Going Through Airport Security with Your Dog

Going through airport security with a dog sounds like it should be complicated. Metal detectors, X-ray belts, strict security agents — and you’re holding a living creature who doesn’t understand what’s happening.

In reality, it takes about 90 seconds and it’s one of the smoothest parts of the airport experience. After 20+ flights with Sami, security has never once been an issue. Not in Europe, not in the US. Here’s exactly what happens and how to get through it without any stress — for you or your dog.

Before You Reach the Scanners

As you’re waiting in the security line, start prepping. Don’t wait until you’re at the conveyor belt to start figuring things out — that’s how you end up holding up the line while juggling a leash, a carrier, and your shoes.

Here’s what I do while still in the queue. I take Sami out of his carrier and hold him under one arm. I unclip his leash and remove his harness. This is important because harnesses and leashes have metal buckles and clips. Metal sets off the detector, which means your dog can’t be wearing them when you walk through.

If your dog wears a collar with a metal tag or buckle, that needs to come off too. Basically, anything metal on your dog needs to go in the tray.

What Goes on the Belt

When it’s your turn at the conveyor belt, here’s the lineup:

The carrier bag goes on the belt. Yes, the whole bag — it gets X-rayed like any other carry-on. Empty it first (take out blankets, toys, water bottles) and put those in a separate tray or bag. The carrier goes through flat if possible.

Your dog’s harness, leash, collar, and any metal accessories go in a tray. Treat these like your belt and watch — they’re just items that need to be screened separately.

Your own stuff — laptop, liquids bag, jacket — goes through as normal. Nothing changes about your personal items just because you have a dog.

Walking Through the Metal Detector

This is the part people worry about. It’s the simplest part.

Pick up your dog. Hold them in your arms, against your chest. Walk through the metal detector. That’s it.

Your dog does NOT go through the X-ray machine. Ever. The dog goes through the metal detector with you, in your arms. The carrier goes through the X-ray. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember that: dog in your arms, carrier on the belt.

Sami is always calm during this. I think it’s because he’s being held — he feels secure. The metal detector doesn’t beep (assuming you took off all the metal from both yourself and the dog), the security agent nods, and you walk through. Some agents will smile. Some will want to pet your dog. Some won’t acknowledge the dog at all. All three scenarios are fine.

If the metal detector does beep, it’s probably because you forgot a metal tag on the dog’s collar or there’s a metal clip on the harness you missed. The agent will ask you to check and walk through again. Not a big deal — it happens to people without dogs too.

On the Other Side

Once you’ve walked through, grab a table or bench near the belt. I usually put Sami down on a flat surface (he’s well-behaved enough to sit and wait), then collect my trays. Harness back on. Leash clipped. Carrier picked up. Blanket and toy back inside the carrier.

The whole process — from joining the security line to being on the other side, fully reassembled — takes maybe 5-10 minutes. The actual screening part is about 90 seconds.

Tips for Making It Smoother

Practice the pickup at home. If your dog isn’t used to being carried, practice holding them against your chest a few times before the trip. You want them calm and secure in your arms, not squirming or trying to jump down in the middle of the security zone.

Use an easy-off harness. Some harnesses have quick-release buckles that make removal fast. Others require threading straps through loops, which is annoying when you’re standing in a security line. Think about this when you’re choosing travel gear.

Have everything accessible. Don’t pack the leash and harness at the bottom of a bag. Keep them in an outer pocket or in your hand. You need to get them off quickly and put them back on quickly.

Stay calm. Your dog reads your energy. If you’re rushed and flustered, they’ll pick up on it. Breathe. Move deliberately. The security agents have seen dogs before — this isn’t unusual for them, even if it feels unusual for you.

What About Body Scanners?

Some airports use full-body scanners instead of (or in addition to) metal detectors. The process is basically the same. You hold your dog in your arms and walk through. If the security agent asks you to step into the body scanner alone, they’ll usually have you hand the dog to a colleague or ask you to put the dog down briefly. Then you step through, pick up your dog, and continue.

This has only happened to us once, and the security agent was gentle about it — they held Sami while I stepped into the scanner. Sami was fine with it. He’s a social dog and doesn’t mind being held by strangers. If your dog is more nervous around new people, mention it to the agent and they’ll usually accommodate.

International vs Domestic Security

There’s really no difference in the security screening itself. Whether you’re flying domestic or international, the process is the same — carrier on the belt, dog in your arms, walk through the detector.

What might be different is what comes after security. International flights sometimes have additional passport control or customs checks. These don’t involve any special dog procedures — you just show your documents at the regular checkpoints along with your own passport. The dog walks beside you on leash through all of this.

For a broader overview of the entire airport experience — from arrival to boarding — check our full guide to what to expect at the airport with your dog.

Security with a dog is a non-event. Seriously. I spent more time worrying about it before our first flight than I’ve spent actually going through it across 20+ trips combined. Carrier on the belt, dog in your arms, walk through. Done.