This is the story of how I traveled with Cooper, our AllDogBoots shoe guru, to visit my parents in South Florida while we were living in Louisiana. I had never flown with a dog before, and I learned a lot along the way.
A note before you read: This was my personal experience on an earlier Southwest Airlines trip. Airline fees, carrier requirements, seating procedures and pet policies change, so always check your airline’s current rules before booking.
Cooper and I were anxious to visit my parents in South Florida. I normally flew Southwest because they offered a direct flight from New Orleans to Ft. Lauderdale, and I was excited to learn that I could bring my small dog with me.
At the time of this trip, I booked my round-trip ticket and reserved an under-the-seat space for Cooper, my 9.5-pound Morkie. The pet fee was $75 each way then — that is part of my original experience, not the current Southwest price.
I initially ordered the Southwest Pet Carrier because I had no idea what type of travel bag would work best. When it arrived and I put Cooper inside, I immediately became doubtful. The carrier was so low that there was no way he could comfortably stand or lie in it.
I called Southwest and was told Cooper needed enough room inside the carrier to stand and turn around. I was disappointed and thought our trip was over before it began.
After thinking about it for a few days, I kept coming back to one question: Cooper was under 10 pounds, so how were other people flying with small dogs?
I turned to Twitter — this was back when tweets were still very short — and after talking with other small-dog travelers, I realized Cooper probably could travel. I simply needed a better carrier.
I bought a Sherpa-style carrier and, with plenty of treats and a little tough love, Cooper learned to accept it. He never exactly loved it, but he became comfortable enough to make the trip.
I followed the feeding, water and medication plan my veterinarian had recommended specifically for Cooper. At the time, my veterinarian also prescribed a mild sedative for him before the flight.
Important today: Do not copy Cooper’s old medication or feeding routine for your own dog. Current veterinary guidance recommends asking your veterinarian how and when to feed your individual pet before air travel, and tranquilizers or sedatives are generally discouraged because they can increase heart or respiratory risks.
I packed Cooper’s blanket and a chew bone in his carrier and gave him a good potty walk before we left for the airport.
I was incredibly nervous about check-in because I kept thinking someone was going to decide Cooper or his carrier did not qualify.
At the ticket counter, I put Cooper between my legs and said, “I need to check in my puppy.â€� Cooper was definitely not a puppy, but somehow the word made him sound smaller.
They barely looked at the carrier. I paid the pet fee, they attached the appropriate tag, and off we went toward security.
Security was the part that made me the most nervous because I knew I would have to take Cooper out of the carrier. I could barely manage my own shoes and belongings at airport security without adding a dog to the equation.
I removed Cooper, quickly attached his lead so he could not escape, and held him tightly while his empty carrier went through the X-ray machine. Airport personnel on the other side even helped hold the carrier open while I put him back inside.
We had made it through security. Huge relief.
This part is still useful today: TSA currently instructs travelers to remove small pets from their carrying cases while the empty carrier is screened. Keeping control of your dog during that process is important.
Southwest’s boarding process was different at the time of my trip. I paid extra for earlier boarding and headed toward a middle seat near the front because I had been told it offered good under-seat space.
I would not rely on that old seating advice today. Aircraft and airline seating procedures can change, so the important thing is to confirm that your approved carrier fits beneath the seat assigned to you.
Another small-dog traveler had given me one piece of advice that I loved: keep a photo of your dog handy.
Once Cooper’s carrier was under the seat, my seatmates could not really see what was inside. When they asked, I pulled out his photo. They immediately relaxed once they saw my little "wild beast."
Cooper scratched a little, barked a little and probably slept a little. Mostly, he lay still and stared at me. He was not thrilled with the experience, but he handled it.
Cooper settling into his travel carrier.
We made it. I met my father, collected our luggage and gave Cooper a very well-deserved potty break before we headed to my parents’ house.
Our vacation had officially begun.
My biggest lesson was that traveling with a small dog takes more preparation than I expected, but knowing what will happen at each stage makes the experience much easier.
Many airlines allow small dogs to travel in the passenger cabin when the dog can remain inside an approved carrier that fits beneath the seat. There is no single weight or size rule that applies to every airline, so carrier dimensions and pet policies should always be checked directly with the airline before travel.
This article is specifically about traveling with a small dog in the cabin. Rules and risks are different for pets that cannot travel beneath the seat.
The biggest mistake I made was assuming an airline-branded carrier would automatically be comfortable for Cooper. The carrier has two jobs: it has to meet the airline’s size rules, and it has to fit your dog appropriately.
Before your trip, let your dog spend time inside the carrier at home. Practice closing it for short periods, carrying it around and rewarding calm behavior. A dog that is already comfortable in the carrier has one less unfamiliar thing to deal with at the airport.
Busy terminals can have slick tile and polished flooring. If your small dog has trouble getting traction when walking through the airport, a lightweight shoe made for tiny paws may help.
For small dogs, see our Mini Meshies. They are lightweight and flexible and are a more appropriate small-paw option than our regular-size Meshies.
I was nervous about nearly every part of that first flight — finding the right carrier, checking in, getting Cooper through security and wondering how he would behave once we were in the air.
In the end, the trip taught me that preparation matters more than anything. Learn the airline’s current rules, get your dog comfortable with the carrier ahead of time and know what to expect at security.
And remember that my Southwest experience is exactly that: my experience from that particular trip with Cooper. Airline policies change, so always verify the current requirements for your own flight before you leave home.
Many airlines allow small dogs to travel in the cabin when they remain inside an approved carrier that fits beneath the seat. The exact rules, fees and carrier dimensions vary by airline.
There is no universal weight limit for every airline. In many cases, the practical requirement is that the dog fit comfortably inside an airline-approved carrier that can be stowed beneath the seat. Always check the specific airline before booking.
Small pets are generally removed from their carriers while the empty carrier is screened. Keep control of your dog and follow the TSA officer’s instructions at the checkpoint.
Do not give a dog a sedative or tranquilizer for air travel unless your veterinarian specifically advises it for your individual dog. Current veterinary guidance generally discourages tranquilization for air travel because it can increase health risks.
