Skydiving With Dogs: Can You Actually Skydive With Your Dog?

Table of Contents

• Can You Skydive With A Dog? 
• Military Dog Skydiving 
• Skydiving Canines Catching Poachers 
• Has A Dog Ever Solo Skydived? 
• Dogs Parachuting With Owners

Key Takeaways

Dogs can skydive, but it’s extremely rare and usually limited to highly trained military, law-enforcement, or working dogs with specialized gear and handlers. The military has used skydiving dogs since WWII because of their unmatched scent and tracking abilities in high-risk missions. Today, similar techniques help anti-poaching dogs quickly and quietly reach remote areas to catch wildlife traffickers. For everyday pet owners, skydiving with a dog isn’t realistic.

There’s no doubt about it – dogs are man’s best friend! But, what about their best jumping buddy? Can you go skydiving with dogs? Well, yes, but not many people can do it. Here’s the short history and how-to when it comes to dogs skydiving. 

Can You Skydive With A Dog?

Has anyone even skydived with a dog? Yes! Skydiving with canines is common in the military, and although less-so in the civilian world, it can and does happen. Alex Coker took his late dog, Duke, skydiving from 14,500 feet! As a military veteran and experienced tandem skydiving instructor with a special canine-approved harness, Alex and his canine were equipped to have successful jumps. Duke’s owner even wrote a children’s book to commemorate Duke’s skydives and encourage kids to chase their dreams – you can be anything you want to be (even if it defies the norm – like a freefalling dog)!

How does skydiving with dogs work logistically?

Skydiving with a pup entails using a special harness, and conducting a variation of a tandem skydive, where the dog is strapped to the front of the handler – like the student is with the instructor. In the past, harnesses allowed dog’s legs to dangle, but now, they’re placed in a sort of sack. This enclosure keeps them comfortable and contained, and keeps their legs out of the way of the ground when landing.

Why don’t more people skydive with their dog?

Let’s say someone is a super experienced jumper and has a highly-trained dog that they deem able to skydive – can they do it? Well, sorta. The Federal Aviation Administration – one of the primary governing bodies for us skydivers – isn’t very enthusiastic about skydiving with dogs. Why? It just adds a certain variability of unknown.

For example, skydiving equipment is made for humans – and it has been perfected for decades. Dog skydiving equipment, although commonplace in some capacity, is nowhere near on the level that human equipment is. Plus, there are legal animal-welfare regulations in place to prevent animal cruelty. And although skydiving may or may not be loved by your pup, they couldn’t tell you!

Military Dog Skydiving

Dogs have been skydiving in the military since WWII. One of the primary reasons the military values canines as service members is their extremely sensitive sense of smell. Dogs have been used to track certain people down, alert for bombs, drugs, and keep their handlers (and themselves) out of harm’s way. Skydiving has allowed them to entire high-combat zones while going undetected, which has proven to be a huge tactical advantage.

Skydiving Canines Catching Poachers

In parts of Africa, anti-poaching dogs are being used alongside wildlife rangers to protect wildlife by catching poachers in the act. Skydiving from helicopters (with their handlers) allows these special dogs to enter the scene of the crime much faster and with more stealth than they could on foot. Skydiving canines catching poachers are one of the most common reasons dogs skydive today!

Has A Dog Ever Solo Skydived?

Yes! Dogs have been solo skydiving for military purposes. When a canine takes the plunge without their handler attached to them, they always land in water. When a skydiving landing happens, the jumpers pull down on the toggles to initiate a flare. A flare is when the tail of the parachute cups, causing the rate of descent and forward movement to slow down, allowing them to come to a smooth and controlled stop. Because dogs don’t have a way to grab toggles and flare, landing in water is their best bet for a safe landing!

Dogs Parachuting With Owners: Can Anyone Do It?

Most pups start barking when they see someone delivering mail, so expecting them to be okay with soaring through the sky at terminal velocity may be a stretch! Many people who wonder, “Can I skydive with a dog?” are considering their personal furry friend, not a trained canine, and there’s a big difference.

The dogs who have been airborne are trained to willingly enter high-stress situations without being reactive. Plus, doggos need a special harness that can attach to someone who is trained to do tandem skydives. Since a dog would need to remain extra calm during a jump, it’s natural to believe they would want to be with their owner, meaning their owner would need to be a very skilled tandem instructor, which most skydivers are not!

Even if jumping with your furry friend isn’t in the books, we are DOGGONE excited to skydive with YOU! Book your jump today! Blue skies!