her in her carrier to the bathroom, lay a piddle pad on the floor, take her out and let her go. She knows what to do! It's a very tight fit...me, her, the carrier and a piddle pad under my feet, but she's so much more comfortable for the rest of the flight. We use a piddle pad in the airport bathroom before boarding, too.
Training your pet for any kind of travel is a challenge. It's important to know the rules, explore how to do what's best for your pet within those rules, and work hard to train your pet to be comfortable.