International Service Dog Travel Tips and Vlog

#servicedog #disability #travel
Come on an adventure with us and explore how we navigate the complex waters of international service dog travel. As an experienced traveler, I can tell you it takes a lot of work to get right, so come along, and enjoy! What are your best guide dog/service dog travel tips?
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Thumbnail Description: A photo on the left shows Tamara in her purple wheelchair sitting next to Patience who is in harness. They are both under some beautiful cherry blossoms by a lake. To the right a beautiful blue sky with a plane can be seen with the text International Service Dog Travel Tips & Vlog.
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Lumix G7

[@Inciliusnebulifer]

Thank you for posting this when you did. I recently got into a rather heated exchange on KZbin comments with another person who accused guide dog and service dog users of cruelty for bringing a dog on an international flight due to limiting food and water as starving and dehydrating the dog. Sadly, no amount of education would sway their opinion. But hopefully, they watch your channel and will learn.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

I’ve had quite a few conversations with others who were concerned on this one. It’s tough for sure. While I don’t relish the thought of doing it, it’s the safest way to make sure there are no accidents. And I don’t ever cut them off completely, just limit it a bit. And I like to think that if I can go that long without food/water as well it can’t be that awful.

[@servicedogskidboot]

Some people just like to argue for the sake of it. I recently went on an international trip with my SD, 3 flights, total of 24 hours with layover. I was concerned about dehydration, but my vet said to just give him a few sips of water here and there and he'd be fine. I also gave him some ice cubes to lick. And a dog is not going to starve in 24 hours. I did give him some treats during the trip, and food before the last flight (which was only an hour long).

[@servicedogskidboot]

Great video! I trained my SD to go potty on command on potty pads. He refused to use the pet relief areas at the Vancouver Airport (I have to admit, they were pretty smelly). So I put a potty pad down beside it. He just looked at me funny and sat down on it lol. I think he didn’t want to go potty inside a building. I tried again several times, in washrooms, the lavatory of the plane - nope. He ended up holding his potty for 24 hours and didn’t relieve himself until I took him to a grassy spot outside the Zurich Airport. I did withhold his food and only gave him limited amounts of water as well as ice cubes to lick.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Wow poor pup! That’s some bladder control! Pee pads are a great idea! I never considered that for those emergency situations.

[@servicedogskidboot]

@@UnsightlyOpinions He's definitely housebroke lol. But we need to work on going potty on fake grass and on potty pads inside a building lol. Going to by some fake grass this year in preparation for our next international trip.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

@@servicedogskidboot My gal is the same way! She hates the dog relief areas. She’ll do the fake grass in my backyard for some reason though. Haha

[@servicedogskidboot]

@@UnsightlyOpinions I have to give that a try lol. And they sure are stinky, so can't say I blame the dogs lol.

[@khanhhm5762]

Hi, This is a great and very informative video. However, unless rules are different in Canada, at least in the US, guide dogs do not have to stay in harness during the entire duration of the flight. With a flight that is six hours or longer, that would not be comfortable for the dog, and especially with newer and younger dogs, there is a chance, slight though it is, that he or she can start chewing on the front of the harness. This actually happened to a friend of mine with her second dog on the flight home from the school. I always remove my dog's harness and keep it with me. He is under control (on leash, tucked under the seat as much as possible) and the harness is either in the pocket that is on the seat in front of me or draped over the arm of the seat closest to the window. One exception I made to this was when we had a very short flight that was an hour long and we had to share a row of seats with two other people. I do the same thing in regards to bringing food. Dehydrated and/or freeze dried raw food is another great option if the dog is on that diet. I find it takes up much less space than kibble. But then again, my dog is on a varied and rotational diet. I love those silicone type bowls. I remember my first collapsible bowl was this nylon one and I hated it because it was a pain to clean. It also took a zillion years to dry.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I usually pop the handle off during flights but the airline I use most regularly does require my dog to stay in harness for the duration of the flight. I’m not sure if that’s a Canadian airline thing, or a Canadian aviation rule. Something to investigate for sure. I have taken it off for very long haul flights before.

[@khanhhm5762]

@@UnsightlyOpinions Huh, that's interesting about the airline. I'm not familiar with any of the ones outside of the States. I'm Khanh by the way, and I've got a male German Shepherd from The Seeing Eye. He's 28 inches and around 75 lbs; I feel like I'm working a limo because he's also super long. I've watched several of your videos and I think you produce great content. I keep meaning to go back and comment on some of them, and I will when I'm not distracted for more than a minute and can write cogently. I really dislike sloppy writing. If memory serves me correctly, you got your girl from GDB, right? The Eye's harness handles don't come off. Lukas Franck who is our genius in that department is really particular and hasn't found a strong enough kind of clip for our handles. Years ago, I got a nylon harness from Julie Johnson and the handle was removable. But I didn't like the nylon as much as I do leather. It would be nice to have the option of removing the handle for situations like yours, or when I'm in a car and don't want to remove the entire harness. Wags from BrewMoo the opinionated pointy eared Sheppie to Patience

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

@@khanhhm5762 Lovely to meet you and BrewMoo! I didn’t know that about the Seeing Eye’s Harnesses. I can see now why it’s more comfortable when they are off. My first guide had a harness style very similar to yours with a removable harness handle and it was always popping off in annoying ways. I do like GDB‘s for the most part, but can’t say I love the way they attach to the harness body. And to answer your question, yes Patience is from GDB! :)

[@jackielarrauri5536]

Hi, this is a great video. I was just hopping on to say I also got my dog from The Seeing Eye, and was also taught to take the harness off. I don't know what I'd do if I flew the particular airline you discussed since the handle doesn't pop off. Also, when asking about airline specific guidelines as opposed to country specific guidelines would you call the airline disability number or is there a specific service animal number?

[@richbeardsley1024]

My school also taught me to do this. Our harness handles aren't easily detachable and require a tool in order to remove them, so that's probably why they just tell us take the harness off since having it on would be uncomfortable for both you and the dog.

[@BrazilNil]

Good point about separating them… I’ve seen several videos of people making their dog stay behind and searching between the dog’s vest. And they did film through security…

[@ChristianSullivan]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic with us, Tamara! My family and I go to Greece whenever We have the chance to visit other family members and for vacations. This was really great information for whenever We eventually go to Greece again, also making accommodations for My Guide Dog!

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed! I went to Greece with my first guide dog. It was a truly a lovely country. Although I think it took almost a month of planning to make sure I had all the paperwork in order haha but I think that was more to do with me being terrified of getting it wrong and needing to kennel or send my dog home.

[@lapaulg1]

Thanks for the audio description

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

My pleasure! It’s what I like in videos so I try to lead by example as much as I can. My sister sounded awesome in the voiceover :)

[@gracedaly6598]

Is this just how to travel with guide dog or is it also how to travel with a medical alert service dog

[@megandmauiguidingpaws]

I loved this video I don’t know when I will ever go out of country but our first trip on a plane was perfect your tips have been so helpful also the pool thing was great tips cause I started swimming again

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Hi Meg! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! So glad to hear you had a wonderful flight with your service dog. Swimming is a ton of fun glad to hear you are giving it a go again. :)

[@DearestMina]

Super informative, thank you!!!

[@starjestis8293]

Amazing video!!!

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@moleybear]

Also some countries require service dogs to be quarantined

[@SophieandT]

Wow so helpful thankyou so much for making this video. I'm going to the uk and hoping I can bring my service dog with me the laws for traveling to the uk is alot.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

You are most welcome! They certainly are! I did it with my guide a few years back. Thankfully all went smoothly but it was a lot of work to get all of the forms done.

[@Local_gremlin2009]

Yeah I live in the uk and travelling in and out of the uk is hard enough on your own let alone a service dog. I’m going to be a handler in the future and reading over the requirements is very confusing

[@lesflower1426]

thank you, hop you had a wonderful vacation

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

It was a work-cation but very fun all the same :)

[@AtURService52240]

Thank you!! I am planning to travel with my service dog internationally and I am nervous.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

It shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Just check the regulations beforehand and you’ll be just fine :)

[@tofu3802]

Hi Tamara, some really Good points, very well thought through video, explaining. How you prepare for Travel. yes, I totaly agree, different countries, have different rules to follow. Im originaly from the UK, South of England, East Sussex. The UK, have Always had stricter guidlines to follow, but as Long as these rules are followed, its not a problem. I was very reluctant to Travel to the UK, since my eyesight become worse, and was worried about how, it would be using a white cane, in a very busy environment, with lots of Noise. To my surprise, it went very well. I am Still worried, when it comes to flights, traveling Long distances, Even though I spend alot of time preparing. The strange thing, is that I used to Travel alot to different countries, in my work, but had better eyesight back then. You are doing a fantastic job Tamara, looking at all the different aspects, of life and how you adapt, have adapted, and taking time showing others, ideas of how they can cope, in different situations, of everyday life. As always, so very admirable. Kind regards Tony from Scandinavia.

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Thanks Tony! I’ve done a lot of travel all over the place as a solo blind person, so if it was something f you wanted to do, I’m sure you’d do great!

[@tofu3802]

@@UnsightlyOpinions Thank you Tamara, Kind regards Tony from Scandinavia

[@Gigessa1]

Hi Tamara, I really enjoyed your video ( I just subscribed 💖)!!!! I have a question for you.... I'm legally blind and I want to travel with my service dog, not a guide dog. Airlines require training certification for service dog but in Ontario there is not such a law. In Ontario you need to show just your documents as a disabled person. I am going crazy trying to figure it out..... Do you have any suggestions/advices? Love Jenny

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Hi Jenny, unfortunately my only suggestion would be to go through an acredited service dog organization to get certified with your dog. That will likely be pretty pricy. I know they were talking about creating a standardized assessment in Canada a while ago, but I don’t think anything ever came or it.

[@Gigessa1]

@@UnsightlyOpinions Thanks Tamara, well..... I will keep searching and I will update you ❣️

[@lesflower1426]

Tamara i keep for getting to tell you my name Is Margie, when i post it always says les LOL

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

I’m glad to put a name to your username! I always wondered but wasn’t sure so never wanted to use your name just in case. haha Lovely to meet you Margie.

[@Lunar-Echo]

I’m about to fly to Vancouver in a few weeks, what differences where there when it came to laws and socially when going from the US to Canada? What forms were required and what do you need to prepare for in advance? Thank you

[@jamaldinosaur8815]

Great video as usual tamara!! Just curious do you still stream on twitch? I used to get notifications when you went live but I haven't for a while (:

[@UnsightlyOpinions]

Thanks Jamal! I have taken a little hiatus from twitch since life got pretty chaotic but I hope to be back at it in the next week or two! :)

[@maggietravels7969]

This information is not accurate 100% i flew to poland and in europe they do require a certificate of training by a trainer dot forms are not sufficient Im being charged If you land in london you have to apply 7 days before flight for permit by email or they will seize your dog and fine you and put your dog down

[@maggietravels7969]

Never fly finnair with a service animal there horrible