Originally published 2013-10-08. Article reviewed on October 4, 2026. Original publication: 2013-10-08.
A portable mat can give a puppy a familiar place to rest. Teach it in a quiet setting before expecting the skill during travel or in public.
- Choose a comfortable mat on a safe, stable surface. Let the puppy investigate it without restraint.
- Reward approaching or stepping onto the mat. Deliver the reward where you want the puppy to settle.
- Reward relaxed behavior, including a comfortable sit or lie-down when the puppy offers it. Do not force its body into position.
- Use short sessions. Release the puppy to move away, take a toilet break, play or rest before it becomes frustrated.
- Add a cue when the behavior is becoming predictable. Increase time gradually and change only one difficulty at a time.
- Practice in new places that are safe, appropriate to the puppy's health and permitted under the relevant access rules.
A young puppy should not be expected to remain tethered and motionless for hours. Stop if it is distressed, uncomfortable or unable to cope. A supervised management leash is not a method for making a puppy fight restraint until it gives up.
The original story described Resdo's first flight in 2013. It is an historical training anecdote, not current airline permission: U.S. airlines are not required to accept dogs in training as service animals. Plan travel around current rules and the dog's welfare.