Does air travel rattle your dog’s last nerves? Do you dread taking him through the airport terminal, or worse, into the airplane cabin?
Then Air Hollywood has just the class for you and your traveling pup: K9 Flight School.
The aviation-themed film studio, which has been used for movies like “Kill Bill” and “Bridesmaids,” is now using its replica sets to help dogs travel stress-free. The five-hour air travel obedience class will run you $349, but it promises to help you and your furry friend survive your next trip through the skies.
Air Hollywood’s K9 Flight School puts you and your pup through thorough simulations covering all aspects of flying, starting with getting your pooch used to the noise and chaos of the airport. From loud announcements blaring over the speakers to crowds of volunteers standing in as “travelers,” the replicated airport terminals help teach your dog how to stay calm as you navigate the airport. You’ll go through simulated check-in counters and security screenings, too, to help your dog become familiar with the ins and outs of flying. By the end of the simulation, your dog hopefully won’t feel the urge to bark at TSA screeners or pull you feverishly through the concourse.
The next part of the simulation takes place on the replicated aircraft. Here, your dog will learn how to board and deplane an aircraft, and your pup will also be trained on how to behave in-flight. Being a high-quality studio, Air Hollywood is also able to replicate takeoffs, landings and turbulence to train your dog to stay calm in these flight scenarios. While the simulation doesn’t include the change in cabin air pressure, it does include teaching your dog to sit and stay at your feet and how to properly calm your pooch should he or she start feeling nervous.
The class is aimed at pets that fly in-cabin with their owners. Most airlines allow dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds or so to fly in the cabin as long as they stay in their carrier, and trained service animals are allowed in the cabins of all major airlines. Air Hollywood’s K9 Flight School doesn’t cover pets traveling in cargo at this time, though.
For more information on Air Hollywood’s K9 Flight School, visit their website.
(Main image: cogdog used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
